FROME’S 98-year-old super fundraiser has smashed his £1,000 target to raise money for the Dorothy House Hospice.
Owen Hillier, who was awarded an MBE for his services to the community, started his challenge on Easter Sunday – one week after his 98th birthday pledging to walk 100m every day, until the end of lockdown.
Within days he had passed his £1,000 goal and is now well past the £8,500 mark.
Dorothy House have paid tribute to him, saying he is one of their ‘incredible hospice heroes who have stepped up in a huge way to give their time to raising funds’.
A video of Owen’s fundraising can be found at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv_IKW4fr10&feature=youtu.be
Owen decided to ‘step up’ for Dorothy House when his daughter, Sue Edwards, told him about the hospice’s emergency appeal for funds. Sue said, “Dad has always done things for charity and the community and this was something he felt he could offer. He’s partially sighted but still pretty mobile. This is really up his street.”
Owen is walking in memory of his grandson, James Eyers, who was killed in a car accident in 2007, but who was fundraising for Dorothy House at the time of his death. James’ family have been supporting Dorothy House ever since, as a tribute to James and, to continue the fundraising he began. So far, they’ve raised nearly £72,000. Sue said, “James would be so proud of his Grandad.”
In World War II, Owen was a member of the air force service police for Bomber Command in Kilmington. After that, he worked for Mendip District Council and, until recently, has been an active community volunteer with the Friends of Frome Hospital and Frome Youth Club amongst other groups.
Owen’s Just Giving page is at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/susan-edwards27
Wayne de Leeuw, Chief Executive at Dorothy House said, “Owen is an inspiration! We are humbled by his commitment to ‘step up’ for the hospice at this time. WWII was an unprecedented time in our history and during this time he served his country; today, at another extraordinary time in history, his support will help us meet the needs of our community as we play our part to face this pandemic head on.”
To donate to the Stepping Up emergency appeal as a one-off or regular payment or to register to volunteer visit www.dorothyhouse.org.uk For information on current Dorothy House services call 0345 0130 555.
