THERE is a new goat in town and he is not afraid to make himself known!
Following huge success with their Abbey Road goat t-shirts, St David’s Hospice in Llandudno have launched a bespoke limited edition Great Orme goat soft toy.
The fundraising team at the hospice have been working with a custom toy company to create and design a prototype, which is based on the goat image seen on the t-shirts.
Only 1,000 will be made.
Margaret Hollings, head of fundraising, marketing and communications at the hospice, said: “The sale of the t-shirts have been phenomenal and the hospice supporters have been asking us for more - especially something for children. We thought it would be an ideal memento of 2020 and the Llandudno Great Orme goats, whose antics have brought a smile to us all in these very challenging times.”
The toy, which has been posted on the hospice’s social media page, has already been well received; more than 100 have sold in the last seven days.
Goat soft toy prototype
More than 4,600 t-shirts have been sold as well as 870 tote bags and £90,000 has been made.
The charity, which cares for patients living with life limiting illnesses in North West Wales, has launched a Recovery Fund after revealing it will face a total financial loss of more than £1 million due to Covid-19.
Margaret added: "It is a worrying times for us all. The t-shirts have really given us something positive to focus on and will definitely go towards helping us reach that target.
"Our local community and of course, people from further afield, have come together to show their support for the hospice".
The wild goats relax in the hospice car park on Abbey Road in Llandudno
In terms of its clinical side, the hospice continues to keep its inpatient and and outreach services open throughout the pandemic.
"Our clinical staff are doing a wonderful job of caring for those with life-limiting illness and their families," Margaret said.
"We have obviously had to change the way we function in line with government guidelines.
The t-shirts, by St David's Hospice, combine two famous images: the goats blended with the cover of The Beatles’ album Abbey Road. St David Hospice is based at Abbey Road in Llandudno
"From an income generation point of view, the team has been working really hard to adapt their way of thinking when in comes to new ways of raising the funds and many supporters have taken on individual fundraising challenges at home.
"The weekly St David’s Hospice Lottery continues to be the easiest way to support the hospice, with supporters playing for only £1 a week and the summer raffle will be launched very soon.
"As with any organisation or business, we are abiding to government guidelines and the working practices have completely changed. Some members of staff working on the administration side are working from home.
"All the staff at the hospice are passionate about the charity.
"We are all working as hard as we can to ensure St David’s Hospice can continue to provide the excellent, dignified care we would all wish for in the latter stages of life."
A competition to name the goat soft toy will run soon. Buy the goat soft toy at davidshospice.org.uk/product/great-orme-goat-soft-toy
Delivery is in September.
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