A gourmet food, wine and hamper business that has raised tens of thousands of pounds for good causes is lending its support to a local hospice charity.
*Lewis & Cooper* has chosen as its nominated charity Herriot Hospice Homecare, which provides care at home to terminally-ill patients across Hambleton and Richmondshire. The charity, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, needs to raise at least £200,000 to cover running costs each year.
Bettina Bell, retail director of the Northallerton business, said: *”We are delighted to be able to help this local charity, which provides such fantastic support to members of the community when they most need it.”*
Rebecca Wilson, Herriot Hospice Homecare fundraising coordinator, said: *”We are really pleased to have the backing of this prestigious company. We constantly aim to improve our service and such support proves vital to help us achieve this.”*
For more than 20 years, Lewis & Cooper has raised funds for a wide range of good causes, primarily with its annual pre-Christmas shopping event. In the last two years, customers and staff have helped amass more than £5,500 for Help for Heroes, a charity which helps ill or injured servicemen and women. Funds have also come from shopping evenings for groups such as WIs.
Bettina Bell said the company, which has stores in Northallerton, Harrogate and Yarm, would continue to support this national organisation, as well as Herriot Hospice Homecare. She said: *”I was recently invited by Help for Heroes to see first-hand some of the excellent work it carries out at Catterick Garrison. We are delighted to be able to continue to support such life-changing work.”*
The firm’s first fundraiser for 2012 will be its annual Shrove Tuesday pancake race between Northallerton’s businesses.