A COMPANY that specialises in delivering wine to the door has raised more than £70,000 for a charity that helps people with life-limiting conditions.
Laithwaites, based in Theale, selected the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice for a three-year charity partnership back in July 2020.
The campaign launched with a £35,000 gift to support work during the first covid lockdown phase.
Since then, the company’s team organised a number of fundraising activities and challenges to double this – funding the equivalent of over 3,300 hours of expert care for patients supported by the hospice’s Sue Ryder nurses, healthcare assistants, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, complementary therapists and family support team.
It is now aiming to raise £100,000 by the end of the year.
Tom Laithwaite, chairman of Laithwaites and son of founder Tony Laithwaite, said: “Our employees voted for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice as the company’s charity partner after a much-loved colleague was cared for at the hospice before they died in 2019.
“Over the years many of us have also had friends and family members who have been wonderfully cared for and supported by the charity.
“We are thrilled to have raised this amount for a cause close to our hearts and it was an easy decision to extend our partnership. Everyone at Laithwaites remains committed to championing such an amazing cause, which provides vital support for families in our local community.”
Jordon Baker, who works as a Marketing Campaign Executive at Laithwaites, is taking on a solo challenge of running the London Marathon on Sunday, April 23, with the company match-funding his fundraising up to £1,000.
The 23-year-old said: “To support the amazing work of Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, I’ve decided to push myself outside my comfort zone.
“I want to raise as much money as possible to support those who haven’t been as fortunate to see their loved ones get the support that they need.”
And the support is appreciated by Jenn Patient, senior community fundraiser for Sue Ryder in the Thames Valley.
She said: “We’re so grateful to Laithwaites for their dedicated support since 2020 and we look forward to continuing our partnership into this year.
“The funds raised will make a huge difference in helping us to be there when it matters for people going through the most difficult times of their lives.”
For more information about Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, visit: sueryder.org/duchessofkent
To donate to Mr Baker’s London Marathon fundraising page, visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/jordonbaker
