It could be said that Gemma Strain and fundraising go together like tea and cake.  Gemma has been fundraising in aid of the Ayrshire Hospice since 2010 and has been a champion for one of our terrific fundraising campaigns – Tea at 3. 

During Tea at 3 we invite the Ayrshire community to hold a tea party throughout June and raise funds in aid of the hospice, whether it’s a cream tea, coffee morning, tea dance or a garden party, we invite the Ayrshire community to take part and Gemma is one of our fundraisers who comes up trumps time and time again to support our local charity.
   
Gemma first became involved in fundraising in aid of the hospice in 2010 after she had experienced first-hand the benefits of hospice care: Gemma’s mother-in-law and grandfather had been cared for in the Ayrshire Hospice and following the quality care that her loved ones received, Gemma wanted to give back and make today matter for a charity that was very close to her heart.

Gemma has organised some wonderfully themed tea parties in aid of the hospice including “Tea at the Park”, a unique tea party held at the local Park Hotel in Kilmarnock; “Celebri-Tea” a unique opportunity to come dressed as your favourite celebrity; “Tee off for the Hospice” inspiring a new golf theme; and “Royaltea” where guests could come dressed as their favourite royal.

However in 2016 Gemma reached a new level in her Tea at 3 fundraising as she achieved her highest ever income for the campaign with a fabulous £1,200 raised from her “Eightea” event: an opportunity for guests to come in fancy dress with a prize for the best dressed “eighty-year-old”.  When photos of Gemma’s event were posted on the hospice Facebook page, those attending took to social media to say that it was such a great night and successful event.  Gemma’s fundraising has clearly touched others with a tremendous attendance at “Eightea” and the fact that people felt so engaged to donate so generously to the hospice cause.
 
Gemma is also Head Teacher at St Mark’s Primary School in Irvine who have previously held bake-off events in honour of the Ayrshire Hospice as part of this year’s Tea at 3 campaign and over and above her own “in aid of” party.  Gemma has also engaged the whole school to get behind another of our community fundraising campaigns, Go Purple and has also supported our Summer Ball event in the past.

Gemma is a significant ambassador for Tea at 3 and an individual who truly makes today matter for our charity.