Stoke team steps up support for Dougie Mac

Our Stoke office continues to support Staffordshire’s Dougie Mac, their chosen charity of the year.

They have taken part in a growing programme of fundraising activities, ranging from the firm’s annual quiz and in-house organised events to the charity’s coordinated annual Moonlight Walk, ‘Bring it, Bag it’ initiative and ‘Care for a Cuppa’ bake sale.

The team secured first place in our annual firm-wide quiz in May. The event raised more than £700, which was equally divided between each office’s selected charity, with Stoke’s share going to Dougie Mac. In June, colleagues participated in the 10-mile Moonlight Walk, joining hundreds of supporters on a night-time route through Stoke-on-Trent.

Support has extended across the wider firm through Dougie Mac’s ‘Bring it, Bag it’ scheme. Staff from all our offices donated clothes and household items to be sold through the charity’s retail shops. So far, collected items have generated an estimated £2,680 worth of stock for Dougie Mac’s shops.

Davina Charlton says: 

“As the charity champion for our Stoke branch, seeing our team come together to support our fundraising efforts for Dougie Mac is truly inspiring. Every contribution, big or small, helps us to make a meaningful difference for a great cause.”

The branch’s latest fundraising activity has been the ‘Care for a Cuppa’ bake sale, which took place end of July. Members from all five offices were invited, raising an impressive £150. According to Dougie Mac, £50 raised through a Care for a Cuppa event helps to fund pain-relief medication for patients when they need it most.

Other than fundraising, the Stoke team gets professionally involved with Dougie Mac by supporting their ‘Make a Will’ months. This is a programme where local solicitors waive their usual fee to draw up a basic Will for supporters who include a pecuniary, residuary, or specific gift to the charity in their Will. Our Private Client department kindly contributed their services in May and will do so again in October.

Dougie Mac provides specialist care and support to adults and children living with life-limiting illnesses across Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire and the surrounding areas. Its services also extend to patients’ families and carers.

Esther Price, Senior Business and Events Fundraiser at Dougie Mac, says:

“Dougie Mac is incredibly grateful to businesses like Smith Partnership, who continue to find creative and inspiring ways to support the hospice through fundraising. With it costing more than £24 million each year to provide our specialist services across our community, every donation, no matter the size, helps make a real difference. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone at Smith Partnership for their outstanding support and commitment to helping local people and their families when they need it most. If your business would like to get involved or find out more about supporting Dougie Mac, please email business@dmhospice.org.uk.”