This Halloween, Abbey decided to do something a little different with a Hamper Raffle. Instead of scary tricks, the team focused on giving back by raising money for Bury Hospice.

The prize was a luxurious Fortnum & Mason hamper. The raffle brought the team and local supporters together, raising £276 for a great cause.

Read on to see how the raffle worked and how the Abbey team got involved.

 

How Did The Hamper Raffle Start?

Nina Camplin, who works at Bury Hospice, explained the scale of their operation. The hospice spends around £4 million each year running its services, with only 13% funded by the NHS. The rest is covered through fundraising, retail, and lottery income. This highlighted just how much the local community contributes to keeping these essential services running.

Inspired by Abbey’s values of community and support, Angela Owen suggested a hamper raffle to raise much-needed funds. The idea was simple but effective: provide an appealing prize while encouraging people to contribute to a worthwhile cause.

To make the raffle truly special, Abbey purchased a Fortnum & Mason hamper and filled it with coffee, biscuits, and a wide selection of other treats. The hamper combined quality and thoughtfulness, ensuring it would catch attention and encourage participation.

The raffle gave everyone involved a clear way to support the hospice, turning a simple idea into a meaningful contribution. It reflected Abbey’s commitment to the community and highlighted how small initiatives can make a real difference.

 

Running The Hamper Raffle

Running the hamper raffle relied on a combination of community support and teamwork. The Preston-based design agency, Fusion Design, kindly printed raffle tickets for us free of charge as a charitable gesture. This was extremely thoughtful of them and we were very appreciative. It’s always encouraging to work with a company that shares the same values as Abbey.

The raffle also brought the Abbey team together. Everyone got involved, including the sales team, workshop team, parts team, and admin team. Even the directors joined in, helping to generate interest and ensure tickets reached as many people as possible.

Thanks to everyone’s participation, the raffle raised £276 for Bury Hospice. The funds contribute directly to the hospice’s vital work, helping to cover the costs that the NHS does not fund.

This initiative showed how a simple idea, supported by colleagues and like-minded partners, can make a tangible difference. The experience reinforced the importance of teamwork and shared values when supporting local causes.

 

The Hamper Raffle Winner

The raffle draw took place in the office and was carried out by Jacob Saunders. You could feel a bit of anticipation as the tickets were mixed and the winning number was pulled.

The winner was Rob Thorn, our area sales manager. It made a fitting early Christmas present, and we’re sure he’ll enjoy the hamper and everything inside it.

The draw brought the raffle to a close in a straightforward and fair way. It also gave everyone a clear end point to the fundraising effort before the hamper made its way to its new home.

 

Why Bury Hospice Is Important

Bury Hospice provides specialist palliative and end of life care for people in the local community. You see the impact of their work through their clinical support, family services, and the guidance they offer during difficult moments.

Their team also supports families through bereavement groups, counselling and community activities. These services give people a safe place to talk and receive practical help.

You can support the hospice in several ways. You might fundraise, volunteer your time, or donate clothing and household items to their shop, which play an important role in raising funds.

 

Final Thoughts

Abbey is proud to support Bury Hospice and appreciates the work they deliver for local people. Through the Hamper Raffle and the Memory Walk 2025, we have raised a total of £546 so far. It is rewarding to contribute to a charity that provides such essential care.

If you want to find out more, please read about our partnership with Bury Hospice and how we are guided by our values to make our local community a better place.