intu Metrocentre shoppers get engaged with CHUF fundraising
Posted by
A major fund raising campaign being run by the North East’s leading shopping centre is halfway to reaching its target – raising more than £11,000 in less than 10 days since launching.
On May 1 intu Metrocentre unveiled its plan to sell 1000 crystal hearts, replicas of those which are currently being made for the spectacular, sparkling chandelier, the Heart of a Thousand Crystals, the main feature of the new Platinum Mall which will be completed in early June. The proceeds of the sales of the hearts are going to the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) at the Newcastle Freeman Hospital, which treats young people from across the North East.
The hearts, which are individually boxed and numbered, come with a certificate of authenticity and cost £20 each – have already been snapped up by hundreds of shoppers who not only want a unique souvenir but also want to support this important charity. Already 560 of the hearts have been sold totalling £11,200, with one being raffled by intu Metrocentre staff which so far has raised more than £250. All money raised by their sale will go towards CHUF’s Home from Home appeal, which is raising £2m to set up a special unit at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital where the families of children being treated can stay, free of charge.
“The response by the public so far has been incredible,” said Gavin Prior, general manager at intu Metrocentre. “We have had people from as far away as Wales ordering the hearts because so many people have been touched by the work the Freeman do and the support given by CHUF.
“Shoppers have bought the hearts as gifts or in remembrance of those dear to them and we have had so many positive comments about them. Mf 2 “We hope people who would like one don’t wait too long because they are selling at such a fast rate that we don’t want anyone to be disappointed.”
The hearts are available from Customer Services Desks around the centre and the hope is that at least £20,000 will be raised for this important project. CHUF is working towards creating a new, purpose-built unit which will provide 18 en-suite bedrooms and a self-contained flat for families and their children who are undergoing life-saving heart surgery.
“It’s amazing that so many of these hearts have been sold in such a short space of time,” said Ivan Hollingsworth, one of the CHUF trustees. “We are very grateful for everyone who has purchased one and who now owns not only a unique memento of The Heart of a Thousand Crystals, but are also helping us to reach our target.”
The Heart of a Thousand Crystals will be unveiled on June 5 and will be officially switched on by some of the youngsters who have been helped by CHUF.
