St Elizabeth Hospice hopes for gradual return of fundraising as lockdown eases
The charity estimates its lost £1 million in fundraising as a result of coronavirus
St Elizabeth Hospice is hoping the roadmap out of lockdown will lead to the return of fundraisers.
Like all charities its events have either been cancelled or forced to go virtual as a result of the pandemic.
The popular Midnight Walk, which can raise up to £200,000, took place online and raised £60,000.
While it's a considerable difference the charity said it was still a great sum of money and people's support was "fantastic", but it's looking forward to be holding fundraisers in person again.
In response to the announcement of the roadmap out of lockdown, St Elizabeth Hospice will hold its Fire Walk at Trinity Park on 3 July.
It was due to take place later this month, but coronavirus restriction would not allow it.
The charity recently announced its art trail would also return to Ipswich for a third time next year.
Director of Income Generation, Hannah Bloom, explained the charity has lost around £1 million in fundraising as a result of the pandemic.
She said: "While we've had some support with the shops through retail grants and the furlough scheme, there's still a big financial impact there as we've got 31 shops across the East Suffolk area and up to Waveney and Great Yarmouth.
"A lot of our fundraising is also based on other people coming together on our behalf. So, people coming together for coffee mornings or organising fetes and those kinds of things.
"Some of those activities can slow start to creep back in and that will give us a big lift."
Members of the public are being asked to keep hold of any items they can donate to the shops once they reopen.
You can find out how to support St Elizabeth Hospice on the charity's website.