St Margaret's Hospice Care raised more than £11,000 during Hospice Care Week.

Somerset turned into a 'sea of yellow' as funds were raised to support essential hospice services.

Schools, workplaces, businesses, and community groups rallied together for the Wear It Yellow initiative, raising awareness and crucial funds for the hospice.

A total of 19 schools, 29 businesses, and 172 community members from five community groups participated in the event this year.

Participants included Evo Agency, Stockmoor Lodge - Somerset Care, Birchfield Community Primary School in Yeovil, and Yellow Peach, the event sponsor.

The Taunton Independent Market also showed remarkable support, with all 60 local businesses donning yellow in solidarity.

(Image: St Margaret's Hospice Care/Hayley Milne) The event aimed to spotlight the important work of hospice retail and fundraising teams.

In light of the increasing dependence of hospices on community generosity for their operations, initiatives like Wear It Yellow are more crucial than ever.

This year, the event emphasised that hospices now raise more money from the sale of second-hand goods than they receive in government funding.

The Wear It Yellow week featured various fundraising activities, including bake sales, car washes, move-a-thons, sponsored silences, and workplaces adorned in yellow decorations.

The event concluded with a significant community effort, with participants coming together to raise funds and awareness for St Margaret's, which provides essential end-of-life care in Somerset.

Thanks to the generosity of Somerset residents, a grand total of £11,611.94 was raised.

This amount could fund more than 175 visits by St Margaret’s community nurses to patients in the comfort of their own homes.

(Image: St Margaret's Hospice Care/Hayley Milne) Kerry Baillie, community partnerships manager at St Margaret's, said: "We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support we received this year.

"From schools and businesses to local markets, the entire community came together in a beautiful display of support.

"The funds raised during Wear It Yellow will go a long way in ensuring that hospice care remains accessible to those who need it most."

As the hospice looks forward to celebrating 45 years of providing free care to the people of Somerset, it encourages everyone to get involved in fundraising activities.

There are plenty of opportunities to continue raising money in support of free hospice care.

Visit the St Margaret's Hospice website to see how you could get involved.