Poole-based digital agency, b4b Marketing, has thrown its support behind Forest Holme Hospice as its charity for 2024 and the team are well on their way to reaching their target of £1,000 for the year.
The local agency, which specialises in marketing, software, websites and media, has already taken part in various initiatives so far this year to raise money for Forest Holme from attending their organised events to co-ordinating their own, such as sweepstakes and bake sales.
With both organisations being based in Poole, it was an easy decision for b4b to make says b4b Director Hayley Baverstock: “We’ve always admired the work Forest Holme do tirelessly in our community and we’ve supported them over the years, but we wanted to make it official this year.
“Our forty strong UK team, along with our sister agency Studio Global, have embraced the events we’re doing, so much so that we’ve already been able to donate a sum of money in just our first quarter of fundraising.”
Forest Holme Hospice Charity, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, helps to ensure everyone from across Poole, Wimborne and the Isle of Purbeck affected by life-limiting illness or bereavement, gets the care and support they need, either at home or in their dedicated hospice facility. They enhance the lives of over 1,500 adults each year alone who are facing a life limiting or terminal illness.
They also financially support the specialist palliative and end of life care teams, as well as counselling and complementary therapy services, within Forest Holme Hospice, which is part of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, to be there for the patients and their families whenever, and wherever, they are needed.
Making sure that the events are organised, and the funds are raised is the b4b ‘Culture Club’ – a group of four volunteer staff members who take time out to organise various events for the team to enjoy and raise funds. Events range from b4beers, on the last Friday of the month which sees all the team get together for a well-deserved drink after work, to regular staff socials, dress down days, challenges and cake sales.
Kirsty Perks, Corporate and Community Fundraiser for Forest Holme, is pleased to have b4b on board: “NHS funding is limited, which means we need to raise £1 million each year so that our team can deliver the highest level of care, when and where it counts.
We’re so grateful to businesses like b4b that adopt us as their charity of the year for their support, both publicity wise and financially.”
Next up for b4b on the fundraising trail is a team entry in the Forest Holme Quiz Night in May, a Eurovision style sweepstake and celebration day, as well as the Golf Day in July!