Solent Funeral Services continues support for The Rowans Hospice with summer fundraiser

A team of funeral professionals from Solent Funeral Services is continuing its support for The Rowans Hospice through a community fundraising raffle aimed at helping the hospice continue its work supporting local families.

The Grand Summer Raffle, organised by colleagues from Solent Funeral Services' Lee-on-the-Solent and Gosport branches, will take place on Monday 10 August at the Lee-on-the-Solent funeral home. The fundraiser follows a year of community activity and charitable support from the team, who are hoping to build on the £3,040 they raised for The Rowans Hospice through fundraising events during 2025.

Established by Danny Brooks in 1998, with a sister branch opening in Gosport the following year, Solent Funeral Services has supported local families for more than 25 years. Alongside helping families through bereavement, the team remains actively involved in community fundraising and local initiatives throughout the year.

Recent projects have included collecting unwanted bras through in-house bra banks in aid of Against Breast Cancer, fundraising for Naomi House and Jacksplace children's hospice, and supporting local events with their traditional fairground-style charity organ, which regularly appears at church fetes, community events and care homes across the area.

This year's fundraising efforts have already seen members of the team take part in The Rowans Hospice Firewalk, while Funeral Director Emma Smith is currently training for the Great South Run in October.

The raffle has received support from a number of local businesses, who have donated prizes ranging from theatre tickets and family attractions to restaurant vouchers, beauty treatments, books and gift hampers.

Emma Smith, Funeral Director at Solent Funeral Services Lee-on-the-Solent, said: "We regularly hear from families about the support their loved ones received from The Rowans Hospice and the difference it made to them during an incredibly difficult time. The care they provide extends far beyond the patient and often supports entire families when they need it most.

That's why continuing to support the hospice is so important to us. The work they do touches so many people across our community and we're pleased to be able to play a small part in helping them continue that support."

Charlea Lewis, Funeral Service Specialist at Solent Funeral Services Gosport, added: "The response from local businesses has been fantastic and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated prizes and supported the raffle. Community fundraising relies on people coming together and it's been wonderful to see so many people get involved."

The team hopes to raise even more for The Rowans Hospice this year as fundraising activities continue throughout 2026.

Anyone wishing to support the fundraiser or find out more about the raffle can visit Solent Funeral Services in Lee-on-the-Solent or Gosport.