E Sargeant & Son Funeral Directors, Berkshire, showed remarkable resolve and met its £10,000 fundraising pledge in 2020 for those with life-limiting illnesses, despite all its sponsored activities being cancelled due to Covid-19.
The funeral directors were forced to cancel nine events raising donations for Thames Hospice but, through the generosity of clients, local business connections and Funeral Partners, they were still able to meet the five-figure commitment.
Mark Clements, Regional Support Manager of Funeral Partners South, said: “From a jazz-themed lunch and race night to car washes and quizzes, E Sargeant & Son had several activities planned to take the year by storm. However, 2020 panned out in a way no one could have predicted.
“We weren’t going to give up easily and managed to raise funds through the donation boxes in our branches, selling our old equipment and furniture, creative socially-distanced sponsorship activities, generous donations from the families we serve, and the Funeral Partners community fund.”
2020 marked the third year in a five-year pledge by E Sargeant & Son to raise £10,000 annually for Thames Hospice, which had been previously achieved through sponsored events including a climb over the O2 arena by Funeral Director Abbie Reeve.
E Sargeant & Son had already invested in advertisements and fliers for its first fundraiser in 2020, a three-course dinner to be run by Langley College’s Hospitality & Catering Academy, when the first national lockdown came into effect.
Mark said: “It was a huge set back, but E Sargeant & Son are a dedicated bunch, and we have caring clients and a wonderful network to support us every step of the way.”
Sam Kershaw, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are pleased to see E Sargeant & Son remaining as committed as ever to helping Thames Hospice. Many charities are in dire need of donations during these difficult times, which is in the minds of all our branches that regularly fundraise.”
Jane Symmons, Head of Major Gifts at Thames Hospice, said: “We are thrilled to continue our strong relationship with Funeral Partners and E Sargeant & Son. They have shown their unwavering support to us during these challenging times by providing this amazing donation, for which we say thank you.
“Knowing that we have support from Funeral Partners and E Sargeant & Son for five years means we can use the funds to establish and grow our vital services, such as our counselling and bereavement support for families”.
E Sargeant & Son is determined to continue fulfilling its five-year commitment and raise £10,000 for Thames Hospice in 2021. Please visit www.esargeant.co.uk to read more about the community events and activities, or to donate and help towards the fundraising goal to support those with life-limiting illnesses in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
