BUSINESSES and individuals around the town are already signing up to help Bolton Hospice’s biggest ever fundraising campaign.

Making Every Moment Count is a 36-hour appeal running from Sunday, March 1 to Monday, March 2. It aims to make £100,000 through matched funding, doubling every pound raised.

 All the money will go towards keeping the hospice’s specialist services running this year. They must raise £5.5 million of the annual £7 million running costs to maintain vital hospice care.

For this appeal, Champions – hospice supporters - sign up using their own networks and events to raise cash. Matchers -  local businesses and other organisations -  match fund these amounts to boost the appeal.

So far, Matchers have pledged an amazing £37,000. However, more kind and generous local people need to help the hospice reach that important £50,000 target.

Currently, Matchers include caring companies like Box Power, a Hospice Patron, where CEO and co-funder Corin Dalby is already a nationally-known hospices’ supporter.

Box Power COO and company co-founder Tricia Dalby explained: “Our motivation for supporting this campaign comes from a real passion to help protect hospices at a time when many are under unprecedented financial pressure.

“We know how powerful matched funding can be in encouraging local people to get involved and in helping a hospice raise vital funds in a short period of time.

“Bolton Hospice is a wonderful place. From the moment you walk through the doors, a warm welcome awaits.

“It offers a calm and reassuring environment for patients and their families and without this vital local resource many people in Bolton would not be able to access the care and support they need – whether that is day care, respite support or end-of-life care.”

At another Matcher, UK Healthcare, Head of Sales and Corporate Services Andrew Clegg stated: “UK Healthcare is proud to support Bolton Hospice with its new campaign.

“As part of the Westfield Health Group, our purpose is to make a healthy difference to the lives of our customers and their communities and supporting Bolton Hospice is an important way for us to do that.”

Another Matcher is builder Northstone, currently creating the Cynefin development in Horwich.

Chrissie Bramhall-England, its Communities Manager, commented: “Our Community Fund is about supporting organisations that make a real difference to the communities where we build.

“Learning more about the incredible support Bolton Hospice provides to local families made choosing them as our winner an easy decision.

“We are proud that our donation will now form part of the Hospice’s matched funding appeal.”

Carol Corbett, Chairperson and Trustee of the Provincial Walsh Trust, said they were “excited by this new initiative and delighted to be able to support it in order to raise much-needed funds for our Hospice

“We have provided a number of grants in the past few years for specific projects at the Hospice -  in-patient care, new mattresses, privacy screens,

“But the Trustees were particularly interested in this new initiative as it’s a really great opportunity to encourage local people and the communities of Bolton to donate themselves, knowing that their donations will be matched.”

Amy Battersby from Matchers Stateside Foods in Westhoughton said: “When we were asked to support Make Every Moment Count, it was a no-brainer.

“It’s a fantastic initiative, doubling vital funds raised and we’re looking forward to supporting the event ourselves with fundraising on the day!"

And Duncan Jones from Matchers Philadelphia Scientific in Atlas Mill explained: “Philadelphia Scientific has been in Bolton since 1997 and we have always thought it is important to support our local community. 

“We have been fundraising and donating to Bolton Hospice for a few years now, recognising that energy and other operational costs are always increasing while support is not keeping up.

“Hospices are one of the critical community services, taking the most amazing care of people and their family during very difficult times.

“Despite being so important they do not get the publicity, or funding, that they deserve.

“Our hope is that by being part of this ‘doubling the donation’ funding drive more people will be encouraged to donate when they see their money going further.”

To be part of the Making Every Moment Count campaign as a Champion or Matcher just email Kathryn Willett at Kathryn.willett@boltonhospice.org or ring the Hospice fundraising office on 01204 663055.