Forty years and still going strong!
The group have fundraised in many ways over the 40 years: plant sales, coffee mornings, and selling Christmas cards to local community groups, to name a few. In 1987, they even had The Beechgrove Garden come to the Grand Hall in Kilmarnock to host a special roadshow! Since the group began, they have raised a phenomenal £278,118.34 and they are not finished! The group continues to go from strength to strength, with long- standing members bringing lots of experience and new members giving fresh energy.
By Claire Stuart-Paulin, Senior Fundraiser
Hazel said: “We simply wanted to help the Hospice, and knowing that we were helping to raise money to keep the Hospice going was all the motivation we needed. We also enjoyed organising events in our local community. Continuing the tradition of hosting such gatherings is important; it brings the community together and encourages everyone to socialise.” Annette agreed and added, ‘We all became such good friends, we did so much together, and over the years we had a lot of fun!”
The Beechgrove Garden visit on 19 November 1987
A 2009 fundraising stall from the group
The annual Cream Tea in May this year raised over £3,300 , and plans for their annual Christmas Fair in November are already in the works. Carolyn Blythe, Chair for the past 20 years, retired earlier this summer but says she will still be happy to help out at the big events. New Chair, Andrena Reid, has been part of the group since 2008 and is looking forward to keeping the group going strong. We would like to thank everyone involved with the Dunlop Friends Group, past and present. The hard work, passion and commitment shown to supporting the Hospice is truly inspirational, and we would like to wish you all a Happy 40th Anniversary!
A garden party celebrating the group’s 30th Anniversary in 2014
The Dunlop Friends Group are celebrating their 40th anniversary this summer. The original five members founded the group in July 1984 when the Ayrshire Hospice was only a dream. The founding members were Anne Mundell, Jennifer Hunter, Annette Brown, Hazel Mulberry, and first Chairperson Aileen Howie. All five ladies stayed with the group for at least 35 years, each gradually retiring since 2020, with the last two, Hazel and Annette, stepping down only last year. We caught up with Hazel and Annette at the group’s annual Cream Tea last month and asked them what kept them going for 39 years.
This year’s annual Cream Tea in May
Andrena Reid, new Chair of Dunlop Friends Group
August 2024 | EDITION 37
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