Challenge Series Archives - Page 5 of 11

Ali Mitchell’s Wingwalk experience

Posted on 3rd August 202227th July 2022 by Becky Sidwell

Thrill seeker Ali Mitchell has vowed to return to the skies for more after her wing walk debut.

Next time the district nurse will be attempting loop-the-loops on to the top of a biplane.

Ali, from Hurdsfield, joined other daredevils at an airfield in Gloucestershire, all raising money for East Cheshire Hospice.

Ali said: “It was amazing and something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve done a sky dive before and I’m a bit of an adrenalin junkie, so it was on my bucket list and have ticked it off now.”

She said: “It was a pleasant experience, but I was waiting for an adrenalin rush and didn’t get one.

Wing walker Ali Mitchell.

“Maybe it was because pilot was fantastic at what he was doing, or that it was such a beautiful day and very calm up there.

“I didn’t even feel the plane landing. Next time I’ll do the loop-the-loop for a bit of a tummy flip. They’re only allowed on a second flight.

“The experience is so safety conscious and you’re so well strapped in. A couple of others chose a more thrilling ride with the plane on its side, but I wanted it more sedate for the first time.

“The instructors were fantastic and I can’t praise them enough, they were brilliant.

“I was also wearing shorts so next time I might wear long pants as my skin was wobbling a bit and the worst part was climbing on to the wing.”

Ali has close ties with the Hospice. She said: “I work out-of-hours as a nurse so liaise very closely with the Hospice @Home team and that’s how I know how amazing they are.

“It’s a fantastic resource that we’ve got in our area and we’re so lucky to have it. I had a friend who passed away in there unfortunately in her 40s.

District nurse Ali Mitch (centre) with fellow wing walkers from East Cheshire Hospice and their pilot Dave.

“I think it’s appalling they have to rely on charity to fund them and we should all try to do as much as we can to support the Hospice.

“I know money is tight at the moment and people are being generous with sponsorship.”

Husband Joey saw Ali take to the skies, promising to join her next time.

Meanwhile, Ali is signing up for a sky dive organised by the Hospice on Saturday, May 13, with full details announced soon.

Hospice to Hospice hikers celebrate

Posted on 13th July 20224th July 2022 by Becky Sidwell

Nurse Charlie Guerin has walked countless miles on the ward at East Cheshire Hospice.

Now the Disley mother-of-three has been pounding the streets raising funds for the patients she cares for.

Charlie joined fellow fundraisers on a Hospice to Hospice hike – from St Rocco’s in Warrington to East Cheshire in Macclesfield.

Hikers (from left) Richard Laverick, Anna Hazel and Andrew Dethick, all teachers at The Macclesfield Academy, with Rebecca Markwick and Charlie Guerin (centre).

The 26-mile walk took eight hours, while others covered half that distance from Knutsford and St Rocco’s supporters went the opposite way.

Charlie is a bank nurse at East Cheshire, having been a ward volunteer originally.

She is in her second spell at the Hospice as a qualified staff nurse, having also worked at The Christie and the local hospital.

Charlie said: “There are few places on earth that do to you what the Hospice can. I remember walking in as a volunteer thinking this is not going to leave me. This is in me now – it runs in your veins.

“When I came back to work one day a week in January and it was like coming home. It’s the values of real nursing and why I set out to be a nurse.

“You’re also aware it’s a charity and has suffered a huge loss of income because of Covid and this was my opportunity to help.

“Working here gives me a privileged perspective which many people don’t get to witness.”

Husband Nick, along with Alby (9), Isla (6) and Sonny (3), greeted Charlie after her exhausting walk.

* To sponsor Charlie visit justgiving.com/fundraising/charlottesguerin

Alison takes to the skies for East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on 29th June 202218th August 2022 by Becky Sidwell

The bravery shown by her patients will act as a spur for Alison Arnold when she faces her own fears.

Alison will join other daredevils in a wing walk in aid of East Cheshire Hospice where she is a health care assistant.

Alison joins two other Hospice @Home team colleagues inspired to get involved with fundraising activities by the courage shown by the patients they visit.

Jo Helm undertakes a Sahara trek later this year, while Elaine Taylor is having a sponsored head shave.

Seeing how patients and their families cope with the challenges at end-of-life, supported by the Hospice, motivated them.

Alison, who joined the Hospice in January, said: “I’d worked in the community a lot with vulnerable people in different kinds of roles, but never with those at end-of-life.

“I just instantly connected with patients, realising that not long into my second week.

“Until then I’d always been a little bit frightened about death and when my dad Peter passed away in 2017, I didn’t understand the different stages he was going through with his cancer.

“There was no-one there explaining it to me, so wasn’t able to make such a good connection with him towards the end of his life.

“When I started working at the Hospice I was absolutely blown away by the dignity and respect paid to people at end-of-life and how we support them to have a good death.

“I just feel really proud to be working for the Hospice. It’s a privilege and humbling.

“Working with such caring and compassionate people, I felt settled the minute I entered the Hospice so it was important to me to try to do something.”

Alison Arnold who is part of the Hospice @Home team which goes out to visit patients.

Friend John Mycoe will be there to see Alison sit on top of a 1940s Boeing Stearman biplane over a Gloucestershire airfield on July 11.

Alison said: “I’ve a fear of heights, so the first challenge for me is getting up the ladder to climb on to the plane.

“I’ve seen frightened patients facing their fears head-on in the latter stages of life and can’t know what that’s like, but this is my way of connecting with fear and trying to overcome it.

“I’m very cautious – the most daring thing I’ve done is climb Mam Tor. Colleagues who’ve done the wing walk said it’s a wonderful experience and I won’t regret it.”

* To sponsor Alison visit justgiving.com/fundraising/alison-arnold19

Could you take on a marathon or half marathon walking challenge?

Posted on 15th June 202215th June 2022 by Becky Sidwell

Could you walk from Warrington, or Knutsford, all the way to Macclesfield?

That is what fundraisers are undertaking on Saturday, July 2, as part of a new Hospice to Hospice hike.

Some are walking 13 miles from The Cottons Spa and Hotel, Knutsford, to East Cheshire Hospice, while others are covering twice that distance from St Rocco’s Hospice in Warrington.

Karyn Johnston (right), Chief Executive of East Cheshire Hospice with her opposite number Sonya Currey, from St Rocco’s Hospice.

The Hospice has teamed up with St Rocco’s for the novel challenge which sees its supporters walk in the opposition direction, the two groups crossing over somewhere in between.

Participants must be 16 or over and those 16 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Entry is £25 and it is hoped walkers will raise £250 in sponsorship for the Hospice.

Its Challenge Events Co-ordinator Bethan Wade said: “The event is exceptionally challenging and requires a reasonable fitness level and training.

“Our team and volunteers will welcome all hikers early on the Saturday morning and provide everyone with a cooked breakfast to set them up for the day.

“You’ll then by taken by coach to your start point and provided with a map and directions. There’ll be marshals, checkpoints, water stations and toilets en route.

“The route is through Ollerton, Chelford and Henbury and offers fabulous views across Cheshire. There’ll be a warm welcome, including snacks, drinks and a medal, at the finish line at East Cheshire Hospice.”

Email queries events@echospice.org.uk or to sign up go to the Hospice website.

Hospice Nurse Elaine takes on head shave

Posted on 15th June 202218th August 2022 by Becky Sidwell

Caring for a dying patient changed the way Elaine Taylor thought about working in end-of-life care.

It was not long after she had joined East Cheshire Hospice last August that she visited a woman of similar age who had lost all her hair.

Elaine had spent 20 years looking after the elderly, ideal qualifications to work for the charity’s Hospice @Home team as a Health Care Assistant.

But that one patient, in particular, had a huge impact on Elaine.

Elaine Taylor who is having her head shaved.

She said: “That lady had quite an effect on me. She had children and a dog like me. She was really poorly, but so positive and when she passed away it really affected me.

“I’d never worked in that kind of end-of-life care before and it made me doubt whether I could continue doing that job.

“Was it too emotional? Was I strong enough to deal with it? Could I not care for people at end-of-life and see it for what it really is? I thought that could be me in that bed.

“But after a while to settle in, everything fell into place.

“It’s still sad and not easy at times, but you’re giving someone end-of-life care and a good death. We’re also there to support the family and ensure that person is pain-free. They know they’re being cared for and feel safe.

“It’s been a massive 10 months and I can’t ever imagine doing anything else. This will be it until I retire.

“The Hospice is amazing and it’s a privilege to care for patients like we do in the community.”

Elaine’s experience has inspired her to have her head shaved on July 2 to raise fund for the Hospice.

She said: “I could raise money other ways, but that wouldn’t mean anything to me personally. A head shave will because of that lady and others since then who had no choice whether they lost their hair.

“I’m doing this to support them and won’t be hiding away afterwards under a scarf or hat. I’ll explain this is what happens to people and hopefully they’ll sponsor me.

“I spend a lot of time and money on my hair and look after it. When I told my hairdresser I was doing it, she tried to talk me out of it and do something else, but then she realised how much it means to me.”

* To support Elaine visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Elaine-Taylor40

Toni’s Hospice Journey

Posted on 8th June 202218th August 2022 by Luke Brightmore

A bride’s wedding day is always special, but for Toni Walsh it was an even more emotional occasion.

She knew her husband Tim Longden had only days left to live.

The Macclesfield couple were married at East Cheshire Hospice in February 2020, weeks after Tim had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

They had been together for 12 years, having known each other for 20 years.

Toni popped the question while Tim lay in a hospital bed, just before he was told nothing more could be done.

Tim was transferred to the Hospice where the chaplain made wedding arrangements for the following day.

A social media appeal for help to make their day special prompted a flood of donations.

Tim and Toni on their wedding day.

Toni said: “The support from the community was overwhelming. It was absolutely amazing. I had six offers of wedding dresses and two people stayed up all night making wedding cakes.

“We were supplied with a buffet and I had my hair and make-up done. Tim couldn’t walk by then so they wheeled him into the chapel for our blessing.

“Our wedding was on the same day as my mum Kath’s birthday and she’d died the year before aged 64.

“It was a lovely day under the circumstances. Tim hadn’t really got any symptoms before. He’d just started missing words and slurring his speech and thought he might have had a stroke.

“He managed to say his name and ‘I do’ and was aware what was happening. Then, unfortunately, he went downhill and died 12 days later.”

The couple worked for BT for many years and after Tim’s death at the age of 50, Toni left to volunteer at the Hospice’s charity shop in Poynton.

She is now assistant manager at its Thornton Square store where customers have generously donated in a bucket for a fundraising challenge.

Toni at Thornton Square charity shop where she is assistant manager.

Toni, with Tim’s sister Rachel Richards and her husband Mark, are trekking across the Sahara in November in a Hospice event.

Toni said: “We’re calling ourselves The Three Camels. I’m so unfit and it’s a massive task for me in the heat, but it’ll be an amazing experience in Tim’s memory and I want to give something back to the Hospice.

“The support I’ve had in the shop has been incredible and I can’t thank the community enough for the spirit and love shown two years ago and ever since.”

Toni Walsh with in-laws Rachel and Mark Richards.

*To sponsor them visit www.justgiving.com/team/wwwjustgivingcomfundraisingThree-camels

Daredevil takes on ECH Wingwalk

Posted on 18th May 202211th May 2022 by Becky Sidwell

Daredevil Tom Harding has no fears about standing on top of a plane and soaring through the sky.

Especially as his wing walk is raising funds for East Cheshire Hospice where his auntie Sarah Bell died six months ago.

The charity still has a few places left for those daring enough to strap themselves on to a 1940s Boeing Stearman biplane over a Gloucestershire airfield on Monday, July 11.

Tom, aged 27, cannot wait to get airborne after his safety briefing. He said: “I’ve got three brothers and they all think I’m mad.

“I’ve always been known as the wild one and I’d always be up for the challenge of a bungee jump or a banana boat.

“I think my brothers would love to have a go at the wing walk themselves but they can’t pluck up the courage. My younger brother Jack has just broken his wrist doing a bungee jump.”

Family, friends and work colleagues are sponsoring Tom, a service team operator at AstraZeneca. He is involved in the Zoladex project, a treatment for breast and prostate cancer patients.

The Harding brothers with dad Phil (centre). From left, Jack, James, Harry and Tom.

AstraZeneca have close links with the Hospice and will match fund Tom’s fundraising total which has already topped £1,100 with almost half that sum donated on the first day.

His family were overwhelmed by the care Sarah received at the Hospice. She was just 39 and died of melanoma cancer.

Tom said: “The way they looked after my auntie was incredible. I just wanted to give something back for all the care and love they gave her while she was there.

“We all speak highly of the Hospice and the work done by the nurses. Our granddad took the family on holidays and we shared those precious times with Sarah.

“She would be laughing her head off at the thought of me doing a wing walk.”

* To sponsor Tom visit justgiving.com/fundraising/tom-harding6

Interested wing walkers must be at least 18, no taller than 6 ft 2 in and no heavier than 14 stone, with a waist measurement of 40″ or less while wearing warm clothing and a jacket.

The cost is a £150 deposit upon registration and a guarantee to raise a minimum of £500 sponsorship.

* To sign up visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/wingwalk-2022/

All set for Born Survivor!

Posted on 27th April 202220th April 2022 by Becky Sidwell

Getting wet and muddy is not usually Carley Macey’s idea of a fun day out.

But the daring community fundraiser is tackling a Born Survivor at Capesthorne Hall on Saturday, May 7, in aid of East Cheshire Hospice where she works.

Boyfriend Sean Taylor and fellow members at Silk Fitness Therapy are also ready to face the obstacle course, designed by Royal Marine commandos.

Sean Taylor and Carley Macey who are tackling a Born Survivor challenge.

Carley said: “I hate getting wet and dirty, it’s not me at all. I didn’t realise what I was signing up for initially and thought it might be a good laugh.

“I met Sean at the gym Christmas party in 2019 and he encouraged me to sign up. We’ve waited a long time to do this because the event was delayed after the pandemic hit.

“Our gym is part of the Hospice’s 500 Club and members are treating the event as a fundraising and bonding exercise with coach Mike Mason, who runs our PT sessions, also taking part.

“We’ve all agreed to stick together, but if Sean leaves me behind I’m not sure we’ll be together after the event!” joked Carley.

The charity’s other corporate supporters, financial planners Equilibrium and recruiters Leap29, have also entered teams as part of their on-going fundraising.

The adventure involves slides, cold water obstacles, climbing nets and walls and underground tunnels.

* To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/carley-m, or justgiving.com/team/TeamSFT

The deadline to register to take part is 5 pm on Friday, April 29. Visit born-survivor.com/manchester-2022/

Canoe Brothers update

Posted on 23rd March 20226th April 2022 by Becky Sidwell

Two brothers attempting to canoe across the country are hoping to learn from celebrity Jordan North after his similar adventure.

The BBC Radio 1 DJ rowed 100 miles from London to his home town Burnley, via an elaborate network of canals, in aid of Comic Relief.

Tom and George Bentham, from Macclesfield, will instead paddle a canoe and travel from west to east for their nine-day voyage covering 184 miles.

George Bentham (front) and brother Tom training for their epic canoe trip.

The pair are aiming to raise £15,000 for East Cheshire Hospice and Macmillan which cared for their late father Mark.

The Benthams have begun training for their Canoe Against Cancer trip in September after buying a second-hand vessel for £850.

Work and family commitments have so far limited the amount of time the pair have spent together in the canoe.

So, too, the fact George lives in Halifax, although the pair undertook a 10-mile trial along the Macclesfield Canal.

Tom Bentham (front) and George getting in paddling practice.

Tom said: “The stormy weather didn’t help, but we’ve done a lot of training separately in the gym and we’ve a lot of time to build up our fitness.

“The first time we got in a canoe we had a day of coaching from an instructor in Wales who went through all the techniques with us.

“That highlighted that it’s a technical challenge, as well as physical, because going in a straight line is easier said than done.

“It’s not what either of us expected and once when we tried to manoeuvre sideways we made a mistake of leaning over too much and almost capsized.

“Having said that, the canoe is quite stable. The crucial thing for a two-man crew is to be synchronised.

“We’ve seen Jordan North’s rowing trip for Comic Relief and hopefully we’ll get a few tips from him and can liaise over the challenges of travelling under your own power through the canal network.”

Tom and George are looking for sponsors and are also holding a raffle as part of their fundraising.

Dad Mark, a chef and sailor, died of cancer in September 2019, aged 58. The Hospice needs £7,500 a day to keep its doors open, hence their target.

Their coast-to-coast journey begins at Glasson Dock, near Lancaster, and goes to Merseyside before Manchester, Huddersfield, Wakefield and the Humber.

Canals, commercial waterways, small rivers, tidal rivers and seaways all feature in the complex route.

* To sponsor the brothers email canoeagainstcancer@gmail.com or visit linktr.ee/canoeagainstcancer

Martin Foster runs 100 miles in 4 days

Posted on 6th March 202231st March 2022 by Becky Sidwell

A brief stop in Macclesfield was part of Martin Foster’s epic journey between 10 north west hospices.

The dad-of-two ran 100 miles over four days to highlight the terrific work undertaken by hospices, including East Cheshire.

There, Martin was greeted by nurses and other well wishers on the third day of his fundraising challenge.

Picture of Martin Foster at East Cheshire Hospice.

It was his toughest day, preceded by an 18-mile run from Willow Wood, Tameside, and followed by a 10-mile leg to St Ann’s Hospice in Heald Green.

Martin, programme lead for Greater Manchester hospices, said: “My aim was to raise the profile of the hospice sector and their wonderful work.

“People think hospices are really sad places, only existing to support those needing care at the very end of their life. Obviously, there are very sad times and end-of-life care is such an important part of what hospices offer, but so much more goes on too.

“Patients are cared for right through their journey with a range of services local people simply wouldn’t have access to if hospices didn’t exist.

“They rely heavily on their communities fundraising and, having worked so closely with them, I just had to put my trainers on and do my bit to support them.”

East Cheshire Hospice is the second lowest funded in the country, receiving 17 per cent of the income it needs to keep going from government. It costs £7,500 a day to provide palliative care for patients, their family and carers.

* To donate visit gofundme.com/gmhospices.