A year 11 student has raised £1,000 for Oakhaven Hospice by organising a Christmas Show in memory of his grandfather.

Archie Kitcher, a year 11 student at Priestlands School, put on the first-ever East Boldre Christmas Show with the support of his local community, at East Boldre Village Hall on Saturday 14th December.

Archie came up with the idea for the event whilst travelling on the school bus and organised the event independently whilst studying for his mock GCSE exams. The show incorporated a cookery and craft competition, with all proceeds going to Oakhaven Hospice in thanks for the compassionate end-of-life care and support provided to his beloved grandfather.

Archie said; “I approached Chapel Stores in the middle of October and suggested we run a competition to raise money for Oakhaven. They thought it was a great idea and so planning for the day began. With my siblings, I then hand-delivered 300 leaflets to everyone in the village, letting people know about the event, as well as putting up posters and advertising online. We had 50 entrants in the show, with over 100 different entries.

“Thanks to Chapel Stores, who ran a raffle in the week leading up to the event that raised £290; East Boldre Coffee Morning and local businesses for the prizes; Sterling Gardens who match funded the entry fees; East Boldre Village Hall for use of the hall; and most importantly to everyone who entered and supported Oakhaven.”

The winners of the East Boldre Christmas Show were Debbie Cutler, who won the Cookery Class with her amazing bakes, and Nic Slawson, who won the Craft Class with her spectacular feather wreath.

Peter Main, Headteacher of Priestlands School, said; “Archie is a superb student and we are delighted to see him putting into action the values we promote in school to make a positive impact in our community. What Archie has completed, raising so much money, is a wonderful achievement, and we are very proud of him.”

Hannah Davies, Oakhaven’s Community Fundraiser, previously taught Archie at South Baddesley C of E Primary School and felt very proud to help him and to receive the cheque from him to Oakhaven.

Oakhaven Hospice supports everyone in the New Forest, Totton and Waterside communities, delivering specialist care to those during their illness, at the end of life and in bereavement.

As well as ten beds in its Inpatient Unit, Oakhaven cares for patients with life-limiting illnesses in their own homes - currently an average of 450 at any time. In addition, thousands of local people receive support and guidance from Oakhaven Wellbeing at the Coates Centre, following the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, whilst caring for a loved one, and in bereavement.

Oakhaven’s running costs amount to over £8 million each year. With just 11% of funding covered by the NHS, your local hospice relies on kind donations, fundraising, gifts in wills and income from its charity shops and home care provider, Oakhaven Care Ltd, to cover the remaining 89% of costs.

Would you like to help raise funds for Oakhaven Hospice? Click here for inspiration...