A local hospice is taking over Birmingham this September with its annual ‘Big Brum Bucket’ campaign – and it’s asking big-hearted volunteers from the city to get on board.

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice is encouraging hundreds of volunteers to join the city-wide bucket collection to help raise vital funds for people living with life-limiting illness.

Taking place on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 September, the initiative aims to bring local people together whilst showing their support for the Selly Park-based charity.

Collections will be happening at supermarkets, shopping centres and high streets across the city, including Birmingham New Street Station and Colmore Row. Other locations include Harborne, Kings Heath and Solihull.

Alison Deere took part in the hospice’s Big Brum Bucket collection in 2017 and has already signed up to become a ‘bucketeer’ this year.

She said: “I absolutely loved being part of Big Brum Bucket last year – people were so friendly and I really enjoyed spreading the word about the hospice. It’s such a simple but effective way to show your support – all you need is a little bit of time and a big smile.”

Lucy Watkins, head of fundraising at Birmingham St Mary’s, said: “Taking part in the Big Brum Bucket collection is a really easy and fun way to show your support for the hospice. You get to choose where you collect, when and for how long – making it a flexible volunteering role.

“We’re excited to be collecting in Birmingham this year and would love for local people to join our team and help us raise bucket-loads of money. Last year, we raised an impressive £11,000 and every penny collected really did make a difference – helping us to continue to provide our free, expert care in people’s homes, in the community and at the hospice.”

All volunteers will receive a collection bucket and goody bag of useful resources to use during the weekend, as well as a free hospice t-shirt which is theirs to keep. All funds raised will go towards Birmingham St Mary’s, which cares for 350 people every day across Birmingham and Sandwell.

To sign up or to find out more, visit: www.birminghamhospice.org.uk/bucket