When you see the difference the first-class care makes to Bury Hospice patients and their families, it is easy to understand what drives the fundraising team.

The fundraising team works tirelessly throughout the year to build relationships with schools, the community and businesses and to organise events. All to secure funding to ensure we continue to provide the highest possible standards of care to those who need our services most.

To engage with schools across the borough this year, the fundraising team have launched a Young Business Innovation Challenge which will run until the end of April.

It is an ‘Apprentice’ style challenge, pairing schools with a local business leaders who act as a mentor and guide. The mentor will provide the School team with an initial fund of £50 and help them create and execute an innovative business plan over a number of weeks, using the £50 as a start-up investment.

The school teams and staff will be invited to attend an awards ceremony at the end of the challenge, where prizes will be awarded. There will be an overall champion’s trophy plus cups in each section and runner-up prizes.

The schools that have already signed up to take part are Unsworth Academy, Philips High School, Bury College and Elton High School.

Our Bunny Hop is also back this year and we are inviting primary schools, playgroups, childminders, clubs and families to get creative and active by taking part. Children have the opportunity to hop, skip, walk, run or jump their way along their chosen sponsored walk route wearing their very own bunny ear creations. The bunny ears are a designed template, ready for the children to be creative. The Bunny Hop is the perfect way for children to get creative, get outdoors and be active in order to raise money for the Hospice.

Primary schools signed up include Greenhill Primary, Tiddlywinks Nursery, Dream Big Little One Children’s Day Nursery, All Saints CE Primary and St Joseph’s RC Primary Ramsbottom.

For further details, or to register for these events, contact Rachel Krafft, our community co-ordinator on 0161 797 1748 or e-mail rachelkrafft@buryhospice.org.uk

The fundraising team is also organising a Memory Walk on Sunday, March 20, which will run from our old hospice grounds on Dumers Lane through to our current location on Rochdale Old Road. The Memory Walk costs just £15 for an adult and £5 for under 16s to sign up and we are encouraging people of all ages to join in.We are also asking local groups and businesses to join in too. Crown Oil is one firm to sign up with a team joining us on the day. For more information call the fundraising team on 0161 762 5718.