A Melksham couple are marking two decades of dedicated fundraising for Marie Curie, having raised thousands of pounds locally for the end-of-life care charity.
Pete and Julie Colegate, who started volunteering for the charity after seeing a call-out in the Melksham News 20 years ago, have once again led this year’s fundraising campaign, raising £1,000 with help from the Melksham Lions.
“We rang up Marie Curie and said we could help,” said Pete. “Members of the charity came out to see us and we then started on our own one Saturday and have been doing it ever since. Now, we organise it in Melksham on behalf of the charity.”
This year, the couple, joined by fellow volunteers, were out and about around Melksham with collection tins and daffodil boxes, including at Leekes.
With fewer people carrying cash, Pete said the volunteers have seen a decline in the funds raised.
“It’s been since Covid, really,” said Pete. “People don’t carry cash anymore and plus we used to collect in the supermarkets too, but they all have their own charities, so we don’t do that anymore.
“We are still happy with the amount raised and want to thank the local community and also the Melksham Lions for all their help and support.”
Marie Curie provides free care and support to people living with any terminal illness and their families.
