A WINE connoisseur has donated £1,000 to Demelza Hospice Care for Children in return for 12 bottles of premium English red wine.
Phil Swallow, a member of the Hush Heath Wine Club, was moved to support the Kent winery’s charity of choice after tasting barrel samples of Hush Heath Manor Pinot Noir 2017.
He has also offered the children in Demelza’s care a private steam train charter on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway line.
The charity provides care and support for seriously ill babies, children, young people and their families across Kent, East Sussex and South-East London.
Hush Heath Estate’s producers, Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn, held a fundraising event at The Goudhurst Inn in 2016 which raised more than £100,000 for Demelza.
Head Winemaker Victoria Ash said: “Phil Swallow was our very first member to sign up to the Hush Heath Wine Club, which we launched last year.
“The whole team here is delighted that Phil’s passion for English wine has provided us with this special opportunity to raise money for Demelza.”
Sarah Kemsley, Head of Major Donor Relationships at Demelza, added: “This donation from Phil Swallow and his family will have a great impact on the service we provide to the amazing children we have the privilege to work with.
“Leslie and Richard Balfour-Lynn have been generous supporters of Demelza and it was great to catch up with them at Hush Heath Estate.
“Since visiting our hospice at Bobbing, they have become wonderful ambassadors for Demelza by introducing us to new supporters like Phil.”
