Melksham family unites to raise funds for Dorothy House

A Melksham family has come together to raise funds for Dorothy House Hospice Care to thank the charity for its ‘outstanding’ support for their dad and grandad who is living with a terminal illness.

The family has raised £1,456 through a series of fundraising events for the charity after Paul Cotter was diagnosed with a terminal illness last July.

“He was only given two months to live,” said Paul’s daughter, Charlotte Watts. “But he’s still here with us, which is absolutely amazing.”

The family’s fundraising campaign, dubbed ‘Fundraising February’, kicked off with a birthday party for Paul. “Instead of presents and cards, people donated to the hospice and we raised around £220,” said Charlotte.

Inspired to help make a difference, Charlotte’s nine-year-old daughter Poppy joined the effort by making bracelets which she and her sister Alicia, 13, sold at Paul’s birthday party, local schools and community groups.

“Poppy is thrilled that her bracelets have helped to raise so much money. She is only nine years old and was very passionate about doing it. She’s quite entrepreneurial anyway, so she felt it was something physical she could do to help.”

“We sold bracelets at Melksham Dance School, Bowerhill Primary School and Forest & Sandridge CE Primary School,” said Charlotte. “We also held a raffle, and a prosecco and pizza night for the local women’s group, 13 Moons Community.

Recently, Melksham News reported that Dorothy House is facing a ‘critical financial shortfall’ due to rising costs and stagnant government funding.

After seeing the story in Melksham News, the family said they felt compelled to take action.

“Any money that can be raised for Dorothy House is amazing because they need as much as they can get to function,” explained Charlotte.

Paul said, “I am so unbelievably proud of Poppy. She has worked so hard making the bracelets in the lead-up to the selling events. Our original target was £1,000 but we have smashed that and even added some extra. We wanted to fundraise and give something back to Dorothy House after all the help and support we have received through our amazing community nurse specialist, Mo”.

Poppy said, “I wanted to help other people who have a type of illness where they may need Dorothy House to help them. I know it’s hard for people’s families but it’s especially hard for the person going through it. So, I wanted to raise money for them because charities don’t always have enough money to help each person.

“I’m so glad we reached our target and thank you to every person who has bought my bracelets. Thank you to my sister Alicia for helping me sell them and to my mum for helping me.”