United Utilities’ employees raise more than £14k for Lancaster hospice

St John’s Hospice in Lancaster received a welcome Christmas gift from United Utilities’ employees who raised more than £14,000 when they completed a guided Cross Bay Walk from Arnside to Grange-over-Sands earlier this year.

Most of those taking part are working on projects across Lancashire and Cumbria supporting delivery of the water company’s £13 billion investment programme in the region.

With projects under way in the area, the group organised the walk to raise funds for hospice care used by local families.

The walk was organised by Jim Loxam, from C2V, one of United Utilities’ delivery partners. e said He said: “A simple idea brought United Utilities and partner staff together for a great local cause. We’re delighted to have reached a final total of £14,198 and to present this to the hospice in time for Christmas.”

Tony Slater from United Utilities added: “As we are working in the area we were keen to give something back to such a deserving local cause.”

Those taking part are active at sites including Windermere, Coniston and Carlisle in Cumbria as well as Lancaster in Lancashire.

Welcoming the donation Lily Knight, Events & Corporate Fundraiser at St John’s Hospice, said: “St John’s Hospice is so much more than clinical care, we provide wrap-around support for our patients and their families, creating a peaceful environment during difficult times.

We want to thank United Utilities and their partners for their donation which will help us continue our work.”

The route was led by the Guide Over Sands Trust and set on the day by the King’s Guide to the Sands – a royally appointed guide to the crossing the sands of Morecambe Bay. The bay is the UK’s largest expanse of intertidal sands and mudflats and has a long history of guided crossings.