Gloucester’s Aspire Sports and Cultural Trust proudly supporting the Hollie Gazzard Trust

Fri, Jul 04, 2014 16:47 CET

Aspire’s GL1 Leisure Centre and Oxstalls Sports Park are proudly supporting and promoting a most worthy cause, the Hollie Gazzard Trust (HGT). The HGT is selling their branded wristbands to raise funds and awareness of issues close to Aspire’s heart.

The Hollie Gazzard Trust was set up by Hollies family following the untimely and tragic death of Hollie in February of this year. The family wanted to somehow create some positivity out of the terrible tragedy. The funds raised will go towards 3 main initiatives. Holly was passionate about her hairdressing career and so working in partnership with Gloucestershire College, the HGT will train, support and fund one young hairdresser a year in Gloucester. Gloucester based project Increase the Peace (ITP), works to move young people away from Anti-Social Behaviour, gun/knife crime and gang association. HGT will work with the project, providing financial support and awareness. The HGT will also work with Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) supporting and financing a school educational program.

Steve Elway, Chief Executive of Aspire said, “We are delighted that we can be of some assistance in promoting the Hollie Gazzard Trust and all it stands for. The community here in Gloucester is of incredible significance at times like these and it is important that we all pull together, raise awareness and do all we can to ensure events like this do not repeat themselves. If we can change or improve just one person’s life, then the support we give to other organisations has been worthwhile.”

Members of staff at the GL1 and Oxstalls venues are committed to selling as many of the wristbands as they can so as to contribute to helping as many people as possible. “So many people were touched by this heart breaking story. By all accounts, Hollie had a wonderful personality, was hardworking and dedicated. It’s our pleasure to help in any way we can” said Steve Elway.

Aspire’s Business Development Director, Jacquie Douglas said, “How great it is that we work in an environment where we can help those in our community and support people through their times of greatest need”.

Thursday 24thJuly would have been Hollies 21stbirthday. To celebrate this event, the Hollie Gazzard Trust has arranged a fun filled weekend from 26-27thJuly. Entertainment involves a family fun day, an all-day BBQ with music, an auction and a raffle.

The wristbands are available in the reception areas of GL1 and Oxstalls priced at £1 with 100% of the funds raised going to the HGT.

To find out more about the Hollie Gazzard Trust, how you can buy a wristband, for more details regarding the birthday weekend or how you can help this important cause, please take a look at holliegazzard.org.

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For further information or to arrange a photo opportunity, please contact Hayley Rapps hayleyrapps@bigwavemedia.co.uk or 0845 643 2287

Notes to editor:

aspire Sports and Cultural Trust
www.aspiretrust.org.uk

aspire Sports and Cultural Trust is a charitable Trust that operates on a not-for-profit basis. The Trust operates GL1 Leisure Centre, Oxstalls Sports Park, Estcourt Close and Xpress Fitness Cheltenham.

The Hollie Gazzard Trust
holliegazzard.org
www.facebook.com/ripholliegazzard
twitter.com/HollieGazzardT

The Hollie Gazzard Trust (HGT) was set up following the death of Hollie while at work at Fringe Benefits & La Bella Beauty Salon, Gloucester. Hollie’s family wanted something positive to come out of the tragic loss of Hollie. Hollies passion was hairdressing and her family wanted to give others the opportunity that Hollie was fortunate to have and fulfil a career in hairdressing. Application was made to the charity commission and on 25 April 2014, the Hollie Gazzard Trust, a Charitable Incorporated Organization (CIO) was created. While the family are devastated and can’t change what has happened to Hollie, they hope the funds raised will help others.

The Trust relies solely on donations from the generosity of individuals and Companies. HGT holds a number of official fundraising activities. Those interested in running their own fund raising activity, should get in touch with Fundraising Manager, Sian Prysziak by emailing info@holliegazzard.org.