County insurance workers support local hospice

Thousands of insurance workers from Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud and the Forest of Dean will be helping to raise vital funds for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice this year, as the chosen charity of the year for the Cheltenham and Gloucester Insurance Institute.

Tim Chandler, 38, a Commercial Underwriter at Gloucester-based Ageas, was appointed as the institute’s President for 2021. He explains why the Institute will be supporting the hospice this year, which is home to the only specialist palliative care inpatient unit in the county alongside a hospice at home service, virtual day hospice and family support team.

 “Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice helped care for a friend in 2019 who spent time at the hospice following his treatment, so I am aware of the brilliant work of Sue Ryder,” Tim shared. “Over the past year I have heard a lot about how the hospice’s fundraising has been hit during the pandemic, so I wanted to support them as our local chosen charity in 2021.”

“We’re aiming to raise as much as we can for the hospice throughout the year with different activities and events, including our annual dinner and, when it returns, our golf day.”

“Not only will we be raising money, but we will be giving our time too with our members helping out at Sue Ryder events by volunteering as and when they can.”

To help raise further funds Tim is planning his own personal fundraising challenge over the year, which he plans to carry out on two wheels. Tim adds, “During non-Covid times when we were all working from the office I would cycle daily to work and ride past the hospice on my commute and I took part in the charity’s Ride for Ryder event in 2019 to raise funds in support of the care my friend received.

“To help raise further funds I will be getting into the saddle to complete a personal cycling challenge over the course of the year, helping to raise further funds for families needing the expert and compassionate care of Sue Ryder.”

Alysia Cameron-Price, Community Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice said, “We’re so grateful to the Cheltenham and Gloucester Insurance Institute for choosing to support us as their chosen charity of the year. Like many charities, Sue Ryder has been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, at a time our care teams have been working tirelessly to be there when it matters for local families. It is a boost for us all to know insurance workers across the county will be helping to raise vital funds for us this year.”

The Cheltenham and Gloucester Insurance Institute represents 2,000 people working in insurance and financial services across the county. The Institute’s council, made up of volunteers, arranges CPD programmes, networking and social events for members.