PICTURE GALLERY: Shake it Purple raises cash for Shakespeare Hospice

OVER 100 local businesses and community groups came together last Friday to paint, play and ‘Shake it Purple’ in aid of The Shakespeare Hospice — and it’s believed that collectively they have raised £10,000.

Businesses and community groups from all over south Warwickshire and North Cotswolds got involved, including the staff of White Stuff in Stratford, Johnsons Coaches in Henley and the children of Ilmington Primary School.

Hoorays Gelato, in High Street, Stratford, created a super power purple ice cream and the staff at Penmans Solicitors in Wellesbourne even dyed their hair purple for the cause.

Lauren Holt, assistant manager at Barclays, who also shook it purple across their Warwickshire branches, said: “All staff in our local branches got involved baking purple cakes and wearing purple, we had great fun.

“We were able to raise lots of money thanks to the generosity of our customers.”

Slimming World group members raised money selling gingerbread folk and had a purple raffle and held a cycling exercise course in the evening at Stratford Leisure Centre.

The Shake It Purple event is hoping to raise over £10,000 for the hospice, which last year supported nearly 900 patients and their families, with £2 million needed each year to keep services running.