A Century of Service: Jean Lever's Legacy to St John's Hospice

For over seven decades, Jean Lever has been a cornerstone of the St John's Hospice shops, transforming donated items into vital funds for patient and family care. Her remarkable journey began when she responded to an advertisement in The Visitor, leading her to open the first charity shop in Common Garden Street, Lancaster. With her eagle eye for spotting opportunities, Jean expanded the shop's reach to Lancaster University and nurtured a community of volunteers who shared her passion for raising money for end-of-life care.

Key Takeaways:

• Jean Lever founded the St John's Hospice shops in Lancaster, starting with a single shop in Common Garden Street and expanding to Lancaster University.
• In the first week of trading, the shop in Common Garden Street raised an incredible £1,000, demonstrating the generosity of the local community.
• Jean reached out to families of patients who had been cared for by St John's to volunteer alongside her, personally ringing each potential volunteer to ask for their support.
• The charity shops have been instrumental in generating 75% of the funds needed for patient and family care at St John's Hospice.
• Jean's selfless work and dedication have led to lifetime friendships and a deep understanding of the value of charitable donations.
• Jean's husband, Cyril, played a crucial role in collecting donations, and his passing was met with support from her family and hospice volunteer friends.
• St John's Hospice relies heavily on its community to raise funds for patient and family care, with the charity shops being a vital source of income.

Statistics:

• The St John's Hospice shops have raised an average of £1,000 in the first week of trading.
• 75% of the funds needed for patient and family care at St John's Hospice come from the charity shops.
• Jean has spent over 60 years volunteering and later managing the charity shops.
• The charity shops have expanded to multiple locations, including Lancaster University.
• Jean's selfless work has raised awareness about the importance of end-of-life care and the value of charitable donations.

Sources:

• Gayle Rouncivell
• Catherine Butterworth, director of income generation at St John's Hospice
• The Visitor
• Blackpool Auction House