Category: Community

Football may have been kicked into touch during Covid-19 but Macclesfield Town Ladies are still very much in action.

The squad are well on their way to completing a virtual challenge of walking, cycling or running from Lands End to John O’Groats – and back again!

Initially the team had planned to travel the length of the country during May but reached half way within the first few days so doubled the distance to 2,814 kilometres.

Macc Town Ladies are raising £750 for East Cheshire Hospice since the usual fundraising events have been called off.

Vice captain Becky Rowbotham said: “Like most football clubs our season was cut short in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We hope to start playing again in September, depending on the current situation, and wanted to put our pre-season training to good use.

“We were inspired by the Hospice to raise funds for them after hearing how they’ve been affected by Covid-19. The players were all excited by supporting such a good cause.”

Becky is a key worker like some of her team-mates so they have had to juggle the challenge around work. A fitness monitor record the distance covered.

The open age team was reformed three years ago and were well placed in the Championship Division 1 of the Cheshire Women’s and Youth League until the season ended early.

The team play on Back Lane, Congleton, because they have been unable to find a suitable pitch in Macclesfield.

* To sponsor them visit justgiving.com/fundraising/macclesfield-town-ladies-fc-may-challenge.

Macclesfield Town Ladies who are undertaking a virtual challenge.

Below are some useful links for information and advice to stay safe and healthy during the coronavirus epidemic.

The RCN has produced some general advice, helpful for members and non members about Corona Virus

www.rcn.org.uk

This link to the MIND website includes some sensible information and a checklist to help those confined to their homes

https://www.mind.org.uk

This link would be helpful to anyone supporting a young person who is feeling anxious about Corona Virus

https://youngminds.org.uk

The NHS has produced a helpful guidance note to support people struggling with Corona anxiety.

https://www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips/

Many people find the apps Calm and Headspace, easy to download to your phone, very helpful for dealing with panic/ sleeplessness and anxiety.

If anyone has time, there are a number of podcasts available to listen to.  I like this one from Dr Rangan Chatterjee titled, “Coronavirus, how to manage anxiety” Link below:

https://podcasts.google.com

Rehab 4 Addiction offers a wealth of resources and information about addiction and mental health, as well as a helpline that offers immediate assistance to those struggling with addiction.

www.rehab4addiction.co.uk

The mental health charity, Mind has published a specific guide for coronavirus

10 mindful minutes – Andy Puddicombe

Wellbeing podcasts – from the Mental Health Foundation

Mind stress resource

The BodyCoach TV – Free online PE classes daily with Joe Wicks

Mental wellbeing audio guides from the NHS

Gym-free workouts from the NHS

Pens, pencils and paintbrushes at the ready ….it’s time for young artists to show their creative talents.

At East Cheshire Hospice we have put together a fun activity pack for children of all ages.

It’s available to download now at www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/activity-pack

The pack encourages children to colour, draw, write stories or even bake with adult assistance.

We are also running a drawing competition – closing date May 31 – to win a fluffy unicorn teddy.

Hospice Finance Officer Michele Slack with the unicorn teddy.

We want people to share their creations with us via social media and tag the Hospice. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Community Fundraiser Carley Macey said: “Rainbows are all the rage at the moment but it’d be great to see sunflowers alongside them in windows.

“We’ve had plenty of interest already in the packs and the average donation has been £4 per pack. ”

Visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/drawingcompetition for details.

Young supporters are showing their craft skills in many ways.

Sophie Plant, aged 12, started a Facebook rainbow challenge and has led the way with a drawing on a rock outside her home which is close to the Hospice.

The Fallibroome Academy pupil, who has already raised £300 for the Hospice, said: “I love dancing and sport so am normally very busy and don’t like being idle. ”

Sophie wants others to post rainbow pictures via facebook.com/jane.taylor.9237244. To donate go to justgiving.com/fundraising/jane-taylor77.

Her family is hoping to get a celebrity to choose a picture in September which will be transferred on to canvas for display at the Hospice.

Sophie Plant with her rainbow.

The Silk Road has provided an important link for East Cheshire Hospice during the coronavirus crisis.

Vital supplies of personal protective equipment sent from China are being used by Hospice nurses treating patients.

Face masks, safety goggles and coveralls, which were delivered via Macclesfield District General Hospital, have been a massive help to the Hospice as we continue to care for patients during the pandemic.

This latest goods transfer on the historic trading route between East and West was a collaboration between community interest company Make it Macclesfield and Silk Road Horizon Ltd.

The two organisations have established cultural, social and business links between Macclesfield and the city of Xi’an where a crowd-funding project led to the purchase of equipment in short supply in the UK.

Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston (left) and Assistant Nurse Practitioner Clare Preston welcome PPE from China. Driver Rick Sherry delivered the equipment on the last leg of the journey from Macclesfield District General Hospital.

Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston said: “These supplies are vital in protecting our front-line nursing staff during Covid-19. I want to thank Silk Road Horizon and Make it Macclesfield for working so hard to arrange this special delivery.

“The masks are of a high safety standard, giving our nurses extra confidence and security.

“Macclesfield is proud of its silk heritage and this is another example of the long-standing links between the east and western ends of the Silk Road.”

Through contacts Silk Road Horizon’s Wen Xu, from Xi’an, arranged the delivery via air freight. Her partner Alastair Blackburn lived in Macclesfield as a child.

Mike Rance, Chair of Make it Macclesfield, said: “Wen pulled it all together and deserves our thanks for this kind act of friendship in difficult times.

“We’re proud that Macclesfield is at the western end of the Silk Road. No-one else can make such a claim, making Macclesfield unique in the north west.

“This collaborative international project illustrates the importance of our Silk Road links with China and this is something we want to build on further.”

The five Chinese companies involved in sending the aid were Shaanxi Qikang Medical Management Co, Jinzheng Group, Xi’an Hongfu Group, Shaanxi Henan Hebi Chamber of Commerce and Shaanxi Hantang Cultural and Creative Research Institute.

East Cheshire Hospice services are provided free of charge for patients with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers. The Hospice receives only 17 per cent of its funding from government, the rest donated by the community.

East Cheshire Hospice has thanked design students and staff at Fallibroome Academy for a supply of visors.

More than 1,000 face shields produced by the school have been distributed to nurses and staff in the local health care community.

The Hospice was among recipients. Director Karyn Johnston said: “It was great to get this help from our community. The visors provide an extra layer of confidence for our front-line care workers by protecting them more.

“Normally we’d use goggles as eye protection but they’re uncomfortable to wear all day. This wonderful initiative shows the community spirit which has been brought about by this crisis and that all of us can play a part.”

The school joined the fight against coronavirus when Andy Jones, its Director of Teaching and Learning for Design and Technology, realised their laser cutter could make the polypropylene and acetate visors.

A prototype was developed and manufacturing began once the school quickly saw that there was big demand.

The Academy’s Business Manager Karen Sharrocks, until recently a senior NHS manager, provided crucial logistical advice to ensure the visors reached the front-line of health care.

The school stayed open over Easter for pupils whose parents are key workers and were joined on the assembly line by staff volunteers, including Karl Rackham who made his own mask using a 3D printer at home.

Pupils included Lily Vesty, Jasmine Edwards, Felicity Funnell, Kadyleigh Bailey and Catriona Beynon.

Head Teacher Francis Power said: “Andy and colleague Oliver Hardman have really driven this project and given up a huge amount of time in doing so. I want to thank everyone for supporting this initiative at such a critical time.”

Local suppliers provided more materials once initial stocks were used. The school covered costs from donations from Macclesfield and Poynton Round Tables while parents also offered support.

Pupil Catriona Beynon hard at work making visors.

Teacher Oliver Hardman who helped make visors.

Fallibroome teacher Andy Jones

Are you free this Friday night (April 17) to take part in a fun interactive quiz?

It costs just £5 per household to join a Virtual Quiz in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

Multiple questions have been prepared by the group who usually host regular quizzes for the Hospice.

To play teams need to log in to the popular App called Zoom.

Answers will be submitted via the Kahoot platform which needs to be downloaded on a separate phone, tablet or laptop.

The quiz starts at 7.30 pm and ‘doors’ open at 7 pm. A leader board will be displayed with points also awarded based on the speed of answers.

To enter go eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/virtualquiz.

Hospice Community Fundraiser Carley Macey said: “There are step-by-step instructions on how to play on our website and the questions are designed to appeal to young and old. ”

Question masters Paul Morrissey and Mark Watson have trialled the format and each question has a choice of four possible answers.

Co-organiser Alison Brammer said: “This quiz is a great opportunity for the community to raise funds for the Hospice and feel connected at this difficult time.

“Our group’s March quiz was cancelled so we’re delighted to get involved. The questions aren’t going to be difficult and there’s no prize, apart from the honour of all doing our bit for the Hospice.”

Quiz masters Paul Morrissey (left) and Mark Watson.