February 2022 - East Cheshire Hospice

All systems go for Memory Miles 2022

Posted on 28th February 202228th February 2022 by Becky Sidwell

It is all systems go for the next Memory Miles walk in the magnificent grounds of Adlington Hall.

The date is Friday, March 25, and registrations are now open, with all ages welcome.

Visit the Hospice website to sign up for an event which has been missing from the charity’s fundraising calendar since 2019.

Organisers are planning a special evening as Memory Miles, formerly known as Light Up The Night and the Starlight Walk, makes its comeback.

The event honours the memory of loved ones, though everyone is welcome to join in.

Gates open at 4 pm with the walk starting an hour later, although late comers can start at any time. The walk ends around 8 pm with the event closing at 9 pm.

Events Manager Beth Candy said: “To celebrate the return of our memory walk after two difficult years, we’ve a shorter but fantastic route planned around the beautiful grounds of Adlington Hall.

“Participants will receive a Memory Miles T-shirt, wristband and key ring when they register.

“There’ll be a stage with live music and food and drinks stalls, so you can get together with friends and family and prepare for the walk.

“The walk features atmospheric lighting along the route and fire pits and points of interest for walkers to remember their loved ones.

“There’ll be more opportunities for refreshments and for soaking up the atmosphere after the walk, or you can complete the route multiple times.”

Many supporters took part in a virtual version of Memory Miles in 2020, racking up more than 3,000 miles individually and raising more than £6,000 for the Hospice.

The Hospice is asking walkers to get sponsored and dedicate fundraising to someone special.

Beth said: “Whether you raise £10 or hundreds of pounds, your support will directly help people in your community who need it most.

“East Cheshire Hospice is the second lowest-funded Hospice, so fundraising is essential to keeping our services going.

“Sadly, the impact of Covid-19 over the last two years meant that fundraising has been much more difficult.

“Luckily, our community is the greatest there is and showed us generosity we couldn’t have predicted.

“Although we’re finally able to begin holding our fundraising events and activities again, we’ve a lot of catching up to do and need your continued support to help us go the distance.”

Adult entry is £20 and children under 16 are £15.

Music legend Noel Gallagher hit the right note for East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on 28th February 2022 by Becky Sidwell

Music legend Noel Gallagher hit the right notes for East Cheshire Hospice by donating one of his treasured possessions.

His platinum disc for the iconic Oasis album Definitely Maybe was sold at auction for £3,750, with proceeds going to the charity.

Oasis fan Neil Bromley, from Prestbury, generously bought the collectors’ item at a party night held by Team Rainbow which raised a record £11,200.

The fundraising group – also known as Sarah’s Army – is a legacy to Carl’s Lamptey’s late wife Sarah who died in the Hospice in 2014.

From left, Joe Corrigan, Neil Bromley with the platinum disc and Carl Lamptey.

She was 36 and had breast cancer and more than £65,000 has been raised in her memory.

Noel is friends with ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Corrigan, a keen Hospice supporter, and donated the disc when he heard about the charity’s financial plight during Covid-19.

Carl, from Macclesfield, said: “Joe has been an amazing supporter and helped us get the disc. We’d also like to thank Noel for being so humble and kind and taking it off his wall at his studio in London when he heard about the charity’s situation.

“The party night in December almost didn’t go ahead because of Covid, yet we raised more than ever. A special thanks also to Linda Longdon at Broken Cross Club for her amazing support.”

Carl is now planning an 80s night there in May as part of the group’s fundraising campaign.

Definitely Maybe, released in 1994, was the group’s debut studio album and received wide critical acclaim.

Become a volunteer van driver!

Posted on 9th February 20229th February 2022 by Becky Sidwell

East Cheshire Hospice is appealing for volunteer van drivers to help move furniture.

The role involves collecting furniture from donors’ homes and delivering items to the charity’s shops in Macclesfield, Poynton and Handforth.

The stock then needs to be taken out to customers’ homes.

Commercial manager Louise Delany said: “We’d love people to join our retail van crew and shifts are usually from 9 am until early afternoon.

“Volunteers can commit to once a week, once a fortnight, or on an ad hoc basis, depending on availability.

Volunteer van drivers John Mellor (left) and Tim Hine.

“Our team love what they do. It’s friendly and rewarding and really helps raise vital funds for our Hospice.

“We can raise about £10,000 a month from furniture donations and that makes a big difference to us. Helpers are also raising the profile of the Hospice.

“Every time our van goes out in the neighbourhood, it makes the Hospice that bit more visible, and our volunteers are representing us.

“No experience is required, but you must be fit enough to move furniture around with a colleague. You don’t necessarily have to drive – we also need people to help carry items.”

* To apply, contact mslack@echospice.org.uk or call 01625 408992.

Meanwhile, the Hospice raised around £30,000 from a rug sale. Some 1,400 surplus rugs were donated to the Hospice. Around 500 are left and are on sale at the charity shops.

Charlie Worrall 10k charity walk

Posted on 9th February 20229th February 2022 by Becky Sidwell

Grandfather Charlie Worrall took his family along for support on a demanding 10-kilometre charity walk.

Charlie, who is 89 in May, took part in a Pie and a Pint challenge in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

Charlie Worrall on his 10k walk.

Daughters Lynne, Vivienne and Dianne were with him every step of the way on the journey.

Vivienne’s partner John Curtis and friends Liz and Michael Kelly also went along, though missing was Charlie’s pet dog Trudy.

Conditions were so bad with wind and rain the Jack Russell preferred the warmth at home.

The family joined around 200 walkers who completed a stroll through the Cheshire countryside.

The Worralls were raising funds in memory of Charlie’s wife June who died in the Hospice five years ago, aged 80.

Charlie enjoyed a refreshing pint and a pie at the finish at Macclesfield Rugby Union Club where the walk had begun a few hours earlier.

From left, sisters Dianne Worrall, Lynne Dale and Vivienne Worrall with dad Charlie.

Charlie said: “I don’t drink generally, but must admit I was ready for a glass of lager and lime at the end and certainly enjoyed the taste of the pie.

“I’m quite active and take Trudy for a walk every day, usually for about an hour.

“This was much further than I’d normally go and getting over the stiles and over the muddy puddles wasn’t easy. But it was nice that we could all do the walk together for a great cause.

“June spent the last five days of her life at the Hospice and was cared for with dignity and respect while she was a patient there.”

The couple, who have five children, were married for 61 years.

Vivienne was first to sign up for the walk, having raised funds for the charity before when she completed a walk around the UK and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

Once sisters Lynne and Dianne were persuaded to join her for this latest challenge, Charlie asked to join them.

The family have raised more than £1,500 in sponsorship, well over the initial target.

Lynne said: “We’re amazed how the total went up so quickly. People have been kind and generous and it was the thought that others were willing to help and donate that fuelled Charlie’s determination.

“We’re extremely grateful to everyone who has supported Charlie and the Hospice.”

*To sponsor Charlie visit justgiving.com/fundraising/vivienne-worrall2

Brothers take on canoe challenge

Posted on 9th February 20222nd February 2022 by Becky Sidwell

Brothers Tom and George Bentham are throwing themselves in at the deep end with a bizarre canoe challenge.

The pair will paddle a canoe from one side of the country to the other as a tribute to their late father Mark, a chef and sailor.

The brothers had never even sat in a canoe before until they bought a two-man vessel last month to start training.

Their aim is to raise £15,000 for East Cheshire Hospice and Macmillan which cared for Mark, from Broken Cross, who died of cancer in September 2019, aged 58.

Mark Bentham who was a keen chef and sailor.

Tom and George are looking for sponsors for September’s aqua adventure when they hope to paddle 184 miles over nine days.

Tom, also a chef, said: “Dad became a chef by cooking on private yachts around the world and was also a passionate sailor.

“Being on the water opened up his love of food and sea food. He also ran a restaurant and then went into the food production side.

“One of his favourite passions was taken from him when his aggressive throat cancer quickly spread to his stomach, preventing him from eating.

“Our canoe challenge isn’t just about our dad and his story. It’s about trying to raise that target to thank the charities.

Brothers George (left) and Tom Bentham who are canoeing across the country.

“George and me looked at each other during dad’s time with East Cheshire and saw the figure of £7,500 on the door, the amount needed every day to keep the Hospice going.

“We said for everything they’ve done we owe them and need to do our part to support and pay them back as a thank you. Our fundraising is about supporting them because they supported us all, when you truly need it.

“Hopefully, we can raise awareness for the charities because like so many things until you rely, or need these services, you don’t actually appreciate how valuable they are.

“We decided to do the thing we least wanted to do to take us out of our comfort zone. It’s a fairly large expedition and is going to need a lot of planning, time and commitment.

“It’s also going to require all sorts of skill and I’m sure pain, blood, sweat and a few tears along the way. But it seems the only thing that does credit to East Cheshire Hospice and Macmillan.

* To sponsor the brothers email canoeagainstcancer@gmail.com or visit linktr.ee/canoeagainstcancer

East Cheshire Hospice’s new corporate fundraiser

Posted on 2nd February 202218th August 2022 by Becky Sidwell

The newest recruit to the fundraising team at East Cheshire Hospice is the familiar face of Lisa Ball.

She rejoins the charity as Corporate Fundraiser two and a half years after leaving to travel the world.

Lisa had spent six years in various roles at East Cheshire and will focus on building up relations with the corporate world.

East Cheshire Hospice’s new corporate fundraiser Lisa Ball enjoying canal boat life.

Lisa said: “I saw how corporate fundraising was developed when I was here before and am really excited by the challenge.

“We have a strong group of loyal corporate supporters and my aim is to further develop that relationship with them and get more corporates on board.

“We have our 500 Club in which supporters pledge to raise at least £500 a year for three years and our annual Corporate Challenge when groups raise as much as possible in a month.”

Lisa rejoins from St Ann’s Hospice where she was Individual Giving and Legacy Fundraiser.

She is also back in a familiar domestic environment, having bought another canal boat to live on.

Lisa said: “I sold my first boat to go travelling and have bought another which I’m renovating. Boats can be a cheaper way of living and you’d think it’s quite cold, but it’s not and I’ve a wood burner to keep warm.

“The boat is peaceful but there are more maintenance jobs to do, though my boyfriend knows how to fix engines and electrical systems so if I ever need anything he sorts it.

“The boat is like a cosy one-bedroom flat.”

Lisa’s travels took her to Asia and Australia, spending four months in Melbourne where she worked for a sky diving club.

Lisa has completed more than 160 parachute jumps and is qualified to jump solo.

“I was at ground control for a sky diving drop zone, making sure everyone landed safely and the plane had a clear drop.

“The drop zone was next to an airport, so I had to make sure no other aircraft were coming through our area.”

Her best friend was involved in sky diving accident, though not on Lisa’s watch.

Lisa said: “She’s an experienced sky diver and instructor, but misjudged the wind completely and smashed her ankle, landing in the middle of a main road after her canopy clipped a lamppost.”

Thankfully, her friend has recovered and Lisa has enjoyed a safe landing back among the income generation team at the Hospice.

Get a taste of the Pie & Pint experience

Posted on 2nd February 20221st February 2022 by Becky Sidwell

Walkers will be out in force in the countryside on Sunday (Feb 6) before enjoying a well-earned pie and a pint.

The 10k walk in aid of East Cheshire Hospice starts from Macclesfield Rugby Union Football Club.

Hospice marketing team Becky Sidwell and Luke Brightmore getting a taste of the Pie and Pint experience.

Visit this page to find out if booking is still available.

Tickets are £25 for adults and £15 for under 18s who must be accompanied by an adult or have written permission.

The route goes to Over Alderley before a half way refreshment stop at Mottram St Andrew. Prestbury is the next visit before Dale Brow and then back to the rugby club.

Walkers are advised to wear suitable clothing and footwear such as walking boots and waterproofs. Training shoes should be avoided because the challenging route could be muddy.

The entry fee only covers the cost of staging the event so walkers are asked to raise sponsorship which goes directly towards caring for patients.

All entrants receive a custom pint glass, hi vis jacket and a pie and a pint at the end.

Three pie flavours are available – meat and potato, chicken balti and cheese and onion, plus vegan, gluten free options.