You can now find condensed copies of our Supporter News here on our blog- these will give you the highlights from our latest issue, such as successful fundraisers and future workshop dates! To sign up to our mailing list and receive the full version of our newsletters, please get in touch with admin@brigittetrust.com.
From our Head of Operations
It’s been a very full and rewarding few months for us at The Brigitte Trust. As ever, the team has been working at full capacity to deliver our services and create meaningful opportunities for connection and support across our communities.
Sarah, our Service Manager, continues to strengthen partnerships across Surrey, ensuring that people facing a terminal diagnosis and bereavement receive the care they need at the most difficult times. Alongside this, we have welcomed a new cohort of volunteers, whose commitment and compassion are vital to the work we do. Our bereavement services continue to grow in response to demand and it has been encouraging to see such positive feedback from those attending our groups and activities.
Fundraising and community engagement have also been particularly strong, with a range of inspiring events and individual efforts helping to raise both awareness and vital funds. From local initiatives such as “Dorking is Talking” to the incredible achievement of our London Marathon runner Megan, these contributions make a real and lasting difference to our ability to support others.
We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated team, Trustees, volunteers and supporters for their continued commitment. Together, we remain focused on ensuring that no one faces a terminal diagnosis or bereavement alone.
Cathy Garling, Head of Operations
Dorking Is Talking
On the evening of Thursday 26th February, Isabel Morris arranged a wonderful evening of fun, laughter and poetry in memory of her late husband Mike, a client of ours, to raise money for the Trust. There was an open-mic style evening of poetry and prose, a safe space for emerging writers to share their work and be inspired by those more established on the wider circuit.
Guests enjoyed a “Supper Club” vegetarian sharing platter and some lovely drinks from our hosts, Swirl Wine Bar on Dorking High Street. Local singer and songwriter Andrew Maxwell Morris performed an acoustic set, and “their featured” artist performance came from a local poet known as AJ, both of whom donated their fees to the Trust.
It was a fantastic evening, which raised an amazing £800 from ticket sales, a raffle, artist’s fees and a generous donation from Isabel herself. Thank you so much to those who attended! If you are interested in attending a future “Dorking is Talking” event, please get in touch with our Fundraising & Promotions Manager Tanya and she will pass the message on to Isabel.
Welcome to our new volunteers
We’d like to give a warm welcome to to our new volunteers, who completed their six-week training earlier in the year. Coming from across Surrey, they are looking forward to visiting clients and supporting the Trust. We are very grateful to them all for choosing us!
Good luck to Rob, Monique, Sally, Debra, Debbie, Belinda and Simone.
Congrats to Megan, our London Marathon runner
On Sunday 26th April, the fantastic Megan took part in this year’s London Marathon, running 26.2 miles and raising an amazing £2,198 for our cause! We’d like to thank her for all of the time and effort that she put into this challenge, and we want to thank anyone and everyone who has supported Megan and our work.
In memory of Alexandra Shahrokh
The Brigitte Trust are very sad to have been told that Alexandra Shahrokh, a volunteer of ours, sadly died on 24th April 2026 after a courageous but challenging 3 years of cancer treatment. She joined the Trust in May 2019 and was kind, compassionate and conscientious volunteer, who will be much missed by the staff and volunteer colleagues. Our thoughts are with her loving family and son Roman at this time.
Volunteers needed for upcoming events
Whether you can spare a couple of hours or a whole afternoon, we need your help selling raffle tickets and raising awareness of the work that we do! If you’re interested in helping out at any of the below events, please contact our Promotions & Fundraising Manager Tanya at tanya.stafford@brigittetrust.com.
- Ash Parish Village Fete- Saturday 20th June, 12:00 – 4:00pm
- Banstead Village Fair- Saturday 4th July, 10:30am – 3:00pm
- Dorking Family Fun Day- Sunday 19th July, 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Quality Street Fair, Merstham- Sunday 6th September, 10:00am – 3:30pm
We are also looking for bakers and servers to help us out at this year’s Teas On The Green, taking place in Brockham on Sunday 4th October, 1:00 – 5:00pm.
With Warmest Wishes to all our Volunteers, Clients, Supporters and Friends of the Trust from the Trustees and the Team at The Brigitte Trust.
Want to fundraise for The Brigitte Trust?
You can get started today by creating your fundraising page online with Enthuse. Your support means that we can reach out and help more people living with a life-limiting illness in Surrey.