Challenge Series Archives - Page 7 of 12 - East Cheshire Hospice

Helm family take on Trek Sahara

Escape those winter blues and trek across the Sahara desert camping under the stars. A year from now that is exactly what a group of East Cheshire Hospice supporters will be doing.

There is still a chance to join them, with the end of December the deadline for signing up. Among the party will be Jo Helm, a health care assistant with the Hospice’s Hospice @Home service, husband David and son Jack.

The family have each paid the £325 registration fee and all pledged to raise a minimum of £1,990 in sponsorship for the Hospice.  Jack (19) even dipped into his savings for a Ford Capri he dreams of owning to pay his share.

Jack, Jo and David Helm who are trekking across the Sahara.

The Moroccan adventure, from November 12-19, involves a 50 km trek over sand dunes in scorching temperatures. The four-day trek is followed by two days helping on a community project in Marrakech.

Contact Bethan Wade on 01625 789102 or email bwade@echospice.org.uk for more details.

Jo said: “I always enjoy a challenge and know it won’t be a walk in the park. I don’t mind the heat, unlike David who prefers it cooler.

“I’ve worked at the Hospice for a year and know how valuable it is to the community. It’s such a privilege to work there and Hospice @Home is an amazing service.”

David, a mental health recovery worker, said: “I wanted to do a trip like this when I came out of the Forces but never managed it. The Hospice is a fantastic cause and I know what Jo goes through at work and what it’s like to work there.”

The couple did a wing walk in June, conquering Jo’s fear of heights. She said: “I was scared getting on the plane and was shaking like mad. It was petrifying, but a lot of adrenaline and support from colleagues helped.

Jo and David are set for another challenge after their wing walk.

“I relaxed once I was up there and the reasons we’re doing it, and the patients we care for, made it all worthwhile.”

The Helms ran a competition to guess the weight of a pumpkin, raising £150 towards their Sahara target. Berghaus have supplied them with coats and rucksacks and Regatta have donated sleeping bags.

The Hospice offers fundraising ideas for the trip and a self-funded option is available. To register, or for more details, visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/trek-sahara/

* To sponsor the Helms visit one of the following links justgiving.com/fundraising/joanne-helm3, or david-helm7, or jack-helm1.

Finley Foot chases his ambitions

Kind-hearted runner Finley Foote has set a fast pace as he chases an ambitious £10,000 fundraising target. His total already stands at an impressive £7,000 – an amazing achievement for the Bollington schoolboy who became a teenager several weeks ago.

Finley sprang into action 18 months ago when the first lockdown forced East Cheshire Hospice to cancel several fundraising events, including a Splash Out day his family had intended to take part in. When Finley heard about the charity’s plight, he ran two and a half miles every day to raise  sponsorship while his school was shut. Many others members of the community also undertook similar fundraising challenges, generously helping out the Hospice.

Finley Foote on one of his runs.

Except that Finley has never stopped running or raising funds since, rarely taking a day off from exercise and clocking up 848 miles in the process. He has long since returned to Tytherington School where teachers and class mates have supported his efforts.

Finley received a Macclesfield Mayoral youth commendation for his community contribution after a nomination by teachers. He is also due to receive a similar civic award in Bollington.

Finley receives his Mayoral award from Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake, watched by Emmanuel Botwe, Headteacher at Tytherington School.

Proud mum Sarah said: “Finley was self-motivated to go out and do the fundraising himself. I also think the running helped his mental health during lockdown because he’s so active and was gutted that all his sport stopped.

“It was his way of keeping himself going and now he’s decided he wants to raise £10,000 for the Hospice.

“He ran every day during both lockdowns and decided himself that he’d run again when he couldn’t go back to school after Christmas.

“It has required a lot of stamina, especially with all the sport he plays, and he’s been out running even if he’s not quite felt 100 per cent.

“Finley still goes off and does his runs and is keen to enter some organised runs to keep trying to raise more money.

“I’m also proud that he’s aware people have already given him money for the fundraising and so he can’t keep asking them. He’s sensitive to that and realistic and knows a lot have sponsored him. ”

Finley, and friend Matty Dowd, were among the youngest to tackle a gruelling Tough Mudder last month, and thanks to more donations, the total is creeping up.

* To sponsor Finley visit justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-latham22

Finley taking part in a Tough Mudder to raise funds.

Charity Bike Ride Success

Getting lost on a charity bike ride was just one of the setbacks Carl Henshall and his fellow cyclists had to overcome. Carl also had a bad back and was carrying heavy camping equipment for the trip from Macclesfield to Southport.

Older brother Anthony and work colleague Declan Turner joined him on the ride which raised almost £500 for East Cheshire Hospice. They were inspired to raise money after Declan bought a bike through a work scheme at Sodexo. He and Carl work for the company on the AstraZeneca campus at Hurdsfield. Carl’s mum Margaret King volunteers in a Hospice shop, so the trio felt it was a good idea to help the charity.

Carl Henshall (front) with brother Anthony (centre) and Declan Turner.

Carl said: “The bike ride was pretty tiring and the week before I had a bad pain in my back but didn’t say too much on the ride, although it was a bit worrying.

“We also went off track and lost our way so rode well over 60 miles to Southport. We stayed there overnight and carrying the camping gear made the journey even harder but it was well worth it and we want to thank everyone for supporting us.”

Carl has his own YouTube channel called Exploring with Carl which traces abandoned places such as air raid shelters and has more than 2,500 followers.

Hannah George Manchester Half Marathon

Nurse Hannah George and her mum Clair will attempt to run further than they have done before in the Manchester half marathon on Sunday, October 10.  The pair train together regularly and will be put through their paces raising funds for East Cheshire Hospice where Hannah works on the inpatient unit.

Clair and Hannah George

Hannah, from Macclesfield, said: “We’ve only run 10ks so this will be quite a challenge for us. Mum  says I’m always a little bit ahead of her so that spurs her on and I’m sure we’ll encourage each other.”

Clair has worked at John Lewis & Partners at Cheadle for more than 20 years, while Hannah is involved in front-line care at the Hospice.

Hannah said: “I love working there and obviously the job has ups and downs. There are good days and bad days, depending on what the situation is in the Hospice with patients.

“People might think it’s a sad place, but actually it’s a lovely environment  with a family atmosphere.

“We want to raise funds for the Hospice, especially as things have been difficult there with Covid so it’s good to give something back.

“We also want to get the word out there and get people back to doing fundraising activities for the Hospice.”

They will run in memory of Hannah’s grandmother Gillian Riley (82) who died early last year and was cared for by the Hospice @Home team.

Hannah and Clair have already raised more than £500 and to sponsor them visit gofund.me/2f77c634.

Sahara Trek Postponed

East Cheshire Hospice has been forced to postpone its Saharan trek again because of Covid-19. On-going uncertainty over international travel restrictions left organisers with no option but to delay the adventure until November 2022.

It was initially put back until this coming winter but a decision has been made to delay until Nov 12-19 next year. Places are still available for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which involves scaling Moroccan sand dunes and camping under the stars. A four-day 50 kilometre trek ends with a two-day stop in Marrakech to assist with a community project.

The trip costs £1,320, including a £325 registration fee payable at the time of booking to secure a place. Participants will then be required to fundraise a minimum of £1,990 for the Hospice. Support and fundraising ideas will be provided by staff to help meet the target. Contact Bethan Wade on 01625 665691 or email bwade@echospice.org.uk to find out more.

Challenge Co-ordinator Bethan said: “We’re sorry to have to delay the trek again, but I’m sure it’ll be a fabulous experience when it does finally take place. “The travel team will ensure all safety measures are put in place and we can offer ideas and inspiration on fundraising.”

Contact Bethan Wade on 01625 665691 or email bwade@echospice.org.uk to find out more.

Trekkers include accounts assistant Rob Gorton who has been undertaking a series of fundraising challenges in aid of the charity this year.

Rob Gorton who is taking part in a Saharan trek in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

 

 

Heather Broadbent Update

Sailor Heather Broadbent is refusing to give up on her round-the-world voyage despite a two-year gap at home.

She was midway through the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race before it was suspended early last year because of Covid-19.

The event is due to resume in the Philippines next February, although Heather admits she had serious misgivings about completing the race and thought long and hard about going back.

She hopes to raise £40,000 for East Cheshire Hospice where her late husband Adam (45) was a patient.

Heather said: “After a difficult year of low and lonely times,  I’ve really struggled with my mental health and I wasn’t sure if I had the strength to continue with my round-the-world challenge for the Hospice.

“Only in the last few weeks with the support and encouragement of my family have I realised that I’m still strong and capable and I can finish what I started over three years ago when I first signed up for the 40,000 mile race and a £40,000 challenge.”

Heather, a landscape gardener, will possibly enter the record books for competing in the longest round-the-world race in history.

An event that should have taken 11 months saw some competitors drop out because of the lengthy delay. It is now due to finish almost three years after its start date in September 2019.

Heather, from Disley, said: “It was a difficult decision to consider going back.  During the first lockdown, I only thought I’d be home for two or three months and that was my mind set.

“I was still in the zone then but being stuck at home has been tough mentally and it’s been hard getting my head back into gear thinking about resuming.

“However, I’d kick myself if I didn’t try to finish it. It’s not in my nature not to complete something.”

Heather is meeting other crew members in London this month before attending a refresher course. Her team yacht GoToBermuda has been stuck in Asia since she left.

Heather said: “The plan was to circumnavigate the globe in one go and the long break in the middle is a huge disappointment. I’m nervous I’ve forgotten what to do.”

Heather has already raised more than £29,000 for the Hospice’s Hospice @Home service. “I’ve been stuck around that mark for a while but I’m determined to meet my target.”

* To sponsor Heather visit justgiving.com/fundraising/dreamitnowdoit.

Heather Broadbent on her voyage.

 

Gritstone Trail Challenge is Especially Poignant for Mike and Sam

Relief at ending a gruelling charity walk turned to sadness for fitness enthusiasts Mike Mason and Sam Maguire.

The day after the pair had completed the 35-mile Gritstone Trail they learned that Faith Mitchell, wife of their close friend Ash, had died of cancer sarcoma, aged 33.

Faith was a patient at East Cheshire Hospice and was the inspiration behind their challenge which has already raised more than £2,500 for the Hospice.

Mike is head coach at Silk Fitness Therapy which is part of the Hospice’s 500 Club in which members pledge to raise £500 a year for three years.

Mike said: “We heard the tragic news about Faith on the afternoon following our walk which became quite poignant in the end.

“Faith’s illness was diagnosed three years ago and she fought until the end. She’ll be missed terribly and was well looked after by the Hospice.”

Silk gym owners Fabio and Kate Mazzieri and nutritionist Bex Ward joined the pair for the second half of the walk.

The hilly journey from Disley to Kidsgrove took more than 14 hours and is usually spread over three days.

Fellow gym member Carole Barough accompanied Mike and Sam for the first leg of the trip.

Mike said: “It was tough, especially as it was a hot day, but good fun. I realised early on my bag was too heavy and luckily gym members Fran Wilkie and Jo Prescott met us and took some things to lighten the load.

“Sam has done a lot of cycling and has lots of stamina, but neither of us has walked that far before and it was quite surreal near the end.

“We didn’t have much more to give, but knowing Fabio had a cool box full of cold beers in his car at the finish got us through it.

“Faith was our main motivation for the challenge, but Silk is also a proud member of the 500 Club so that was another reason to raise funds.”

* To sponsor them visit justgiving.com/fundraising/SFT.

Journey’s end….from left, Katie and Fabio Mazzieri, Sam Maguire, Mike Mason and Bex Ward after completing the Gritstone Trail.  

Wing Walk Takeoff Delayed

A Wing Walk has had to be delayed five weeks in the latest blow to East Cheshire Hospice’s fundraising plans.

Bad weather was one of the reasons the challenge was put back until Monday, July 26.

A rise in Covid infections leading to Cheshire East being made an ‘enhanced response area’  was another factor.

The event, which sees wing walkers harnessed on top of a 1940s Boeing Stearman biplane, is fully subscribed.

The postponement adds to the tension for participants, including five grandmothers, the eldest of whom Barbara Spivey (74) runs a fancy dress shop on Chestergate.

 

Wing Walk grannies …from left,  Pam Webster, Gill Black, Jacky Macleod and Barbara Spivey.

 

The effects of Covid-19 have badly affected plans by the Hospice fundraising team whose last mass participation event was a Tough Woofer dog walk in October, 2019.

That means there will be a two-year gap until the next event, a Drive-in Cinema at Capesthorne Hall, on Sunday, October 17.

A Memory Miles walk due in August has now been shelved until March 25 next year.

Events Manager Beth Candy said: “We’re pretty confident the cinema event will go ahead. It’s been such a frustrating time for our supporters and losing so many events has wrecked our fundraising plans.

“We’d appeal to anyone who can raise funds for the Hospice to please support us in whatever way they can. The last 18 months have been so tough and the sooner we’re back to normal the better.

“Any donations, large or small, will much such a huge difference to the care of our patients.”

 

The wing walk facing Hospice fundraisers.  

Memory Walk Postponed Again

East Cheshire Hospice has been forced to postpone its Memory Miles walk yet again because of the Covid crisis.

The new date is Friday, March 25, 2022, at Adlington Hall – almost three years after the Hospice last staged its flagship memory walk.

The August 27 event has been postponed reluctantly, amid on-going uncertainty over the easing of lockdown restrictions.

The absence of mass participation events is a major financial blow to the Hospice.

The next event is a Drive-in Cinema on Sunday, October 17, at Capesthorne Hall, where the charity’s last fundraising event, a Tough Woofer dog walk, took place two years ago.

Organisers are hoping it will be a case of fifth time lucky for the Memory Walk which was cancelled twice in 2020 (April and September) and twice in 2021 (May and August).

Events Manager Beth Candy said:  “We’re very sad to keep having to cancel these events, but when we do eventually stage our next one and all get back together again it’s going to be bigger and better and more amazing than ever before.

“The memory walk is extra special to us because it’s a celebration of lost loved ones. It’s an event we get most sponsorship from because of its very nature.”

 

Walkers enjoying the memory walk two years ago.

 

The Hospice had delayed accepting registrations until the government made its most recent announcement to put back the final easing of lockdown restrictions.

Beth said: “People would have had mixed emotions about us launching an event in the current circumstances with restrictions in place, even though we’d probably have been out of those restrictions by the time the walk came round.

“But we want to make sure there aren’t going to be any restrictions and don’t have to cap the numbers taking part. Unfortunately, there was the potential for that to be the case.

“We want to be confident we can do it and want everyone to be confident they can attend.

“We’re looking forward to seeing everyone coming together again in March and want to thank everyone for their loyalty, patience and understanding.”

The Memory Walk, formerly Light Up The Night, was to have been the climax to a Memory Miles event in which fundraisers undertake their own challenge by whatever means they wish.

 

The last memory walk in 2019.

Katie and Sophie Step Up

Sisters Katie and Sophie Richards used their new Fitbits to spur them on in a fundraising challenge.

The girls reached their daily target of steps to raise £290 sponsorship for East Cheshire Hospice.

Their grandad Stephen Jones died of bowel cancer at the Hospice in 1998, aged 47, while late great grandad Gordon Oldfield, also from Macclesfield, was treated there as well.

Katie (9) and Sophie (8) warmed up for their month-long challenge by walking or running 5,000 steps a day for the first week.

Their target increased to 6,000 steps a day the following week and the last two weeks they covered 7,000 steps, raising the total to 10,000 for the last day.

Mum Emma Jones said: “We got them a Fit bit each as an incentive and they wanted to do something for charity since the Hospice is part of our family.

“The care it provided when my dad and grandad passed away was amazing and we wanted the girls to take the money to the Hospice so they could see what it does.”

“They’re proud of their achievement and want to thank everyone for their sponsorship.”

 

Sophie (left) and Katie Richards during their step challenge.