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Sentimental Jewellery Repairs Help the Hospice

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Sentimental jewellery belonging to Vanessa Greveson has been given a new lease of life through her links with East Cheshire Hospice.

Items include a string of pearls given to Vanessa by her late husband Warren who died at the Hospice.

Help came from jewellery expert Helen Dimmick who runs Annie’s Legacy, a fundraising initiative she set up in the name of her late grandmother.

Helen donates 15 per cent of the profit from work undertaken in memory of a loved one to the Hospice which cared for Annie who inspired her love of jewellery.

The two Macclesfield women met after Vanessa read about Helen’s offer in the Hospice newsletter.

Jewellery expert Helen Dimmick who runs Annie’s Legacy.  

Vanessa said: “Helen’s naturally, bright and bubbly personality immediately connects with people.  She completely understands where bereaved people are coming from.

“I had some pieces of jewellery that were particularly meaningful to me which needed adjustments.

“The pearls from Warren needed re-stringing and I had earrings which had been made into a ring before but it wasn’t quite right, so Helen kindly made suggestions about what could be done.

Warren and Vanessa Greveson.

“I also had my mother’s items that I never wore because they didn’t fit or were damaged, so Helen was just the right person to put them back into my life.

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am because it has really made a big difference to me. Helen’s such a sensitive person and she immediately picked up on how the jewellery fits into my psyche.

“She’s so good at keeping her clients informed of exactly what’s going on which is perfect for someone like me who can hardly let go of anything.”

For Vanessa it was also a way of giving something back to the Hospice.

She said: “I knew I needed to find a jeweller who was local to me, but once I saw that Annie’s Legacy had been set up by Helen, I couldn’t pick up the phone fast enough.

“There must be so many people who inherit things that either don’t fit, or who might think ‘that’s lovely, the stones in that brooch are beautiful, but I’d rather it were a ring on my finger.’ Helen would be the person to ask and she’s very knowledgeable.”

* To contact Helen email helen@helendimmick.com, or call 07939 047056.

Helen Adamson Walks for the Hospice

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Helen Adamson decided to branch out with her own fundraising once this year’s tree collection for East Cheshire Hospice was called off.

She walked an average of more than six miles every day last month, raising more than £3,500 in the process for the Hospice.

Helen explained: “It all started after a conversation with my husband Richard who helps with the tree collection each year.

“Once it was postponed, I decided to do something in a small way to help raise funds for the Hospice.

“It was also my 60th birthday last month, so I asked family and friends to donate to the Hospice instead of buying presents.

“I love walking and thought it’d be good to set myself a little challenge by walking at least three miles every day with a family member or friend in January.

“I ended up doing a lot more than that, completing 214 miles altogether. Two of my favourite walking routes are Hare Hill and Shutlingsloe.

“The support I’ve had has been incredible and every single pound raised will go to the Hospice which needs a lot of fundraising to provide its excellent care.”

Helen raised £6,000 for Macmillan last year by walking 26 miles around Coniston Water after she was unable to run the virtual London marathon due to spinal problems.

She was deputy manager of Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital before retiring in June last year.

* To sponsor Helen visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HelenAdamson2

Helen Adamson who walked an average of more than six miles each day in January. 

Claire Joins the Fundraising Team

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Claire Gorton will never forget the day she started her new job at East Cheshire Hospice.

Her arrival last month coincided with the announcement of the latest national lockdown.

It was not the news Claire and the fundraising team she had just joined wanted to hear, especially after such a frustrating year for the charity.

Claire, who is Community Fundraising Assistant, said: “The new lockdown came just as I started and in my first week it should have been our Christmas tree collection which was postponed unfortunately.

“It’s a difficult time to fundraise, but also such an important time to be fundraising. It’s going to be a challenge but that’s also exciting.

“There are plenty of ways people can fundraise without coming together. Supporters are getting more creative and adapting because of the way things are and coming up with fresh ideas.”

Claire Gorton with some of her ceramics.

Claire, from Nether Alderley, had her job interview last March with her appointment delayed by Covid-19.

Her previous job as a technical demonstrator at Quarry Bank involved explaining the cotton mill’s role in the Industrial Revolution.

She said:  “It was very interesting, I learned a lot there and it was a nice place to work. I demonstrated the old machinery for hand spinning and weaving, cotton processing and the spinning mule.

“I fell in love with storytelling and engaging the visitors, but fancied a new challenge. I saw the job advertised and enjoy talking to the public and felt it’d be exciting to get people engaged in raising money for the Hospice.”

Claire already had links with the charity, her mum Pat inspiring her to join its memory walks, while a close family friend was cared for at the Hospice.

Claire said: “I’ve been to the Hospice in a visiting capacity as well, so have that understanding of what it means to patients and their families at quite difficult times.”

Meanwhile, older brother Rob is undertaking a series of fundraising challenges, including a Hospice trek to the Sahara in November.

Claire has a degree in design crafts with ceramics her speciality.

She said:  “I’ve had a small business making and selling ceramics in my spare time since I graduated from university in 2016.

“I have a little shed on the family farm where I make my ceramics which I normally sell at places like the Treacle Market,  but that’s cancelled at the moment so I’ve been selling online.”

Claire Gorton in front the kiln in her shed with her ceramics.

Donations for Postponed Christmas Tree Collection

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

East Cheshire Hospice is hoping the public will let it keep donations made for the Christmas tree collection.

Refunds are available – or trees will be collected once lockdown eventually ends – but the Hospice hopes supporters will help ease its financial plight by not asking for donations to be returned.

However, it says it quite understands if people prefer a refund because trees cannot be collected on the weekend originally specified.

A Hospice statement said: “If you would like us to keep your kind donation towards the collection, you don’t need to do anything, and we thank you so much as this will make a real difference at this difficult time.

“If you would still like your tree to be collected on the re-arranged date, you don’t need to do anything, we will be in touch closer to the time with more information about this once a new date is safe and possible.

“If you would like a refund for your donation towards the Christmas tree collection campaign, please notify us by completing the form on our website.

“Please note, if we don’t hear from you to request a refund, your kind donation will be gratefully accepted and will make a real difference at this difficult time.

“Thank you for your continued support.”

To find out more about the postponed collection click here.

The recycling operation at an East Cheshire Hospice Christmas tree collection.

Christmas Tree Collection Postponed

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Devastated organisers have apologised after reluctantly calling off the East Cheshire Hospice Christmas tree collection.

The decision to cancel last weekend’s collection was forced upon organisers after the country went into a new national lockdown.

A refund will be offered to more than 6,000 customers who had registered their trees on the charity’s website www.echtrees.org.uk.

Donors can decline that option if they wish, helping the Hospice financially during the toughest time in its 32-year history.

Another option is for customers to have their trees collected once lockdown restrictions are lifted and it is safe to do so.

However, it is unclear when this later collection can take place because of uncertainty over the length of the latest lockdown period.

It is the first time in the scheme’s 21-year history the collection has not taken place. Four years ago it was delayed by a week because of bad weather.

Organisers desperately disappointed by having to make the decision insist the scheme will be back in full swing in 2022.

Volunteers helping at a previous collection.

The cancellation is another serious financial blow to the Hospice as the tree campaign is one of its flagship fundraising events of the year.

Months of meticulous planning had again gone into this year’s scheme.

Officials had carefully considered safety restrictions caused by Covid-19, with volunteers and driving teams kept in family/support bubbles.

Further discussions were then held after the end-of-year announcement that Cheshire was going into Tier 4, with the decision made that it was safe to continue.

However, any hopes the collection could still go ahead ended once the third lockdown was imposed.

Organisers immediately halted tree registrations before concluding the collection could not go ahead.

A Hospice statement said: “We’re truly sorry we’ve had to make this decision but the safety of our community and all involved in making the collection happen must come first. Therefore, we must postpone for a safer time and follow the government’s guidance to stay at home.

“This is a devastating blow to the Hospice after an extremely challenging year for fundraising, having been unable to hold a major fundraising event since the last Christmas Tree Collection in January 2020!

“The collection is one of our biggest annual campaigns generating vital funds that we rely on to continue to provide our care. ”

Volunteers before last year’s Christmas tree collection.

James Bunker – Christmas Tree Collection Volunteer

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

*Please note that the Christmas Tree Collection has now been postponed and some information in this article may be out of date. For more information click here.*

 

James Bunker was not even born when East Cheshire Hospice’s first Christmas tree collection took place in 2001.

But the teenager is now a key part of operations as the scheme celebrates its coming of age this weekend (Jan 9-10).

He was just 13 when he first volunteered for the collection with his dad Richard by joining the team on vans collecting trees for recycling.

James, who is 20 in March, is still out on the vans collecting trees each January, but is also increasingly involved in the planning and co-ordination process, assisting organisers Richard Raymond and Pete Chapman.

He was on the helpline before and after last year’s tree collection, spending the actual weekend on a round with his dad.

Richard and Pete began the pioneering collection which now collects around 7,500 trees and raises in excess of £100,000 for the Hospice each year.

James said: “Richard and Pete do an absolutely incredible job organising and co-ordinating the collection each year, spending more than three months on the event with all the planning.

“I’m still quite young, but I’m keen to do as much as I can to help them and pick up tips on how it works so that in future years I can help as much as is needed.

“The Hospice are keen to ensure the long-term sustainability of the collection to make sure it carries on for years to come as it’s such a vital part of their fundraising.”

James is a manager in Wilmslow for Mitchell’s and Butlers who operate pubs, bars and restaurants all over the UK. He also freelances as an event manager for large-scale public sporting events and  works on major Hospice fundraising events.

James Bunker and Richard Raymond, co-founder of the East Cheshire Hospice Christmas tree collection scheme.

Route planning company 121 Systems optimises journeys for the 40-strong fleet of vans, a service it provides voluntarily to more than 50 charities.

Managing director Chris Sisson said: “There are a number of reasons we help East Cheshire Hospice. The collection brings the community together, donations go directly towards caring for patients facing challenges at end-of-life and trees are recycled so there are also environmental benefits.”

The company is one of many providing support, including main sponsors AstraZeneca. Organisers are asking tree customers to be patient about collections of their tree due to Covid restrictions.

* For any queries email echtrees@echospice.org.uk or call the Customer Care Helpline 01625 708939.

Review of the Year – 2020

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Face shields, fundraising and a special farewell marked a year that East Cheshire Hospice will never forget.

End-of-life care became much harder because of Covid-19 which prevented the Hospice from holding a single mass-participation event in 2020.

Nurses showed amazing character and spirit – their brave efforts honoured during the emotional  Clap for Carers tributes each Thursday.

The community came together during lockdown, raising much-needed funds with all ages showing incredible acts of kindness and dedication.

Tytherington School pupil Finley Foote raised an incredible £5,515 running near his Bollington home, while another youngster George Bailey climbed 108,000 steps.

Many were inspired by fundraiser Carl Lamptey who received messages of support from musicians and sports stars.

Face shields flooded into the Hospice, along with other PPE equipment. Students and staff at Fallibroome Academy produced visors, while volunteer Shelagh Julian put her sewing skills to good use making masks.

Musician John Jones has spent more than 30 years cheering up patients playing his accordion. His performances have raised more than £300,000 for charity, including £89,000 for the Hospice.

John lost his wife June in March but was determined the show must go on in tribute to his biggest supporter.

The Hospice made two key appointments in 2020. Experienced BBC broadcaster Nick Robinson was appointed a Patron of the charity, which cared for his late father Robbie, while Edna Keefe became an Honorary Vice President.

The news came as she retired after 32 years’ service. Edna’s first job was to clean the Hospice before it even welcomed its first patient and she later worked in the laundry room.

The pandemic led to volunteers standing down temporarily, the Hospice hoping to welcome them all back in 2021.

 

Fallibroome Academy’s Catriona Beynon hard at work making visors.

 

Finley Foote and mum Sarah on one of their runs.

 

Edna Keefe (left) with former housekeeping colleague Christine Jenkins.

 

Nick Robinson who became a Hospice Patron in 2020.

 

Accordionist John Jones who has raised over £300,000 for charity.

 

Nurses taking part in the Clap for Carers.

Christmas Tree Collection Hopes For A Bumper year

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

A surge in Christmas tree sales could benefit the collection service run on behalf of East Cheshire Hospice.

Organisers are hoping the sales bonanza increases demand for their service on the weekend of January 9 and 10.

Co-organiser Richard Raymond said: “Sales are up 25 per cent nationally and that’s reflected locally as well. Talking to our tree sellers around the place they all seem to be doing very well.

“We’ve had such a rotten year and maybe people want to go out with a bang and have a proper Christmas.

“People aren’t going away either. They might have been going skiing, or to the sun or visiting relatives and normally wouldn’t have a tree but might have one this year.

“We’re envisaging a bumper year and hopefully  everyone knows we’re around. How good would that be for the Hospice if we could deliver a bumper year for them when they haven’t had any mass participation fundraising?”

The collection covers Macclesfield, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Bollington, Prestbury, Poynton, Congleton and Knutsford. The post codes CW12, SK9, SK10, SK11, SK12 and WA16.

The collection, sponsored by AstraZeneca, has been boosted by a £2,000 grant from Macclesfield Town Council’s finance committee.

A council spokesperson said: “The committee know how much hard work goes into organising the collection and wanted to show their support, especially in such a challenging year.”

Additional corporate support, including van sponsors, covers costs enabling donations to go straight to Hospice care.

* To register visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/echtrees/

Staff at the Ansa recycling plant in West Park at the 2019 Christmas tree collection.

JTAPE Competition Winner Amy Griffiths

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Nurses at East Cheshire Hospice are proudly displaying the artistic skills of one of their younger supporters Amy Griffiths.

The Sutton schoolgirl designed face shields which are being worn by Hospice staff.

Nurses at East Cheshire Hospice wearing the face shields designed by Amy.

Amy (14) won a competition run by Macclesfield company JTAPE which manufactures the PPE equipment and masking tape.

Art pupils at Fallibroome Academy were creative when teacher Dr Helen Jones told them about the competition.

Amy’s winning entry is decorated in rainbow colours with a smiley face and bears the words ‘After The Storm Comes the Rainbow’ – a message of hope amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Art student Amy Griffiths who won a design competition run by JTAPE.

Amy received a £25 Amazon gift voucher and could choose where 100 of her face shields were distributed.

There was only one destination for Amy who earlier raised £70 for the Hospice where her  late grandmother Pat Bailey was a patient.

Amy set up a stall on a public footpath near her home and sold her painted rocks, asking walkers to donate via an honesty box.

Amy said: “I wanted the face shields to be simple and make people smile. Everyone has been through a lot with the pandemic, so I wanted them to be bright and colourful and bring happiness.

“I love art and was amazed I won the competition and automatically chose the Hospice.”

Amy’s painted rocks which raised £70 for East Cheshire Hospice.

Mum Emma said: “My mum died 15 years ago and attended the Sunflower Centre. The Hospice has always been close to our hearts and we’re delighted Amy has acknowledged the support it gave our family.”

Light Up A Life Virtual Service

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

The Chaplain of East Cheshire Hospice, Margaret Lillis, will deliver a Christmas message of hope during the Light Up A Life service on Saturday (Dec 5).

The ceremony – streamed via Zoom and Facebook Live from 3 pm – will be even more poignant this year.

Margaret said: “Our message from the Hospice to everyone, is one of support, encouragement and above all, hope. It’s been a year no-one could ever have imagined and has brought sadness and anxiety on a scale never known.

“We at the Hospice acknowledge this and offer the hand of friendship, support and understanding to everyone and anyone we can reach.

“We’re very much aware that our physical contact has been curtailed throughout this pandemic, but that certainly doesn’t mean that our level of concern and compassion is in any way diminished.

“Slowly but surely we’re working hard to continue building and strengthening the bonds between ourselves and anyone who’s had dealings with the Hospice.

“Next year we hope to reach out and support even more people whose experience of pain and loss was made even more severe by restrictions in place due to Covid 19.”

The annual Light Up a Life remembrance service, conducted from the Hospice Chapel this year, is as always open to the general public.

The service allows people to pause and reflect on an extraordinary 2020.

Margaret said: “Despite all the pain, loss and distress of this past year, perhaps we can recognise some positive aspects?  Maybe we’ve re-learned to appreciate those we love and to have more consideration for our neighbours.

“Maybe we know more than we ever did before that we can take nothing for granted. Maybe we now have a deeper understanding of gratitude and realise  – sometimes painfully –  that life is precious and all the good things of life are pure gift.

“With this in mind, let us go forward together, sharing the light of faith, hope and love with confidence and generosity.”

To register for the Zoom link visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/lual/. A recording of the service will be available for those unable to watch live.

To watch on social media go to the Hospice Facebook page at 3 pm on Saturday.

Margaret Lillis, Chaplain at East Cheshire Hospice, who will deliver an online Light Up A Life service on Saturday.

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