I like driving and to be able to do something like that for the Hospice, the idea just grew and grew and as I said it’s a holiday, a country I haven’t been to before. It’s a great way of doing something different.
Fran Patterson and her partner Mark are taking part in Monte Carlo or Bust, the ultimate 9‑day charity road trip where people become adventurers, fundraisers and part of an unforgettable convoy travelling from Holyport, Berkshire to Monte Carlo - all in cars costing £1,000 or less.
The fundraiser has been organised by local supporter Darrell Bluck, supporting 4 charities including Thames Hospice, where participants have the option to fundraise further for their chosen charity. Fran and Mark are representing Thames Hospice in their ‘Thames Hospice car’.
What inspired you to take on the Monte Carlo or Bust challenge?
It’s something new, different, exciting; it’s a place I haven’t been to before - I haven’t done France. I like driving and to be able to do something like that for the Hospice, the idea just grew and grew and as I said it’s a holiday, a country I haven’t been to before. It’s a great way of doing something different.
Have you done anything like this before, or is this a first for you?
I’ve travelled all through Europe and I’ve journeyed to Romania. I’ve travelled on holidays through Canada but not actually a rally like this.
Can you tell us a bit about your role at the Hospice and what you do day-to-day?
I am the Retail Shop Manager for the North Ascot Shop. I’ve been with the organisation for 10 years. It’s a busy shop – the shops been here for about 35 years and we are the heart of the community, so we get a lot of regular customers. We are one of the highest rating shops for Gift Aid and it’s a really busy, varied job. I’ve got about 28 volunteers. It’s not just a shop manger role; you’re a counsellor, therapist, it’s like a big family in the North Ascot shop. We’ve got lots of volunteers who have been coming for 5, 10, 15, 20 years so we’ve got a loyal base of volunteers and customers. It’s different every day.
Why is supporting Thames Hospice personally important to you?
I don't have a connection through a bereavement, but my godmother did pass away in another hospice last year. It’s a local cause, and it's such a worthwhile cause. As soon as you mention Thames Hospice everybody knows about it.
Where did you source your rally car?
Claudia from the fundraising team actually gave us the car, it’s a Mini.
How are you making your car stand out as the Thames Hospice car (theme, decorations, etc.)?
We are decorating it all in the Thames Hospice green. We've got all the logos on the car including Trunks across the Thames, Sunflower Walk sunflowers, and lots of information about the Hospice including the address and website. We've also got the Just Giving page for Monte Carlo. It’s being sign written - Mark did half of it, and our graphics company is doing the other half.
What is your fundraising target, and how are you planning to reach it?
Originally my target was £1,920, which is the number of miles that we're going to be driving. We wanted to do it as a pound per mile, just like the nurses go the extra mile for the Hospice. I'm now on £2,260, so I've increased the target to £4,000. I've got a poster of Monte Carlo or Bust in my shop with a QR code to my Just Giving page. I have given everybody I speak to the QR code and we’ll have it on the car as well. Generally, I’m telling everybody about what I'm doing, and asking for donations, all at the same time.
From your experience, what difference does fundraising make to Thames Hospice?
It's a big difference. It's a big hard-working team, and the more we get the information out, the more events that are covered, the more places that we can all be, and talk about Thames Hospice, the better for the whole community.
What are you most looking forward to on the journey?
Being part of a convoy, which will be something different. Making new friends, seeing new places, talking about the Hospice, and driving with my partner, Mark.
Why should people get behind you and this fundraiser?
It's my 10th year working for the Hospice, so it's quite nice to be doing something big for my 10th year. To raise more awareness of the Hospice, what we do, why we do it, where we're based, and just get people talking about everything we do. Trunks across the Thames, Sunflower Walk, our shops, everything, really.
If you could sum up this challenge in three words before you start—and then again after you finish—what do you think they’d be?
For the 1st three: exciting, special, challenge. Then probably afterwards: amazing, unique and thankful.
Our services are free of charge to all those in our community who need vital hospice care but this is only made possible through the charitable support and generosity of our amazing community. We need to raise £39,000 each day to fund our services 365 days a year to the people who need us most.
We’ve never needed you, our wonderful supporters, more than we need you today. Please donate what you can to help keep hospice care available for those in desperate need.
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