A few months ago, staff at Crown Honda fell in love with the inspiring charity Shooting Star Chase, which prompted them to embark on a fundraising campaign that would get everyone thinking about what the festive season is actually about.

But first, what is Shooting Star Chase? It’s a leading children’s hospice that cares for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families. It supports families from diagnosis to end of life and throughout the bereavement period. Its care services include short stays at its two hospices in Hampton and Guildford, home visits and home care, day care, symptom management, end-of-life care, bereavement care and a comprehensive range of therapies and support groups for all the family.

Crown Honda launched its ambitious fundraising campaign by participating in the charity’s Festive Friday on December 5, which involved staff members from both Bushey Heath and Hendon donning their silliest festive jumpers, hats and accessories in exchange for a donation. They transformed their Christmas tree into a Giving Tree and encouraged staff members, customers and local businesses to bring in toys and games, which were delivered to the hospices in time for Christmas Day (you can read about the fun that was had at: www.crownhonda.co.uk/showroom/cars/aboutus/news/).

To help reach the desired fundraising target, a sum was donated for every new car sold on finance up until the end of 2014, and as a bit of a social experiment, a recycled bottle was placed at each reception desk for people to deposit their unwanted 5p coins, because every little bit counts.

To kick off the New Year, Crown Honda is embarking on the second phase of its fundraising campaign. Throughout January, staff members are bringing in second-hand items or unwanted Christmas presents for the charity’s onegoodthing appeal. These items will be sold in charity shops and the money raised will be added to Crown Honda’s fundraising page. To put the cherry on the top of the fundraising cake, Crown Honda is in the process of recruiting staff members and affiliates to participate in Shooting Star Chase’s Stair Climb event on February 28. So far, three brave team members have put their hand up to climb the Broadgate Tower’s 877 steps to raise precious funds to help young people supported by the charity to take their next step.

For more information or to get involved, contact jacquihenderson@crownhonda.co.uk or visit: www.shootingstarchase.org.uk