Opening Our Doors for Martin House: A June Full of Community Spirit
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is having the opportunity to shine a light on the incredible charities making a real difference across North Yorkshire. This June, it was a privilege to support Martin House Children's Hospice and help encourage people to get involved in their fantastic Open House campaign.
Throughout the month, I worked alongside the brilliant team at Martin House and YorkMix Radio to spread the word, showcasing just how easy it is for anyone to host a fundraising event. Whether it was a coffee morning, quiz night, cake stall, dinner party or simply asking colleagues to bring a pound to work, every event helped raise vital funds for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Judging the Martin House Bake Off
One highlight of the campaign was taking my radio show on the road to judge the Martin House Bake Off.
The standard was incredible, with bakers producing everything from beautifully decorated celebration cakes to an unforgettable hydrotherapy pool-themed showstopper, inspired by the hospice's facilities. After some very difficult deliberations, we crowned a deserving Star Baker, who proudly took home the apron.
It was a wonderful day filled with creativity, laughter and plenty of cake, but more importantly it gave listeners the chance to learn more about the extraordinary care Martin House provides.
Coffee, Cake and Community
The Open House campaign was in full swing at Mickle Hill Retirement Village in Pickering, where I joined residents and supporters for a coffee morning.
There was a fantastic atmosphere, with coffee, homemade cakes and plenty of conversation, all while raising money for Martin House. It was another reminder that fundraising doesn't have to be complicated; bringing people together over tea and cake can make a real difference.
A Brilliant Effort from Bootham School
Another standout visit was to Bootham School, where pupils transformed Parents' Day into a wonderful fundraising event.
Their theme, "Cakes Around the World," showcased an impressive range of international bakes, while a colourful tiki bar served delicious family friendly mocktails that proved hugely popular with parents and visitors.
In just two hours, the event raised nearly £300 for Martin House—a fantastic achievement and a brilliant example of what can be accomplished when a community comes together.
Spreading the Word
Alongside visiting these events, I was delighted to use my YorkMix Radio show and social media to encourage even more people to take part throughout June. It was fantastic hearing about the creative ways people were supporting Martin House, from school bake sales and workplace collections to coffee mornings and family get-togethers.
Every fundraiser, no matter how big or small, helped support the specialist care Martin House provides to children, young people and their families across the region.
Thank you to everyone who opened their doors, baked a cake, hosted an event or simply donated. Together, North Yorkshire once again showed what an incredibly generous and community-minded place it is. I look forward to seeing what next year's Open House campaign brings.
Could You Help Martin House?
If the stories from this year's Open House campaign have inspired you, there are plenty of ways to support Martin House Children's Hospice.
Whether you'd like to organise your own fundraising event or give your time as a volunteer, every contribution helps the hospice continue its incredible work caring for children, young people and their families across Yorkshire.
Volunteers are at the heart of everything Martin House does. As the hospice opens following its transformational £21.9 million redevelopment, which has created a brand new children's wing and refurbished the existing hospice... it is looking for more people to join its dedicated volunteer team.
There are opportunities to suit a wide range of interests and availability, including:
- Welcoming visitors on reception.
- Supporting office administration.
- Helping maintain the beautiful gardens.
- Assisting in the kitchens.
- Volunteering in Martin House charity shops.
Whether you can spare a few hours now and then or volunteer regularly, your time can make a lasting difference to the children, young people and families Martin House supports.
The hospice costs around £12 million every year to run and relies heavily on the generosity of local communities, fundraisers and volunteers to continue providing its specialist care.
After seeing first-hand the creativity, kindness and generosity shown throughout June... from Bake Off showstoppers and coffee mornings to stdent lead fundraising and community events, it's clear that every event, every volunteer and every donation really does make a difference.
If you'd like to host your own event, become a volunteer or simply find out more about Martin House, now is the perfect time to get involved. Together, we can help ensure families continue to receive the exceptional care and support they need when it matters most. 💙
