January 2025 - East Cheshire Hospice
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Month: January 2025

Take on a challenge this year

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Take your pick from a host of challenges near or far in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

It could be a run or a walk, taking things at your own pace either as a team or individually.

A new addition to the Hospice fundraising calendar is Ultra Challenge which involves walking or running distances between 25 and 100 kilometres in locations such as the River Thames, Cotswolds, Lake District and the Peak District.

The aim is to appeal to all abilities and not just elite athletes.

A bungee jump in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

 

There are also various events over shorter routes, beginning with a 5k or 10k run in Tatton Park on Sunday, February 8.

A bungee jump event is at Salford Quays on Saturday, February 22.

The Hospice has its popular Starlight Walk at Capesthorne Hall on Thursday, May 15, with the Great Manchester Run on Sunday, May 18.

Capesthorne is also the venue for Born Survivor, a muddy obstacle course on Saturday, April 26.

Battling mud in Born Survivor.  

Hospice fundraiser Luke Hughes said: “We’ve teamed up with Run For Charity and Ultra Challenge Series, online platforms which give our supporters access to a range of events to raise money for the Hospice.

“It’s a much easier way for us to promote events, reducing costs, logistics and the registration process.

“One exception to this partnership is, of course, our Starlight Walk, one of our flagship community events, which we’re proud to host again this year.”

Links to all events are on the Hospice website.

A Christmas Tree reunion

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Retired science teacher Mike Thompson has a unique role in the history of the East Cheshire Hospice tree collection.

Back in 1998, he suggested giving fellow choristers at St Peter’s Church in Prestbury a £10 note to raise funds for a new organ.

The idea came from a sermon by Revd David Ashworth about the Parable of the Talents, a Bible story of how success is the product of work.

Mike said: “I was listening to the vicar because I like that story. The organ was going downhill and in desperate need of renovation.

“I told my late wife Lis that I was pondering the Talents story, especially as the church needed money. She said, ‘I know what you’re going to say.’

“I suggested giving all 30 of us choir members a tenner to see what we could do with it.

“If we could turn that into £600 then we were on our way to getting a new organ.

A reunion for (from left) Pete Chapman, Mike Thompson, Richard Raymond and Andy Chapman.

“No one came back with just £10. Money-making ideas included giving lifts, baby-sitting, washing cars, sewing and cooking.”

Andy Chapman, then a teenage member of the choir, relayed the story to his mum Heather who suggested collecting Christmas trees. The rest is history.

Some 25 years later more than £2m has been raised for the Hospice by countless volunteers after Andy’s dad Pete founded the scheme with Richard Raymond.

Both men were deservedly honoured with an award by Macclesfield’s Clare Hayward, the High Sheriff of Cheshire, after the latest collection.

Mike was head of science at Tytherington High School from 1970 and became acting deputy head, retiring in 1989 before joining Barracks Fabric Printers.

He made a nostalgic visit from his Anglesey home to join the tree celebrations.

He said: “I did collect in the early days going out on vans with the vicar’s son. It’s nice to be invited back each year and made to feel so welcome.

“Pete and Richard are dynamos – they make me tired just looking at them.

“I’m not surprised the collections have done so well. It’s directed from above – God moves in mysterious ways.”

Andy said: “I probably wanted to spend my £10 in a sweet shop but thankfully mum came up with a much better idea.

“Pete and Richard have made an incredible effort over the years and it’s good to be back for the 25th anniversary.”

A magical £2m for East Cheshire Hospice from collecting Christmas trees

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

We’ve made it!

Volunteers are celebrating raising a magical £2m for East Cheshire Hospice from collecting Christmas trees.

Appropriately, the milestone was reached during the 25th year of the scheme when around 7,200 trees were collected, raising more than £150,000.

Marshals (from left) Katherine Beswick, Annabel Hipkins, James Bunker, Karen McLoughlin, Howard Stringer and Richard Bunker.

Co-founder Richard Raymond said: “It was Sunday afternoon when a van brought in a tree which meant we had passed a total of £2m.

“It’s been a fantastic community effort by thousands of volunteers over many years. We can’t thank them enough for their amazing contribution.

Volunteers (from left) Gill Burgess, Gerti Cocker and Carol and Richard Waterhouse give driver Neil Osborne refreshments.

“This eye-watering sum has funded the care of patients, their families and carers.”

The latest collection was delayed for a week because of snow and ice, forcing Richard and co-founder Pete Chapman to hurriedly re-arrange plans.

Ready to go …volunteers set for the tree collection.

Richard said: “It was the right decision to postpone as we have a duty of care to our volunteers and didn’t want to risk injury.

“Out of our 250 volunteers, nearly 50 were unavailable for the new dates while some who couldn’t make it initially were then able to help.

“We managed to pull together a new rota after a massive amount of work.

Clive Acton (left) and Dave Newton collecting trees in Macclesfield.

“We want to thank our customers for their understanding and support, as well as sponsors, volunteers and Hospice staff who kindly accommodated the late change.”

A fleet of vans set off from the Hospice early on Saturday, among them a crew which included Clive Acton and Dave Newton, both from Macclesfield.

Staff from the Ansa recycling plant and Swift Tree Services mulched trees.

Clive works for HSBC which match-funded £500 of the collection.

Trees were recycled for biomass fuel after mulching at the Ansa recycling depot at West Park and Swift Tree Services in Adlington.

Exciting experience enjoyed by patients at East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Driving a Formula 1 car, riding a roller coaster and visiting magical destinations across the world.

Just a few of the exciting experiences enjoyed by patients at East Cheshire Hospice without even leaving Macclesfield.

Virtual reality headsets allow patients to fulfil their dreams from inside the comfort and safety of the Hospice.

The VR headsets were donated by NFON UK, a subsidiary of NFON AG, a leading European provider of integrated cloud business communications.

The new technology has benefits for staff and patients.

Myles Leach, Managing Director of NFON UK, visited the hospice to see VR in action.

He said: “We’re delighted to support the incredible work of East Cheshire Hospice. It’s inspiring to see how technology can make such a positive impact on patient care and create meaningful moments for the people who need it most.”

Conor Stubbs, Head of IT at the Hospice, said: “We’re extremely grateful to NFON UK for their generous donation of these VR headsets.

Myles Leach (right) from NFON UK hands VR headsets to Conor Stubbs at East Cheshire Hospice.   

“The technology allows patients to revisit familiar local landmarks or explore places of personal significance.

“Virtual reality gives us an incredible opportunity to promote emotional wellbeing and create meaningful experiences for our patients.

“It’s about finding ways to truly enrich the lives of those we care for.

“The equipment will also play a key role in staff training, developing skills and further improving quality of care.”

VR helps promote relaxation, either through walks in forests, on beaches and other spaces. It also helps relieve stress and anxiety.

There are plans to customise content, create a virtual Hospice tour and library and set up clinical training apps and learning resources. VR can also be used to monitor health data.

Here is a sample of patient feedback:

“I loved the F1 car video and the Subaru rally simulator. It felt like I was behind the wheel experiencing the speed, excitement and adrenalin rush.”

“I saw the Eiffel Tower, Egyptian pyramids and enjoyed a 360-degree sky dive.”

“Best thing ever. The closest I’ll get to the Maldives, especially the beach and I loved the stingrays.”  

For one patient a trip on a bullet train in Tokyo was on his wish list, while an app allowed others to draw in an immersive 3D environment.

The Hospice are also using headsets loaned by Macclesfield and District General Hospital last summer as part of their strategy to aid patients through technology.

Joe Corrigan spoke of his proud links to East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Joe Corrigan spoke of his proud links to East Cheshire Hospice when Manchester City fans celebrated his MBE.

The former goalkeeper mentioned the charity when receiving a rapturous reception in front of 53,000 fans at City’s home game with West Ham.

Big Joe, from Tytherington, received the award in the New Year’s Honours list for services to charitable fundraising.

His role as a Hospice patron includes supporting fundraising campaigns and visiting football-loving patients.

Joe made 603 appearances for City between 1967 and 1983 and made nine appearances for England. The honour took him by surprise.

He said: “Words can’t describe it – it was totally unbelievable and I’m still in a bit of state of shock.

“It’s just an amazing honour to even be considered. My first emotion was one of disbelief.

“It’s the highest honour you can get. I got the envelope and on the cover it said, ‘On His Majesty’s Service’, and at first I thought it was a tax bill!

“But then when I opened it and read the contents, I just filled up.”

Joe would visit fans in hospital with teammates in his playing days.

He said: “Now I’m in a position where I’ve got a little bit little bit more free time to be able to do more charitable things.

“I’m an ambassador for East Cheshire Hospice which is a huge honour and I’m also so proud to be chairman of City’s Former Players Association, where we raise and donate money to a host of charities.”

Ex Man City keeper Joe Corrigan, who has received an MBE.

East Cheshire Hospice was once again the big winner from a golf day at Prestbury

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

East Cheshire Hospice was once again the big winner from a golf day at Prestbury.

The team event was won by printers Sphere UK, one of many generous supporters who raised a bumper £14,502 for the charity.

Sphere held off the challenge of 16 other teams to lift the prestigious Mactex Trophy.

The event, which has been running for 36 years, is the flagship competition on Prestbury’s charity golf calendar.

From left, Luke Hughes, Carley Macey, Nick Bianchi, Victoria Devon, Amanda Cross, John Davies and Nigel Preston.

Organisers were the tireless duo of John Davies, Director of Mactex Properties Ltd, and ex-golf professional Nigel Preston, from Interflex.

John’s involvement goes back to the first tournament. He said: “We had to postpone the event to another day due to rain, but the wait was well worthwhile.

“I’d like to thank our main sponsors, estate agents Holmes Naden, and other businesses and volunteers who helped us raise such a magnificent total.

“Supporters included Amanda Cross from Sphere UK, Victoria Devon, Paul and Nick Bianchi and Claire Gorton, Carley Macey, Luke Hughes and Sarah Elvin from the Hospice.

“Prestbury Golf Club are always wonderful hosts, boasting top class facilities and a course which is one of the finest in Cheshire.

“The Hospice need to raise £9,362 a day so the contribution from the golf day is a welcome addition to its funds.

“We’re aiming to make our 2025 golf day another big success.”

Swift Tree Services help out East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Every tree collected by East Cheshire Hospice volunteers this weekend (Jan 11-12) will be recycled for biomass fuel.

The Christmas trees will be transported to Adlington-based Swift Tree Services before they are taken to be turned into renewable energy.

This will be the third year of Swift’s involvement, with the tree specialists playing an increasing role – all at their own expense.

Swift machinery will be processing trees again ready for biomass fuel.

Most trees will still be mulched at the Ansa recycling depot at West Park by CRJ Services which will provide its resources for free as in previous years.

The mulch is then transported to the Swift site ready to start the biomass process.

Meanwhile, volunteers covering Poynton, Wilmslow and Bollington can take trees directly to Swift’s depot saving the journey to Macclesfield.

Swift will also send members of its seven-strong team to Disley to collect trees and chip them by the roadside.

Swift co-director Stephen Warner said: “Disley is a long way for the volunteers to go to back and forth and you don’t get many trees in a van to return to West Park.

Swift volunteers (from left) Adam Lawson, Stephen Warner and Ben Mason helping at last year’s collection.  

“We’ll look after Disley and by mobile-chipping can get it done in one trip.

“We wanted to be involved because broadly speaking it’s kind of what we do. We have trucks and woodchippers, we’re used to processing trees and it’s a brilliant charity to support.

“We offered our machinery and yard to see if we could help and it’s gone from strength to strength over a couple of years.

“Our location saves a lot of driving to West Park for mulching for some collections. They can bring the trees to us and we’ll chip them here.”

Woodchip is then sold for biomass fuel with proceeds donated to the appeal.

Stephen said: “It’s not mega money but the sale of woodchip will probably bring in between £1,500 and £2,000 to be added to the appeal and donated to the Hospice.

“It’s the 25th anniversary of the scheme and what co-founders Richard Raymond and Pete Chapman have achieved is incredible.

“Everyone knows about the Hospice’s wonderful work – we all know people whose loved ones have been cared for there.

“We’re delighted to be involved. Our team give their time for free, like all the volunteers.

“We only have a small role, but it’s lovely to be part of it. Community involvement is a hugely important part of our company culture.”

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