Fagan & Whalley: Going the extra mile for Pendleside

Fagan & Whalley has been a long-time supporter of Pendleside Hospice, offering more than just fundraising help.

As a local logistics and transportation company, their support includes donating time, resources, and expertise to assist the Hospice in various ways. 

Laura Fagan, who has been part of the family business since she was 16, says Fagan & Whalley has supported Pendleside Hospice for as long as she can remember. 

Over the years, Fagan & Whalley has participated in several fundraising events and initiatives, including Pendleside’s Witch Festival, The Pendleside Pumpkin Trail, Pendleside Does Strictly and our annual Corporate Challenge, which raises vital funds for patient care and support for families.

Laura said: “The Corporate Challenge has always been a fun and rewarding way for us to give back.

“It’s not just about raising money, but about connecting with a cause that is so important to our local community. Almost everyone at Fagan & Whalley has had some link or connection to the hospice.”  

Fagan & Whalley have also been a tremendous help when it comes to the donation of time and resources.

Laura added: “Whether it’s picking up pallets of donated boohoo clothing from Sheffield for the Hospice’s Donation and Distribution Centre or supporting the Christmas Tree collections by providing a wagon and driver to assist with pickups, we’ll support Pendleside as much as we can.”

"We also mapped out the Christmas Tree collection routes across Burnley and Pendle. Our drivers really enjoy getting involved and helping out too!” 

 In addition to these ongoing efforts, Fagan & Whalley played a significant role in some memorable fundraising events.

The March the UK fundraiser in May 2021 saw Fagan & Whalley’s employees participating in a virtual walk, raising a remarkable £4,439 for both Pendleside Hospice and Blackburn Youth Zone.

Laura said: "It was a fantastic way for our team, who are based all over the country, to come together and support our two chosen charities.

One of the most heartwarming examples of Fagan & Whalley’s support came in September last year.

Josh Healey, a 30-year-old HGV driver from Burnley, had been working with Fagan & Whalley for just six months when he was diagnosed with cancer. After a prolonged battle, Josh was referred to Pendleside Hospice for end-of-life care. During his time at the hospice, Josh spoke about how much he missed driving an HGV and longed to return to the open road. 

When Pendleside Hospice staff learned of Josh’s wish, they reached out to Laura and her colleagues at Fagan & Whalley to see if they could make it happen.

Without hesitation, Laura and compliance manager, Martyn Richardson, sprang into action to organise a surprise for Josh. 

Laura said: "When we found out Josh wanted to drive again, we knew we had to make it happen. 

“We worked closely with the Hospice team to arrange the visit, and Josh’s mum and dad were in on the plan. When an HGV pulled up outside Pendleside, Josh was stunned.” 

Josh climbed into the truck and went for a ride, reliving the sense of freedom he had missed so much. 

Josh passed away peacefully at Pendleside Hospice on 16th September 2024, and we are so grateful to Josh for sharing his story, and to Fagan & Whalley for making such a meaningful moment possible. 

For Laura and the team at Fagan & Whalley, supporting Pendleside Hospice has always felt like a natural extension of their work and values. “What stands out the most for me at Pendleside is how much they make you feel part of their family,” says Laura. “It’s something about the feeling you get when you walk through their doors and the embrace you receive from the team – it’s really special.” 

As we look forward to continuing our partnership with Fagan & Whalley, we are filled with gratitude for all they do to help our patients, their families, and the wider community. It’s this kind of unwavering support that allows Pendleside Hospice to provide exceptional care and comfort to our patients and their families. We thank Fagan & Whalley for being a vital part of our Hospice family and for their ongoing commitment to supporting our mission. 

If you and your company would like to get involved in supporting Pendleside Hospice, either as a charity partner, through volunteering or by getting involved in our annual Coporate Challenge, which starts on the 1st June, please get in touch with our Head of Corporate Fundraising, Elaine, on [email protected].