Gallery
Gogglebox star Sandra Martin joins supporters at hospice’s fundraising Big Weekend
Stephen Wheatley and Gogglebox star Sandra Martin at Sue Ryder St John's Hospice in Moggerhanger during the Big Weekend. Picture: Ken Lynch LRPS/Nigel Aldis Sandy Good Neighbours - Credit: Archant
Gogglebox star Sandra Martin joined thousands of other supporters at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice’s annual Big Weekend fundraising event in Moggerhanger at the weekend.
The crowd at Busk Till Dusk at Sue Ryder St John's Hospice in Moggerhanger during the Big Weekend. Picture: Ken Lynch LRPS/Nigel Aldis Sandy Good Neighbours - Credit: Archant
The larger-than-life TV personality, famed for her choice in jewellery and long fingernails, attended Sunday’s Country Fayre and helped with bucket collections for the hospice.
Sandra, who also visited a patient being cared for at the hospice, said: “A family invited me in and I cried. The woman was there with all her family and I told her who I was and explained myself. It was overwhelming.”
The crowd at Busk Till Dusk at Sue Ryder St John's Hospice in Moggerhanger during the Big Weekend. Picture: Ken Lynch LRPS/Nigel Aldis Sandy Good Neighbours - Credit: Archant
She told organisers: “Thank you very much for having me. I’ve raised some money for the charity and I’d like to come back.”
The Big Weekend raises thousands of pounds for the hospice, which cares for people aged 18 and over who are living with conditions like cancer, heart failure and lung disease.
Ollie and Will perform at Busk Till Dusk during Sue Ryder St John's Hospice's Big Weekend in Moggerhanger. Picture: Ken Lynch LRPS/Nigel Aldis Sandy Good Neighbours - Credit: Archant
The weekend kicked off with the Busk Till Dusk music festival in the hospice’s grounds on Saturday, with 13 acts playing over two stages and a buskers’ pitch.
One of the many highlights was the PistonZ’s set as they paid tribute to Bob Smith, their late drummer who died at the hospice in November.
Shaun Clark perform at Busk Till Dusk during Sue Ryder St John's Hospice's Big Weekend in Moggerhanger. Picture: Ken Lynch LRPS/Nigel Aldis Sandy Good Neighbours - Credit: Archant
Most Read
- 1 Plans to demolish two houses and build 20 flats in their place
- 2 Former pub owner admits to food hygiene offences
- 3 Man in his 80s seriously injured after Honda crash in Stevenage
- 4 Stevenage woman arrested following 'dangerous driving and assault'
- 5 Missing 25-year-old last seen in Coreys Mill Lane found in Stevenage
- 6 Get ready to geek out as a new gaming café comes to Stevenage
- 7 New avenue of trees planted in Hitchin's Bancroft
- 8 Spaceship 'landing' at school grabs Prime Minister's attention
- 9 Foodies queue to try street food sourced, cooked and served in Herts
- 10 Year-long car park closure as construction for new multi-storey set to begin
After a swift turnaround of the site, thanks to the efforts of staff and volunteers, Sunday saw plenty of family fun at the Country Fayre.
The day saw the Bedford Town Band playing, line dancing demonstrations and other activities such as archery and zorbing – while there were raffles, tombolas, cakes and cream teas on offer.
Donna Rutter, Karen Martin and Phoebe Curtis at Sue Ryder St John's Hospice in Moggerhanger during the Big Weekend. Picture: Ken Lynch LRPS/Nigel Aldis Sandy Good Neighbours - Credit: Archant
Hospice fundraising chief Cath Cole said: “It was a fantastic weekend at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice. A huge thank you to all our dedicated volunteers, staff and entertainment for their tremendous efforts in making Busk Till Dusk and the Country Fayre a success.
“Of course we are also hugely grateful to everyone who attended the Big Weekend to support the hospice and help us raise vital funds to ensure we can continue to provide incredible care in our community.
“Now the weekend is over, we’d like to invite everyone to join us for a night of entertainment, remembrance and fundraising during our Starlight Walk next month.”
To find out more about the Starlight Walk on September 30, see sueryder.org/stjohns/starlightwalk.
