March 2025 - East Cheshire Hospice

Volunteer Sue Cook has a unique connection to East Cheshire Hospice

Volunteer Sue Cook has a unique connection to East Cheshire Hospice.

Her younger sister Jill Potts was the Hospice’s first female patient.

Jill died of cancer on her 31st birthday – March 21, 1988 – just weeks after the charity opened its doors.

Sue honours her memory by helping at the charity’s Congleton shop.

Jill Potts pictured in 1987.

She is glad to renew her connection with the Hospice after losing her husband Graham and parents Harry and Maureen in the last 15 years.

Sue said: “I wanted to give something back. I usually help on the shop till at least twice a week. It’s satisfying and keeps me busy.

“With bereavement there’s no set pattern. It was painful at times to think about Jill dying so young.

Sue Cook helping in the East Cheshire Hospice shop

“Jill was a career girl and travelled the world organising conferences for ICI, now AstraZeneca. She was excellent at languages.

“Her cancer was virulent. She was quite poorly and the ward manager at Macclesfield hospital explained about the new Hospice.

“We were concerned about controlling her pain relief if we took her home. She was in the Hospice for about two weeks and was the first female patient admitted.

“The staff were marvellous. The matron greeted us and promised that Jill wouldn’t feel any pain and she didn’t, which helped us.

“Our family, including my two brothers, were so impressed with the Hospice and how they helped Jill and us. She was never alone. Mum spent all night in a reclining chair while I sat with her all day.

Sue (left) and sister Jill in 1975

“On her birthday we all sang Happy Birthday and gave her cards. Jill died later that day.”

“There was a male patient in the next room with lung cancer who died before Jill.”

Sue spent 25 years with AZ where she was a PA before leaving in 2004 to run an antique shop.

Graham was a health and safety manager in the engineering department at AZ, while Sue’s brother Ian worked in the print room. Older brother Robert was the only sibling not to work at AZ.

Sue said: “We were all devastated at Jill’s loss. We’re grateful that thousands of other patients have since benefited from the same love and care she received.”

East Cheshire Hospice is hosting a special drop-in centre for those missing loved ones at Easter

East Cheshire Hospice is hosting a special drop-in centre for those missing loved ones at Easter.

The public are welcome to visit the Savage Chapel at St Michael and All Angels Church between 11 am and 2 pm on Saturday, April 19.

An Easter trail run by churches in the Macclesfield area is taking place in the church grounds at the same time.

Hospice Chaplain Marion Tugwood who is part of an Easter drop-in centre

It is part of a family day of town centre activities organised by the council to celebrate Easter.

Hospice Chaplain Marion Tugwood said: “Churches from the Hope in North East Cheshire group will tell the Easter story at stations in the churchyard.

“The Savage Chapel will become a reflective space for those grieving at Easter.

“They can light a candle and our chaplaincy team are there for anyone who needs a quiet chat. Visitors can write messages and are welcome to stay for two minutes or two hours.

“Major festivals are a time when families get together and they miss relatives and friends. It’s important to acknowledge that Easter can be just as hard as Christmas.”

Meanwhile, the Hospice has organised two more Death Café gatherings at its Sunflower Living Well Centre on Saturdays May 10 and June 28, both from 10.30 am.

Guests can talk openly and confidentially about death and dying. No booking is needed.

Marion said: “There’s no agenda and we’re not trying to force any particular belief on anyone or sell any products or services.

East Cheshire Hospice’s bespoke candle

A scented candle with an East Cheshire Hospice theme could make the perfect Mother’s Day present.

The bespoke gift has been created by Nicky Thorpe who lost two close relatives at the Hospice.

The candle fragrance is camomile, vanilla and lavender, a favourite plant in the Hospice gardens.

Nicky Thorpe with her East Cheshire Hospice candle.

Etched into the glass jar is a sunflower, the emblem of the Hospice, with the candle flickering when lit.

Nicky designed the eco-friendly gift from her workshop in Tytherington where she set up in business five years ago after three decades with AstraZeneca.

Candles cost £25, with £10 donated to the Hospice where Nicky has strong connections.

Her father Brian Cavanagh, a painter and decorator before he too worked at AstraZeneca, died in the Hospice in 2019, aged 82.

Her late mother-in-law Sheila Thorpe (82) was also a patient there in 2023, while Nicky has friends who work for the Hospice.

Nicky said: “I’ve created a couple of charity candles and thought it’d be a good idea to do something similar for the Hospice.

“I approached Luke Oldham, who’s part of the fundraising team, and between us we’ve created a fragrance. The Hospice is surrounded by lavender, so they were quite keen to have a lavender-based fragrance.

“A sunflower is neutral so any household could have one and support the Hospice at the same time.”

“After I lost my dad, I thought a candle might be a beautiful memento for families to take away and light in memory of their loved one.

“I’ve since made personalised candles for those who’ve lost relatives.”

Nicky’s business Molly Lou Home Fragrance is very much a family affair.

Daughter Molly Lou helped found the company during Covid, while son Josh helps with marketing and admin.

Husband Rick, a joiner, built a workshop at home. He has walked the Three Peaks of Scotland, Wales and England with friends in aid of the Hospice.

The couple own a company specialising in making bespoke kitchen and bedroom furniture.

Nicky said: “It’s incredible how much the candle making venture has grown. There’s been a lot of support with several outlets stocking our candles.

“Customers can refill jars to help with sustainability, while plant-based rapeseed and coconut wax is used.” * Hospice themed candles can be bought from www.mollyloucandles.co.uk.

Runner Luke Hughes to take on London Marathon for East Cheshire Hospice

Runner Luke Hughes was surprised to learn he is taking part in the London marathon.

Luke was among a record 840,000 applicants who entered the ballot for the run on Sunday, April 27.

Around 50,000 runners have places with Luke raising money for East Cheshire Hospice where he is a fundraiser.

Luke said: “I applied for the London marathon on a whim with a couple of mates and was the only one who got in.

Luke Hughes who is preparing for the London marathon.

“I was shocked to be honest. I suspect my pals are probably glad in the end that they weren’t successful.

“After last year’s event there was a big buzz on social media and that made me think of doing it. I didn’t expect to get a place. It can take years to be accepted.”

Luke only started running early last year and completed a 30k training run last month.

He said: “I almost caved in near the end but pushed myself as I’m going to have to run another 12k on top of that distance in the marathon.”

To sponsor Luke visit https://shorturl.at/ZKvlS

Luke and Hospice colleagues are busy preparing for the charity’s Starlight Walk at Capesthorne Hall on Thursday, May 15.

The route is 2.5k with the option to cover multiple laps. The memory walk has lighting, lanterns, fire pits, points of reflection and other features.

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

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

Spike Elliott’s volunteering experience at the Hospice

The sky is the limit for RAF veteran Spike Elliott with his volunteering.

Helping others is a way of life for Spike whether carrying furniture or Christmas trees in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

Such dedication does not end there.

Spike with wife Helen collecting trees.

Spike has been involved with the air cadets since 1997, the year he left the RAF after 22 years with the armed forces.

He said: “Next year will see me wearing the blue uniform for 50 years. I was an air cadet before joining the RAF in 1976.”

Spike then worked mainly for the Ministry of Defence before retiring two years ago.

That was his cue to get involved collecting and delivering furniture for the Hospice.

Spike (right) with Sgt Bill Martin after receiving their Platinum Jubilee and King’s Coronation medals.

Spike said: “I help on the furniture van every Thursday. We go all over and if the Hospice are short and I’m free I’ll do extra shifts.

“I suppose I can’t say no. I’m glad to help. My philosophy is that while I’ve got my health and while I can, why shouldn’t I try to help those less fortunate?

“I’d like to think that if I were in there, I’d know what’s going on outside to give me the best possible care.”

Spike and wife Helen, from Macclesfield, spent almost two years as St John Ambulance volunteers vaccinating during Covid.

Spike on the furniture round for East Cheshire Hospice.

Spike said: “We’d jump in our car and head off everywhere, often working double shifts. Some patients were in tears, not because the jabs hurt, but they were so relieved to get vaccinated.

“We did it because we could. You do someone a good turn if you can.”

The couple met through a love of walking and, coincidentally, both were serving in the RAF. They have a son James and granddaughter Ava-Jane, aged two.

Spike got his nickname in the RAF. He said: “Like all service personnel you get called something. My hair was a mess one day and someone called me Spike.

“Even Helen calls me Spike. She only called me by my given name once and that was the day we got married.”

Spike is Officer Commanding of 201 Macclesfield Squadron Air Training Corps.

He has helped with the Hospice tree collection since moving to the area in 2008.

As well as collecting trees on the weekend, he coordinates volunteers who deal with advertising banners and signs. * To offer good quality furniture email furniture@echospice.org.uk

Newest addition to the team is specialist dementia nurse Sara Jones

East Cheshire Hospice has further strengthened its dementia team as it looks after an increasing number of patients and carers.

The newest addition to the team is specialist dementia nurse Sara Jones who brings a wealth of experience.

The Hospice has run dementia programmes from its Macclesfield site for the last 10 years.

Dementia nurse Sara Jones.

Those courses have been gradually extended locally over that period due to demand, while the charity also had a long-term aim to serve other locations in Cheshire East.

To meet that need, communities in Knutsford, Poynton, Wilmslow and Congleton communities all now have dedicated carer wellbeing programmes.

The dementia team at East Cheshire Hospice.

Sara joins the Hospice from the End of Life Partnership where she was an Admiral Nurse in its advanced dementia support team.

The Crewe-based charity delivers education around end-of-life care.

Sara also has experience of working in a hospice setting after starting her nursing career in neurosurgery and intensive care.

She said: “I’m thrilled to join the Hospice which has a great reputation for palliative care.

“There aren’t many specialist dementia nurses in the area and my role will be to help deliver programmes to patients and carers out in our community. It’s important our services are as accessible as possible.”

Debbie Kassas, Specialist Dementia Nurse and Dementia Lead at the Hospice, said: “People can self-refer and attend courses in any of our areas. Dementia awareness is improving, so more people are seeking support.” Call 01625 666990 or visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/dementia-support for more details.

Sisters sell off prized possessions as a way of thanking East Cheshire Hospice

Sisters Imogen and Hattie Shuttleworth are generously selling off their prized possessions as a way of thanking East Cheshire Hospice for looking after their grandfather.

Richard Lea, from Macclesfield, is an inpatient at the Hospice after he was diagnosed with a stage four brain tumour on Christmas Eve.

He dotes on his two granddaughters, so the efforts made by them to support the Hospice are a great source of pride to him and his family.

Imogen (left) and Hattie with grandpa Richard Lea. 

Hattie, aged 10, ran a teddy bear stall outside her home which raised £400, while Imogen (14) will spend six months selling her beloved artwork.

Bollington Printshop print for free to support her fundraising, with all sale proceeds donated to the Hospice where the girls have been regular visitors to Richard’s bedside.

Imogen, a pupil at Church Lawton School, Staffordshire, said: “I’m volunteering as part of my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and want to use my creativity and paint commissions, mostly of pets and landscapes, to raise money for the Hospice.

Hattie with her teddy bear stall.

“The charity is very important to our family as it cares for our grandpa who has a brain tumour.”

Hattie, who attends Ivy Bank Primary School, used her Christmas money to make friendship bracelets bearing messages.

Mum Verity said: “Hattie decided she wanted to sell her teddy bears to raise funds. Dad isn’t well but he’d be thrilled by what his granddaughters are doing.

Imogen and her artwork.

“We’re extremely grateful for the way the Hospice are looking after us all as a family.”

Imogen and Hattie have already raised more than £900.

* To donate visit www.justgiving.com/page/imogen-shuttleworth-1

Karen Knight becomes one of the newest volunteers at the Hospice

Retirement is on the horizon for Karen Knight after a long and happy career at AstraZeneca.

She is already planning her next move after becoming one of the newest volunteers at East Cheshire Hospice.

Away from her role as a contract manager at AZ, Karen has started shadowing weekend shifts on reception at the Hospice.

AZ long servant Karen Knight who volunteers at East Cheshire Hospice.

Karen said: “I’ve been at AZ for 42 years and it’s no secret that I’ll be retiring in a couple of years.

“The thought of leaving scares me to be honest because I’ve been here since I was 17. It’s such a big part of my life and I love my job.

“I want to find something to fill that void and I’m sure the Hospice will help me do that. It’s also an opportunity to give something back.”

Karen went to Tytherington School, then exclusively for girls, before joining a building federation as a typist under a youth opportunities scheme.

She then joined ICI, later to become AZ, and has worked across sites at Alderley Park, Didsbury and Macclesfield where she has been based for the last 15 years.

Karen said: “I can honestly say I’ve never had a moment where I’ve not liked what I do at AZ. I’m so fortunate.

“My roles throughout my career have been completely satisfying. I enjoy coming to work and what I do.

“It’s been a huge part of my life and like another family. But I also need to look ahead and that’s why I started to get involved with the Hospice a few weeks ago. I want to keep my brain active when I retire.”

Karen has also served drinks to patients in A and E at Macclesfield and District General Hospital as a volunteer.

She said: “My AZ background is in procurement and contract management. I work in the department that supports the fundraising for our charity partners, the Hospice and Silklife Foodbank.

Karen said: “A friend passed away in the Hospice years ago and her family said she was so well looked after.

“I came away from my first volunteer shift thinking how nice the place is. Everyone was lovely, including visitors arriving at probably the worst moment in their lives.

“I was greeted warmly by nurses and reception staff and it’s nice to be part of that.

“I want to help make a difference.”