18 Mar 2024 Community

Meltham support group celebrate 40 years of fundraising for The Kirkwood

Over the years The Kirkwood has had a lot of support from various groups and individuals in Kirklees, not many go back to the very beginning though. There is one such group in Meltham that started to raise funds for our charity even before a brick was laid in Dalton where our In-Patient Uni stands today.  

We spoke to the groups chair Jean Clarke and treasurer Kate Schofield who told us all about the history of the group and why they continue to be so determined to raise funds for us every year.  

Since 1981 when the group began, they have raised over £210,000 for us, they are hoping to add to that total in 2024.  

On why the group began, Jean said: “The group started in 1981, I wasn’t there at that time, I came on to the committee a few years later. Our group now has 10 committee members, we take great pride in the work we do raising funds for The Kirkwood.  

“Obviously when the group was set up, The Kirkwood didn’t exist, but someone saw an advert in the local paper the Huddersfield Examiner saying that a new Hospice was going to be created. The people in the group at that time thought it would be a good idea to raise funds for the project to help it get off of the ground.”

The groups hold several events each year which are well supported by the local community in Meltham, Jean explained: “We hold four coffees mornings a year, in the past we have put on concerts and dancers and held auctions and jumble sales. We also organise two trips a year, last year we went to Chester in May and York at Christmas. This year we are planning on going to Lincoln in May. We’ve also held afternoon teas and Christmas lunches, so there is plenty to do, and it keeps us all busy.”

On raising the amount of funds the group has, and her association with it, Kate commented: “I joined the group in 1993, so I've done 30 years with the group.

“To raise the amount of money we have for The Kirkwood over that time is quite incredible and we know as a group how much those funds do for patient care and their families. We just try and make sure that people are aware of what we are doing and how the money raised is benefitting The Kirkwood.  

“In the last year we raised £8,500 which is a terrific amount and it all goes towards that grand total which hopefully will keep going up.”