News Release (31/01/13)
Bristol Airport has got 2013 off to a flying start for a local charity by announcing that over the last year it has raised £20,000 for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). Airport employees nominated CHSW as their charity of the year for 2012, with staff organising a variety of fundraising activities throughout the year.
As part of the year-long partnership CHSW volunteers were given exclusive access to make cash collections in the terminal building. One particularly dedicated couple, Denise and Gary Gooding volunteered to collect in the terminal every Friday throughout 2012.
Denise and Gary, who have been supporting CHSW for over 12 years, are no strangers to Bristol Airport. The retired couple first collected for the charity at Bristol Airport in 2007 when CHSW were first raising funds to build Charlton Farm hospice.
Gary (aged 77), who is partially sighted, is not able to drive so every Friday throughout 2012 the couple made a three hour round trip, involving four buses, from their home in Frampton Cotterell to the airport to collect for CHSW.
Denise, (aged 72) explains why they are so inspired to fundraise for the charity: “Our weekly trips to the airport were a real highlight of 2012 and something we loved doing together. CHSW provides such amazing support for life-limited children and their families. We would do whatever we can to help those families make the most of the precious time they have together. I had a tear in my eye when I heard how much money the partnership had raised – it’s wonderful to have been a part of it.
Fundraising at the airport was an added bonus. It was such a fun atmosphere and we enjoyed lots of banter with travellers. Chatting with so many people each week gave us a real lift. I think those people making journeys to be with their families found the charity’s cause particularly poignant. “
Kate Fisher, CHSW Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser said: “We are hugely grateful to Bristol Airport for all their support throughout 2012. The money raised will enable us to raise a smile and make the most of short and precious lives. We would also like to say a huge thank you to all our amazing volunteers who gave up their time to collect at the airport. Without people like Denise and Gary we would not have been able to make the most of this partnership.”