September 2024 - East Cheshire Hospice
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Month: September 2024

How many squats can you manage within the space of a month?

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

How many squats can you manage within the space of a month?

Whatever the number then get down and join Squatober, the latest fun fundraising challenge run by East Cheshire Hospice.

Hospice staff getting ready to take part in Squatober. From left, Luke Hughes, Sarah Elvin, Becky Sidwell and Luke Oldham.

It could be a way to better health for yourself while at the same time helping the lives of others.

The Hospice is daring supporters to complete 2,000 squats during October.

Luke Hughes, the charity’s community and events assistant said: “It doesn’t necessarily need to be that many squats.

“The number depends entirely on what is realistic for each individual. Squats can be done at home, outside, work or in the gym.

“This is an online virtual fundraiser and updates will be shared on Facebook, though you don’t need to be on social media and can receive emails instead.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to challenge yourself physically, set new fitness goals and make a positive difference in your community.

“Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or a beginner looking to improve your strength, Squatober welcomes everyone to join in and contribute to a fantastic cause.

“Squats engage lower body muscles and improve overall strength and endurance.”

The last month-long initiative organised by the Hospice was March through March which raised more than £2,000. The event involved taking at least 300,000 steps.

To register for Squatober visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/squatober.

For more details call Luke on 01625 666998 or email luke.hughes@echospice.org.uk

Art Fair Cheshire starts tomorrow!

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Art Fair Cheshire gets under way tomorrow (Thur Sept 26) showcasing the region’s finest artistic talent.

The event, in aid of East Cheshire Hospice, runs until Thursday Oct 3 at Macclesfield Town Hall.

Artists donate a percentage of sales to the charity. Admission is free and a pop-up café serves refreshments.

The exhibition features original art and sculptures, paintings, prints, jewellery, photography, ceramics and willow weaving.

The event includes work created by the next generation of budding artists, strengthening community links.

Mixed media artist Rebecca Clitheroe who is giving a talk at Art Fair Cheshire.

Youngsters part of the Hospice’s child bereavement services have submitted work made within their sessions, including framed artworks and 3D.

Meanwhile, pupils from Fallibroome Academy and Macclesfield College have submitted works based on a brief of ‘memory.’

Hospice community and events fundraiser Claire Gorton said: “Art Fair Cheshire is a great team effort, involving volunteers, art lovers and sponsors.

“This year’s event is going to be fantastic and I’d encourage people to visit and support the Hospice.”

The talks schedule is:

Sat Sept 28 11.30 am: Mixed media artist Rebecca Clitheroe explores Hidden Histories of buildings/landmarks.

2 pm: Steph Janson turns wool tops, yarns and fabrics into landscapes.

Steph Janson who appears at Art Fair Cheshire.

Sun Sept 29: 11.30 am: Painter Peter Davis talks about themes in his urban landscapes and portraits.

2 pm: Patty Callaghan demonstrates the world of papier mache art.

The exhibition is curated by Jess Flewitt, Anne Riordan and Sue Roberts. This is mainly in the large Assembly gallery upstairs in the town hall.

The biennial event, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, has raised around £450,000 for the Hospice.

Grandmother Anna Rains came up with the idea of staging the first exhibition. In 1998, she chaired a fundraising appeal to mark the Hospice’s 10th anniversary.

The art exhibition was an important fundraiser for the creation of the Sunflower Centre which has developed into one of the most modern health care centres in the region.

Appropriately, Anna and her original trail-blazing fundraisers attended the reopening of the refurbished centre, now known as the Sunflower Living Well Centre, in April.

The Art Fair sponsored by AstraZeneca, opens from 10.30 am until 4 pm daily. For more details visit www.theartfair.org.uk

Paul Dodsworth helps out East Cheshire Hospice’s Will Month

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Managing Director Paul Dodsworth has personal and professional reasons for wanting to help East Cheshire Hospice.

His firm Estate Planning Solutions (EPS) will celebrate opening a new office in Macclesfield on September 27 by taking part in the charity’s Will Month initiative.

Participating solicitors will waive their usual fee in exchange for a donation to the Hospice during October.

Paul saw for himself what the Hospice means to families when he lost his father Peter (84) five years ago.

Paul has run EPS for 20 years and the new office on Jordangate is part of expansion plans.

Paul Dodsworth whose company Estate Planning Solutions are taking part in Will Month.

Daughter Megan (23) also works in the business and is studying for a legal executive qualification.

Paul, a fellow of the Institute of Professional Will Writers and diploma member of the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners, said: “If people haven’t got a will they really should make one.

“It’s probably the most important document they will ever write.

“If you don’t write a will the State writes one for you and it will almost certainly not be what you want.

“We’re not just will writers – we’re estate planners as well, helping people make sure their wealth ends up with the right people at the right time.

“Most people don’t realise what you can achieve by writing the right Will to suit your circumstances and objectives.

“Many will just write a basic Will that gives everything to their children but that does nothing to protect any of their estate. It does nothing to guarantee what their children, or other beneficiaries, will inherit.

“You can use your Will as a financial planning tool and that’s what we do for 99 per cent of clients.”

The other participating solicitors are Moneybox Wills and Trusts, GPW Tax and Law, THP Law and Stratford Solicitors.

They will write single and mirror Wills or update an existing Will and waive their usual fee in exchange for a donation to the Hospice.

Contact the firms directly to make an appointment.

The campaign was a big success last year when it switched from a week-long event to a monthly initiative, allowing more flexibility.

Almost £14,000 was raised for the Hospice which cares for one in three of its patients from gifts left in Wills.

To find how to contact participating solicitors visit the Hospice website or email fundraising@echospice.org.uk or call 01625 433477.

Steve Axon complete inflatable 5K

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Bouncing around on an inflatable obstacle course gave Steve Axon good reason to raise more than £400 for East Cheshire Hospice.

Steve was remembering his late father Barry, a firefighter and security guard at AstraZeneca, who died of cancer aged 64.

Joining Steve for his fun challenge in Knutsford was a friend who benefits from his work.

Steve Axon after his inflatable challenge.

Steve, from Macclesfield, delivers training for staff who provide supportive living for adults with learning difficulties and mental health problems.

Steve said: “My friend wanted to do a sponsored challenge and raising funds for the Hospice seemed the obvious thing to do.

“When my dad was in there many years ago the Hospice was fabulous with him.

“They don’t just look after the patient they look after the family as well and my mum virtually moved in there.

Steve completing his obstacle course.

“The Hospice is such a worthwhile and vital resource for the community and much needed for people towards the end of life.”

Steve also undertakes support work himself. He said: “We have supported people who have gone into the Hospice for end-of-life care.

“I did work there for a while as an auxiliary nurse. It’s a great place to work and the ethos is beautiful.”

Steve has also completed a tandem parachute jump for the Hospice.

On your marks, get set … go for the Deadly Dozen

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

On your marks, get set … go for the Deadly Dozen, a relay race like no other in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

The event at Macclesfield athletics track on Saturday, October 12, combines fitness and fundraising.

Organiser Jason Curtis, owner of 5S Fitness, has been amazed by the popularity of the Deadly Dozen which involves speed and stamina.

Relay teams of four each complete three 400 metre runs and three exercise stations.

Exercise stations at the Deadly Dozen.  

They choose which exercises to complete, though the race must be completed in the right order.

Entry is £100 a team and all proceeds go to the Hospice.

The fourth event on September 14 is full, with more than 500 tickets sold in a day.

Jason has published more than 20 books on strength and conditioning.

He said: “Deadly Dozen started as a small event in Macclesfield less than six months ago. We thought we’d get about 50 gym members and a few others turning up, but it’s just blown up.

Organiser Jason Curtis offering fitness tips.

“It’s now considered one of the fastest growing fitness races in the UK and podcasters reckon it’s going to be the next big race internationally.”

Jason has organised eight events nationally next year and is hoping to take the format to Dubai.

Competitors are put through their paces.

He said: “It’s important to help charity so we’re hoping to raise £3,000 from our October race for the Hospice.

“In the grand scheme of things, they need a lot of money but every little helps and hopefully we can build our support each year.”

* To enter visit www.deadlydozen.co.uk.

A spotlight on Clive and Janice Byrne

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

When artist Clive Byrne has paintings exhibited at Art Fair Cheshire no-one will be prouder than his wife Janice.

The East Cheshire Hospice volunteer wears many different hats to support the Hospice, close to her heart.

Janice will again be helping behind the scenes at the event at Macclesfield Town Hall from Thursday, September 26 until Thursday, October 3.

Janice and Clive Byrne with his art work.

She uploaded images and biographies of exhibiting artists to the website, one of them about Clive who turned his love of art into a career after he was made redundant as a welder.

Clive gained a Fine Art degree and used his artistic skills to help teach youngsters with special needs for 20 years.

The couple are committee members at East Cheshire Sub-Aqua Club which will again loan tables and chairs for the pop-up café.

Artwork created by youngsters using the Hospice’s childhood bereavement service will have a dedicated space at the exhibition, staged every two years in aid of the charity.

Janice helps with admin at the bereavement unit, though her involvement with the charity goes far beyond there.

She is also a befriender to patients and drives visitors to the Sunflower Living Well Centre to and from their homes.

Janice also knits teddies and hearts for families attending the inpatient unit and uses fabric from swatches to make handbags sold at the Treacle Market.

All proceeds go to the Hospice for whom she trekked to Camino de Santiago and Iceland. In 12 months she will hike through the Swiss and French Alps, admitting she is ‘not a natural walker.’

Such dedication runs in the family. Mum Lorna Searls, who died last year aged 79, was a volunteer in the charity’s lottery department.

Youngest sister Angela Black (48) died at the Hospice nine years ago. Ever since Janice and older sister Katrina have been busy helping however they can.

Janice said: “Clive is a first-time exhibitor at this Art Fair and is excited and nervous about having his work displayed. I usually end up volunteering doing something and last time registered the artists.

“The Art Fair is brilliant. It’s for a wonderful cause and admission is free.”

The event is run by volunteers and is sponsored by AstraZeneca.

It features original art and sculptures, paintings, prints, jewellery, photography, glassware, ceramics, millinery and willow weaving.

The event opens from 10.30 am until 4 pm each day. For more details visit www.theartfair.org.uk

Luke Brightmore plays the drums for up-and-coming rock group Camens

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

By day Luke Brightmore bangs the drum for East Cheshire Hospice in his role as marketing and communications manager.

By night he plays the drums for up-and-coming indie rock group Camens, a headline act at a festival in Bulgaria this weekend.

Luke saves up annual leave for gigs with fellow band members Scott Powell (songwriter, vocals, bass), James Corbishley (lead guitar) and Josh Egan (vocals, rhythm guitar).

Camens (from left), James Corbishley, Josh Egan, Scott Powell and Luke Brightmore.

Camens’ debut album Work/Life/Balance was released in May, reaching nine in the official download charts.

The group appeared at festivals up and down the country over the summer following their own tour in May, promoting their original work.

Camens have recently supported Scouting For Girls, The Feeling and The K’s.

Luke said: “I’ve played drums since I was young and it was through promoting bands that I got into marketing. I now put that experience into practice professionally with the Hospice.

Camens on stage with Luke on drums.

“I put on a completely different hat with the band. Once home from work, I’ll jump in a van and live a different lifestyle for a few hours before returning to reality.

“There’s a lot of driving, waiting, and packing gear up and down.

“You sample the rock and roll lifestyle at festivals where you’re treated like royalty for a couple of hours before getting back in the van.

Luke Brightmore performing with Camens.

“My work colleagues are extremely supportive, buying albums and attending gigs. I try not to bore them with it too much in the office.”

* Find out more about Camens via linktr.ee/camensuk.

The world of virtual reality has arrived at East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

The world of virtual reality has arrived at East Cheshire Hospice as new technology further aids staff and patients.

The Hospice has been loaned three VR headsets by Macclesfield and District General Hospital.

The fully immersive 360-degree vision will further enhance training and therapy.

Conor Stubbs, Head of IT, said: “The headsets have a range of apps which can be used for simulated clinical-based training. This might include medicine management and how to physically move and handle patients.

“This enables our Practice Education Facilitator to deliver training to clinical staff in new ways.

“The headsets allow hands-on physical interaction with objects in a room so a more hands on experience of learning and an engaging way of delivering training.

IT staff demonstrate the VR headsets

“The headsets are linked to an iPad so people can see what is happening on the headsets, making it easier to share with others during group training and also for nurses supporting service users with VR.

“We’ve always had plans for VR in our digital strategy but the generous loan from the Hospital means we’ve been able to fast forward our adoption.

“We’re also hoping to roll out VR to patients and service users. For example, they could be used for child therapy services allowing young people to use the headsets for relaxation, interactive games and mindfulness content.

“Those who use our dementia and outpatient services can enjoy relaxing scenes, whether in a garden, by the beach or re-visiting their favourite places.

“It’s an exciting project with lots of possibilities and patients and staff will always be at the heart of our plans.”

The Hospice introduced smart technology earlier this year when the Sunflower Living Well Centre reopened after extensive refurbishment.

* A Folk Night in aid of East Cheshire Hospice is a sell-out.

Acts will play audience favourites at Prestbury Village Club on Friday, September 27 (8 pm).

Organiser Mike Fairhurst is bass player with Now and Then. Singer guitarist Chris Hearn and folk duo Mike and John will also perform.

Mike Fairhurst said: “It’s a fun evening and our group will hand out song sheets, encouraging guests to have a good sing song.

“This is the fourth year it has been in aid of the Hospice.”

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