My name is Chris Willmott, I’m the Partnerships Manager at The Myton Hospices.

I lead our Corporate Fundraising team, supporting businesses and organisations across Coventry and Warwickshire that want to raise money for The Myton Hospices, while also securing new supporters.

I love the variety that comes with corporate fundraising – no two days are ever the same. One day we might be attending a breakfast or evening networking event, the next presenting to a business and its employees to secure their support. Another day could involve developing sponsorship opportunities, creating pitches, or making applications to parent companies for significant donations.

Before joining Myton, I worked as a journalist and newspaper editor, where I heavily supported charities through my newspapers. Most notably, I partnered with Marie Curie after they cared for my dad, Paul – my first experience of the Hospice movement.

I sadly lost a colleague and good friend at the age of just 27 – he received the amazing care of The Myton Hospices, which deepened my passion for the cause even further.

A chance meeting with one of the Myton team at a business breakfast unexpectedly led to a carer change and me working at Myton. That was seven years ago, and I haven’t looked back.

I love that every day I get to make a difference to the lives of people like my dad and friend Matt, and to families like theirs and mine.