July 2019 - Page 2 of 2 - East Cheshire Hospice

3, 2, 1 Challenge Update

Posted on 17th July 201917th July 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Running like a rocket is the aim for one East Cheshire Hospice supporter embarking on his own amazing 3,2,1 challenge – three marathons, two half-marathons and a 10K during 2019.

Steve Nixon, 56, from Tytherington, has nicknamed his challenge “Stephen’s Rocket” as inspired by Stephenson’s Rocket – the locomotive designed by Robert Stephenson almost 190 years ago in October 1829.

As a railway lover, Steve is hoping the rocket theme will inspire him to do great times on his running challenge.

“My enjoyment of running started about six years ago when the Hospice gave me a place in the London Marathon and since then I just keep doing more and more,” says Steve. “This year I decided to up the ante a little and take on more than I’ve ever done.

“I’ve now done two marathons – in Manchester and Liverpool – and also the 10K Great Manchester run and next up is the Bollington 10k in August which runs along the old railway line.”

Then in the autumn Steve stays at home for the Macclesfield Half Marathon in September before heading to the North East, where appropriately George Stephenson, renowned as the “Father of the Railways”, and his son, Robert, were born.

The Great North Run half marathon in September – described as the world’s biggest run with 60,000 runners – will be followed by what Steve feels will be the hardest of all his planned events at the picturesque but hilly Kielder Marathon in October.

Careful observers will note that Steve is already in line to smash his planned 3,2,1 challenge as, if he completes all his races, he’s added an extra 10K on to his total.

“I didn’t think I was able to do the Manchester 10K but slotted it in and managed to achieve a personal best of 46’ 18”. And who knows, I may even add some more runs so it could become a 3,3,3”, says Steve.

Steve, an interim executive, travels throughout Europe with his job and finds he can fit in lots of running whilst staying away.

He says: “I’ve got plenty of time in the evenings when I’m away to train so it works well”.

And what does his wife, Beverley, and three children think of his running challenge? “They think I’m an idiot but know I love it,” he laughs.

To support Steve his fundraising site is https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stevenixon2019

Art Fair Artists

Posted on 17th July 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Art Fair Cheshire will celebrate its 20th year with a look back to some of the artists who were there at its “birth” in 1999.

Four artists – Louise Gardiner, Steven Bewsher, E.B. Watts and Iola Spafford – have been asked to return to the Fair to mark this special year and will feature alongside 76 other artists at the week-long exhibition at Macclesfield Town Hall (Thurs, Sept 26 – Thurs, Oct 3).

Art Fair Co-Chair, Steven Dalton, says the anniversary is a good opportunity to celebrate both the success of the biennial event and the artists who support it.

“Some of the artists who exhibited at our first Art Fair have gone on to achieve international success and we are very proud to have them with us again,” he says. “We are changing the look and feel of the event with new white gallery boards and different lighting.

“What has not changed is that each artist is donating a proportion of their sales to East Cheshire Hospice and visitors will still be able to buy anything from a greetings card to a large original work be it sculpture or painting during the event.

Art Fair Cheshire is now one of the regions leading arts events attracting hundreds of visitors to the town.

Highlights this year also include artist-led tours, evening gallery events, plus guest speakers and workshops. Information on all the exhibiting artists can be found on the Art Fair Cheshire website www.theartfair.org.uk.

Gathering for ‘Gathering’

Posted on 17th July 2019 by Luke Brightmore

After months of enjoying the camaraderie of teamwork, international artist Susie MacMurray is now embarking on the last stages of her newest art creation.

After six months of painstaking sewing supported by 10 volunteers, Susie’s art installation, Gathering, is now in its final stages and will be set to move to Tatton Park in just over 10 days’ time.

Inspired by East Cheshire Hospice, the installation features 3,750 elements of red velvet and barbed wire which Susie is now threading onto the wires that will suspend the installation from the Mansion’s grand rotunda. It will be on display from June 27 to October 6 as part of Art Fair Cheshire 2019.

Susie said: “This final stage is an intricate process and is a solo effort.

“I’ve got a very clear vision of what I want it to look like and pulling it together is like handwriting – my individual interpretation.

“But it’s still a very collaborative piece and it’s been a very meaningful experience to work with the volunteer helpers who’ve all brought their own individual traits to the artwork.”

Susie’s helpers were all volunteers from the Hospice and the group spent many hours at her studio sharing memories of lost loved ones.

Susie, whose husband John died 12 years ago, said the work reflected the whole idea of the piece which is a gathering of people to support each other and share memories.

“We have had so many meaningful, intimate, hilarious and sad conversations whilst working on this piece,” she says.

“The Hospice is such a catalyst for extraordinary acts of kindness, generosity and care and the people who worked with me over the last six months illustrated that.”

The volunteers haven’t yet said goodbye to the artwork. They will once again spring into action to help Susie gently move the installation to Tatton Park where it will take up to a week to secure into place.

Using scaffolding to hang from the Mansion’s rotunda, it will eventually drop down two floors through the staircase atrium .

Afterwards, individual elements will be sold for a £30 donation to the hospice, with small wall pieces also on sale.

Susie has also painted a water colour of Gathering. A limited edition of 75 signed and numbered prints costs £225 each. All proceeds to the Hospice.

For more information visit www.gatheringattatton.co.uk. The project is supported by Arts Council England and The Arts Society.

Splash Out is coming!

Posted on 17th July 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Expect hours of soaking fun at a new family event organised by East Cheshire Hospice – Splash Out!

The summer event is already attracting large groups of friends all wanting to tackle the five fun water challenges over the five-kilometre course. Obstacles include a giant slippery slide and a wobbly floating bridge.

One family group, the Shore family from Buxton Road, are sure to stand out on the day.

“We’re calling ourselves The Last Jedis as some of us are huge Star Wars fans” says 39-year-old Lee Shore. “I’ve done some solo events and always thought it was a shame the whole family couldn’t get involved, so this is perfect”

Lee will be joined by sons Freddie, 12, and Harry, 9, and some of Harry’s team mates from Macclesfield Under-9s rugby club.

Currently there are 11 members in the group but likely to be many more on the day of the event which takes place at Alderley Park on Saturday, July 6.

Jo Boyd, Events Manager at East Cheshire Hospice, said: ” We think this is going to be fantastic event for teams – whether it’s birthday parties, sporting teams or youth organisations.”

Groups of 10 or more participants will receive a 10% discount.

This Friday ( May 31) is the deadline to buy Early Bird tickets for the event which are priced at £20 for adults and £10 for children.

Splash Out! is being held in partnership with Francis House Children’s Hospice.

For more information and to enter go to eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/splashout19

Great Manchester Run Participants

Posted on 17th July 2019 by Luke Brightmore

One of the country’s most popular races included runners who put their best foot forward to raise funds for the East Cheshire Hospice.

The sponsorship pennies are still rolling in, but East Cheshire Hospice runners are expected to raise around £4500 by taking part in this year’s Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run through the streets of central Manchester.

Runners included 16-year-old Joseph Sankey from Ullswater in Macclesfield who has raised well over £1000 on his own. Joseph wanted to support the hospice for taking care of his godfather, Neil Robinson, who passed away at the Hospice in March aged 53.

Joseph, who’s currently sitting his GCSE’s at All Hallows Catholic College, finished in just over 50 minutes, coming 117th in his age group from around 30,000 runners.

“I had much more energy than I thought I would have,” says Joseph. “The atmosphere was amazing – music everywhere and crowds chanting your name.”

Joseph trained for the run in between his exam revision and says that the running may even have helped with his studies.

“I got into a routine where I studied for a bit and then cleared my mind with a run, then back to studies again,” he said.

Joseph crossed the finish line almost four minutes ahead of his father, Ian, who he persuaded to do the run with him. Mum, Lynsey, was also there to cheer him on at the finish line alongside Neil’s wife, Sarah, and daughter Rebecca.

Also a few minutes behind was 38-year-old Saxon Whittle who was part of the six-strong team from McCann Complete Medical.

Completing in a time of 54’ 55, Saxon believes the crowds played a major part in helping him get to the finish line.

“I really wanted to challenge myself and get fit enough to run a 10K but I wasn’t sure I could do it,” he says. “But the crowds just spurred us all on.”

Also running from McCann Medical were Phillip Hall, Joe Shields, Marko Benes, Jack Adams and Brian Jepson.

“Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who pounded the streets to raise money for us,” says events assistant at the Hospice, Beth Candy, “All the services we provide at the Hospice are free, and to continue to do this we need to raise £345 per night per patient so every penny raised will go towards supporting our work.”

Co-Op Local Community Fund

Posted on 17th July 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Your weekly shopping trip could be helping to support a unique service for young people in East Cheshire.

The Childhood Bereavement Service, run by East Cheshire Hospice, supports young people coping with loss and now it’s been chosen to benefit from the Co-Op Local Community Fund with 1% of every Co-Op own brand product bought by shoppers potentially going to support the service.

Shoppers will need to be Co-Op members and should sign up to support the Hospice here www.coop.co.uk/membership. Once the card is scanned after a shop, 1% will be donated to the Hospice.

The Bereavement Service delivers counselling, peer support groups and awareness raising activity such as training courses for teachers, youth workers and relatives. During 2017/18 it supported 226 children and young people and over 1000 family members.

Initially developed with funding from the Big Lottery Fund in 2013, the service now has no external funding so support from Co-Op shoppers will be hugely beneficial.

Corporate Fundraiser for the Hospice, Kate Bowmar, says research shows that support through bereavement is important for children and young people.

“The best way to safeguard a bereaved child’s emotional and physical well-being is to involve and inform them in an age appropriate way throughout the dying process and beyond,” she says.

“We’ve already received a mid-year payment of £830 donated by the local community and would love to continue this for the rest of the year,” adds Kate.

Shoppers have until the end of October to donate to the Hospice.

Damien Lacey – Marathon Man!

Posted on 17th July 2019 by Luke Brightmore

A Macclesfield man driven by both a professional and a personal cause, says he’s now got the “marathon bug” after completing his first 26-mile run in London.

Damian Lacey, 45, began running four years ago doing to “Coach to 5k” with Macclesfield Harriers and decided to tackle his first marathon to raise funds for the East Cheshire Hospice following the death of his mother-in-law, Linda Tute, last September.

“Linda was cared for by the Hospice @ Home team which is a truly wonderful service and had previously spent six weeks there as an in-patient in 2017 so I knew from personal experience the important work of the Hospice,” says Damian.

And Damian’s support for the Hospice also has a professional foundation as he encounters it regularly in his job as a specialist Macmillan nurse working in the Macclesfield area.

“I have seen the phenomenal palliative care they provide from both sides and really wanted to give something back,” says Damian, “although I knew a marathon was going to really stretch me.

But Damian, from Tytherington, knew he had made the right choice when he found out he had been successful in securing a place in the London Marathon on the day of Linda’s funeral.

“We were getting ready to leave when a letter dropped through the postbox telling me I had a place – I knew there was no backing out,” laughs Damian.

“I had a problem with my knee from mile 16 which really hampered me, and I had to stop at the medical bay and get some massage from one of the physios,” says Damian. “But I got back out. and I think Linda must have been watching me because I got to mile 24 and the pain disappeared and I was able to pick up my pace and make up a lot of time. “

London to Leap29 Cycling Challenge

Posted on 15th July 201915th July 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Kyle and Angus are cycling 210 miles in 3 days inn support of East Cheshire Hospice

Leap29 have chosen East Cheshire Hospice as their Charity of the Year!

To help raise donations for the Hospice, Kyle and Angus of Leap29 recruitment, have joined forces to take on an epic 210-mile cycle challenge from London to Leap29 in just 3 days.

On Wednesday 28th August, Kyle and Angus will be kicking off their cycle challenge in London, traveling to all the major landmarks across London including Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, London Eye, Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. Then over the next 3 days they will be travelling through some of England’s major cities including Watford, Luton, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Leamington Spa, Coventry, Cannock, Stoke and then finishing at Leap29 office in Wilmslow, just outside of Manchester.

For updates on the London to Leap29 challenge please check out their just giving page at…
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/londontoleap29

Or follow them on…
www.instagram.com/leap29ltd/
www.facebook.com/leap29limited
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