Our colleagues at RfM Preston have found a simple way to make a big difference. Every Friday (for many years now) staff have paid to take part in Dress Down Friday to raise money for a local charity. Derian House Children’s Hospice is the latest good cause to benefit from their ‘casual’ fundraising.

RfM Marketing Co-ordinator Alison Winstanley presents a cheque for £1000 to Elaine Middleton at Derian House

On Thursday 2nd May, Alison Winstanley visited Derian House Children’s Hospice to present them with a cheque for £1000. The money has been raised by staff at RfM Preston who each pay £1 every week to take part in Dress Down Friday.

“We have been having Dress Down Friday for a number of years now,” explains Alison. “Each year, the staff choose a local charity that they would like to support and this year it is Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley.

“It is a charity that is very well known in the area for the amazing care and support they give to the children who stay there and their families. Some of our staff have close family or friends who have needed to access the services provided by Derian House so we understand how vital the work they do is.”

Derian House offers respite, palliative and end-of-life care to children with a life-limiting condition. They provide residential care in specially adapted bedrooms and also care for children in their own homes. There are only a small number of children’s hospices across the country and Derian House supports families across Lancashire, Merseyside, South Lakes and into West Yorkshire.

Corporate fundraising events

Alison met with Corporate Fundraiser Elaine Middleton to learn more about the facilities and the types of children who visit the Hospice.

“It costs £4 million each year to run the Hospice with 93% of that total coming from fundraising,” said Elaine. “We are very grateful for the support we receive from local businesses like RfM and their help is invaluable. There are so many ways to get involved and raise much-needed funds for the Hospice, ranging from small in-house sponsored activities to large corporate events. We’ve loads of ideas and ways to support anyone who would like to fundraise with us.”

Visit the Derian House website to find out more.

If you would like to support RfM Preston with their fundraising efforts, simply call in to the office in Leyland on any Friday and pass on your donation at reception. But don’t forget to wear your trainers…