Fundraiser cancelled due to delays caused by coronavirus

Categories: Care, Community Engagement, and Featured.

Woodlands Hospice in Liverpool has cancelled a fundraising event this weekend due to a late delivery caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

The charity had planned a duck race for Sunday 8 March, however though the ducks were sourced from a UK supplier they are manufactured in China, and efforts by the Chinese government to contain the virus meant the hospice didn’t receive them in time.

Jonathan Burgess, Head of Income Generation, explained in a letter to supporters: “When we started planning this event we were very excited trying something new to Woodlands Hospice. We have worked hard to not only stage the event but to encourage our communities to get behind us to help with our fundraising efforts.

“While we’ve had some success in duck purchases with individuals, organisations and schools, our efforts have been hampered by the late delivery of the ducks which has prevented sufficient time for personalising or branding ducks and hence not igniting enough interest in the event.

“Unfortunately the delay in delivery was out of our hands, as although we sourced the ducks from a UK supplier they were manufactured in China. Due to the restrictions on exports and the lockdown there to contain the coronavirus, we didn’t receive them in good time.”

People who purchased ducks will be refunded. Jonathan added: “With heavy hearts, we have therefore decided we need to cancel the upcoming event and look for an alternative way to use our ducks to help our fundraising efforts. We will let you know when we decide what that can be.”

“I am very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. It is important to our charity that the events we stage meet our aspirations and ensure a fun time for all who take part. We feel on this occasion that we’re unable to meet those expectations.”

Hospices around the UK have been publishing guidance on their websites and social media around visits and protecting against infection. In line with Public Health England’s advice, members of the public are asked not to visit if they have recently travelled to countries that have been severely affected by the outbreak (China, in particular Hubei Province, Iran, South Korea and certain parts of Northern Italy) until they have self-isolated for 14 days and/or have tested negative for the virus.

Other recommendations include washing hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitiser, binning dirty tissues and avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth unless hands are clean.

For more information visit Woodlands Hospice

For the latest information about the coronavirus visit the Department of Health and Social Care

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