Couple raise £100,000 for Katharine House Hospice
Margaret and Peter Whittle pictured with Day Hospice manager Pat Smith
A TADMARTON couple who have raised cash for Katharine House Hospice for 20 years have reached the major milestone of collecting £100,000 for the charity.
Peter and Margaret Whittle set up Cottage Crafts in 1993 and began opening their house to members of the public in order to sell their handmade crafts and toys.
During the first 13 years 9,000 people came through their doors before, in 2006, the couple decided to take their business out to different institutions and give talks.
Since then the pair have visited more than 90 different groups to talk about their work and the hospice and altogether they have spoken to about 2,000 people.
During 2012 the pair raised £5,000 through their efforts, bringing their fundraising total to £100,000.
Mr Whittle said: “We are both totally amazed at how much we have raised – the hospice needs £2.4 million to keep going every year so £100,000 is just a drop in the ocean.
Margaret and I really enjoy talking to people about the hospice and Cottage Crafts. The enjoyable part is the feedback and how everyone comments about the hospice or some of the toys we have made.”
The couple’s youngest daughter Ursula, who is one half of the soap brand Heyland & Whittle, has been selling lavender sachets made by her parents at famous shows across the country, including the Chelsea Flower Show.
Mr Whittle said: “Ursula was saying how she was in Norfolk selling some of our lavender sachets last year, and one woman came up to her and said one of their relatives was cared for in the hospice! This goes to show just how far afield the hospice reaches and how many people know about their work.”
In November, the Whittles called in to Tadmarton’s refurbished pub the Lampet Arms for their final event of 2012. They raised £500. The hospice’s fundraising manager Sue Lane said: “Their enthusiasm and dedication to further the work of the hospice is incredible and very humbling because they have given many hours of their lives to raise funds.”
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Thursday 20 June 2013
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