FOUR people who work at the Causeway Day Centre in Soham held a dinner party and charity auction in aid of our Help Our Hospice Campaign on Saturday, February 25. The Dinner Ladies invited more than 50 people to the centre, including Radio Cambridgeshire

FOUR people who work at the Causeway Day Centre in Soham held a dinner party and charity auction in aid of our Help Our Hospice Campaign on Saturday, February 25.

The Dinner Ladies invited more than 50 people to the centre, including Radio Cambridgeshire's Paula Dolan, who volunteered her poetry-reading services for free, and auctioneer Richard Palmer.

The organisers have asked us to thank all of the people who helped make the event a success.

# AN Ely man is to run the treble this year - the London Marathon, the Great North Run, and the Great South Run - in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

Mark Hurworth, of Brooke Grove, will be running the London Marathon for the fourth time, but has never run all three before.

"As a father of two boys," Mr Hurworth 37, said, "it's all too easy to forget how lucky I am that they are in the best of health.

"For families of life-threatened children the hospice provides valuable respite and support to enhance the quality of their lives."

Mr Hurworth, a commercial manager for Balsham Buildings, said he got the "running bug" about 10 years ago. Last spring he, along with some of his colleagues, ran the East Cambs half-marathon, raising more than £4,000 for EACH in the process.

This year he will run the London Marathon in April, the Great North Run and then the Great South Run, both in October - a total of just over 49 miles.

"The training regime is pretty tough, especially at this time of year," Mr Hurworth said.

"I spend half an hour in the gym before work each morning, and then run for about an hour in the evening, building up to a long run every weekend when I cover up to 18 miles."

"From my three runs I am aiming to raise £3,000, and any donations from your readers would be really appreciated."

To sponsor Mr Hurworth, you can pledge or donate online at www.justgiving.com/markhurworth, or e-mail him at markh@balsham.co.uk.com.

# SATURDAY'S rock night at Soham Comrades' Club raised an incredible £1,616 for the Milton Hospice.

Jackie and John Mann, who organised the event, wished to thank the businesses of Soham for donating 55 prizes for a draw in aid of the hospice, and praised the generosity of the people of the town.

Classic rock covers band Akimbo performed at the event alongside up-and-coming rockers The Strays.

Jules Baird of Akimbo said the event was a great success.

"The turnout to the show was amazing and far exceeded our expectations," she said.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who braved the arctic conditions of Saturday night to make it to the gig and also a big thank you to all the local businesses in and around Soham who so generously gave to the prize draw - especially Scampers Pet Store who overwhelmed us with their gift of £650.

She paid tribute to The Strays, who designed their own flyers and advertised the gig as much as they could.

"The biggest thank you of all, however, goes to Jackie and John Mann," she said, "who came up with the idea and who so selflessly gave up their time to support the charity."

# RISING rock stars Error 404 have backed our Help Our Hospice Campaign with a charity concert for EACH on Saturday, March 18 at Little Downham Village Hall.

The quartet will take to the stage at 8pm, and tickets for the gig are a bargain at £3 on the door. There will also be a charity draw and a bar.

The band will be performing original material from new CD Eye of the Storm, and have another date booked at Stuntney Social Club on April 8.

INFO: For more information about Error 404 and Eye of the Storm, visit www.error404-theband.co.uk, or e-mail error404_theband@hotmail. com.

# MOTORCYCLIST Paul Burbridge has made an appeal to bikers in the district to join him in a mass ride-out to raise money for the East Anglia's Children's Charity (EACH) through our Help Our Hospice campaign.

Mr Burbridge will lead a parade of motorbikes from The White Hart in Godmanchester to Milton Hospice and back again in the evening, where bikers will take part in a prize draw for the charity.

He led a similar ride-out last year and raised £1,400 for EACH - allowing Milton Hospice to build a remote control car track for the youngsters there.

"We'd really like to beat that total this year," he said.

"All types of bike are welcome - last year we had everything from my Triumph to Lambretta scooters."

"I want to see everyone who can ride taking part to raise money for this cause."

INFO: Everyone is welcome to take part in the ride, which leaves Godmanchester at 10am on Saturday, June 17. Anyone interested in taking part can contact Mr Burbridge on 07778656134.

# A TABLE-TOP sale will be held at the Village Centre in Little Downham on Saturday, March 18.

Organisers are appealing for people to bring any small bric-a-brac to the event, which will also include a raffle and refreshments.

THE Ely-Hereward Rotary Club, which handed over £500 to EACH two weeks ago, is supporting our campaign.

President Gary Garner said: "The Rotary Club of Ely strongly supports the Ely Standard's Help Our Hospice campaign. EACH is one of our designated charities and we welcome the paper's effort to help relieve its financial plight.

"The aims of our club and the Ely Standard are synonymous in that we passionately want to see the valuable work of the organisation continue for the benefit of children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

"There is a strong commitment in our club to support EACH as best we can and further major fund-raising activities are planned. They include the Great Ely Walk on September 3 when entrants will be encouraged to raise money through sponsorship for charities of their choice."

PETITION:

We have launched a petition in order to put pressure on the Government to increase the funding to children's hospices like the one at Milton. Children's hospices get roughly 10 per cent of their funding from statutory sources, the rest is made up from donations and fund-raising. We are happy to raise money for the Milton Hospice, but we also want to secure the facilities long-term future, which can only be done through adequate funding each year.

You can sign our petition at: www.cambs24.co.uk or come into our reception at 38 Market Street, Ely. There are also petitions at the Littleport Leisure Centre and Harley's of Littleport.

If your business or organisation would like to have a petition, contact us on 01353 667831 or email: debbie.davies@archant.co.uk

FUND-RAISING:

IF you would like to organise a fund-raising event contact EACH at: www.each.org.uk or call: 01223 205180 and ask for a fund-raising pack. Make sure you let us know so that we can publicise the event for you. Contact the Ely Standard on 10353 667831 or email: debbie.davies@archant.co.uk