February 2025 - East Cheshire Hospice
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Month: February 2025

AstraZeneca employees raise outstanding amount of funds

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Employees at AstraZeneca in Macclesfield helped to raise more than £94,000 for East Cheshire Hospice and Silklife Foodbank last year.

Staff held a range of activities from quizzes, craft events, runs and a netball tournament to support the charities.

Fundraising activities were matched by AstraZeneca which was headline sponsor of Art Fair Cheshire and the Christmas tree collection which celebrated its 25th year.

The AZ donation to the Hospice in 2024 was a staggering £47,821.

AZ employees celebrate raising more than £94,000 for East Cheshire Hospice and Silklife Foodbank.

Guy Camm, from AZ, said: “Our employees know that our local charities need all the support they can get.  We’re constantly amazed at the wide variety of fundraising activities our teams always seem to have on the go!

“We’re delighted to match the donations raised for these charities, both of which provide such crucial support to individuals and families across our community.”

Rachel Allcock, from the Hospice, said: “Working with the AZ team is such a pleasure.  Their staff never fail to raise much-needed funds for the Hospice. We’re so grateful for their unwavering support.”

AZ employees regularly donate food and other much-needed items for the foodbank through two collection points permanently based at its Macclesfield campus.

Dan Blackman, from Silklife Foodbank, said: “AZ Macclesfield’s financial contribution has helped us to make a really meaningful difference to the most vulnerable families in our local community.”

Gary Morgan adds his Noddy Holder raffle prize to his memorabilia collections

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Slade fan Gary Morgan thought he was the victim of a prank when he got a phone call from   Noddy Holder, the glam rock group’s lead singer.

Noddy rang Gary to tell him he had won a papier mâché sculpture of the music legend.

It was the prize in a raffle run by East Cheshire Hospice where Noddy and wife Suzan are patrons.

Gary, a retired airport ground handling boss, said: “I thought it was a wind up when Noddy called.

Gary Morgan adds his Noddy Holder raffle prize to his Manchester City memorabilia.

“My wife and daughter had gone out shopping and I was sat on the sofa with my headphones on loading up Slade songs when my phone began vibrating in my pocket.

“I didn’t recognise the number and this voice said, ‘Hello Gary, it’s Noddy Holder here.’

“I thought it was a wind up, but I knew his voice and that it was really him.

“I was bowled over and couldn’t believe it when Noddy told me I’d won the raffle.”

Gary had seen Noddy on television promoting the competition.

Noddy Holder with the sculpture of himself. 

He said: “I’ve been a huge Slade fan all my life so my interest was piqued when I saw Noddy and his wife on BBC news one morning. At the end of the interview, they said raffle tickets were £10.

Gary said: “I bought two and didn’t think anything more about it. It didn’t matter whether I won or not as the money was for a good cause.”

The model has now pride of place in Gary’s living room.

He said: “It’s underneath my big TV in a Perspex case with a brass plate situated next to my Kevin De Bruyne signed boot and signed Manchester City ball.

“The model is fabulous. I’m amazed how someone can make a little sculpture look so like the character – it couldn’t be anyone but Noddy.

“I was telling Noddy how I skipped school in April 1974 to see Slade perform at Kings Hall in Manchester and he remembered that concert. I saw them perform three times.”

“It was a wonderful surprise to receive the call.”

The competition raised £10,200 for the Hospice.

Renowned artist Patty Callaghan created the sculpture of Noddy, complete with his guitar.

The work is called Cum on Feel The Noize, the title of the group’s No 1 record in 1973.

East Cheshire Hospice is looking for volunteers to help in its shops at Chestergate and Congleton

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

East Cheshire Hospice is looking for volunteers to help in its shops at Chestergate and Congleton.

The roles give members of the public a chance to support a much-loved charity.

Hospice commercial manager Louise Delany said: “The roles are flexible. Volunteers can help either for half a day or a full day.

“They can even do every other week. It’s to suit them and they’ll have full training and supervision.

Shop volunteers Joanne Stirland (left) and Kathleen Young.

“There are a few things people can do. If they’re uncomfortable dealing directly with the public, they can be in the back-office sorting and helping.”

Roles include sorting donations, steaming and pricing items, displays, till work and admin.

Weekends are also an option as the Hospice prepares to open its Congleton shop on Sundays from March.

The outlet opened in December and there are plans to open another shop in Knutsford shortly, meaning the Hospice covers almost all areas where it has patients.

The Hospice has six shops, including Thornton Square and Chestergate in Macclesfield.

Louise said: “We’re doing really well. Sadly, some charity retail shops are having to close, but we’re the opposite.

“That’s because we have good quality donations on display, including designer goods and High Street brands.

“The support we get from customers is amazing and we sold out of Christmas cards.”

The Hospice is also asking for good quality furniture. Email furniture@echospice.org.uk with donations.

* To volunteer contact Congleton (tel 01260 545826) or Chestergate (tel o1625 511997) or apply via the website.

A new-look lymphoedema service

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

A new-look lymphoedema service run by East Cheshire Hospice is hoping to welcome even more cancer patients.

Dozens of patients have already attended sessions at the charity’s Sunflower Living Well Centre (SLWC) within the first six months.

That success encourages Lymphoedema Specialist Nurse Vick Sayers to believe that more people can also benefit.

Criteria for referrals is that lymphoedema must be directly related to cancer or its treatment. Examples are arm swelling after surgery or radiotherapy for breast cancer.

Patients learn about the four cornerstones of lymphoedema management – skin care, exercise, lymphatic drainage massage and compression garments.

Vick said: “Caseload numbers have increased since we developed the programme and there must be others requiring help.

Vick Sayers, who runs the lymphoedema service at East Cheshire Hospice. 

“We want to make everyone aware that support and help is available here for those who need it. Patients must be referred by a healthcare professional.

“The service was shut during the SLWC renovations, but referrals have started to come in again.”

The Hospice also runs a lymphoedema support group meeting on a fifth Tuesday in a month.

Vick said: “All sessions focus on educating and empowering patients to self-manage their care, as lymphoedema is a lifelong condition.

“The lymphatic system is vital but often overlooked and underappreciated. It is crucial for immune function, fluid balance and detoxification.

“When a patient has breast cancer surgery their focus, understandably, is on removing the cancer.

“They may be unaware they may be left with swelling in the arm for the rest of their life and may need to wear a compression garment. This can have a psychological impact on their body/self-image.”

Vick was a district nurse for eight years.

She said: “A background in palliative care and bandaging leg ulcers etc helped me understand how fluid exchange works.

“I see new patients recently diagnosed and many who have had lymphoedema for years. I see outpatients on a regular follow up basis until their lymphoedema is controlled and stable.

“The group sessions are fantastic for peer support, sharing techniques and tips, as well as exercising with others in a similar situation. The feedback has been extremely positive.”

Sessions run weekly on Tuesdays (1.3o-3 pm) at the Sunflower Centre. The referral form is on the Hospice website www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/how-to-refer.

 

* Lymphoedema is a chronic condition characterised by swelling in the body’s tissues. It most commonly affects the arms, legs, head and neck. Secondary lymphoedema can be caused by cancer and its treatment

Fallibroome Academy raise over £7,000 for East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Fallibroome Academy has again earned top marks for its amazing support for East Cheshire Hospice.

The school raised £7,000 for the charity from its Jingle Jog before Christmas, bringing the total donated over the last eight years to an amazing £49,180.

The Fallibroome contribution helped raise £41,407 before Gift Aid from the Hospice’s latest Reindeer Rush in December. Some 29 schools were involved.

Under starter’s orders …students at Fallibroome Academy stage their Jingle Jog.

The Hospice has a special place in the hearts of everyone at Fallibroome after caring for one of the Academy’s late teachers.

Every pupil attending the last week of term defied bad weather to walk, run or jog round the athletics track at the nearby Everybody Macclesfield Leisure Centre.

PE teacher Lucy Bradley, one of four Academy community managers, said: “We hold several charitable initiatives in the year and the Hospice event is always our big one.

“We know of students’ parents and grandparents who’ve used the Hospice services, while students have also accessed its counselling services after relatives were treated there.

Head teacher Ross Martland in Santa outfit with Jennifer Dunn, assistant head of PE.   

“The Hospice ask students to raise at least £3 to cover the cost of envelopes and reindeer ears and we were astonished how much was donated. The average donation was probably £30.

“We thank everyone for their generous support. Parents and students appreciate what the Hospice does and why we need it.

“We hold assemblies for every year group to explain the different ways people use the Hospice. It is described as ‘a place where people come to live’ and we explain why to students.”

Mary Hindle’s fundraising success

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Delicious mince pies, mouth-watering cakes and endless cups of tea and coffee – the perfect recipe for fundraising for Mary Hindle and friends.

Selling Christmas cards has also been hugely successful for Mary who has raised almost £17,000 for charity over nearly two decades.

More than £12,000 of that total has been donated to East Cheshire Hospice where her late husband Ian (63) was a patient. The rest is split between cancer charities.

Mary will never forget the care and compassion the family received when Ian died in the Hospice in September 2011, four years after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Mary Hindle at home with her mince pies.

The HR consultant was treated by The Christie which has also benefitted from her donations, along with Macmillan and Cancer Research.

Mary, a retired teacher, holds a charity day every November at her home in Prestbury.

The event raised a record £2,020 last time when Mary again received help from friends Angie Entwistle, Carol Waters and Linda Richardson.

Mary said: “I couldn’t do it without them. I send out about 100 invitations by email in early October and we had about 80 guests last year between 10 am and 3 pm.

Mary (centre) makes her latest donation to East Cheshire Hospice staff.

“They buy Christmas cards supplied by the Hospice, eat cake, buy raffle tickets and cakes and put generous donations in the pot. Hospice staff come along to support.”

Mary, a member of The Tytherington Club, was busy making mince pies in the days before when she baked cakes with friends.

Mary said: “I make about 35 dozen mince pies to sell to friends for donations which go into the Hospice pot.

“The donations have increased over the years. It used to be a fiver but now people will often put in £15 or £20.

“Guests also like the Hospice Christmas cards and are happy to buy them.

“People feel as though they’re doing something for charity. Everyone has been touched by the Hospice or known someone with cancer.

“The day has turned into a lovely social occasion to which everyone is welcome. It’s an opportunity to meet friends old and new and buy early Christmas cards.

“While old friends have been supporting the day for years, there are always new acquaintances.

“My heart is with the Hospice because that’s where my husband spent his final three weeks.”

Mary has been a volunteer at the Hospice since 2016, helping on reception once a week.

Hospice nurse team take on Trek Snowdon

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Overnight shifts are part of the routine caring on the ward at East Cheshire Hospice.

So staying awake at night will come easily for nursing staff when they climb Mount Snowdon.

Finding the strength and stamina will probably be the biggest test on the nine-mile trek on August 2 and 3.

The Hospice team are inviting other supporters to join them raising funds for the Hospice.

Places can be booked via www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/trek-2025/

Snowdon walkers (from left) health care assistants Caroline Allen and Jill Harding with staff nurse Lesley Cork and ward sister Rachael Newton.  

Ward sister Rachael Newton will be joined by nursing colleagues Jill Harding, Caroline Allen, Sharon Doherty, Donna Paddock, Charlie Guerin, Dee Foster, Lucy Turnbull, Fiona Holmes, Linda Tronconi, Carly Forrester, Hannah George, Cheyanne Hanson, Clare Preston, Pippa Williams and Lesley Cork.

Jill said: “It’s great that so many of the nursing staff have committed to do the walk as a team. It should be good fun.

“Anyone is welcome to join us to support such a special place.

“Hospices are suffering financially and need all the help they can get. East Cheshire is such a lovely place to work.

“The relationships you build up in such a short space of time with patients and relatives is amazing.”

Jill is a prolific fundraiser and part of the What Women Want group which has raised £447,000 for the Hospice in 15 years. Their target is £500,000.

Separately, Jill has also undertaken a sky dive and wing walk for the Hospice which cared for her late mum Mary Barber more than 20 years ago.

Jill said: “Some challenges last a few days and are therefore quite time consuming whereas this one isn’t.

“I love walking. It’ll be challenge as my left leg is mostly metal after I had bone cancer at 17. I’ve always wanted to climb Snowdon.”

Experienced mountain guide leaders will assist trekkers on a walk described as ‘challenging’ by organisers.

Registration is £45 and a minimum of £330 must be raised in sponsorship.

Participants get a hot buffet at a Llanberis hotel before a 1 am registration, briefing and a 2 am ascent taking three to four hours.

Walkers will watch the sunset at the summit, or on the ascent, depending on their speed. Snacks are supplied before a well-earned breakfast on completion.

Head torches are supplied and a support vehicle. The same trail is used for a two-to-three-hour descent.

Excluded is travel insurance, alcoholic drinks and personal trekking equipment such as boots, poles etc.

Starlight Walk is back for 2025

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

The Starlight Walk at Capesthorne Hall will take place on Thursday, May 15, which is later than usual this year.

The East Cheshire Hospice spring walk is one of the Hospice’s flagship events, attracting hundreds each year.

Venue availability is behind the change, though organisers are hoping the later date will also improve the chances of better weather.

Ready to start the 2024 Starlight Walk.

An ‘early bird’ entry fee of £20 for adults and £15 for under 16s is available until March 15 before the price changes to £22.50 and £17.50.

Walkers will stroll through beautiful woodland on a 2.5k route, with the option to complete multiple laps if desired.

For many it is an emotional journey, giving them a chance to remember lost loved ones.

The walk has lighting, lanterns, fire pits, points of reflection and other features.

Walkers enjoying the fun at last year’s Starlight Walk.

Community and Events Fundraiser Claire Gorton said: “As the entrance fee only covers the cost of the event, we ask everyone to try to raise sponsorship of at least £50.

“Every penny raised makes a huge difference helping us to continue to provide care in the local community.

“Alternatively, if walkers would rather not raise sponsorship, they’re able to add an extra donation of £50 when booking a place.”

Gates open at 6 pm with the walk from 7 pm. There will be live entertainment with food and drink stalls.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome and there are no fireworks. The walk is not accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

* To register visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/starlight-walk-2025.

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