Dorothy House Hospice Care and RUHX are delighted to be the beneficiaries of an astonishing year of fundraising undertaken by local charity, The Helen Straker Charity.
The Helen Straker Charity holds several fundraising events every year, in memory of Gordon Straker’s late wife Helen, who had a 13 year struggle with cancer and finally lost her fight in 2013. All proceeds from the events are shared between RUHX (formally known as Royal United Hospital Forever Friends Appeal) and Dorothy House Hospice Care.
Helen had been determined to do as much as possible to give everyone access to the best possible cancer care and outstanding end of life care, which she herself received at Dorothy House. The aims of the Trustees of The Helen Straker Charity are to keep Helen’s wishes alive, and raise funds for the building of the new cancer wing at the RUH and to support the remarkable Dorothy House Hospice at Winsley.
Events during 2022 included an alternative Ascot Ladies Day race day at Bath Racecourse, a Golf Day at Manor House Golf Club, Castle Combe, a ball for 250 guests at The Pavilion in Bath, and ‘The Tractor Boys Lunch’, held at the Hilton in Bath, with guest speaker Mike Tindall.
These events, attended by hugely generous supporters, raised in excess of £200,000. On December 13th representatives from Dorothy House and RUHX were presented with cheques for £100,000 each, at a very special presentation at The Bear Hotel, Devizes.
Since its formation in 2002 The Helen Straker Charity has raised more than £900,000.
Clare Way, Community and Events Fundraiser at Dorothy House Hospice Care said: ‘’We are always incredibly grateful for the amazing support we receive from The Helen Straker Charity, but this year we were totally blown away by the amount raised! Thank you so much to everyone involved in putting these events together, and to everyone who attended and donated. These funds will help us continue to provide compassionate palliative and end of life care to patients and their families across our community.
Jan Witt, Legacies and Tribute Manager, RUHX said: “We are extremely proud of the phenomenal amount The Helen Straker Charity has raised this year, a huge thank you to everyone involved. We’re so grateful for their committed and continued support of our charity, and the funds raised will go towards enhancing cancer services at the RUH.”