A Weekend of Fundraising

Last weekend was one of those that reminded us just how much can be achieved when businesses, charities and local communities come together.

Across two very different events, the Hildon team swapped office desks for running shoes, blue powder and Hook a Duck poles, helping to raise money for three fantastic Hampshire charities while enjoying plenty of laughter along the way.

Saturday: Colouring Hampshire Blue

Saturday saw the return of the Hampshire Hospitals Charity Colour Run, now in its third year and firmly established as one of the county's most colourful fundraising events.

Held at Harewood Forest in Wherwell, the Colour Run welcomes runners, walkers and families of all ages. There are no winning times to chase, just a course filled with music, laughter and a series of colour stations where participants are showered in brightly coloured powder before crossing the finish line looking almost unrecognisable.

As Hildon's partnership with the event continues, we were once again entrusted with one of the most anticipated colour stations on the course. Armed with bags of Hildon blue powder paint, our team cheered on hundreds of runners as they passed through our colour zone, some leaving covered from head to toe in blue.

Among those taking part was Hildon's Finance Manager, Jonathan, who completed the run for the second year running. With temperatures climbing throughout the morning, the heat made the challenge even tougher, but the smiles on the faces of the runners suggested nobody minded getting a little hotter, or a lot bluer!

The Colour Run raises vital funds for Hampshire Hospitals Charity, the official charity supporting Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Donations help provide specialist equipment, improve hospital environments, support patient wellbeing and fund projects that go beyond what the NHS is able to provide, making a real difference to patients, their families and hospital staff across Hampshire. At the time of writing, this year's event had already raised more than £10,000, with sponsorship continuing to come in.

Sunday: Hooking Ducks for Good Causes

After a good scrub to remove the last traces of blue powder, it was on to Stockbridge for another day of fundraising at the annual Trout 'n' About festival. This is also our third year as a Gold Sponsor for Trout 'n' About festival in Stockbridge. With over 10K visitors, all the proceeds from Trout 'n' About go back into local causes.

Our Hook a Duck stall was busy throughout the day, with children and adults alike trying their luck to win one of an incredible selection of prizes. There was plenty of friendly competition, lots of cheering and a queue that barely seemed to disappear. The success of the stall was made possible by the generosity of local businesses, many of whom have supported us before, helping us raise as much money as possible for two more Hampshire charities.

Our Prize Donors

The John of Gaunt Inn in King's Somborne kindly donated a £50 dining voucher. One of the nicest moments of the day came when last year's winner stopped by to tell us how much they'd enjoyed the meal they had won. It was a lovely reminder that these prizes are appreciated long after the event itself. The John of Gaunt has earned a loyal following for its welcoming atmosphere, excellent food and traditional country pub charm.

Afternoon Tea for Two at Kimbridge Barn was another prize that caught plenty of attention. Part of The Ideal Collection, Kimbridge Barn sits alongside the River Test and combines a popular café with artisan shopping, beautiful gardens and a picturesque riverside setting that draws visitors throughout the year.

Families were delighted to have the chance to win tickets to Finkley Down Farm. Just outside Andover, the award-winning farm park has been entertaining children for generations with its friendly animals, indoor and outdoor play areas, adventure activities and seasonal events.

The Grosvenor, Stockbridge, right in the heart of the day's festivities, donated Afternoon Tea for Two. Overlooking the High Street, the beautifully restored hotel has become a popular destination for visitors exploring one of Hampshire's best-loved market towns.

Lunch and wine for two at HarBAR on 6th at Southampton Harbour Hotel was another fantastic prize. Perched above Ocean Village Marina, the rooftop restaurant enjoys sweeping views across Southampton Water and is well known for its seasonal menus, relaxed atmosphere and spectacular setting. It's easy to see why so many people had their eye on this one.

A day pass to Mottisfont, cared for by the National Trust, offered the chance to explore one of Hampshire's most treasured historic houses and gardens. From its famous rose garden and peaceful riverside walks to changing art exhibitions and beautiful grounds, it's a wonderful place to spend the day.

High Score Arcades added a £40 voucher to the prize table. Combining classic arcade favourites with modern games, it's a place where children, parents and even grandparents can all enjoy a little friendly competition.

One delighted winner received a voucher for a tasting menu for two at AO by Daniel Rogan in Southampton. Located on Oxford Street, the restaurant showcases seasonal British ingredients with Japanese influences in a relaxed but refined setting, making it a prize every food lover hoped to win.

Stockbridge favourite Thyme & Tides donated Fish and Chips for Two. Well known for its fresh, sustainably sourced seafood, it has become a firm favourite with both locals and visitors alike.

Leckford Estate contributed a bottle of its organic cold-pressed rapeseed oil, produced using crops grown and pressed on the historic Hampshire estate.

Roger and the team at Experience Hampshire donated two memorable experiences: a guided Foraging Workshop and a tour of Southampton's Medieval Vaults, both celebrating the county's rich heritage, landscapes and food culture.

Petty Wood & Co. completed the prize table with a beautifully presented hamper packed with treats, giving one lucky winner plenty to enjoy once the day was over.

Alongside these fantastic donations were Hildon umbrellas, Chilly's bottles, Hildon glassware and a couple of bottles of wine from the owner's private cellar, ensuring there were plenty of prizes to be won throughout the day. Not your average local event, and certainly not your average hook a duck prizes, I think you'll agree.

Supporting Several Great Causes

Money raised from the weekend will benefit charities making a real difference across Hampshire.

The Hampshire Hospitals Charity supports Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, funding projects that enhance patient care, improve hospital environments and provide equipment and services beyond NHS funding.

Andover Trees United is an award-winning environmental charity that brings people together to plant, protect and care for trees and green spaces. Through community projects, volunteering and education, the charity is helping to create healthier environments for both people and wildlife.

Simon Says supports children and young people across Hampshire who are coping with the death of, or preparing for the loss of, someone important in their lives. Through support groups, resources and guidance for families, schools and professionals, the charity helps children navigate some of life's most difficult experiences.

Thank You

A huge thank you goes to every business that donated the amazing prizes, everyone who bought a Hook a Duck ticket, everyone who took part in the Colour Run and every member of the Hildon team who gave up their weekend to support both events. Thank you to the teams at Hampshire Hospitals Charity and Trout 'n' About for a couple of memorable events. The whole team at Trout n About are voluntary, and it's no small task to lay on an event of this scale.

Whether throwing clouds of blue powder over runners on Saturday or handing out prizes in Stockbridge on Sunday, it was a weekend that showed the power of people coming together for good causes.

Several charities. Two community events. One unforgettable weekend.

It's weekends like this that remind us why supporting our local communities matters. Seeing families having fun, volunteers giving their time, businesses backing local causes and charities receiving the support they need makes every early start and every busy weekend worthwhile.

We're proud to have played a small part and look forward to doing it all again next year.