Meet The Fundraiser Get to know one of Forest Holme’s Community Fundraisers. Kirsty Perks shares what she loves about her job, the challenges of fundraising during the pandemic and her engagement to...Les Dennis?
Tell us about your role at Forest Holme? Next month it will be five years since I joined Forest Holme Hospice Charity as a Community Fundraiser. My job is to build long-term relationships with individuals, community groups and local companies, encouraging as many of them as possible to support the hospice. I support them with all their fundraising activities, whether that be holding a bake sale, raffle, sponsored walk - anything at all! I present to local groups and organisations about Forest Holme, trying to raise awareness about the work we do supporting patients and families and I organise events to fundraise for the hospice including Bingo nights, Barn Dances, Scavenger Hunts and even a Halloween Dance-a-Thon to name just a few. I am also the charity’s fundraising volunteer coordinator. We are so lucky to have an amazing group of loyal and committed volunteers and many of our events just couldn’t happen without them.
What is the best thing about your job? I love my job! It’s so varied and that’s what keeps it so interesting. One day I could be at an event climbing over inflatable obstacles in a field, the next I’ll be driving around in a fire engine hosting a bucket collection. I get to meet so many different people from all walks of life and it's incredible how generous our supporters are. I feel very honoured and privileged to work for such a wonderful charity and feel proud when I tell people that I work for Forest Home Hospice, a charity 14
