A couple from Poolhill near Newent have raised £1,150 for a local charity throwing a summer garden party for friends and family.

Jo, 59, a retired nurse and Mark Robinson, 59, who worked for Lloyds Bank in Barnwood, Gloucester for over 38 years and now works as a consultant, wanted to raise funds for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in thanks for the care it has given to their family.

The hospice, which is home to the only specialist palliative inpatient unit in the whole of Gloucestershire, provided care and support to Mark's father, who was manager of the hospice for five years before his retirement in 2001. The specialist Sue Ryder team has also been giving support to their nephew, Charlie Bishop.

Jo Robinson said: "We have a real family connection to Sue Ryder. Our nephew, Charlie, has needed the charity recently and historically Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice cared for Mark's dad too.

"During the pandemic we heard the charity had to close all of its shops and they were struggling with funding. At one point it was very worrying. We wanted to do something to support them as it was scary to think it might not be there when we needed it.

"We originally planned a garden party fundraiser for 2020, but it had to be cancelled due to the lockdown restrictions, so we rescheduled it for July 2021. After one final delay to the lifting of Covid regulations we finally came together on 22nd August.

Mark added: "And everyone really did come together. The morning arrived and it absolutely threw it down, and with that friends and neighbours starting pitching up with gazebos so we had some seating in the dry. People helped everywhere - from donating a magnum of Champagne and making a beautiful Sue Ryder themed cake for the raffle to helping with the wonderful catering and selling raffle tickets on the day.

"We had a 'bring and buy' cake stall, booze, cake and cups of tea. In the end sun came out for us all too.

"Over 70 friends and family joined us on the day as Sue Ryder is a cause so close to our hearts. It was a wonderful afternoon and we both want to thank everyone for their generosity and support in making it such a success."

The couple hope the funds will help the hospice continue to be there for local families, like theirs.

Mark and Jo are keen to share their experience of the care given by Sue Ryder to help raise awareness that the charity is there for people living in the Forest of Dean.

For more information on Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice and the services it provides visit sueryder.org/leckhampton

The hospice relies on the generous donations of local individuals, families like Mark and Jo's and organisations so it can continue giving its expert and compassionate palliative care. To find out more about fundraising for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice email leckhampton.fundraising@sueryder.org