Cash tubs distributed around Burnley to raise £10,000 for Pendleside Hospice

The appeal is in memory of former Barclays personal banker and Department of Works and Pensions employee Gail Simpson, of Smithyfield Avenue, Worsthorne, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer six weeks ago aged 61.

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A dozen tubs which feature Clarets’ fan Gail’s name and picture have already been placed on shop counters and pub bars and the family are now hoping other businesses will support the appeal by placing the tubs at their customer points.

The tubs are just one of the family’s means of raising cash for the hospice and already plans are being made for a six-mile sponsored walk around Cliviger, Hurstwood and Worsthorne; a charity football match featuring two teams of ex-Burnley players; a soul all-dayer and a soul night; pub quizzes and garden fetes.

Also friends of Gail have offered to carry out personal sponsored feats including running the Paris marathon; completing the national Three Peaks challenge; cycling the 55-mile Mary Towneley loop three times in a day; riding the Manchester to Blackpool cycle ride and a headshave.

Gail’s husband Alan said: “The response to our appeal has been unbelievable. Already we have received more than £1,600 in donations and the next nine months should see us surpass our initial £10,000 target. Fingers crossed we should achieve a sizeable amount towards the running of the hospice.

“We are hoping that the tubs with Gail’s name and picture on will attract attention not only from her many friends and colleagues but also from other people who didn’t know her personally but will readily recognise her. I would ask any business who would like to support the appeal to ring me on 07974231330 and i will supply them with a collection tub.”

Donations can also be made at www.justgiving.com/gailsimpson/

The hospice costs over £3.7million a year to run. It receives an NHS grant which covers about 26 percent of costs but the remaining £2.7million is raised locally.