Fundraisers help Beckton hospice

Fundraisers across Newham have organised a series of events that have helped them collect thousands of pounds for a children’s hospice.

Over the last few weeks a number of street parties have been held across the area to help mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations many of which raised money for Richard House Children’s Hospice, based in Beckton.

A Shaftsbury Road party run by the SKS Swaminarayan Temple, near Upton Park, raised about �1,500 while the Browning Road street party held in Manor Park, Newham, brought in �2,100 for the hospice.

Richard House is London’s oldest children’s hospice. It opened in 2000 and it supports almost 300 families caring for children and young people with life-limiting, life-threatening and complex healthcare conditions.

Viv Talbot, community fundraising manager at Richard House, said: “Despite adverse weather conditions this summer, street party organisers across East London soldiered on with events to make the celebrations a success for the local community.

“The amount of income raised from these events is significant to Richard House as it costs more than �1,000 for a child to stay with us for just 24 hours.

“These street parties will help us fund those stays and also increase awareness of what we do across the boroughs of the city.”

Elsewhere, a sponsored swim organised by Newham and the University of East London swimming clubs raised just over �2,800, half of which will come to Richard House.

In total, 48 swimmers took part with one child, Harry Cue, raising more than �1,000.