Norfolk community rallies round for EACH £10m nook hospice as appeal hits £7m

Nicola Smith and Diane Wheeler who walked 96 miles from Thetford to Cromer dressed as a crab and lobster for the nook appeal. Picture: MARK BULLIMORE

It has captured the imagination of hundreds of people across Norfolk and Suffolk.

And thanks to a variety of fundraisers, the ambitious £10m nook appeal has reached £7m.

Below is a sample of some of the good work which has taken place across our region for the worthy cause.

?Former prime minister Sir John Major attended a dinner in June 2017 to raise awareness and funds for the charity. During his speech he spoke about how he found the bravery of children and families supported by EACH humbling to witness.

?Friends Diane Wheeler, an electrical engineer at Parker Hannifin in Thetford, and Nicola Smith, from Yorkshire, walked 96 miles along the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path from Thetford to Cromer dressed as a crab and lobster in May 2015. They hoped to raise £15,000.

?A trio of friends from Caister with a knack for craft - Pat Bacon, Tish Edmonds and Carol Rowe - have been selling their decorations and ornate creations this year in aid of the appeal.

?Teams of pancake flippers raced around the Forum in Norwich on February 2017 for the appeal. The Flip It for EACH event saw twelve corporate teams compete for prizes while tossing pancakes made by trainee chefs from City College Norwich.

?Beth van Melsen, 21, from Norwich, whose sister Lydia was cared for at EACH for several years, ran the 2017 London Marathon for the appeal. She received 'invaluable' support at EACH sibling groups.

Richard Bateman, manging director at Bateman Groundworks Ltd, which donated �25,000 to the nook appeal in 2017 through the nook business network certificate. Picture: TMS Media (Image: � TMS Media)

?Parents Kyra Welch and Kieron Griffin of Holt youngster, Kaiden Griffin, four, who has an abnormal heart, lungs and veins, organised a horse ride and dog show at Sly's Farm, North Creake, near Fakenham, to raise money for EACH in July 2017.

?More than £10,000 was raised at a charity dinner at the Assembly House, Norwich, in May 2017. The event was hosted by BBC presenter Carol Bundock. The dinner was provided by celebrity chef Richard Hughes.

?Road work supplier Bateman Groundworks, from Norwich, donated £25,000 for the appeal in September 2017.

?A pupil from Firside Junior School in Hellesdon, Keira Leggett, convinced her school to donate more than £1,000 raised during a fundraising week in June 2017, to the appeal. She was 10 at the time and her sister, who died in 2014, had been cared by EACH.

Family continuing support for EACH after their baby dies at Quidenham

The family of a baby who died at Quidenham is organising a fundraising night for the nook appeal.

Alfie Francis-Leech died on January 7, 2016, aged two-and-a-half-months in his mother's arms at the Norfolk hospice.

A picture from 2014 showing Ava Hall, then aged 21-months-old, who had West Syndrome, with her family, dad Andy Hall, mum Emma Brown, and sister Keira Leggett, then aged seven. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Archant)

He was born a seemingly-healthy baby but was quickly diagnosed with a severe case of spinal muscular atrophy, which stopped his muscle development.

He was with his parents and three siblings, when he died.

They were cared for by Quidenham staff a week after Alfie's death and continue to get support from the charity,

Miss Francis, a cleaner from Southwold Road in Brampton, said: 'Alfie was a sweet little thing. Alfie looked at me and took a big breath - he was so peaceful. Then he went in my arms.'

She is organising a night with a psychic medium and raffle at St Mary's Church Hall, Halesworth, on November 25, from 7pm.

Tickets cost £7 and are available by emailing wfrancis1975@aol.com

How to support the nook appeal

Kyra Welch and her partner Kieron Griffin with their son Kaiden Griffin. The family organised a horse ride day to rasie money to support EACH. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

From buying a Christmas decoration to a virtual brick - there are many ways to support the nook appeal.

?The nook friends group - The volunteer fundraising group wants people to save loose change in collection boxes this winter. Contact Judith Sykes on 01508 494873 or email judyannsykes@btinternet.com.

?Buy a brick - People can buy a brick for £20, £100, £500 or £1,000 in memory of a loved one for a virtual wall. Visit www.each.org.uk/buyabrick ?My £10 challenge - People can give up something that will save £10. Participants need to photograph themselves showing how they saved the money, sharing it on social media via #My10pound and donating via www.each.org.uk or by texting NOOK10 £10 to 70070.

?EACH Butterfly baubles - Intu Chapelfield in Norwich is selling 2,017 baubles for £30 or £35.

?To help with any form of fundraising call 01953 666767 or email norfolk@each.org.uk.

The logo for the nook appeal (Image: Archant)

Beth van Melsen who ran the 2017 London Marathon in support of EACH. Picture: EACH (Image: Archant)

Pat Bacon, Tish Edmonds and Carol Rowe, all from Caister, are making decorations and other ornate items for EACH. Picture: EACH (Image: Archant)

Parents Wendy Francis and Chris Leech with their son two-and-a-half-month-old son Alfie Francis-Leech at the Quidenham hospice, just before he died on January 7, 2016. Picture: EACH (Image: EACH)