Fundraisers can't stop, won't stop after raising £138,000 for hospice

The six kind-hearted women, who together go by the name of the Non Stoppers, started collecting donations and raising money for the hospice in 2000 and over the past 23 years have managed to top the fundraising scales at £138,650.

The group have been reminiscing over tea and cake about their efforts over the past two decades, remembering Sheila Jones’ husband Eric, who was the inspiration behind the fundraising team.

Eric passed away in 2000 after spending seven days at Willowbrook Hospice.

Shelia and her family were so impressed and grateful for the care that Eric received during the short time he spent at the hospice, and the compassion shown to the family, that they decided to try and raise £21,000 – the cost to run the hospice for just one week 23 years ago.

Sheila started the fundraising journey by rounding up her sister Rita Canning, neighbours and friends Barbara McClough, Linda Sewell, Joyce Roberts and Gwen McCabe, and together they organised local fundraisers like race nights, craft stalls, afternoon teas and hotpot suppers.

They used their church in Rainhill to host their fundraisers, when the events’ popularity outgrew their homes, and then moved to St John’s Church Hall in Ravenhead.

Non Stoppers (from left) Linda Sewell, Gwen McCabe, Joyce Roberts, Barbara McClough, Rita Canning and Sheila Jones

Sheila said: “All the fundraising kept me busy; it got me out of the house.

“If I’d have stopped, I don’t know what I would have done with all my time.

“I really enjoy it so decided to carry on.

“It isn’t me on my own though, I am part of a team, and we all work really well together.

“We love what we do.”

When Willowbrook Hospice opened a fundraising office in Claughton Street, the staff asked the Non Stoppers to come up with a name for their group.

It was after a day out at Knowsley Flower Show that Shelia was enjoying her own garden and spotted her rockery full of Non Stop Begonias.

They were Eric’s favourite plants and she knew that had to be the new name for the fundraisers.

It took the ladies six years to raise their £21,000 target but once they reached their goal they didn’t stop.

Over the past 23 years, they have helped raise more than £138,000 – a massive achievement.

Since 2000, the Non Stoppers have helped raise £138,650

It costs around £5million each year to deliver all the hospice services for 12 months, which is more than £13,000 every day and every penny raised for the hospice goes towards helping patients.

Since it opened in 1997, more than 10,000 patients with life limiting or terminal illnesses have been resident at the hospice and as a charity, the hospice, which receives more than a thousand referrals every year, provides free care to all its patients.

It’s part-funded by the NHS but more than half of the money comes from donations and fundraising events throughout the year.

The support the hospice receives from the local community through fundraising events, campaigns and donations is invaluable to ensuring that the much-needed care can be provided in the future.

Fundraising started in 1990 headed by Lady Kirsty Pilkington with the aim of reaching the £1.8million target.

St Helens Council donated a plot of land on Portico Lane in 1992 and there were coffee mornings and collection boxes as well as cakes sales and dinner dances.

A donation shop was opened and the hospice lottery was launched while a thermometer was positioned outside the Town Hall showing how the fundraising campaign was progressing.

By 1995 more than £1million had been raised.

A spokesperson for Willowbrook Hospice said: “On behalf of everyone at Willowbrook Hospice, and our local area, thank you to our fabulous team - the Non Stoppers.

“The amount of money they have raised over the years is phenomenal and has made a huge difference to the running of our hospice.

“We will be forever grateful.”

If you have some spare time and would like to help the Non Stoppers, get in touch with the volunteer hub on 01744 453798.