Charity supporters can make a real difference during their days in lockdown and use their daily exercise to support local people by raising vital funds for St Giles Hospice.

Two new fundraising initiatives have been launched as part of ‘Katie’s Appeal’, the charity’s urgent response to the coronavirus crisis. Orange April lets people plan their own colourful fundraising activities at home and Miles 4 St Giles gives energetic fundraisers a focus and targets for their activities.

While many people in the community have been told to remain at home to stay safe, dedicated care teams from St Giles are still working 24/7 in their hospices and out in the community to look after some of the area’s most vulnerable patients.

Fundraising events have had to be halted, but the hospice still needs to raise £850,000 every month just to keep its services operating.

Although the current restrictions mean St Giles has had to adapt its annual Orange Week – where supporters and local businesses dress up in orange and hold fundraising and awareness events throughout the community for the charity – people are being invited to get involved with Katie’s Appeal by holding their own Orange April at home.

Elinor Eustace, Director of Fundraising at St Giles Hospice, said: “Wherever you are and whatever you do, you can keep active and entertained during your days at home and help raise vital funds for local people this month by going orange for St Giles Hospice.

“Just download our fundraising pack and let your imagination run free. Supporters can dress bake, make – or originate! We’d love to see what bright ideas you can come up with.”

If orange isn’t your thing, you can also make a massive difference in a month by signing up for Miles 4 St Giles, a 30-day challenge you can undertake while enjoying your daily exercise break.

Elinor added: “Right now, our nurses are covering miles and miles to keep the hospice going. Can you? We're inviting people to give their exercise a purpose by joining #TeamStGiles and clocking up Miles 4 St Giles. You can walk 30 miles, run 60 miles, cycle 90 miles or even take on a triathlon by combining all three.

"Alternatively, you can set your own distance and do it your way – be it indoors or out - and if you sign up to our sponsored challenge you can earn some great rewards along the way including medals, tote bags, water bottles and t-shirts to give you a boost as you hit those milestones.”

Kids can also join in the fun by downloading the hospice’s brand new Olly the Orange activity pack, featuring 13 pages of puzzles and projects to keep little ones entertained, in return for a minimum £3 donation to the hospice.

As only around a third of its funding comes from Government, the hospice relies upon donations and fundraising to finance the £10m it needs each year for its care services. Katie’s Appeal aims to raise public awareness of the major challenges that St Giles is facing over coming months due to the disruption to regular fundraising activities and a rising demand for its services.

Katie Taroni, Clinical Director at St Giles Hospice, who launched and is fronting the appeal, said: “This is an extremely worrying time for everyone, especially our patients and their families who are living with a terminal or incurable illness.

“We promise you that the money raised by the appeal will be used to support our vital work for patients at a time when there is a continuing and ever-growing need for our services.”

To download an Orange April digital fundraising pack visit www.stgileshospice.com/orangeapril

You can join in the fun with new hospice mascot Olly the Orange by visiting www.stgileshospice.com/ollysactivitypack

To find out more about Miles 4 St Giles visit www.stgileshospice.com/miles4stgiles

People can donate to Katie’s Appeal by making a one-off or regular monthly donation online at www.stgileshospice.com/katiesappeal or by calling 01543 432538, or by sending a cheque made payable to ‘St Giles Hospice’ to Katie’s Appeal, St Giles Hospice, Fisherwick Road, Whittington, Lichfield WS14 9LH.