By Harborough Mail | Posted on 6 June, 2013
A man with motor neurone disease who has fronted a campaign by a hospice to raise funds in its annual spring-time raffle has helped the hospice raise more than £100,000.
Jonathan Standing-Smith, of Harborough has motor neurone disease and receives help and support from LOROS Hospice in Groby Road, Leicester.
LOROS told his story to people in the area and further afield to help encourage support of its spring raffle.
The LOROS Spring Raffle 2013 took place yesterday at Marshall Court in Harborough where it was announced that the raffle had seen £107,705 raised for the Hospice.
Mr Standing-Smith, who receives respite care at LOROS every two or three months as well as other help from doctors and specialist nurses there, said he was delighted about how successful the raffle had been.
He said: “They generally are a fantastic organisation and the help and support that they give is just outstanding.
“I think it is difficult for anybody who has not been there to understand what a lovely place it is and how wonderful the staff there are.”
LOROS is an independent local charity which provides support to more than 2,500 people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland every year.
This year the charity will need to raise a minimum of £4.5million from voluntary contributions, and the raffle is just one of the ways the charity looks to reach this total. It also runs a lottery.
Liz Singleton, lottery manager at LOROS, said: “We had an amazing afternoon with the residents at Marshall Court, who support LOROS on a regular basis through our weekly lottery, donations, coffee mornings and much more.
“I can’t thank them enough for making us feel so welcome and to Jonathan for allowing us to tell his story.
“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and sent in donations, we have wonderful support from the people of Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and beyond and it is only through their generosity that we continue to be able to provide care to our patients and their families at a time when they need it most.”
To find out how you can support LOROS or to join the weekly lottery team call (0116) 231 8430.
Photograph: Simon Proffitt chief executive of LOROS, Jonathan Standing-Smith who fronted the raffle campaign, Jonathan's sister Rosemary Gascoyne and his daughter Charlotte Comba.
