If you live locally, you may have heard of hospice volunteer Ian Watt – affectionately known as ‘the 5p Guy’.
For the past 21 years, Ian has been collecting 5 pence coins for St Cuthbert’s Hospice. 2018 was a milestone year for Ian when he collected his one millionth coin – which when all added up is a staggering £50,000!
Ian explains “I began volunteering for St Cuthbert’s over 27 years ago, helping to count the donations that were received. The Hospice would receive many donations of coppers that people would collect and send along in jars and boxes. They’re the most popular coin for people to part with, as most folk are happy to chuck a few one and two pence pieces into a charity bucket to clear out their pocket or their purse.”
“One day, my granddaughter, who was two at the time and had just learned how to high five, said to me ‘Papa give me five’. This got me thinking, if people started donating 5p’s instead of coppers – it would greatly help with fundraising for the Hospice.”
Ian started collecting the little silver coins and spreading the word about his efforts. Soon many people began collecting 5p’s too and passing them onto Ian in their hundreds. It was then he decided to start recording how many he had amassed and donated to the Hospice, and the idea to set a target of collecting a million was born. Ian’s ledger is full of little lines tracking each week’s count and totals.
“When I reached 1 million 5p coins, I was ecstatic. It felt like a real achievement for the Hospice and for the community that helped me to reach it. I was quite blown away by the reaction. The news story was picked up locally, nationally and even internationally! Being told an Australian Newspaper had printed the story was quite unbelievable really.”
At one stage, the coins were coming in the thousands from members of the public and local businesses. Ian adds “I simply couldn’t have got to the amount I have without the support of the local community, who have helped me to collect the coins so far. This has slowed significantly since covid and the increased use of cards and mobiles to make payments. You just don’t see as many 5p’s as you used to.”
Ian says he found a 5p on the floor on his way to the bank the other day – it was just sat there shining at him.
“I still need people to collect their coins, but I am also asking people to consider setting up a regular donation of just £3 to help me continue contributing to the cause we all care about.”
Ian has crunched the numbers and knows that each box that he would usually count can contain around 600-700 5ps. That’s around £30-35. He still needs to collect 432,000 5p coins to reach his new target of 2 million.
Ian explains, “I’d love to reach the target before the Hospice’s 40th anniversary in 2028. I used to say people were happy to part with a 5p as there’s not much you could get with those little silver coins. Now, to ask for just £3 feels the same. It’s the cost of a coffee a week, or a piece of cake – but could help someone right here on your doorstep. A family at the most challenging of times could have the safety net of the hospice thanks to your small act of kindness.”
