Community champion earns £1,000 towards Hospice Care fundraiser

A dedicated fundraiser who is taking part in four Santa Runs and a cycle challenge to support a hospice that cared for both his wife and daughter has been gifted £1,000.

Persimmon Homes Cornwall has chosen Jerry Gill, of St Austell, as one of its Community Champions for the month, recognising his fundraising efforts for Cornwall Hospice Care.

Jerry explained: “My wife Susan died aged 48 and within two years I also lost my only child, my daughter Jemma, aged just 22.

“Hospices provide excellent care and support for loved ones and I am trying to give something back.

“Cornwall Hospice Care has two hospices, in St Austell and Hayle, both are self-funding and rely on fundraising to keep operating. So far, I have raised about £2,500, but I am planning on doing four Santa Runs and a cycle challenge in December to keep on fundraising. This is a very generous donation from Persimmon Homes in Cornwall and very much appreciated.”

Jane Cartwright, sales manager at Persimmon Cornwall said: “We are proud to support Jerry in his generous fundraising efforts. His loss is unimaginable, but sadly so many people are affected directly, or indirectly by cancer and the care and support given by hospices is absolutely priceless.

“We wish Jerry all the best for his fundraising and hope he earns even more support along the way.”

Jane added: “Our Community Champions initiative is a hugely successful scheme that sees an annual pot of £24,000 donated to local groups and charities to match-fund money previously raised.

“If applicants for our scheme were unsuccessful last month, we urge them to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try again and hopefully they will become our next
Community Champion.”