Caravan Guard staff raise over £3,500 for Overgate Hospice in tribute to founder’s legacy

Our staff raised more than £3,500 for Overgate Hospice after our annual Oscars celebration – with this year’s pirate-themed event dedicated to honouring the legacy of our late Chairman, Peter Wilby.

We transformed our annual employee awards evening into a fun-filled fundraising event, supporting Overgate Hospice’s Gardens and Grounds Appeal – a cause close to Peter’s heart.

Colleagues embraced the swashbuckling theme with enthusiasm, taking part in a treasure hunt and bungee run challenge to raise funds. Their efforts saw 600 gold coins uncovered during the treasure hunt, generating £3,000 for the appeal, alongside other fundraising on the night.

In total, our team raised an impressive £3,565 to help create welcoming outdoor spaces for patients and their families at the new state-of-the-art Inpatient Unit at the hospice, which is set to open its doors this summer.

The celebration was not only about fundraising, but also about recognising the team of positive people behind Caravan Guard’s success, with awards presented to outstanding teams and individuals. Employee of the Year, Fliss, (pictured in the centre) further demonstrated the team’s generosity by donating part of her prize back to the Appeal.

The event built on Caravan Guard and the Wilby family’s long-standing support for Overgate Hospice. Together, they have already funded several in-patient rooms within the new Inpatient unit and continue to support other fundraising initiatives, such as the Colour Run, Overgate Lottery and Overgate Heroes campaign.

Associate Director Laura Wilby said: “This year’s Oscars was about more than just celebrating our people – it was about coming together to honour Peter’s legacy and support a charity that meant so much to him. The energy, generosity and team spirit on the night were incredible, and we’re so proud to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the Overgate Gardens and Grounds Appeal.”

The evening was filled with memorable moments, laughter and camaraderie, with our staff fully embracing the pirate theme in support of a meaningful cause.

The money raised will help transform the hospice gardens into peaceful, comforting spaces where patients and their loved ones can spend valuable time together.

Laura Golding, Director of Income Generation at Overgate Hospice said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Caravan Guard for their continued generosity. To turn a celebration of colleagues into an opportunity to support local hospice care is such a wonderful gesture, and the fact that this year’s event also honoured Peter Wilby’s legacy makes it even more special. Every pound raised will help us create beautiful outdoor spaces where patients and their loved ones can spend precious time together, finding moments of peace and comfort. On behalf of everyone at Overgate Hospice, thank you for helping us make those moments possible.”