Raise £1,000? Its a Joke

RAISE £1,000? IT'S A JOKE

BY MARTIN NAYLOR
MNAYLOR@DERBYTELEGRAPH.CO.UK

09:30 - 01 March 2008

A Group of jokers took to the stage to raise cash for a Derbyshire hospice.

Fifty amateur funnymen each paid £20 to crack their best jokes at Treetops Hospice in Risley yesterday.

The event was part of the hospice's Ripple Appeal, which aims to raise £2.5m for a new building so it can treat more patients.

Ripple Appeal manager Kate Shaw came up with the idea for the Jokeathon to how easy it can be to raise £1,000 quickly with a simple idea.

Now she has launched the Ripple Appeal Challenge to get 2,500 people to come up with other ideas that could raise £1,000 to help the hospice.

She said: "We wanted to prove that it is possible to raise £1,000 without a huge effort if someone is imaginative and innovative.

"I really hope that the public will get behind the challenge and show their support for their local hospice.

"Treetops is a fantastic charity, making a real difference to the local community."

The hospice, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, provides specialist palliative care to patients in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire with life-limiting illnesses, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease.

The jokeathon was held at the hospice and was compered by US comic Kenny Williams.

Among those taking part was Jo Brown, 28, of Farnham Walk, West Hallam, who works at the hospice as a lottery development officer.

She said: "It's a great bit of fun but with a serious message behind it.

"Working here makes you realise that we are bursting at the seams and we desperately need a bigger building.

"We need to show the public that we as workers are supporting it."

John Griffiths, 71, of The Croft in Draycott, is a Treetops trustee and patron.

He said: "It was such a novel idea. It's a fun way to raise £1,000 in a short space of time.

"Hopefully it will say to people that anything is possible if they are prepared to put their mind to it."

Mrs Shaw said yesterday's event was a giggle.

"There must have been nearly 100 people there, from hospice guests and staff to the people who were telling the jokes," she said.

"It has been even better than we expected and we are all really encouraged."

The Ripple Appeal Challenge has already received a positive response from several organisations.

Breaston Women's Institute, Royal Crown Derby and the Derbyshire Building Society have pledged to raise £1,000 for the hospice.

Treetops Hospice Ripple Appeal Challenge packs are available, containing posters, ideas, pledge certificates, and sponsorship forms. To get a pack, call Kate Shaw on 0115 9491264 or 07904 618350. Donations can be made at any Derbyshire Building Society.