Christmas cheer came early this year!

Hundreds of shoppers and Hospice supporters took up the early offer of hassle free shopping and avoided the Christmas rush when they joined Gill Shaw, Pam Edwards and the Friends of Princess Alice Hospice at their annual Christmas Gift Fair on Friday 15 October.

This is probably one of the county's earliest fairs and is just one of many that the Friends will be organising this festive season.  Garson's Farm in Esher opened its doors to shoppers who wanted to enjoy a selection of festive gifts, homemade cakes and food stalls.  This year's event made £6,390, enough to fund 73 visits by our community Princess Alice Nurses to patients in their own homes.

The Friends committee has been fundraising for over two decades, and as the charity celebrates its 25th anniversary the Friends still remain valuable and highly valued fundraisers throughout the whole community.  The Hospice's yearly running costs are in excess of £7 million.  Over 75% must be raised through community donations and fundraising.