How appropriate for this time of year – Kilbryde Hospice receives three gifts from the East. Well, East Kilbride.

Earlier in the year, ten intrepid staff from Nationwide Building Society East Kilbride and Nationwide Building Society Strathaven cycled the perimeter of Great Cumbrae in support of Kilbryde Hospice. Earlier this week Stuart Glen, Fundraising Manager with Kilbryde Hospice happily collected a cheque for £780 from Andrew Smart, Senior Branch Manager at Nationwide Building Society East Kilbride.

Andrew Smart commented, “Our aim was to raise £500 for Kilbryde Hospice and thanks to the generosity of family, friends and customers we more than met our target. I’m immensely proud of the Nationwide Building Society staff and would like to thank everyone who donated and supported our fundraising efforts.”

Secondly, the Ladies Section of the Rolls Royce Bowling Club (inset photo, from left to right: Muriel Brew, Donna Hegarty, Pat McMillan, Isobel Graham and Cathy Marshall) raised £650 at a beetle drive and raffle for Kilbryde Hospice. President of the club, Pat McMillan said “It is fantastic to see Kilbryde Hospice, South Lanarkshire’s first in-patient hospice fast becoming a reality. The services offered at the day hospice are wonderful, but the provision of beds is long overdue.” Pat added, “The funds raised for Kilbryde Hospice would not have been possible without the support of Buchandyke Filling Station, Morrisons East Kilbride, Marks & Spencer East Kilbride, Boots East Kilbride, Glencairn Crystal, The Lee Burn, Pizza Hut East Kilbride, Grant’s Florist, Manhatten Fish Shop and Marini’s Express who all donated raffle prizes; and of course, all the members and friends that attended on the night.”

The final gift to Kilbryde Hospice came from the East Kilbride Branch of UNITE. The donation of £1,200 on behalf of the members was presented to Stuart Glen by Ronnie Scott, Branch Secretary. Ronnie explained, “Instead of a Christmas bonus paid to retired branch members, this year the branch decided to make a donation from the general fund to the work of Kilbryde Hospice.” Ronnie Scott added, “The branch committee wanted to reward a local charity and ahead of the build next year Kilbryde Hospice seemed like the obvious choice. We look forward to watching the progress of the hospice next year and are proud our members have made a contribution.”

Stuart Glen praised the fundraising efforts of the three groups, “We are immensely grateful to the staff at Nationwide Building Society, the Ladies Section of the Rolls Royce East Kilbride Bowling Club and the members of the East Kilbride Branch of UNITE. 2012 will be a momentous year for Kilbryde Hospice. We hope to start building South Lanarkshire’s first hospice in spring, but this would not have been possible without phenomenal local support. Support from people like Andrew, Pat and Ronnie. People like you. Thank you.”

Stuart Glen added, “To coincide with the building of the new Kilbryde Hospice, we’ve put together an exciting programme of events for local supporters. There’s something for everyone, so hopefully you can support Kilbryde Hospice in 2012. Check out our website for further details –www.kilbrydehospice.org.uk”