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Firefighter Adam Davies takes on golf challenge

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Firefighter Adam Davies chose a flaming hot day to tackle a gruelling golf challenge.

Adam played 72 holes in a single day at Shrigley Hall Hotel and Spa to raise funds for East Cheshire Hospice.

Firefighter Adam Davies who played golf continuously for almost 15 hours.

He teed off at 5 am and did not sink the final putt of his four rounds until 7.45 pm before dashing off for a meeting of his explorer scout group.

Adam joined around 70 fellow members in a Longest Day tournament organised by Shrigley Hall as part of its support for the Hospice.

The 18 handicap golfer, from Macclesfield, said: “I was glad it was a hot sunny day rather than wet and was tired towards the end after almost 15 hours on the course. The challenge took 44,281 steps to complete.

Adam Davies on his 72-hole marathon.

“I usually take on a sporting challenge for charity every year and when I found out the club was supporting the Hospice decided to walk and play 72 holes to raise money for them.

“My aim was to take fewer than 400 shots and thankfully only needed 388, losing eight golf balls in the process.”

After little rest, Adam was back at Macclesfield fire station early the next morning for his shift.

He said: ” I love being a firefighter and it’s a great job. It can be seen by some as brutal, but it’s very rewarding.”

The night before he played golf, he even led explorers from 1st Sutton St James’ on a seven-mile hike from the Cat and Fiddle pub back to their scout hut. Wife Rebecca Clulow and cocker spaniel Chester joined them.

Adam said: “I’m a busy person and like being busy. In fact, I hate sitting down so golf and walking is the best of both worlds for me.

“I played at Macclesfield as a junior and then fell out of love with the game before getting back into it, joining Shrigley in March. The course is in great condition and the green staff do an excellent job.”

* To sponsor Adam visit justgiving.com/Adam-Davies72.

Art Fair Cheshire Success

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Art Fair Cheshire returned in style with art lovers hailing its success.

The prestigious exhibition, run by volunteers and in aid of East Cheshire Hospice, ended on Sunday (June 5).

Visitors admired over 1,000 pieces of artwork, including a display by Bollington artist Sue Asbury whose exhibit won a Cheshire Life award.

Artist Jennie Gaywood with her work on display at Art Fair Cheshire 2022

Judges included Hannah Williamson, from Macclesfield, curator at Manchester Art Gallery for 11 years.

Hannah said: “The standard of exhibits at this year’s fair was once again of the highest quality showing the immense artistic talent out there.”

Artists donated at least 40 per cent of sales to the Hospice which will help support its art therapy unit, run by Fay Mitchell, who was also a judge.

Art Fair Cheshire, with AstraZeneca and Little Greene as headline sponsors, was last held in 2019.

From left, judge Hannah Williamson; Art Fair co-chair Georgie Johnson; Cheshire Life editor Joanne Goodwin;  Art Fair co-chair Steven Dalton and East Cheshire Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston.

Co-chair Georgie Johnson said: “We’re very lucky to work with some fantastically creative and talented people. We’d like to thank our sponsors, volunteers, artists and curators for supporting the Hospice.”

Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston said: “The galleries are amazing. An unbelievable amount of voluntary work has gone into staging the event and I’d like to thank all those involved.

“The Hospice only receives 12 per cent of its income from the NHS and needs to raise the rest, so this is one of the major events in our fundraising calendar.”

Exhibitors included Celia Davies, from Whalley, Lancashire, who runs art classes on cruise ships. She said: “This is my first visit here and having exhibits helps raise the profile of my work.”

An oil painting called ‘A Dream in Motion’ by Lara Balcerzak, from Manchester, featured in an emerging artists gallery. Lara said: “I’ve always wanted to be an artist and got my art degree in 2019.  It’s nice to have my work displayed at such a prestigious art fair.”

Winners of the Cheshire Life gallery awards, presented by editor Joanne Goodwin, were:

Assembly Gallery: Ghislaine Howard, Olga Geoghegan, Sue Asbury. Capesthorne Gallery: Francesca de Campora, Rachel Cooke. Emerging Artists: Sarah-Joy Ford.

Artwork on display in Macclesfield Town Hall

Shrigley golf day and ECH drink

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

A tasty colourful cocktail is giving a special kick to Shrigley Hall’s charity push this year.

The Shrigley Sunflower was created by Andy Gaskell, head bartender at the hotel and spa, to celebrate the venue’s support for East Cheshire Hospice.

The drink – vodka, peach snaps, pineapple and orange juice, lemonade and a touch of Blue Curacao – is named in honour of the charity’s well-known floral emblem.

Head bartender Andy Gaskell with his Shrigley Sunflower cocktail.

From left, Shrigley Hall marketing manager Tim Hudspith, Hospice corporate fundraiser Lisa Ball, hotel bartender Andy Gaskell, assistant financial controller Alistair Brown and general manager Vicky Marshman.

Shrigley Hall has chosen East Cheshire as its nominated charity of the year and wants to mark its support in style.

A golf event on Tuesday, June 21, starts at 5 am with the last tee off time at 5 pm to take advantage of the extra sunlight.

The Longest Day Golf Open is open to members and non-members.  The individual event will be played over the rolling hills at Shrigley Hall, regarded as one of the most scenic courses in Cheshire.

Food and drink is included in the £40 entry fee with on-course prizes. To enter call 01625 575626 or email golfpro@shirgleyhallhotelandspa.co.uk.

The hotel is hoping customers will also support its commitment to the charity in other ways as well.

An optional £1 charitable contribution will be made from a brochure which lists different walking routes around Pott Shrigley village and beyond. Guests use the hotel as a base to enjoy popular challenging woodland walks.

The hotel will also invite guests to round up accommodation bills with the difference donated to the Hospice.

In addition, eight staff members have volunteered to tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge in September. To sponsor them visit justgiving.com/fundraising/vicky-marshman1.

Hotel general manager Vicky Marshman said: “We’re excited to be raising funds for East Cheshire Hospice throughout the year and are hoping our customers will also play their part in supporting us in various ways.

“The magnificent facilities at Shrigley Hall Hotel and Spa attract guests from near and far and we all recognise the wonderful work done by the Hospice for its patients, their families and carers.

“We’ve a record number of golf members who’ve traditionally supported the Hospice and we’re inviting golfers, including societies, to enjoy our stunning course by playing in our Longest Day Golf Open.”

Shrigley Hall, with 155 bedrooms, opened a new spa facility with an outdoor infinity pool in 2020.

The historic hall, built nearly 200 years ago, was converted into a hotel, spa and golf resort in 1989.

East Cheshire Hospice’s new corporate fundraiser

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

The newest recruit to the fundraising team at East Cheshire Hospice is the familiar face of Lisa Ball.

She rejoins the charity as Corporate Fundraiser two and a half years after leaving to travel the world.

Lisa had spent six years in various roles at East Cheshire and will focus on building up relations with the corporate world.

East Cheshire Hospice’s new corporate fundraiser Lisa Ball enjoying canal boat life.

Lisa said: “I saw how corporate fundraising was developed when I was here before and am really excited by the challenge.

“We have a strong group of loyal corporate supporters and my aim is to further develop that  relationship with them and get more corporates on board.

“We have our 500 Club in which supporters pledge to raise at least £500 a year for three years and our annual Corporate Challenge when groups raise as much as possible in a month.”

Lisa rejoins from St Ann’s Hospice where she was Individual Giving and Legacy Fundraiser.

She is also back in a familiar domestic environment, having bought another canal boat to live on.

Lisa said: “I sold my first boat to go travelling and have bought another which I’m renovating. Boats can be a cheaper way of living and you’d think it’s quite cold, but it’s not and I’ve a wood burner to  keep warm.

“The boat is peaceful but there are more maintenance jobs to do, though my boyfriend knows how to fix engines and electrical systems so if I ever need anything he sorts it.

“The boat is like a cosy one-bedroom flat.”

Lisa’s travels took her to Asia and Australia, spending four months in Melbourne where she worked for a sky diving club.

Lisa has completed more than 160 parachute jumps and is qualified to jump solo.

“I was at ground control for a sky diving drop zone, making sure everyone landed safely and the plane had a clear drop.

“The drop zone was next to an airport, so I had to make sure no other aircraft were coming through our area.”

Her best friend was involved in sky diving accident, though not on Lisa’s watch.

Lisa said: “She’s an experienced sky diver and instructor, but misjudged the wind completely and smashed her ankle, landing in the middle of a main road after her canopy clipped a lamppost.”

Thankfully, her friend has recovered and Lisa has enjoyed a safe landing back among the income generation team at the Hospice.

Corporate Challenge Raises £13,533 for Hospice Bereavement Services

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

A bumper sum of £13,533 raised in the Corporate Challenge run by East Cheshire Hospice will help fund the Hospice’s bereavement services.

Firms had to raise as much as possible from a £100 start-up loan during May.

The proceeds will provide much-needed support to expand a bereavement service in greater demand because of Covid-19.

Corporate Fundraiser Chrissie Hunter said: “It’s been a tough 18 months for businesses so to raise such an impressive amount is incredible.

“We want to thank everyone for their ideas and efforts to make it happen, including those who generously supported fundraising initiatives.”

Clear winners of the fun competition were Kuehne+Nagel with £6,008, while the prize for the most creative team went to Equilibrium Financial Planning with a nine million step challenge from Manchester to the Equator.

Raffles and wine tasting also contributed towards their donation of £2,621. Not far behind were recruitment firm Leap 29 with ideas including a doggy day care and a three peaks challenge.

Highlights for Spirit Medical Communications included a movie quiz and Eurovision sweepstake.

Chess ICT filled tubes of Smarties with coins as part of their commitment, while staff at Pan European Networks ran a 5k and held a bingo lunch hour in their month of fundraising.

Kuehne+Nagel’s Corporate Challenge in Memory of Neil Robinson

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Friends and colleagues of Neil Robinson raised a toast to his memory with a drop of gin, his favourite tipple.

Drink and cakes were sold by colleagues at global logistics company Kuehne+Nagel where Air Logistics Commercial Director Neil spent his entire career.

It was part of a fundraising challenge, which raised £6,008 in just one month for East Cheshire Hospice where Neil, from Macclesfield, died of cancer in 2019, aged 53.

 

Neil Robinson with his favourite drink of gin.

 

Former team-mates at Bollington Cricket Club, family and friends, plus Hospice staff placed online orders to support the venture.

Close friend Gareth Prosser, National Operational Care Manager in the same section, organised Kuehne+Nagel’s involvement in a Corporate Challenge run by the Hospice.

Gareth said: “Neil was universally loved by colleagues up and down the country and had a positive impact on everyone he met.

“His family were delighted that we remembered him this way. They’re a very close family and every minute at the Hospice was precious for them, allowing them to make the most of that time together.

“As soon as Neil’s name is attached to a fundraising event everyone jumps on it, especially when it means all they have to do is eat, drink, be merry and reminisce!

“His favourite drink was gin so we ordered bottles with a bespoke flavour from Inspirited Gin, and then decided to add beer and cakes to the offering to appeal to all tastes.

“Inspirited kindly gave us discount on the gin, postage and also matched the profit from the gin, a donation worth about £600.

“Brewhouse and Kitchen gave a reduced rate for beer, while Biscotti Box supplied boxes of brownies and blondies.”

Over 75 bottles of gin were sold, along with 100 boxes of brownies and 50 kegs of beer with orders coming from as far south as Cornwall and as north as Scotland.”

A signed limited edition vinyl record donated by Manchester band The Slow Readers Club also raised £200 in a raffle.

The Hospice was invited to address almost 200 colleagues at a Kuehne+Nagel drop-in virtual meeting.

Hospice representatives spoke about the care it provides free of charge to patients in the community with life-limiting illnesses.

The meeting was attended by Kuehne+Nagel’s Managing Director Brian Cox who fully supported the fundraising activity and helped take the total to more than £6,000.

 

Kuehne+Nagel staff (from left) Gareth Prosser, Matthew Barton, Tim Webb and Matthew Brett.

40,000 Jabs with Help of Hospice Staff

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

More than 40,000 Covid vaccinations have been carried out at Andrews Pharmacy this year – many of them by nurses from East Cheshire Hospice.

Hospice staff have joined retired GPs and retired nurses, pharmacists and a paramedic giving jabs at the pharmacy on Kennedy Avenue, Macclesfield.

Every Tuesday two nurses from the Sunflower Centre, which had to close during the pandemic, have administered doses, with the Hospice compensated for loaning staff.

It is part of a huge vaccine roll-out at Andrews, one of the first three community pharmacies nationwide to begin inoculations in mid-January.

The operation has involved more than 170 staff and volunteers, with up to 600 jabs a day. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was given until mid-May when the Pfizer jab was added for under 40s.

Lindsey Rial, HR and Business Manager at Andrews, said: “It’s been non-stop and the first few weeks were relentless but it’s been so rewarding. The look on people’s faces when they come for their vaccine makes it all so worthwhile.

“We had to apply to become a vaccine clinic and prove we could do it. Obviously, we’ve kept our core business going, running the dispensary so customers can collect prescriptions as normal.

“With such a big logistical challenge, including car parking and marshalling, there were bound to be minor bumps along the way but the positives far outweigh the negatives.

“Effectively, we had to cut the shop in two – one half for the pharmacy and the other a waiting area, fielding calls and giving jabs.

“We’ve vaccinated seven days a week on occasions and may carry on giving the Covid vaccine until March after we’ve also handed out flu jabs. ”

Andrews donated surgical masks to the Hospice early in the pandemic and held a live Zoom concert which raised £2,000 for the charity. A bake sale is also planned.

The independent pharmacy also vaccinated Hospice staff unable to attend NHS slots. The business was founded by Andrew Hodgson more than 30 years ago and also has shops on London Road and in Tytherington.

Andrews offered a free delivery service to those shielding at the start of the pandemic, with scout leaders among its many volunteers.

Lindsey said: “We want to thank everyone for their amazing help. It’s a great team effort and we’re delighted to have supported the Hospice and worked so closely with them.”

Lindsey Rial, HR and Business Manager at Andrews Pharmacy, with medicines counter assistant Sally Shaw behind the dispensary.

Local Businesses Provide Support For Delayed Christmas Tree Collection

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Loyal businesses continue to play a key part helping the East Cheshire Hospice tree collection scheme run smoothly.

Cheshire Vehicle Rental has been providing vans for the last 18 years, while Bosley-based King Feeders has been lending shredders for 16 years.

The mulching machines, operated by Ansa Environmental Services staff at West Park, have recycled trees into compost for parks, gardens and Cheshire farmland.

Andrew Billing has owned King Feeders, suppliers of agricultural machinery, for more than 45 years.

He said: “The Hospice does great work caring for people with life-limiting illnesses and we’re delighted we can help the tree collection campaign raise much-needed funds.”

Managing director John Kirkby, who started Cheshire Vehicle Rental more than 50 years ago, said: “Our company is full of admiration for the volunteers who put so much effort in on behalf of the charity and we’re extremely proud to be involved in such a great local cause.

“The Hospice is self-funding and depends on contributions from our community to continue with this vital role of care and support for those in need. Let’s all pull together to ensure the Hospice meets its required objectives.”

Richard Raymond, co-founder of the collection scheme now in its 21st year, said: “We get lots of assistance  in many different ways and the long-standing support of these two companies shows the affection held for the Hospice. We thank them for their commitment.”

Catherine Mooney from Cheshire Vehicle Rental which has been supporting the Christmas tree collection since 2003.

Neptune Shop Donates Flower Display

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Patients at East Cheshire Hospice are the latest to enjoy a beautiful floral display which helped bring a splash of colour to Knutsford town centre.

The arrangement now has pride of place in the lush Hospice gardens which provide a relaxing haven for patients and visitors.

The flowers were donated by new furniture, kitchen and home interiors store Neptune Knutsford which created a week-long display on Princess Street, by St John’s Parish Church, to spread a touch of happiness amid the Covid gloom.

Each of the company’s 27 stores nationwide took part in a campaign called #lovelytoseeyouagain  with the flowers, placed in barrels, then donated to a local good cause.

Neptune, which recently opened its newest store on Chelford Road, Ollerton, chose the Hospice in Macclesfield as the flowers’ final destination.

Neptune Knutsford Store Leader Joanna Makant said: “Neptune placed the displays close to each of our stores with the aim of bringing a little cheer and joy after what everyone’s gone through.

“The flowers were something for passers-by to enjoy and we’re delighted they’re now being appreciated by patients at East Cheshire Hospice.

“It’s a lovely charity and covers the area of many of our customers.  The garden there is so pretty  and is overlooked by rooms on the ward, allowing patients and visitors to sit outside and enjoy the scenery. The flowers are artificial so will have a much longer life.”

Neptune Knutsford opened in November 2020 and sells beautiful furniture for the kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom and bathroom as well as home accessories.

The Hospice is the second-lowest funded in the country, receiving only 17 per cent of income from government. The charity, which costs £7,500 a day to run, provides care for patients with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers, free of charge.

Neptune Knutsford Store Leader Joanna Makant (left) and East Cheshire Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston with the floral display at the Hospice.

Corporate Challenge to Fund Bereavement Services

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Bereavement services run by East Cheshire Hospice will benefit from the next Corporate Challenge in May.

Firms and other organisations are being urged to sign up for the fun competition in which entrants  raise as much as possible from a £100 start-up loan.

All proceeds will go towards the expansion of the Hospice’s bereavement services for which demand has increased because of Covid-19.

East Cheshire Hospice’s Bereavement Services Lead Helen Wilkinson said: “People are more isolated and their grief compounded by restrictions, meaning they can’t hug, meet a friend, or catch up like they did.

“Some people try to squash their emotions, or keep busy, before realising there’s a problem and they can’t cope. We’re seeing that now and the delayed reaction means we’re likely to see it in the future as well.

“We encourage people to talk about it, be open and seek help. Everyone has different experiences and Covid and lockdown has heightened emotions.

“Those grieving shouldn’t wear a mask metaphorically and friends, relatives and society can help by  listening and offer empathy.  Bereavement is hard anyway.  Now more than ever, people are recognising the need for support.”

Helen Wilkinson, Bereavement Services Lead at East Cheshire Hospice.

Last year’s Corporate Challenge raised £12,226 and was won by Equilibrium Financial Planning which has also entered this time, along with Leap 29. All profit made by teams during May is donated to the Hospice.

* For more details go to www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/corporate-challenge

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