New additions to hospice’s Community Fundraising team
Two new members have joined the St Elizabeth Hospice Community Fundraising team to help the independent Suffolk charity to continue to develop its fundraising strategy throughout the region.
Born and bred in Ipswich, Brandon Orton joins the hospice as a Community Fundraiser for Mid and East Suffolk, after having previously worked as a Student Recruitment Assistant at the University of Suffolk where he also graduated from with a BA (Hons) in Event and Tourism Management in 2020.
He has also volunteered for St Elizabeth Hospice’s RideFest in 2019 which proved a big motivation in him joining the hospice. As Community Fundraiser for Mid and East Suffolk, Brandon’s role will see him becoming a familiar face in the local community as he engages with community groups and individuals in the area to encourage support of the hospice.
While outside of working life, Brandon has a passion for musical theatre. Whether it is attending a West End show or watching a local amateur dramatic group Brandon loves the performing arts, citing Les Misérables and Sweeney Todd as his favourite musicals.
Brandon said: “From a young age, I have watched my family support the hospice through the Midnight Walk and the Christmas Day Dip. As I got older, I started to realise the impact St Elizabeth Hospice has on the local community and I wanted to be involved.
“I began volunteering, attending local events and art trails whilst I was studying and now I am a Community Fundraiser for the hospice, which is very exciting. After only a few weeks at the hospice I feel proud to be part of such a fantastic charity and the recent Suffolk Remembers 2021 memorial event only made me more aware of what such a special community organisation it is.”
While Lesley Rawlinson also joins the hospice as Community & Partnerships Fundraiser, covering the coastal area from Woodbridge to Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
Having grown up in Felixstowe and now living in Ipswich, she is very familiar to the area especially through a career which has seen her work for more than 30 years in local media.
Away from work Lesley enjoys spending time with family, running and going to the theatre as well as being an active member of IODS Theatre Company.
She also has a personal connection to hospice care, when in 2015 and 2016 three members of her family received hospice support, as well as having a number of friends who were cared for by St Elizabeth Hospice.
These experiences inspired Lesley’s passion for supporting the hospice movement, a passion which has seen her volunteer at a number of St Elizabeth Hospice events as well as taking part in her own fundraising challenges.
“It’s a privilege to join the St Elizabeth Hospice fundraising team and to play my small part in helping this amazing organisation to positively impact the lives of patients and their families,” explained Lesley.
“Through my experience in local media I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside a number of vital and valuable charities in the county, including St Elizabeth Hospice.
“I’m extremely pleased to take on my new role as Community & Partnerships Fundraiser for the hospice. Someone once said to me that the hospice is ‘the most marvellous place and service you never want to use’ and I’m already certain that’s right and after my first few weeks here I already feel part of the team.”
To contact Brandon please email brandon.orton@stelizabethhospice.org.uk, to email Lesley contact lesley.rawlinson@stelizabethhospice.org.uk or call 01473 723 600 to speak with the fundraising team.
