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Charity of the Year

Keech Hospice is the Harpenden Building Society Charity of the Year for 2025.

Keech Hospice is a registered hospice charity that provides free specialist end-of-life care for people of all ages. Caring and supporting adults, children and their families across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Milton Keynes with life-limiting conditions. This support can be provided at home, over the phone, in a hospice, or wherever it’s required the most.

Keech Hospice is one of only few hospices in the country offering both adult and children’s care services. Their approach is non-judgemental and non-discriminatory, ensuring equal access for all. The mission is to lead the way in providing excellent care, supporting adults and children with life-limiting conditions, helping them to live well and make every day count. This support extends to loved ones and is free to all who need it.

Keech has been supporting the local community for over 30 years. Making the difference when it matters most.

Their support begins as soon as it is needed, whether that is at the point of diagnosis, or when a symptom or support need arises.

Over 70% of Keech’s funding is raised through extremely generous donations from the local community and the sale of donated goods in their shops. In addition, the NHS and local authorities make a funding contribution too which is always vital.

From humble beginnings in 1986 to becoming one of the UK’s leading hospice providers, Keech’s journey is a testament to the power of a shared vision and community spirit.

Here at Harpenden, we are thrilled to be supporting such an incredible charity and look forward to working with Keech throughout the year.

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Colleague support for Keech

Volunteering

In February, five of our colleagues volunteered at a Keech Hospice charity shop in Harpenden. Keech have charity shops all over Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire which provides much needed income to provide nursing care for patients.

The main assignment for the day for our colleagues was sorting through donated clothes, shoes, toys, books and other items and keeping the stock that was of good enough quality to be sold in the shop. Additionally, our team were also tasked with adding price labels to the stock, so it was all ready to be displayed.

An enjoyable day was had by our team, especially knowing the difference this can make. More volunteering days at Keech will be scheduled throughout the year.

Annual General Meeting

As previously mentioned, our AGM took place on Friday 25th April at Rothamsted Research Centre. We would like to thank our members for the overwhelming support you gave to the Board’s recommendations. This year 1175 members voted and as a direct result of your participation, the Society have made a charitable donation of £2,350 to Keech Hospice.

Bake Sale

In March, our colleagues got their aprons on and took part in a bake sale to help raise funds for Keech Hospice. From chocolate brownies and sausage rolls to banana bread and Victoria sponge.

In total, we managed to raise a fantastic £342. We love our sweet treats here at Harpenden; therefore, another bake sale will take place later in the year.

Easter raffles

Our Harpenden, Radlett and Tring branches conducted Easter raffles in April to raise money for Keech. As can be viewed in the pictures, some great hampers were put together by our branch colleagues.

Throughout the three branches we managed to raise £453.

All winners were informed just before the Easter break. All were thrilled with their hampers which was great to see.