Pictured above: (l-r) Pertemps People Development Group's
Karen Poultney presents a cheque to Sarah Shelton of St Giles
Hospice following the charity's Solstice Walk
A woman who embarked on a Solstice Walk in memory of her mother
has presented more than £200 to a Lichfield charity.
Karen Poultney completed a 4.5mile Midsummer Night's
Dream-themed walk in aid of St Giles Hospice, joining thousands of
women dressed in various fairy outfits.
Karen wore angel wings and a halo, in memory of mum Sheila
Poultney, during the event which involved walking around the
grounds of Lichfield Cathedral. She raised a total of £237
including a donation from her employers Pertemps People Development
Group.
The employment coach, from Tamworth, said: "I decided to raise
some money for St Giles Hospice after I unfortunately found myself
having to look for somewhere to take my Mom. We wanted somewhere
she could be given the 24-hour care she needed in the most relaxed
and caring place I could find after finding out she had a rare form
of CJD and had 'a week or two' left to live.
"September 2009 turned out to be the worst time of my life and
the hardest I have ever known. The only thing that made the days
any easier to get through was the nurses and staff at St Giles who
made sure that nothing was ever too much trouble and I could always
go home knowing that she was not alone and that she was being cared
for all the time.
"St Giles has no visiting hours, you are welcome any time, day
or night, and it even has family rooms so you can stay over if you
need. I lost my Mom on September 26, 2009, and even to this day St
Giles are offering not only myself and immediate family counseling
support but they also offer it to the wider family too."
St Giles Hospice community fundraiser Sarah Shelton said: "I
would just like to say how grateful we are for the support of all
our ladies at the event which is the biggest fundraiser in our
calendar of events. All the effort made by Karen, and Pertemps
People Development Group's support, is really
appreciated."
The fundraising by Karen, who works in Nuneaton, was
match-funded by employment experts Pertemps People Development
Group (PPDG), which has offices throughout the West Midlands.
PPDG operates a Give As You Earn (GAYE) scheme as part of its
active community support programme. PPDG workers contribute each
month to a payroll giving scheme and have donated more than
£120,000 to good causes and charities, many supporting the
disabled and disadvantaged. PPDG has been recognised by the
Institute of Fundraising as operating one of the best payroll
giving schemes in the UK.
PPDG delivers the Government's Welfare to Work strategy across
the Midlands through Flexible New Deal, Work Focused Training and
other employment initiatives. PPDG is using its vast experience of
helping long-term unemployed people get back into work to help
local jobseekers secure employment opportunities.