Leeds funeral homes walk one million steps to support hospice

Team members from five funeral homes in Leeds are walking one million steps to raise hundreds of pounds to support people with life-limiting illnesses.

The funeral teams from Wm. Dodgson and Son Funeral Services, which has branches in Harehills, Halton, Middleton Park, Moortown and Kippax, will collectively combine their steps throughout August to raise £500 in donations for St Gemma’s Hospice. 

Charlotte Ambler, diary manager for Wm. Dodgson and Son, said: “Hospices need more support than ever with fundraising opportunities being limited during lockdown restrictions. We think we’ve found a way to maintain safe social distancing and achieve something impressive to inspire donations.” 

Wm. Dodgson and Son has supported St Gemma’s Hospice for a number of years, including hosting memorial evenings at the hospice and most recently taking part in a car wash fundraiser before the Covid-19 outbreak. 

Ambler proposed her latest idea to Hannah Whitcombe, Corporate Fundraiser at St Gemma’s Hospice, while discussing fundraising options amidst lockdown restrictions. 

She said: “Not being in close contact restricts what people can do together. However, this initiative lets people make huge strides on their own and combine their progress as a team.” 

The nine participants will take pictures of their pedometers throughout the month and send them to Charlotte, who will add up the team’s total number of steps to provide a final count on 31 August. 

Whitcombe said: “St Gemma’s Hospice is here to make every day count and thanks to Wm. Dodgson and Son’s help we can continue to make this possible, even during these difficult times. 

“Their fundraising target of £500 will make the world of difference to our patients and their families and could provide for five specialist bereavement support sessions for someone struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one.”