The Collier Row Muslim Sisters raise £150 for Saint Francis Hospice

The Collier Row Muslim Sisters, a community group for Muslim women, recently came together to raise funds for Saint Francis Hospice. Seema Choudury, founder of Legacy Group, a charity recruitment business, visited the hospice on Friday 8th August to present a cheque for £150.

The Collier Row Muslim Sisters started as a way to bring Muslim women together – to create a safe, social space where we can connect, support one another, and give back to our local community. Giving back is so important in our faith, and I want people to see that generosity doesn’t have to be tied to a particular time of year.

The Sisters recently organised a bake sale in Lawns Park in Collier Row and raised £150 for Saint Francis Hospice. The event was a great success with people stopping by, not only to buy cakes or make donations, but also to ask about the hospice. 

On Friday 8th August, I visited Saint Francis Hospice to meet Andy Furneaux from the fundraising team. I learned so much about the services they offer, including OrangeLine – a confidential phone service for anyone who is lonely or isolated, not just those connected to the hospice. I was also surprised to learn how many volunteers the hospice needs to keep everything running smoothly. 

I’ve always known Saint Francis Hospice as our local hospice, and our local mosque has supported it before. My best friend’s mum was recently cared for at another hospice, and hearing her talk about the compassion and quality of care reinforced how important these places are.

During my visit, I loved the peaceful sanctuary – you could feel the calm energy there. The café was full of life, the gardens were beautiful, and there was such a warm, welcoming atmosphere. As I continue building my business, this experience has inspired me even more to think about legacy, community, and how we can all contribute to something bigger than ourselves.

To find out more about Saint Francis Hospice visit sfh.org.uk. The charity relies on volunteers to support every area of the organisation, including its 15 shops across Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge and Brentwood, which raise vital income to fund its services.  If you have some time to spare, we would love to hear from you.

Visit sfh.org.uk/volunteer for more information.