HOSPICE Isle of Man is hoping a festive fundraiser goes viral.
An e-card has been launched featuring staff, patients and volunteers at the Hospice.
Available to purchase with a minimum donation of £5, the e-card allows people to send a Christmas greeting with a Manx flavour around the world at the touch of a button.
It was launched at the Hospice’s Pearl Ball 30th anniversary celebrations held at the Villa Marina on November 2 when the full version was played together with out-takes.
Each year Hospice looks after 350 patients through their various services between the In Patient Unit, Day Unit or through Hospice at Home. In addition Rebecca House looks after 25 children in the island that require the services of a children’s Hospice.
Four in 10 people will be touched by cancer at some stage in their lives so purchasing this e-card will support a much loved, valued and needed service in the island.
Hospice Isle of Man is a local charity that needs to raise £3.5 million each and every year so the team there always prides itself on being the forefront of different and innovative ways of raising funds.
Chief executive Margaret Simpson said: ‘The e-card was a tremendous project to be part of. I would like to thank all the team at Hospice for getting involved.
‘I hope the e-card will not only raise lots of money for Hospice, it was a tremendous team-building day but perhaps it can also show local people that we have a lighter side to our organisation. I feel this is not something people always associate with our charity.’
She added: ‘As far as I am aware this is the first charity e-card on the island and I hope that this fun way of raising funds will help us to continue to help others.
‘This e-card can be sent out as many times as required although I would encourage the receiver to make a donation to Hospice if they wish to re-send it on.
‘On average I think people send out about 40 Christmas cards and spend about £50 – so this e-card is good for the environment by saving on paper, it will save them money and help a good cause – what could be better?
‘We would be thrilled if the e-card went viral. Hospice is on Twitter at hospiceiom or on Facebook on hospiceiom. If we could get #hospiceiomecard trending that would be excellent.’
The full e-card will be available to download from Monday on {http://www.hospice.org.im.hospice.org.im} and you can view a snippet now by going to {http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_dDzoYzIjM|http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_dDzoYzIjM}.