What started as a door-to-door collection to help support the NSPCC led to more than fifty years of dedicated fundraising for June Gass.
Over the next five decades until she passed away in December aged 88, June and her fellow fundraisers in the Wilmslow Fundraising Committee organised many activities in a bid to support the work of the NSPCC. These included everything from baking cakes to sending charity Christmas cards, hosting fundraising discos and organising sponsored swims.
From the year 2000 to 2015, the Wilmslow Fundraising Committee raised an astounding £205,000 between them.
Prior to her death in December, her late-husband’s former law firm Jackson Barrett & Gass were already raising money for the NSPCC to celebrate June’s 50th year of fundraising. Then, after learning that June passed away, the firm generously decided to match-fund the donations, bringing the total to almost £2,000.
Rick Barrow, Marketing Director, said “When June asked me whether we would like to support her 50th year of NSPCC fundraising, I didn’t hesitate in agreeing. June and her late husband, Peter, obviously had a strong connection with the firm but it was the sheer achievement of tirelessly fundraising for 50 years which touched me most.
We raised almost £1,000 through client contributions last year. Sadly, June passed shortly before I could tell her the amount we had raised, which by all accounts would have given her a great sense of joy. After June’s funeral & all the fitting tributes which linked strongly to the NSPCC, the Directors agreed it was only right to match the original amount to reflect such a dedicated & tireless contribution by June.”
An NSPCC spokesperson said: “We would like to thank the Directors and the customers of Jackson Barrett & Gass for their generosity in raising these much-needed funds.
The commitment of June Gass, and the Wilmslow Fundraising Committee, for more than fifty years has helped us reach many, many more children in need of help throughout the UK. Without our committed fundraisers we wouldn’t be able to provide children with vital support when they most need it and are most vulnerable.”
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This article appeared in Wilmslow Express 25/05/16