Leicester woman raises almost £15,000 for hospice in memory of late mother

By Jessica Smith

A fund-raising wizard from Countesthorpe, who turned to making face masks in lockdown, has raised an amazing £14, 000 for LOROS charity, Leicester, a hospice who helped care for her late mother.

Carol Hanna, 59, who has already appeared on BBC East Midlands for her efforts, has been working hard during the country’s lockdown to raise money for the charity, LOROS Hospice, which supported her mother, Marjorie Johnson, who passed away of cancer in 2019.

After previously raising money through other fundraising, including a mud-run completed by future son-in-law Ryan, the imposing lockdown restrictions saw Carol turn to her sewing machine.

Priced at £2 each and advertised on Facebook and by word of mouth, she has been able sell her over 5,000 homemade face masks, to give back to the charity that helped in the final moments of her mother’s life.

Showing no signs of stopping, Carol said: “Hopefully we won’t be wearing masks for ever and when the time comes, I’ll simply raise money for the charity in other ways.

“I’m sure whatever I do in the future my family and future son-in-law Ryan will support me as they do now. The charity is very close to my heart.”

LOROS provides care to over 2,500 people across Leicestershire every year for terminally ill adult patients, their family, and careers.

Carol was able to combine her admiration for the charity’s workers who she’s described as “angels without wings,” and the need for supplies during this pandemic.

Carol’s work has been described as “essential” by LOROS, which have announced it is facing loses of up to £3 million, due to the impact of COVID-19.

With plenty of masks available, for all age groups, Mrs Hanna looks set to reach her next goal of £15, 000 imminently.

All profits from the masks are donated to the charity, and orders can be made via Facebook.