Our first writing competition open to entrants from outside the group raised £60 for a donation. We asked all entrants to nominate a charity or voluntary group based anywhere in the UK. Audrey kindly agreed to pick our winner, and the charity name she pulled out of the bag was Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Sheffield, nominated by entrant Pamela Mann.
Located in the heart of Long Eaton, Parklands Day Centre allows older people to continue to lead an independent life through various activities and events provided at www.parklandsconnexion.com
Our first free-entry competitions closed in November 2012. Prizes offered were a donation to charity of £40 as well as prizes of 2 x £40, 2 x £15, and 2 x £5 (ie six winners). Two winners will also win £10 and a book by Coventry writer Rosalie Warren. Results will be announced on this website on or before Monday 10th December. More competitions with cash donations are planned for 2013 including some with free-entry.
Please email Debbie erewashwriterscomps(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk if you'd like details of our competitions for 2013.
To give everyone an idea of how the donation will be used in terms of helping Bluebell Wood to continue to deliver services, Emma said:
"Bluebell Wood has been open for four years now and cares for children, and supports the families of children with shortened life expectancies from all across South Yorkshire and the North Midlands. The Hospice allows us to offer 24 hour care to children on a one to one basis in a wonderful home from home environment. We offer the families planned respite care, symptom management during difficult periods, emergency care and the very precious end of life care in safe and loving surroundings. Recently, we have opened our second end of life suite – the ‘Primrose Suite’ and the ‘Dragonfly Garden’ as featured on Alan Titchmarsh’s ‘Love Your Garden’.
We are currently working with around 150 children and their families throughout our region. It costs £3 million every year to offer this complete package of support, and with no statutory government funding, it is only thanks to our wonderful supporters in the community and generous individuals that we are able to deliver our vital service.
It was a pleasure to meet Pamela, thank you so much for coming to the hospice. Thank you to Erewash Writers' for your generous donation."