A group of businesses and institutions has come together again in Wigan and Leigh to raise much needed funds for three of the borough’s most treasured charities.
Team Wigan and Leigh has launched this year’s calendar of charity challenges and events with the goal of raising £150,000 for Wigan and Leigh Hospice, The Brick and Daffodils Dreams CIC, as well as other local charities.
Last year across 12 events, fundraisers volunteered 2,961 hours resulting in a whopping £145,012.37, easily surpassing the goal of £100,000. Through fund donations, this figure was boosted to £202,762.37.
This year there are 14 challenges and events including a 90-mile Hadrian’s Wall walk; the 100km Kendall Loop Ultra Challenge; a Northern Soul Night; Borough’s Bonkers Bingo; a Funky Fun golf day and the Haigh Hall family hike.
It all starts this weekend with the Wigan Youth Zone Annual Ball and the Wigan Run Festival and concludes on December 24th when scores of people gather to fill and deliver hundreds of Christmas gift hampers that have been collected throughout the year for the borough’s hardest-hit families.
Team Wigan & Leigh is a collaboration of businesses and institutions, including Wigan Council, Wigan and Leigh College, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Foundation Trust.
Wigan and Leigh Hospice supports more than 1300 people in the Wigan Borough every year, providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care.
Jo Carby, CEO, Wigan and Leigh Hospice, said: “Sometimes a charity can feel a little isolated, but Team Wigan and Leigh creates that vital sense of community. None of what we do at the hospice would be possible without the support of our local community and it strengthens our commitment to those who need us most. Every day they help us to raise the £12,000 we need, just to keep our services running. We really are so lucky to be part of such a special community.”
Based on Water Street in Wigan, The Brick works in some of the most deprived local authority wards in England, focusing on housing, personal development, food and health, financial well-being and training and employment.
Keely Dalfen, CEO of The Brick, said: “The fundraising really makes a difference, that makes the magic. The bricks and mortar are the easy bit to have funded, but what is harder is the wrap around support to ensure that people are given a sense of belonging. We saw 16,500 people in 2024 and they all knew that it wasn’t only The Brick helping them to have a better life but the whole of Team Wigan and Leigh. The fundraising over the last two years through this collaboration has made a massive difference to us and I believe it’s something we can build on and achieve even more together.”
Founded five years ago, Daffodils Dreams CIC supports underprivileged families in the borough, by helping to give children a fair start and the chance to realise their potential. The charity provides clothes, bedding, toiletries, and activity vouchers, allowing children to enjoy their early years.
Maureen Holdcroft, founder, said: “We feel privileged to be part of Team Wigan & Leigh who share our passion to make a difference. Last year was amazing with so many events that raised money for children and families in the borough. Together, we’re not just delivering services and support, we’re delivering smiles, dreams, and the true spirit of community."
Cllr David Molyneux MBE, leader, Wigan Council, said: “This wonderful collaboration of several of our anchor institutions delivers such a big impact for Wigan and Leigh Hospice, The Brick and Daffodils Dreams. The charity calendar has something for everyone to be involved in and we are very confident that even more money will be raised this year and that even more people will benefit.”
Team Wigan and Leigh’s full £150k charity reads as follows:
· 15.03: Wigan Youth Zone Annual Ball
· 16.03: Wigan Run Festival
· 05.04: Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge
· 10.05: Northern Soul Night
· 07.06: Kendal Loop Ultra Challenge
· 13.06: Midnight Walk
· 14.06: Daffodils Dreams Summer Ball
· 20.06: Funky Fun Golf Day
· 11.07: Sunrise Snowdon Walk
· 10.08: Haigh Hall Hike
· 07.09: Wigan 10k Run
· 18.09: Hadrian’s Wall Walk
· 24.10: Borough’s Bonkers Bingo
· 24.12: Christmas Eve Appeal
Among the others which are part of Team Wigan & Leigh include Wigan Warriors RLFC, Leigh Leopards RLFC, Wigan Athletic FC, Wigan & Leigh College, Wigan Youth Zone, The Armed Forces Community, Greenmount Projects and JJH Building Contractors.
