Demelza Hospice set to benefit from Covers' Help for Hospices fundraising campaign

Hospices in the south, including Demelza Hospice Care for Children, are t o benefit from more than £32,000 thanks t o a special fundraising campaign by Covers Timber & Builders Merc hants.

The company, which has a depot on Upland Road, Bexleyheath, gave £5 for ever y purchase during its annual Help for Hospices charity week, which took place from 12th to 16th September, and donated a total of £32,155. Covers’ chairman Ruper t Green commented: "Thank you to ever yone who suppor ted our Help for Hospices week this year and helped us to provide an incredible amount of money It means that since we launched the initiative in 2015, our customers have helped us to raise more than £217,000 for hospices across the south east.

"Charities rely on donations and the money raised will help hospices continue to provide vital ser vices to the communities they ser ve ”

Demelza provides specialist care and emotional suppor t for over 600 children with serious or terminal conditions and their families throughout South East London, Kent and East Sussex. Ser vices include family and practical suppor t, music and ar t therapies, shor t breaks, clinical care, symptom and medication management, end of life care and bereavement suppor t www demelza org uk www coversmerchants co uk

Among 10 other hospices being suppor ted by Covers are St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Bosham, Naomi House & Jacksplace in Winchester and Mountbatten Hospice in Southampton.

The family-run company, which opened its first depot in Chichester, is celebrating its 175th anniversar y this year It has 14 depots spread across Hampshire, Sussex and Kent, supplying specialist timber ser vices and products to the building trade and for home DIY Mr Green said Covers is proud of its heritage and its close connection with the communities it ser ves.

celebrat ed the opening of the Sparkle café.

The Sparkle café opened its doors with various homecooked cakes, savouries, and a vast selection of hot and cold drinks

Staff and residents have been working on the cafe behind the scenes for several months, designing new signage, writing new menus, and recruiting staff and residents to help run the cafe.

Avante Care & Suppor ts Managing Director, Stuar t Cross, attended the opening day and cut the ribbon to officially open the Sparkle café. Stuar t, thanked staff for their notable team effor t and hard work and thanked residents Roger, Bill and Myra, who have all expressed an interest in helping run the café with staff

The Sparkle café is open to all, Monday to Friday, 10 am – 3 pm, and can cater to all occasions, including a quick snack on the go or a leisurely lunch with friends

The cafe has also teamed up with the 'Warm Welcome' campaign to provide a warm, safe place for those affected by the cost of living crisis

Among 3000 other registered organisations, the Sparkle café is offering a free, warm, welcoming space for the public this winter across the UK

The 'Warm Welcome' campaign was launched by the ChurchWorks Commission, working with several other key par tners to suppor t and champion the community response to the costof-living crisis

If you would like to know more about Riverdale Cour ts Sparkle a f é , p l e a s e c a l l R i v e r d a l e Cour t on 0208 3179067 or for more information on the 'Warm Welcome' campaign,