Steven Wright, who was cared for by the hospice towards the end of his life, sadly died in 2022, aged just 42.
In the years since, his loved ones have taken part in many fundraising activities, supporting the hospice, in tribute to Steven.
Events included an annual long-distance walk and the Steven Wright Memorial Cup – a charity football match – plus additional events and donations from individuals.
This year’s walk was from Hartlepool to Durham and the football match took place at the usual time of the August Bank Holiday weekend. This year’s events alone raised almost £4,000 towards the total.
Stu Hodgson, one of Steven’s best friends, has been heavily involved in the fundraising and is still close to Steven’s family. He said, “It was another great day for the fifth Steven Wright Memorial Cup – with Steven’s friends and family once again all coming together to pay homage to a great man and his family. As well as the annual charity walk, which this year was 20 miles to Durham, it’s important for us all to keep the memory of Steven alive and in doing so, raising some funds for Alice House who looked after Steven and his family in their time of need – so that it can continue to support to other families.”
Steven’s wife, Melissa, added, “The Steven Wright Memorial Cup was a wonderful success, raising much-needed funds for Alice House hospice, which provided such loving care and support to Steven. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who took part and helped us give something back in his memory.”
Greg Hildreth, from Alice House, said: “This is a tremendous amount raised and a great tribute to Steven, who meant so much to so many people. The money raised in Steven’s memory makes a huge difference to local families and helps enable the Hospice to sustain the type of care that Steven and his family experienced.”
He added: “As well as the fundraising figures we have on record, we also know that Melissa and others close to Steven have supported various hospice events and fundraising initiatives in his memory – which boosts this total considerably. Sincere thanks and congratulations from all at Alice House go to Steven’s family and friends and all who took part in or supported these fundraising events.”
Alice House Hospice provides care and support to patients and families affected by life limiting illness, or the death of a loved one in Hartlepool, Tees Valley and East Durham.
It costs £3.7m to fund these services for one year – the hospice receives 34% of this in Government funding, leaving a shortfall of more than £6,700 to be raised every single day.
