END OF life charity, Marie Curie, is on the hunt for a new chairperson for its Marston Green fundraising group as their founder is stepping down.
Ian Fletcher created the group a decade ago to raise funds to support the Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull when it moved from its former location on Warwick Road to Marsh Lane.
Over the years the group has raised £151,985 through quiz and race nights, fire walks, afternoon tea parties and street collections.
The 76-year-old has been supporting the charity since he wife Pam received care from Marie Curie before her death in 2007.
Ian, who lives in Marston Green, said: “It is time for me to step down, and allow someone else to take the reins, but I will continue to support Marie Curie in as many ways that I can in memory of Pam.
“Despite only being in the Hospice for four days, the support my wife and our family received was just outstanding.
“Pam was a radiographer who was known for the compassion she showed her patients.
“The compassion we received from the staff at the hospice was wonderful, she was a person not a patient.
“While we were visiting Pam, I saw Marie Curie were advertising a trek in Lapland and I told Pam I would sign up for it as a way of giving back to the charity who helped us so much.”
Following 18 months of training, including a trek up Snowdon, Ian completed the challenge and raised £6,000.
After that he continued to support Marie Curie through collections, as part of the Helper Service, and he was also involved with promoting the Legacy Service.
And when the charity set up Marston Green Group he agreed to be the chair for a trial period of six months.
Samuel Murphy, community fundraising officer for the West Midlands said: “Ian and the Marston Green Fundraising group have also played a vital role in raising awareness of the services provided at the hospice and in people’s homes across the West Midlands.
“We cannot thank Ian enough for his dedication to the group and hope we can find someone who will take over the role when he retires and help them be equally successful over the next ten years.”
For more information about the role contact Samuel on [email protected].
