Fabulous fundraisers Colin and Sue Pearce have helped to raise thousands of pounds for an NHS Trust charity.
The couple, who are landlord and landlady at The Greyhound pub, in Ixworth, have been supporters of the My WiSH charity for over 12 years and their latest campaign has netted a total of £7,285, bringing their total fundraising to an astounding £53,210.
The money raised by Colin and Sue over the years is all used by My WiSH to enhance patient care and support staff working across the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
Between March 2024 and February this year, they organised a host of activities, including raffles, quiz nights arranged by a pair of their regular customers, donations and sales of a selection of items from the pub and they also help to decide where the money is designated at the West Suffolk Hospital.
This year the beneficiaries are the breast unit, which has received a tattoo gun that allows specialist nurses to provide 3D nipple tattoos.
It has also helped to purchase a pair of noise monitors which will be circulated around the hospital to help provide a more relaxing environment for patients.
Colin said: “We get donated a huge hamper for our Christmas raffle which makes a lot of money in the raffle and also some handmade walking canes, which are also a big attraction and are unique.”
Angus Baker, a Greyhound regular who runs an electrical business, donates the hamper and another man from Rattlesden makes the canes as a hobby.
Colin chops wood, which is sold for kindling. There are also bucket collections, donations from customers, along with sales from a book and puzzle shelf - plus the sale of walnuts from a tree in the pub car park.
Colin and Sue, who both celebrate their 70th birthdays this year, have been landlord and landlady at the pub for over 40 years. They decided to raise money for My WiSH after they were treated at the hospital in Bury St Edmunds.
Colin was treated for a collapsed lung prior to the Covid outbreak and spent 18 days in the respiratory unit. Sue was treated for breast cancer and their granddaughter was also cared for in the intensive care unit.
He said:
The fundraising all started when I had to come into the hospital to have my leg amputated. During my time there, I saw just how important specialist equipment is for patient care, and I wanted to do something to give back, so I decided to raise money for My WiSH.
“We also helped to purchase items for the breast unit after my wife had breast cancer and when my daughter had her daughter, she had to stay in over Christmas so also helped to buy equipment for the maternity unit as well.
“And we always ask the charity what specific area they want the money to go towards.”
Ali Devlin, the ward manager on the acute medical unit, said: “Our ward sees a big patient turnaround both day and night, which can mean a lot of noise.
“Staff really try to keep this to a minimum, but these monitors will really highlight the exact level on the ward to try and reduce it and allow patients to rest and sleep.”
And Sally Daniels, grants manager for My WiSH, said: “The Greyhound have supported us for years and made a difference to so many areas.
“Once again, they’ve gone above and beyond and made a difference to not one, but two areas of the hospital.
“Huge thanks to all their friends and customers who support them with all their events.”
