Local businesses who are members of The Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce 1700 Business Networking Club decided to launch their 2012 diary of events in the Bentley Hotel, Motherwell, by donating £500 to St. Andrew’s Hospice

Chairman Kenny McDonach explains: “We are a subscription-based non-profit making group and over a period of time, the members’ modest contributions mounts up.

“So we decided in the build-up to the Christmas activities to support a worthy charity carrying out such wonderful work in the Lanarkshire community.

“I was certainly aware of the Hospice but didn’t know a great deal about its activities but I found the talk by Fundraising manager Bob Reid most enlightening as I hadn’t appreciated how much they do.

“It was a pleasure therefore, on behalf of The 1700 Club members, to hand over this modest contribution towards the phenomenal amount they need to raise to provide such a caring and greatly appreciated service.”
  
Hospice Fundraising Manager Bob Reid outlined briefly to members the progress the Hospice had made as it built up to its Silver Jubilee in September 2011 – from the original four palliative care beds to the 32 in place today, plus two respite beds.

He said: “We’ve structured a healthy events programme which involved pupils in various fund-raising ventures which raised £120,000 last year and have signed a partnership arrangement with 95 schools across Lanarkshire.

“The Hospice receives £2.1M each year from NHS Lanarkshire but we have to raise a further £2.3M – that’s £44,000 per week, so with every penny a prisoner this generous donation from The 1700 Club is absolutely welcome.”