Published on: 20.02.24

Gift recycling initiative brings in £1,800 for Winchester Hospice thanks to Three Saints Benefice

A mass gift exchange, known as ‘Recycle Sunday, has raised £1,804 for Winchester Hospice following the event at Winchester’s St Lawrence Church last month.

Organised by Christine Pilgrim, Environmental Officer for the Three Saints Benefice Winchester, the initiative hoped to reduce waste of unwanted Christmas gifts whilst supporting a local charity chosen by the Benefice’s parishioners.

The Three Saints Benefice, which is made up of St Bartholomew’s, St Lawrence and St Swithun upon Kingsgate churches, host the event every year, with this being it’s 4th instalment.

The event, which was held on 28 January, welcomed over 50 people from across the churches. Everyone in attendance brought a gift and for a donation to Winchester Hospice, took home another person’s unwanted treasure.

On the morning, the church buzzed with kindness and generosity as Liz Baron, parishioner and long-serving ambassador for Winchester Hospice, shared more about the work of the charity and the impact of its presence within the city.

Christine Pilgrim says: “We are so delighted that there has been such a terrific response to such a worthy charity through the initiative this year.

“Having a hospice in the heart of our city is incredibly valuable and so, as Winchester residents, it is really important that we support this service.”

Allison Warren, ward manager at Winchester Hospice, says: “It’s fantastic to see our community being so creative and finding ways of fundraising that not only benefit our hospice, but the environment too.

“We feel incredibly grateful to have the support of our local churches so I want to say a huge thank you on behalf of all of us here to everyone involved!”

Winchester Hospice is the only adult hospice in the city providing palliative and end of life care to those with life-limiting illness. In order to continue and grow its services, Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity must raise at least £500,000 every year.

To find out how you can support the charity, visit winchesterhospice.com/donate