#teamcarden’s Nightingale House Hospice fundraising efforts

#teamcarden members, Kay and Gary Whistler are no ordinary couple. They met when they worked for North Wales Police with Gary in the Traffic Department and Kay as a Detective on the Child Protection Team. They left the force after a combined service of 52 years and now Gary works as a concierge and Kay as a personal assistant to our General Manager.

Four years ago the pair began holding Whistler Charity events  after Kay lost her father Ray and best friend Susan to cancer. Since then they have raised almost £30,000 for the Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham, which cares for local people and their families with life-limiting illnesses, as well as children and young people experiencing bereavement in the North Wales and border areas.

Kay explains why the Nightingale Hospice is close to her heart: “The help and support offered to not only patients but their families during difficult times is more than you could ever hope for of palliative care. They are compassionate and caring. I remember the level of care to this day from all of the staff right up to my dad’s last moments and is what gives us the determination to succeed with fundraising. The level of care meant a lot to my dad and also to my mum Pam and we will never forget their kindness. There are so many families touched by cancer and this is what gives me the drive to attract donations and host fundraising events.”

The Whistlers are determined 2019 will be their most active year yet! With the Hospice “always on her mind” Kay has organised an Elvis Tribute on 31st August at Carden Park.  The evening will be hosted by the talented Paul Larcombe who has made numerous TV appearances and performed for royalty. Tickets are available here.

Then on November 2^nd 2019, Kay will again host the glamorous “All That Sparkles” Whistler Charity Ball here at Carden Park which last year attracted over 200 people and raised just under £13,000 with support from Blooming Beautiful and Barclays who match funded £2,000 and have supported Kay and Gary throughout with all their fundraising events. Guests will enjoy a drinks reception and three-course dinner, followed by a charity auction, raffle and dancing into the early hours.

Just 14 days later Kay and Gary, Paul Foulkes from Barclays and his wife Trina will join 20 other cyclists for the challenge of a 382km bike ride taking them from Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to the ancient temples of Cambodia over 10 days.

Kay continued: “There are people of all ages doing the trek with all levels of fitness and we are all supporting each other through the training. Everyone is working beyond belief to personally fund the trip and to raise significant amounts of money for Nightingale Hospice. We have completed lots of fundraising, from 10k runs to the Prudential London 100 Bike Ride which Gary has completed a remarkable three times but this will be our first international ride. Our daughter Amy has also helped with fundraising for the Hospice running a half marathon.”

Kay also wishes to thank Phil and Alex Reeves from the Event Station at Carden Park for their support in a recent Quadbiking and Archery fundraising event for Nightingale House which was great success.

Debbie Barton of Nightingale House said: “Kay and Gary are wonderful fundraisers for Nightingale House and we would like to say a huge thank you for all their efforts to raise funds for our hospice. They work incredibly hard and produce fantastic events. We wish them every success with their forthcoming Elvis Night and Whistler Ball which will be brilliant evenings and of course we wish them an amazing time on their Vietnam to Cambodia cycle challenge with us in November.”