Local fundraisers, Claire and Lisa, have been named finalists for the Community Champion Award at this year’s Pride of Essex Awards, in recognition of raising more than £100,000 for Havens Hospices over 18 years.

The pair, both from Hockley, have organised and taken part in a wide range of fundraising challenges in support of the charity, including the London-to-Paris and London-to-Amsterdam cycles, Cycle Transylvania, the Bay of Biscay cycle, the Three Cities cycle, the Snowdonia Challenge, and the London Marathon.

They also run a series of annual events, including an Open Gardens weekend across Hockley, Rochford and Canewdon, a Christmas shopping event, a Mother’s Day event and a garden party, alongside securing charity partnerships with Riverside Cherry Lane Nursery in Hullbridge and QD Stores in Rayleigh — the latter alone raising more than £8,000 through carrier bag sales in two years.

Speaking about why they supported the charity, Lisa and Claire said, “We are forever grateful to Havens Hospices and for everything they did to support our loved ones when they needed them most. Sadly, we have had to say goodbye to more people than we ever would have wanted. So if we can give back just a little, we will continue to raise funds for them. We have so many lovely family, friends and our community who are always supportive and couldn’t do it without them.

“What started as a personal journey to help the hospice after a few close friends were supported by Havens has turned into something we can’t give up! The hospice needs so much funding every week; we can’t stop. We will continue to raise funds and put on events. Next year we will be arranging our 10th Open Gardens event, and we plan to make it the best yet – so make sure to search for Hockley, Rochford, Canewdon Open Gardens on Facebook if you’d like to come along.”

Havens Hospices is a charity, and the majority of the funds needed to provide free, expert, compassionate care to people of all ages living with complex or incurable conditions, and their families, come from donations, fundraising and gifts in wills. Thanks to the support of people like Claire and Lisa, Havens Hospices can continue providing that care to families across Essex.

Lucy Lock, Community Engagement Manager, Havens Hospices, says, “Claire and Lisa have shown eighteen years of dedication and commitment to Havens Hospices. They’ve brought in new supporters, built partnerships with local businesses, and kept finding new ways to raise money, year after year. Their generosity and hard work have made a real difference to local families, and this recognition is thoroughly deserved.”

Claire and Lisa recently visited Little Havens to mark this year’s Open Gardens weekends, where they were told, for the first time, that their fundraising total across the years had passed a remarkable £100,000.

The Pride of Essex Awards ceremony takes place on Monday 6 October at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford.

If you would like to get involved in fundraising for Havens Hospices, visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/fundraising to find out more.

Published, 24th September 2026