Fundraising For Forest Holme

Emma Dukes (above, right) and her best friend Jodie took on a Wing Walk in 2021 to fundraise for Forest Holme. Here she tells us about why she took on this fundraising challenge.

Tell us about your challenge for the hospice?

Jodie and I took part in a Wing Walk to raise funds for Forest Holme Hospice in Poole. We took to the skies, at speeds of up to 130mph on a Boeing Stearman at Compton Abbas Airfield.

Explain why you did it for Forest Holme?

The charity is very close to my heart, and we did it in memory of my dad (David Hewitt, right) who passed away in Forest Holme August 2019.

What would you say to someone considering supporting the hospice?

This is such an important charity, please do something amazing and support the hospice.

What does Forest Holme mean to you?

Forest Holme is a sanctuary, a place filled with so much love and kindness, with staff who care and support you at the most desperate of times and give you their time unconditionally. They enabled my amazing dad to feel safe, took away his fear and who gave him and us a constant supply of emotional and physical support. Words don't cover it!

If you have been inspired by our fundraising Wing Walkers and are feeling brave enough to sign up for one yourself, please get in touch by contacting: charlie.james@forestholmehospice.org.uk for more information.

Hayley Darmody (above, far left) found a novel way to support Forest Holme during lockdown and shares her story of what inspired her to raise money for the charity.

I’ve been supporting Forest Holme Hospice charity since August 2018 after my friend Becky (below, right) spent her last three weeks being cared for at the hospice. Becky and her family were incredibly grateful for all the support and care shown by the staff at Forest Holme; nothing was too much trouble for them.

At the start of the first lockdown I decided I’d like to raise some much needed funds for the hospice as so many of their fundraising events had been cancelled due to the pandemic. I saw a post on the Forest Holme Facebook page where a man was selling books outside his house. This gave me the idea to start a book club with my neighbours and their friends and family. I started collecting books and people were dropping them off by the bag full! The idea is that it’s just £1 per book with all proceeds going straight to Forest Holme.

I have set up a Facebook group listing all available books and keep adding to it every time new ones get donated. People have been so generous and kind; most books get donated back again once they’ve finished reading too! So far we have managed to raise £250 for the charity but I’m still going. Forest Holme is an incredible charity that has touched so many hearts.