By Leicester Mercury | Posted: 10 October, 2014
Patients and staff at LOROS dressed in yellow to welcome sporting heroes Mark Selby and Alan Birchenall.
Both are patrons of the hospice and their joint visit happened to fall during Hospice Care Week, which has seen thousands of pounds raised across the county for the Hospice by people paying to go to school or work dressed in yellow.
Mark took in his World Snooker Champion trophy to show patients in the Hospice, while Birch, the Foxes club ambassador, had the Championship Trophy won by Leicester City last season with him.
Many of the patients had family members with them to enjoy the visit and have their pictures taken with the visitors.
Alex Gamble, of LOROS, said: “Mark and Birch are both patrons of the Hospice and it was fantastic to have them visiting with their trophies.
“The patients were very excited and had been really looking forward to it. Lots of them had their pictures taken with Mark, Birch and the trophies.
“Visits like this really lift everyone’s spirits and the staff were excited about it too, and lots of them gathered in the reception to welcome the visitors.
“It’s been very cheerful with everyone dressed in yellow for our annual dress down day for Hospice Care Week and lots of sunflowers all over the Hospice.
“It was great the visit coincided with Hospice Care Week, which is an important time for us to raise awareness.”
Students and teachers at schools throughout the county also dressed in yellow and raised money for LOROS.
At Latimer Primary School in Anstey about 300 pupils and staff raised nearly £200 for the Hospice.
Co-head teacher Claire Mitchell said: “We try to encourage the children to develop responsibility so we were keen to take part in raising money for LOROS, which is such an important local Hospice that helps so many people.
“The dress down day was brought to our attention by one of the parents but lots of the staff here also know people who have used the Hospice.
“We had lots of Arsenal away kits and Despicable Me minion T-shirts. Some children came with just a wristband or a yellow ribbon, while others came completely yellow and it was great.”
There were also dress-down days around Leicestershire at County Hall in Glenfield and at council offices in Leicester, Melton, Harborough and Oadby.
Dress-down days were held at county businesses including Andrew Granger & Co, B&Q, HSBC, RBS, Sainsbury's, Santander, Seven Trent, Sturgess Motor and Walkers.
