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Lbs 4 £s Success

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Banana and blueberry Belgian waffles – just one of the tasty treats served up during an East Cheshire Hospice health drive.

Sharing recipes, weight loss tips and new walking routes were all part of Lbs 4 £s, the Hospice’s 12-week fitness programme.

The initiative has raised £2,055 so far with the waffles earning Emma Machin the award for the tastiest looking breakfast.

Natalie Catterall raised £570 and shed almost two and a half stones after giving up chocolate, crisps, biscuits and cakes.

Natalie, whose late mum Hilary Woolliscroft was a Hospice patient, was not even tempted by a tipple of her favourite G and T.

Natalie Catterall and her late mum Hilary.

Natalie, a school business manager, said: “Dieting wasn’t easy but I didn’t veer from it and the fact I was raising money for the Hospice kept me on the straight and narrow.

“I had made the commitment and didn’t cheat and our group really enjoyed sharing experiences and tips via Facebook.

“I would get out of breath going up the stairs, but feel so much better now. It’s given me confidence to go to the gym and I might run a half marathon next year. I’ve completed a garden project with a lot of manual labour and couldn’t have done that before.”

Karen Hodkinson won the award for the most social media posts about her journey.

Hospice Events Assistant Bethan Wade said: “The aim was to lose weight, eat more healthily, improve fitness and well-being, or simply support the Hospice and everyone supported each other.”

Stay In And Go All Out!

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Running, cycling, baking, dancing or singing…examples of activities that will help East Cheshire Hospice during the virus crisis.

The Hospice is urging the public to join its Virtual Challenge – which has the slogan ‘stay in and go all out’ – as it tries to raise £1m.

Individuals and groups are encouraged to visit its website eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/virtual-challenge to register their own fundraising challenges for his new initiative.

The appeal is being made amid the Covid-19 pandemic which will result in lost revenue of around £1m for the Hospice from cancelled events.

Action from last year’s Splash Out which is one of the fundraising events cancelled by East Cheshire Hospice.

Events Assistant Bethan Wade said: “We realise it’s a difficult time for everyone, but with time on their hands our Virtual Challenge is a simple and easy way to raise money for the Hospice.

“It could be a run round the garden, baking a cake, or even a London to Paris bike ride for anyone who might have an exercise bike and can perhaps build their daily outdoor exercise into the journey.

“There are many ways of raising money and it doesn’t have to be a sports activity. For instance, it could be a karaoke session, a danceathon or a quiz.”

Bethan Wade, Events Assistant at East Cheshire Hospice.

Community Fundraising Manager Carley Macey is organising the first Hospice Virtual Quiz on Friday, April 17, (7.30 pm) and has set up a Virtual Balloon Race this weekend.

Balloons, costing £3 each, are launched from Jerusalem on Easter Sunday and the one which travels the furthest in a straight line in a week wins £500. Second prize is an Apple iPad and 10 runners up each collect £10 book tokens.

Balloons will follow a simulated flight pattern based on the actual weather during the race. Supporters can buy as many balloons as they wish and the leading 100 balloons can be tracked via the race homepage. Enter at www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/easter-virtual-balloon-race

The Hospice had received more than £40,000 in donations in the first 10 days since it was forced to cancel its fundraising events.

Bethan said:  “We’ve had an amazing response so far, but this total is just a fraction of the revenue we’ve lost. The virus has had a major impact on the Hospice but we know the community will get behind us.”

Patient care is unaltered thanks to dedicated nursing staff and healthcare assistants who are using tablets and phones to link up patients as family visits are now severely restricted.

Hospice Events on Hold

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

East Cheshire Hospice has called off several major fundraising events because of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Activities have either been postponed or cancelled, leaving the charity without the funds on which it normally relies.

Next month’s Light Up The Night memory walk at Adlington Hall is one of the casualties and has been put back until Friday, September 11.

This year’s Splash Out event scheduled for July has been cancelled altogether.

Splash Out action from 2019. This year’s event has been cancelled.

Meanwhile, the charity’s Spring Ball which was on Friday (March 27) has been delayed to a future date.

Organisers will wait to confirm whether Tough Woofer at Capesthorne Hall on Sunday, October 18, goes ahead.

Hospice event organisers said: “Unfortunately, due to the current situation and Government advice, some of our important fundraising events have had to be cancelled or postponed.

“This is the last thing we want to do as so much hard work and organisation goes into these events and, of course, the money raised through them is essential in keeping the doors of your local Hospice open.

“However, the safety and well-being of our patients, staff, volunteers and our community is the highest priority and with this in mind we’ve had to make changes.”

Registrations for postponed events will be valid for the new date.

Those unable to attend, or who have registered for a cancelled event, are asked to consider leaving the money to the Hospice as a donation. Refunds are available via events@echospice.org.uk.

Light Up The Night’s NEW LOCATION!

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

We are reminding supporters that the venue for Light Up The Night has changed this year.

Our popular memory walk will be staged at Adlington Hall instead of Capesthorne Hall, venue for the last six years.

* From left, Nicky Holmes, Ollie Stubbens, Georgie Vaughan and Toby Beesley at the 2019 Light Up The Night.  

The event will be held on Friday, April 24, starting at 7 pm.

An Early Bird offer of £16 for adults and £11 for children (aged up to 18) has been extended until Thursday, March 19.

The dusk-time woodland walk, sponsored by Ford dealers Sidney Jackson, is over a one-kilometre course.

Participants can complete the route as often as they wish before 9 pm.

* Army Cadets who acted as marshalls at last year’s Light Up The Night walk.

Events Manager Beth Candy said: “We’ll have the usual music, entertainment and refreshment stalls and this year there’s a few additions to the evening, including our Memory Tree.

“Bring a picture or momento with you that you can tie to our Memory Tree along with a special message for a beautiful tribute to those we love but are no longer with us.”

Gates open at 6 pm and walkers can also take decorated lanterns, or collect them from the Hospice on the evening.

* For more details visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/light-up-the-night/

 

Anna Rains

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Grandmother Anna Rains has moved home an incredible 46 times, living on boats, a converted bus, in a caravan and a haunted Cheshire farmhouse.

Her nomadic lifestyle is long gone and she is a permanent fixture at Art Fair Cheshire which she set up in 1998.

Anna was chair of the Hospice 10th Anniversary Fundraising Appeal to build the Sunflower Centre. Her team raised £300,000 and one of her ideas was to hold an Art Exhibition.

Friend Liz Taylor-Webb, mentored by L.S. Lowry, was the first artist Anna asked to exhibit.

A signed print of a painting by HRH Prince Charles fetched £3,000 at auction at that first Fair. Overall, nearly £400,000 has been donated to the Hospice.

Anna said: “I’ve moved into the background now and love talking to the artists.  A new generation have taken over successfully and I’ve spent a lot of money over the years on artwork.

“With dedicated helpers, I’ve made thousands of canapes since the first exhibition.  We handed out about 1,500, which flew off the plates, at the last Art Fair.”

Anna has lived locally since 1983 and still helps the biennial exhibitions.

She has seen tremendous changes and professional advancements.  “I’ve always enjoyed art, especially traditional work, but I’m a better writer than an artist.”

She wrote a book entitled Will You Take the Dogs or the Diamonds? chronicling her life and family history.  The title was inspired by a remark between her grandparents before a long train journey.

Anna Rains with the book about her life.

“The book is about my mad family.  My mother was pretty eccentric.  She sent me off with a one-way ticket to Hong Kong, waving goodbye and telling me to go and see the world.  I was 19 then.

“Born in London, we moved to Wales when I was three weeks old to escape the War and moved into a remote cottage without sanitation, running water or electricity.  Wishing to travel to Sussex, my parents bought a bus.  I was four and we were moved on by the police because we weren’t bona fide showmen.

“Joining a funfair and a circus sorted that and we put posters up at night on other people’s properties.”

In 1969, Anna moved to California at the height of hippies and flower power. “My life hasn’t always been easy – but it has been interesting,” said Anna, who was convinced she shared one of her homes with a ghost.

Anna Rains at last year’s Art Fair.

Sidney Jackson Ford Continue Their Support

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Well known family business Sidney Jackson & Son Ltd is celebrating its centenary year by once again showing support for East Cheshire Hospice.

The car dealership is sponsoring two of our major fundraising events – the Light Up The Night memory walk and Spring Ball.

The company has operated from the same location in Butley, near Macclesfield, since it was established in 1920.

Back then it sold tractors to the local farming community before adding a coach service and garage repairs.

In 1955 it became a Ford car dealership and under Jimmy Jackson – Sidney’s son – the company went on to sell thousands of cars.

Jimmy died in 2014 and the family tradition is being maintained by his son Tim, now the company MD.

From left, Company Accountant Steve Sandiford,  Jimmy Jackson and General Manager Liam Riley pictured in 2013.

Light Up The Night will be held at Adlington Hall, a short drive from the car showroom, on Friday, April 24, from 7 pm. The company is sponsoring the event for the fourth year.

Liam Riley, General Manager at Sidney Jackson, said: “Jimmy was always a proud supporter of East Cheshire Hospice and we knew also from many of our customers the importance of the charity to our community.

“Our business shares that compassion and commitment and are delighted to support the charity again.”

Jimmy was a parish councillor in Prestbury for 35 years, working hard to preserve the village’s architecture, beauty and sense of community.

His wife Thelma was the last Mayor of the Borough of Macclesfield in 2008 and is a big Hospice supporter.

Light Up the Night has an Early Bird offer of £16 for adults and £11 for children (aged up to 18)  available until Friday, March 13.

* For more details visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/light-up-the-night/

Tickets are still available for the Spring Ball in a marquee at Alderley Edge Cricket Club on Friday, March 27.

Tickets cost £70 each, or £700 for a table of 10. This includes a welcome drink on arrival and a three course meal. The event starts at 7 pm, with carriages at 1 am. Dress code is black tie.

* Go to eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/springball20/ or call 01625 433477 or email events@echospice.org.uk.

Kate Bowmar, Corporate Fundraiser at the Hospice, said: “We’d like to thank Sidney Jackson for their continued support and wish them every success in their centenary year. They are very much part of the fabric of the community like the Hospice.”

Jimmy and Sidney Jackson outside their original two-car showroom. Their first cars were a Ford Popular and a Zephyr.

Dean from Silk Events

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

From left, Dean Holmes with helpers Sean Worth and Sam Staddard at last year’s Light Up The Night.

 

Host Dean Holmes enjoys appearing on stage as front man at fundraising events for East Cheshire Hospice.

His next gig for the charity is the Light Up The Night in April when he will be warming up the crowd before a memory walk at Adlington Hall.

The Macclesfield DJ has been out on the road for almost 14 years, hosting birthday parties, weddings and other celebrations.

Dean said: “It was a great honour to be asked early last year to help the Hospice, especially as I’ve had family and friends who’ve been treated there.

“It’s a cause close to my heart  and there’s always a lovely family atmosphere at their events. I feel as though I’m giving something back.”

Dean runs Silk Events and has a mobile bar available for events, many of which are in aid of charities while friend Sean Worth helps him at Hospice events.

It means that Dean works every Friday and Saturday night with Broken Cross Club one of his regular haunts.

Dean said: “It means a lot of unsocial hours but that’s the nature of my job and my fiancee Bethan and our two sons Archie (6) and Max(3) are very understanding.”

His company won the Silk FM Local Hero Award for Business of the Year in 2019 for their charitable work.

Light Up The Night 2020!

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Light Up The Night is coming this spring with Adlington Hall its new location.

Our memory walk will be held in the grounds of the beautiful country house on Friday, April 24, starting at 7 pm.

The event has been switched from Capesthorne Hall , venue for this popular fundraiser for the last six years.

The annual celebration evening is a unique opportunity to remember lost loved ones.

Entries are now open and we hope walkers will again turn up in their droves to raise much-needed funds through sponsorship.

The walk, sponsored by Ford dealers Sidney Jackson, is over a one-kilometre course and organisers are confident the change of venue will attract even more families.

Events Manager Beth Candy said: “We wanted something different this year and I’m sure we’ll get another big turnout from our loyal supporters.

“Capesthorne Hall is a terrific setting and is still very much part of our plans for some of our other big fundraising events.

“The course at Adlington is shorter and we’ve got lots of activities planned to help make it a night to remember. Gates open at 6 pm and we’ve lots of exciting things in store to keep the family entertained.”

Participants can complete the route as often as they want with the last lap at 9 pm.

Entrants are urged to take advantage of an Early Bird offer of £16 for adults and £11 for children (aged up to 18) which is available until Friday, March 13.

Features include a Memory Tree, lanterns, a fire pit and bands entertaining the crowds, plus usual stalls and refreshments.

Beth said: “The idea of the Memory Tree is that people bring along ribbons, or a picture of a loved one being remembered.

“These can be added to our dedicated Memory Tree, along with a special written message, or left elsewhere along the route.  Walkers can also bring decorated lanterns, or collect them from us on the night.”

It is worth noting that the registration fee only covers the cost of staging the event so we ask entrants to raise sponsorship if possible. Donations will go directly towards funding patient care which costs £7,500 a day.

To register and for more details, including how to set up a Just Giving page, visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/light-up-the-night/

Light Up The Night 2019

Swapping Lbs for £s!

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Generous patients bringing chocolates and other sweets into the Sunflower Centre at East Cheshire Hospice has not helped Angela Dooley’s waistline.

A less active lifestyle since she semi-retired four years ago has also seen the Macclesfield nurse put on a few pounds.

Hence her decision to join Lbs 4 £s – a three-month fitness, weight loss and well-being programme run by the Hospice.

Angela (63) works as a bank nurse at its Day Care centre after retiring from her job as a theatre sister  at Macclesfield District General Hospital.

She said: “Work is a little more sedentary than when I was dashing round in the hospital and I’m only at the Hospice around six days each month.

“The Hospice patients are so generous with chocolates and gifts and it’s hard to resist, whereas in an operating theatre you’re obviously less visible.

My husband Peter and I also love holidays when it’s hard to watch what you’re eating and we love food. I’m looking forward to Lbs 4 £s and I’m sure it’ll make a difference.”

To sponsor Angela visit justgiving.com/fundraising/angela-dooley2

 

Nurse Angela Dooley aiming to get fit.

 

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A DESIRE to lose weight also prompted Natalie Catterall to sign up.

Natalie, a school business manager, is indebted to the Hospice for the care it provided for her late mum Hilary Woolliscroft who died in November 2017.

Hilary (71) was a primary school swimming teacher in Macclesfield, an avid Macclesfield Town fan and attended the charity’s Living Well programme before she became an inpatient.

Natalie said: “Mum’s visits to the Sunflower Centre were of huge benefit and so important to her. The Hospice is an amazing place and I can’t begin to describe how well she was looked after and the after-care we received.

“When she died it was very difficult to walk away from the hospice building because we’d developed a huge attachment to both the staff and the whole hospice ethos.  Since mum’s death we have taken part in several fundraising events as we felt it was important to try to give something back.”

“I’m not fit and need to lose some weight. Dieting for a week or two wouldn’t be enough and the 12-week focus of this fitness programme is perfect. I can’t wait to get started.”

To sponsor Natalie go to justgiving.com/fundraising/natalie-catterall2

To take part visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/lbs4pounds/

Natalie Catterall and her late mum Hilary.

Gathering – The Perfect Valentines Gift

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Forget a red rose for your loved one on Valentine’s Day. Instead, buy a red velvet decoration which will last forever.

 

East Cheshire Hospice is selling the final pieces of Gathering, a unique installation which was on display at Tatton Park last year.

 

Demand for the item has already been high with the striking designs adorning many homes and offices.

 

The hope is that with romance in the air on February 14 it will persuade more people to take up the offer and at the same time treasure memories.

 

The art work was created by international artist Susie MacMurray as part of Art Fair 2019. She said: “The rich red colour symbolises the body and its preciousness and the barbed wire isn’t about conflict but facing difficulty and struggle.

 

” The making of this work reflects the whole idea of the piece which is a gathering of people to support each other and treasure memories.”

Individual elements cost £30 with larger arrangements also available. All proceeds support patient care. Elements can be bought from the Hospice on 01625 665692 or via www.gatheringattatton.com/store

 

Camilla Crockett, the Hospice’s Relationships Manager, said: “Gathering is a unique, meaningful Valentine’s gift.”

“People have been purchasing them because they love the design and the elements are more than just decoration. They have a meaning behind them and provide funds to the Hospice.”

Small sculptures are £500; large sculpture £1,500 and a painted watercolour of Gathering is £225. Each is signed and numbered by the artist.

 

Gathering in a decorative display.

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