April 2025 - East Cheshire Hospice
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Month: April 2025

Old Millstone pub celebrate their latest fundraising challenge

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Regulars at the Old Millstone pub held a special thank you party to celebrate their latest fundraising challenge.

A seven-strong group, including landlady Eli Feney, climbed Ben Nevis raising almost £2,500 for East Cheshire Hospice.

Eli took part in memory of her mum Susan Humphries who died six years ago, aged 63.

Regulars from the Old Millstone at the top of Ben Nevis.

It was a poignant trip for Amy Done whose great grandad was cared for by the Hospice.

Brian Izzard and daughter Jodi also made the journey, along with Emma McFadden, Adam Harrison and Anne Marie Rochford, all of them supporting the same cause.

Barmaid Lizzie Fieldson raised more funds by riding a static bike inside the pub, her bad knees ruling her out of the trip.

Eli said: “We do so much for charity that we’ve become a community hub. We help the organisation Giving Train which gives back to those in need.

“We also raise money for lots of other things and later this year we’re climbing Scafell.

Ready for the climb … from left, Anne Marie Rochford, Brian and Jodi Izzard, Adam Harrison, Amy Done, Eli Feney and Emma McFadden.

“I climbed Snowdon a couple of years ago and that was much easier compared to Ben Nevis.

“I spent many months in a Hospice when I lost my mum to cancer. Hospice care isn’t just about helping people die with dignity, it’s about helping them live out life with love.

“We held a party to thank everyone who always backs me for every event.”

Nik Kalka has ended his brief boxing career as a winner

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Tireless fundraiser Nik Kalka has ended his brief boxing career as a winner both inside and outside the ring.

The security manager came out on top in his second and final bout, bringing the total raised for East Cheshire Hospice to more than £4,500.

That was from two white-collar fights in which his sole aim was to support the charity which cared for his late friend Sam Burt.

Nik failed to make it past the first round in November, but he bounced back four months later by knocking out his next opponent.

Nik said: “I had a huge amount of support in the first fight and lots of people came to watch me.

Nik Kalka celebrates his win.

“The fight didn’t go the way I wanted and that’s not how I wanted the story to end, so I thought I’d go back and have another go and raise a bit more money.

“I was really motivated because I knew there was a reason for it.

“I pushed myself as hard as I could because it was for a cause and in memory of Sam. I also wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.”

Nik trained solidly for eight weeks for each fight, with a break over Christmas.

“I’ve achieved what I wanted to do with these fights and completed this journey. It was only ever for the Hospice.

“I was never going to be a professional boxer. At 35, I’m too old and not good enough.

Nik Kalka powers his way to victory.

“I’d like to thank everyone who supported me and now it’s on to the next fundraising challenge.

“A lot of people wanted to see me get punched in the face and that’s what’s happened. But joking aside, I’ve raised a lot of money.

“My first opponent was a different standard, while the next fighter was someone I’d trained with.”

Sam, an IT technician at Fallibroome Academy, died in 2017, aged 27.

Nik said: “The Hospice gave Sam and his family the comfort, care, and dignity they needed, and this was my way of giving back

“The Hospice means the world to me. I’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible support for my fundraising. It genuinely made a huge difference.”

Starlight Sisters!

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Two sisters will be back for the Starlight Walk next month to once again honour the memory of their parents.

Elaine Alston and Christine Mothershaw did not know what to expect at last year’s event, organised by East Cheshire Hospice.

Sisters Elaine Alston (left) and Christine Mothershaw with Hospice mascot Sunny the Dog.

But it was so enjoyable they are looking forward to joining scores of other walkers at Capesthorne Hall on Thursday, May 15.

Their brother Paul Moss is hoping to join them this time.

Their father David John Moss spent three weeks at the Hospice in 2023, while their mother Marina passed away in 2017.

The family are Macclesfield born and bred.

Elaine and Christine said: “We saw the best of human nature at the Starlight Walk. It was a moving occasion and we realised we weren’t alone.

Sisters Elaine Alston (left) and Christine Mothershaw at the Starlight Walk.

“We witnessed friends and families supporting each other and took away feel-good memories.

“We felt we were helping the Hospice and giving back the support they’d given us, especially at our most vulnerable time.

“We’ll always continue to support the excellent service of the Hospice in any way we can.”

The walk, sponsored by Adamley Textiles, starts at 7 pm. The 2.5k course winds through beautiful grounds with stops for reflection.

Elaine said: “We went round four times, though you can choose how far you walk.

“On the third lap, we found a spot by the lake and placed a candle each for mum and dad. We were shining a light for them in their memory and it was a special moment.”

The siblings, all retired, were able to spend quality time with their parents.

Elaine was a midwife, and both Christine and Paul worked in a bank. Latterly, Christine was a ward clerk at the Spire Regency Hospital.

Elaine said: “Having worked in the NHS, I felt the Hospice really did give individual quality care and you want more people to have this same opportunity if needed.

“Dad had a short illness. We were eternally grateful to the Hospice, including afterwards. At the walk they looked after us, making us feel special and a valued family.

“Every time we see Hospice staff they talk about dad. I’m amazed they can remember he liked Macclesfield Town and his other great passion was crown green bowling at West Park.

“It makes you think that if they’re doing that for us, they’re doing it for everyone else as well.” * To register visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/starlight-walk-2025

Claritas will add a musical flavour to the Treacle Market

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Claritas will add a musical flavour t0 the Treacle Market from 1 pm on Sunday, April 27.

Bring your singing voices as the East Cheshire Hospice community choir entertains visitors with a repertoire of well-known songs.

The choir has raised more than £50,000 for the Hospice since it was formed almost 20 years ago.

Claritas choir which is appearing at the Treacle Market.

Members rehearse every Monday in the chapel at the Hospice under the guidance of Tim Sparks who took over as musical director last year.

As well as conducting the choir, all-rounder Tim plays keyboard, guitar and ukelele.

Claritas chair Gail Robinson said: “The choir underwent a big change with the retirement of our excellent long-serving director Kath Ibbotson and the departure of our wonderful pianist Hilary Balsdon who moved down south.

“Tim is a fantastic replacement and so versatile. We’ve got about 15 new members taking our membership up to about 58. After Covid we went down to about 30.

“The acoustics in the chapel are excellent and we have a lot of good fun enjoying singing, while raising money for such a deserving cause.

“People are welcome to join us and can find out more from our website www.claritaschoir.com.”

The group also sing at Christmas concerts, including Light Up a Life services organised by the Hospice.

Gail’s many interests include flower arranging at the Hospice and volunteering in its gardens, while husband Lawrence drives furniture vans and collects Christmas trees for the Hospice.

The Hospice’s new head of fundraising

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

First impressions soon convinced Laura Tomlinson that she made the right choice joining East Cheshire Hospice.

The Hospice’s new head of fundraising leads a team without whom the Hospice would not exist.

Such is the department’s importance inspiring the public to give generously to a cause dear to its heart.

Laura is already loving her role after only a few weeks in post.

Laura Tomlinson, the new head of fundraising at East Cheshire Hospice.

She said: “You can feel the passion and energy here and that’s what I want to bring too.

“I like that we’re ambitious in what we do. We’re trying to lead the way and set the benchmark for other hospices.

“My initial impression is how warm and welcoming the Hospice is and I’m bowled over by the depth of support we provide.

“It’s easy to think it’s a hospice with end-of-life care, an inpatient unit, and Hospice @Home.

“But there’s so much more that we do, like all the support we offer to help a person’s wellbeing at the Sunflower Centre and out in the community.”

Laura has spent 11 years in the charity sector. She worked at Marie Curie before taking a gap year travelling with younger sisters Anna and Josie and two friends.

Then came eight years at Maggie’s where she was fundraising manager at its cancer support centre in Oldham.

Laura said: “I knew from Marie Curie that I loved fundraising. It ticks all the boxes for me.

“I enjoy meeting amazing people from all walks of life who give time, energy and love to a charity.

“I love the buzz of organising events that bring people together and championing people in their fundraising.

“I had a taste of everything at Maggie’s, from working with corporate partners, to cheering on people climbing mountains, to supporting fundraisers holding bake sales, and everything in between!

“Being under the same roof as those who receive invaluable care is important to me.”

Fundraising is vital as the Hospice gets only 21 per cent of income from government, meaning an additional £9,362 is needed every day.

Laura said: “I never fail to be amazed by the generosity of people, whether they’re donating, fundraising, or giving us their time. People always find a way to help.”

“Everyone comes together and that’s special. It’s an absolute privilege to be here.

AstraZeneca has donated 16 new laptops to East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

AstraZeneca has donated 16 new laptops to East Cheshire Hospice as part of its long-standing support for the charity.

Members of the company’s IT department visited the Hospice to hand over the devices which greatly assist the charity’s IT upgrade.

Equipping admin and clinical staff with laptops also enables the charity to channel funding into other important areas of end-of-life care.

The laptops are new but were no longer needed by AZ, so the team there knew there was a good home for them at the Hospice.

Conor Stubbs from East Cheshire Hospice (second right) with AZ staff (from left) Guy Camm, Damian Tonge, Sudie Bennett and Simon James.

Sudie Bennett and Damian Tonge, from AZ’s IT department, said: “The team at East Cheshire Hospice do a fantastic job in an environment of acute funding pressure.

“We were delighted to be able to help in the IT space and will continue to offer support where we can.”

Conor Stubbs, the Hospice’s Head of IT, said: “We were absolutely delighted to receive the new hardware and are having discussions to collaborate further, with AZ sharing IT consultancy and training expertise as we embrace technology and data more and more as part of our IT Strategy.”

An AZ donation helped set up the Hospice in 1988 and the pharmaceutical company has continued its support ever since.

Last year, the Hospice received a generous donation of £47,821 from AZ, due to the fundraising efforts of its employees participating in various activities.

AZ match funded that fundraising, resulting in a donation of more than £94,000 for the Hospice and its other nominated charity Silklife Foodbank.

Green fingered volunteers have come out of winter hibernation

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Green fingered volunteers have come out of winter hibernation to bring colour back to the East Cheshire Hospice gardens.

Up to 20 gardeners are hard at work every Wednesday making the Hospice surroundings look beautiful.

The grounds are a pleasant retreat for patients and families, especially in summer with plants and flowers in full bloom.

Keen gardener Julie Williams, from Hurdsfield, is the newest volunteer.

She said: “It’s my first day and I’m giving something back to the community. The Hospice is such a good cause.

Volunteer gardeners at East Cheshire Hospice with Michelle Walker-Brown (second from right).

“I started gardening after undergoing knee replacements. I get a lot of pleasure seeing gardens grow.”

Pat Dawson is the longest-serving volunteer gardener, an involvement lasting more than 25 years, including helping with floral arrangements.

Pat said: “I enjoy coming here and have made many good friends, meeting lots of different people.”

Colleague Deborah Roberts, a retired practice nurse in Bollington, has also seen huge changes to the gardens in her 15 years.

She said: “Watching the gardens come to life is lovely. Working with nature and plants is healthy and we’re able to create a nice environment.

“I’d had enough of nursing but wanted to keep a continuity with the Hospice.

Deborah Roberts who has been looking after the Hospice gardens for 15 years.

“I was the only woman at first and there was lots of football talk. Then it was all women and now there’s a balance. There’s a great camaraderie.”

The team work alongside Michelle Walker-Brown, Head of Facilities and Hospitality at the Hospice.

Michelle said: “We’ve got more gardeners now than ever before which is great.

“They do a wonderful job in all weathers and play such an important role creating memories for patients and families.

“We use raised beds which are wheelchair accessible so patients can plant their own herbs, vegetables, tomato plants and spring onions.

“The impact that had on a day care patient last year was amazing. The lady loved her garden but couldn’t look after it anymore.

“It was heartwarming to see her get involved here. Food and herbs are utilised in the kitchen and go on patient menus.

“Ideally, we’ll extend our day care activities for patients interested in gardening.

“The gardens include a wildlife area with insect hotels, hedgehog habitats and a pond with frogs. We utilise space the best we can and reuse pallets and tiles for sustainability.

“We’re always looking for donations from anyone interested in helping develop our outdoor spaces.” Email michelle.brown@echospice.org.uk

Share memories of someone special at Starlight Walk

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Share memories of someone special at an enchanting woodland retreat at next month’s Starlight Walk at Capesthorne Hall.

The illuminated wooden hideaway offers a place of quiet reflection for walkers at the East Cheshire Hospice event on Thursday, May 15.

The hut along the route will be a sanctuary for walkers wishing to pause to remember loved ones.

Fundraiser Amy Williams (left) and chaplain Marion Tugwood at last year’s Starlight Walk.

The flagship fundraising walk starts at 7 pm, one hour after gates open, and is again sponsored by Adamley Textiles.

Entries are coming in fast. The walk starts with live entertainment and refreshment stalls and is followed by a 2.5k walk looping around the hall.

Hospice Family and Friends Fundraiser Amy Williams said: “The Starlight Walk is a wonderful evening and a poignant occasion for many remembering loved ones.

“A special area of quiet reflection will be signposted on the route. Walkers can write down precious memories about their loved ones to be hung up and Hospice chaplain Marion Tugwood will be there.

“Walkers also receive a note on seeded paper provided by Andrew Smith Funeral Services to be taken home for planting.”

Admission to the walk – £22.50 for adults and £17.50 for under 16s – only covers event costs so walkers are asked to raise sponsorship of at least £50 or donate of that amount.

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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