Tributes paid to stalwart supporter of Petersfield charity market which gave thousands to QA hospital who has died aged 88

The success of Petersfield Giant Easter Charity Market 2019 has been tinged by the sudden loss of Geoffrey Holmes, father to market organisers Jeremy and Martin Holmes.
By Susannah Moody
Published 7th May 2019, 20:07 BST
School meal prices are risingSchool meal prices are rising
School meal prices are rising

The sad news comes soon after the family-run market raised £1,000 for Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust on Easter Saturday.

Geoffrey was a keen supporter of the market, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year and has donated thousands of pounds over the years to causes at QA Hospital in Portsmouth.

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He helped at the Easter Market for 31 all years, both stepping in on the raffle stall and putting his skills as a qualified accountant to use on the market financial accounts. He was 88 .

Geoffrey Holmes, who has died aged 88Geoffrey Holmes, who has died aged 88
Geoffrey Holmes, who has died aged 88

The Holmes family have raised a total of £34,700 since the first Easter Market in 1988. These donations have helped towards the purchase of a body scanner, a hi-tech digital surgery robot and other hospital improvements.

Geoffrey’s son Jeremy described his father as ‘very supportive’ and said the 2019 Easter Market was one of the family’s happiest. He said: ‘We were all together and Mum and Dad really enjoyed the day.’

The Holmes family will be organising the Christmas Market in Petersfield Festival Hall this December.

Related topics:QA HospitalPortsmouth