Thank you for taking the time to visit John Leese's JustGiving page -

 

Here's John's story of supporting the Douglas Macmillan Hospice -

 

When I picked up my first tin collecting can 19 years ago, my only thoughts were to try and raise £1,000 in tribute to the very special people at the Douglas Macmillan Hospice who looked after my dear wife Olwen.  

 

I didn’t expect to pick up a nickname (The Tin Can Man) along the way – I certainly didn’t expect to receive the various tributes that have kindly been given to me over the years, and I absolutely certainly didn’t expect to meet the Queen and to receive an MBE for my work. 

 

And to be honest, that isn’t really what it’s all about for me.  I have great respect for the work the Douglas Macmillan Hospice do, and my sole aim is to raise as much as I can to ensure they continue to help patients and their families.  Along the way, the work I do has also kept me busy and happy.  I have made lots of friends in my time on duty in the Potteries Shopping Centre, or at Morrisons in Festival Park.  

 

It’s surprising how many people come to talk to me, as well as to put money in the can, and how that money has grown over the years – with a current tally of over £340,000 – not bad compared to my original target!

 

It does my heart good to visit the hospice, and see the improvements that my efforts have helped achieve.  I know that my work is helping people like my wife and myself during what is undoubtedly a very difficult time, and I always try and reassure people in similar circumstances that they will be very well looked after.  

 

I hung up my collection tin in February 2009, but felt I had to come out of retirement because of the difficult financial situation the Hospice was experiencing due to the economic climate.  

My plan for 2010 was to continue to collect once a month in the Potteries Shopping Centre however following a spell of ill health and a short stay in hospital I have been advised by Doctor's to give up for good. But the good news is you can still make a donation to this page - my online 'Tin Can.'

 

 

I often think that Olwen would have chuckled about ‘The Tin Can Man’ nickname, but I know she would have been very proud of my volunteering work, and on behalf of us both I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has ever dropped a coin in my collection tin.  

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 

 

So please make a donation to my 'Online Tin Can'

 

 

Best Wishes

John