After considering some creative ways to support their local hospice charity and employer, Claire Fiore, Havens Hospices’ Assistant Shop Manager first sparked the idea to her colleague Eany Callahan.

Together they are calling on people to get involved in decorating parts of their homes and sharing it with their family and friends on social media for a donation. They hope to not only raise vital funds for the charity but also bring the local community together, spreading some joy and appreciation to those working on the frontline.

Eany says, “Claire and I wanted to come up with a fun and safe way for people to fundraise from the comfort of their homes so we thought this would be a great way to add a bit colour to what is otherwise a bleak time. All of Havens Hospices’ shops are currently closed and all fundraising events have been cancelled or postponed but the hospices remain open. Our Care Teams are still providing vital care for children, adults and their families during very difficult times.”

Claire added, “The idea behind the campaign was to try and create a sort of ‘virtual street party’, to highlight great British spirit and bring communities together during these tough times whilst also raising money for a great cause which is close to our hearts. Not only do we work for the charity but we both have had family members cared for at the hospice and we have seen first-hand the amazing care they provide and how important it is to so many families.”

Eany continues, “This is something for all the family to get involved with to try and beat those lockdown blues. The more people decorating, the more money we can raise – so let’s share the joy of decorating and giving something back.”

How to get involved

The campaign dubbed ‘#HavensFastastic5’, asks people to firstly decorate either a front door, window, garden, tree, balcony -anything that you can see from the front of your property – and display a sign with #HavensFantastic5 on it. Take a photo of your creation and set up a JustGiving fundraising page at www.JustGiving.com. Post the photo, and URL link to your JustGiving page onto your social media accounts and tag 5 friends on your post to take up the challenge and donate. Remember to use the hashtag #HavensFantastic5 and tag @HavensHospices.

Havens Hospices can only continue the essential hospice care they provide because of donations made by you. Any donation that you can make – whatever the size – will have an immediate impact on our hospice care right now. To find out more about Havens Hospices, visit www.havenshospices.org.uk.

To visit Eany’s JustGiving page click here and to visit Claire’s JustGiving page click here.