Events Archives - Page 8 of 9 - East Cheshire Hospice

Dreambeams Ball Debut

Posted on 16th January 2020 by Luke Brightmore

Sisters Jemima and Annabelle Jordan found the recipe for fundraising success when they started baking cakes for disadvantaged children.

Little did they know that three years on their cookery skills would inspire a new charity which is now helping bereaved youngsters in Macclesfield.

Mum Katie and her daughters set up Dream Beams which has made a staggering £102,100 donation to East Cheshire Hospice to fund its Childhood Bereavement Service.

An exclusive Dream Beams Ball at Merrydale Manor was the culmination of lots of hard work by Katie, the charity’s chair, her trustees and events committee.

Katie, from Henbury, said: “We’re a family driven by challenge and always wanting to push ourselves.

“The girls would bake for weeks and want to help other children who aren’t as fortunate as themselves. Jemima had the bright idea we should all get involved and we only registered the charity in March.

“Dream Beams aims is to shed beams of light on to other children through fundraising events and supporting local charities.”

The Hospice’s Childhood Bereavement Service was the perfect fit, especially as a five-year Big Lottery grant used for funding had expired.

Katie said: “As a young teenager I lost close relatives so know how devastating it can be and how incredibly difficult the journey is. That’s why I’m so passionate about this cause.

“The Ball far exceeded our expectations and the trustees want to thank everyone who supported us so generously in many different ways.”

Main sponsors were Quanta Capital, Jordan Fishwick Exclusive and Vincentius. Donors also included Rolls-Royce Manchester, Boodles, Amazon, Mistral Gin, Coggles, Pinches Medical, Matalan, Waitrose and Virgin Atlantic.

Neil Travis, General Manager, Amazon Manchester, said: “Dream Beams does such vital work supporting children across Cheshire and when we heard about the Ball in aid of the Hospice’s Childhood Bereavement Service we jumped at the opportunity to offer our support.

“We donated 20 Echo devices for the ball raffle and £1,000 to the charity fund and hope the donation helps the team provide life-changing services to the community. ”

Guests included the Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs MBE KStJ, President of East Cheshire Hospice, and the then Tatton MP Esther McVey.

Tough Woofer is this weekend!

Posted on 18th October 2019 by Luke Brightmore

If you want to take your dog for a walk on Sunday (Oct 20) then Tough Woofer is the perfect outdoor exercise.

Entries will be accepted on the day for the 5k obstacle course through the grounds of Capesthorne Hall.

The first wave leaves at 10 am with dogs facing a series of fun obstacles, including climbing challenges and mud and water tests.

The event is organised by East Cheshire Hospice which is setting up a Charity Village with live entertainment, shopping stalls, canine activities and refreshments.

Guests of honour will be beagles Roxy and Harley whose faces have been used in banners and billboards to promote the event.

The dogs, owned by Abigail Henshall and partner Steve Abraham, won a Facebook competition run by the charity.

Beth Candy, Events Manager at the Hospice, said: “We’ve had plenty of entries and there’s still room for more because it’s such a wonderful large venue. People must be eight and over to tackle the course and dogs one or over.”

The fee is £35 for a dog/owner, and £25 for people only. Go to eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/toughwoofer

Art Fair Cheshire – Artist Led Tours

Posted on 16th September 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Claude Monet and the painting of his famous Water Lilies will be the subject of a talk at this year’s Art Fair Cheshire.

Best-selling author Ross King will be discussing Mad Enchantment, his book about the French painter’s creation and will also sign copies.

He is one of four guest speakers marking the 20th anniversary of Art Fair Cheshire at Macclesfield Town Hall from Sept 26 until Oct 3.

The event features an exhibition of more than 80 artists and crafts experts and celebrates two decades of exhibiting and selling art for East Cheshire Hospice.

Art Fair Cheshire is one of the north west’s leading art events and has contributed more than £350,000 to the Hospice. The guest speaker schedule is:

Sat, Sept 28 – 12 pm: Figure Painting from Life in Oils. Distinguished painter Norman Long demonstrates his portrait skills and discusses his techniques.

2 pm: Harry Ousey Remembered. The artist’s niece tells of her journey researching the life and times of Manchester-born artist Harry Ousey. His paintings, diaries and sketch notes were left to her in 1997.

Sun, Sept 29 – 12 pm: Susie MacMurray. Artist Susie MacMurray will give an illustrated talk on her work and discuss her latest installation ‘Gathering’ at Tatton Park. Inspired by the work of the Hospice, it features more than 4,000 individual elements hand-stitched by the artist and volunteers.

2 pm: Ross King discusses Mad Enchantment.

Talks are free with no booking required. Seats are allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Artist-led tours will take place on Mon, Sept 30, Tue Oct 1 and Wed Oct 2, all at 11 am.

The bi-ennial Art Fair has free entry and is open from 10.30 am until 5 pm each day , with late night opening until 8.30 pm on Tuesday Oct 1 when visitors can enjoy a glass of wine while they browse the art.

Each participating artist donates at least 40 per cent of every sale to support the Hospice which helps to fund its Art Psychotherapist.

This year’s exhibition has many returning artists and a lot of new exhibitors. Organisers say it has everything from greetings cards to large paintings with something to suit every pocket.

* Go to www.theartfair.org.uk.

Are you tough enough??

Posted on 8th August 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Tough Woofer is back for 2019 and promises to be bigger, better and muddier than before!

We are urging entrants to bring along their wellies for the 5k course at Capesthorne Hall on Sunday, October 20.

More than 400 dogs and owners took part in last year’s first ever canine obstacle course event raising £30,000 for the Hospice!

The fun obstacle circuit is designed for four-legged friends and owners . The route has 15 obstacles, including water, mud and climbing challenges with the first wave leaving at 10 am.

Beth Candy, Events Assistant at the Hospice, said: “Last year’s event was extremely popular and we’re hoping even more dogs and owners will take part this time.

“Owners are telling us they want the course to be even muddier this time. It’s not a competition or a race, but simply about having a good time.

“People can enter with their dog, or by themselves or with family and friends if they don’t have a canine friend to bring along. It’ll be a fantastic family day out with live entertainment and stalls.”

People must be aged eight and over and dogs must be one year or over.

An early bird entrance fee of £30 for a dog/owner, and £20 for people only, applies until Aug 30.

The Hospice say entry fees only cover the cost of staging the event so participants are urged to raise at least £50 in sponsorship. A T-shirt, dog bandana and medals are provided.

To enter go to www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/toughwoofer

The Faces of Tough Woofer 2019

Posted on 8th August 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Meet the two beautiful beagles ready for a starring role as models for Tough Woofer 2019.

Roxy and Harley will have their pretty faces splashed all over banners and billboards advertising the canine event organised by our events team.

The dogs, owned by Abigail Henshall and partner Steve Abraham, won our Facebook competition to find the cutest canines.

Unsurprisingly, Roxy (9) and Harley (3) had the most likes, earning them a photo shoot to promote the event on Sunday, October 20.

The pair received plenty of votes from pupils at Tytherington School where Abigail is a PE teacher.

Roxy and Harley are following in the paw prints of golden retriever Teddy, winner of the 2018 award and owned by Abigail’s friend Sophie Mercer, a PE teacher at All Hallows Catholic College in Macclesfield.

Abigail, from Lower Withington, said: “We’ve had Roxy since she was a pup and she’s got such a baby face that people often get them confused and think she’s the younger of the two. They certainly get a lot of attention when we’re walking with members of our beagle club.

“While she’s confident and a little sassy, Harley is full of anxiety. He’s a rescue dog and had issues after being given up twice before we took him on at 18 months old.

“Harley had been attacked in kennels which made him petrified of other dogs. He was scared by the slightest noise but now has turned his life around. So much so that he’s confident enough to do Tough Woofer.

“Beagles are notoriously hard dogs to train but we knew the breed really well and they’re well trained. Roxy puts Harley in his place and he takes the lead from her but they’re great mates.”

Their group from the Wirral and North Wales Beagle Club were out in force at last year’s event and will again tackle 5k course at Capesthorne Hall.

Abigail said: “It’s great fun and raises money for such a deserving cause. The venue is ideal and I’d encourage as many dog owners as possible to attend.”

The photo shoot was carried out by Alex Wright at teneightstudios in Macclesfield. (www.teneightstudios.co.uk)

M-Fest made impact

Posted on 17th July 2019 by Luke Brightmore

A mortgage business brought the music festival scene to Pott Shrigley, raising £1,511.47 for East Cheshire Hospice.

Visitors to M-Fest, organised by Mortgage Advice Bureau, enjoyed a distinct local flavour at the one-day bash held in a field.

The BBQ food and drink was free, having been supplied by butcher Jeremy Heathcote and the mortgage company, in return for a donation to charity.

Singer songwriter Ellie Grice, soul and funk band Treme and Cheshire-based band Taylor and Co provided musical entertainment.

Carly Green, Senior Mortgage Adviser at Mortgage Advice Bureau in Bollington, had the idea of M-Fest and directors Tom Barrass and Ian Pollock quickly backed the project.

Carly said: “We couldn’t have hoped for a more successful event. Our aim was to bring the local community together and raise money for a brilliant cause and I think we achieved that.

“More than 300 people registered to attend and many more turned up on the day. We’d like to thank the local community for making the day special, but most of all our staff and business partners for getting behind the festival.

“We also made a small donation to St Christopher’s Church in Pott Shrigley for their support in helping organise it.”

The rain couldn’t stop Splash Out!

Posted on 17th July 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Splash Out! brought more water than East Cheshire Hospice had expected but getting wet was always going to happen.

The first of almost 850 entrants defied the rain before skies brightened for later starters at Alderley Park.

The new-look event, sponsored by RRG Toyota in Macclesfield, saw families tackle five fun water challenges on the five-kilometre course.

Obstacles included a giant slippery slide and a wobbly floating bridge. The event was held in partnership with Francis House Children’s Hospice.

Jo Boyd, Events Manager at East Cheshire Hospice, said: “We’d like to thank everyone for coming along and raising much-needed funds for the Hospice.

“In particular, we’d like to thank Alderley Park for hosting us again and our sponsors RRG Toyota for their kind support. The event wouldn’t have happened without our volunteers and we’d also like to thank stallholders for their contribution.”

The Hospice’s next big fundraising event is Tough Woofer, on Sunday October 20.

Macclesfield Rugby Union FC turned Splash Out! into a pre-season warm up as more than 20 members took part.

Among their group were Jason and Jess Williamson and sons Finn and Monty, both 12, and nine-year-old Woody who plays for the club’s under 10s team.

Jason said: “It’s a good way for everyone from the club to bond before the new season and raise money for such a great cause.”

Claire Mitchell, from Macclesfield, and daughter Amy O’Hara (7), whose grandma Linda Mitchell used to volunteer for the Hospice, also took part.

Parents and pupils from Gawsworth Primary School were there in force with Claire Smith, herself a former teacher, firmly in their thoughts.

Gawsworth Primary class mates Maisie Sinclair and Grace Davis, both 9, also took part. Grace’s mum Miranda works at AstraZeneca, keen supporters of the Hospice.

Claire Hammond and daughter Amy, along with friends Mel Hitchener and Rachel Gilchrist, were remembering late family and friends who were cared for by the Hospice.

Gathering for ‘Gathering’

Posted on 17th July 2019 by Luke Brightmore

After months of enjoying the camaraderie of teamwork, international artist Susie MacMurray is now embarking on the last stages of her newest art creation.

After six months of painstaking sewing supported by 10 volunteers, Susie’s art installation, Gathering, is now in its final stages and will be set to move to Tatton Park in just over 10 days’ time.

Inspired by East Cheshire Hospice, the installation features 3,750 elements of red velvet and barbed wire which Susie is now threading onto the wires that will suspend the installation from the Mansion’s grand rotunda. It will be on display from June 27 to October 6 as part of Art Fair Cheshire 2019.

Susie said: “This final stage is an intricate process and is a solo effort.

“I’ve got a very clear vision of what I want it to look like and pulling it together is like handwriting – my individual interpretation.

“But it’s still a very collaborative piece and it’s been a very meaningful experience to work with the volunteer helpers who’ve all brought their own individual traits to the artwork.”

Susie’s helpers were all volunteers from the Hospice and the group spent many hours at her studio sharing memories of lost loved ones.

Susie, whose husband John died 12 years ago, said the work reflected the whole idea of the piece which is a gathering of people to support each other and share memories.

“We have had so many meaningful, intimate, hilarious and sad conversations whilst working on this piece,” she says.

“The Hospice is such a catalyst for extraordinary acts of kindness, generosity and care and the people who worked with me over the last six months illustrated that.”

The volunteers haven’t yet said goodbye to the artwork. They will once again spring into action to help Susie gently move the installation to Tatton Park where it will take up to a week to secure into place.

Using scaffolding to hang from the Mansion’s rotunda, it will eventually drop down two floors through the staircase atrium .

Afterwards, individual elements will be sold for a £30 donation to the hospice, with small wall pieces also on sale.

Susie has also painted a water colour of Gathering. A limited edition of 75 signed and numbered prints costs £225 each. All proceeds to the Hospice.

For more information visit www.gatheringattatton.co.uk. The project is supported by Arts Council England and The Arts Society.

Splash Out is coming!

Posted on 17th July 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Expect hours of soaking fun at a new family event organised by East Cheshire Hospice – Splash Out!

The summer event is already attracting large groups of friends all wanting to tackle the five fun water challenges over the five-kilometre course. Obstacles include a giant slippery slide and a wobbly floating bridge.

One family group, the Shore family from Buxton Road, are sure to stand out on the day.

“We’re calling ourselves The Last Jedis as some of us are huge Star Wars fans” says 39-year-old Lee Shore. “I’ve done some solo events and always thought it was a shame the whole family couldn’t get involved, so this is perfect”

Lee will be joined by sons Freddie, 12, and Harry, 9, and some of Harry’s team mates from Macclesfield Under-9s rugby club.

Currently there are 11 members in the group but likely to be many more on the day of the event which takes place at Alderley Park on Saturday, July 6.

Jo Boyd, Events Manager at East Cheshire Hospice, said: ” We think this is going to be fantastic event for teams – whether it’s birthday parties, sporting teams or youth organisations.”

Groups of 10 or more participants will receive a 10% discount.

This Friday ( May 31) is the deadline to buy Early Bird tickets for the event which are priced at £20 for adults and £10 for children.

Splash Out! is being held in partnership with Francis House Children’s Hospice.

For more information and to enter go to eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/splashout19

New Splash Out Sponsor!

Posted on 9th May 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Local car dealership, RRG Toyota, has been confirmed as sponsors of this summer’s new family fun event for East Cheshire Hospice – Splash Out!

Rain or shine, the July event is sure to guarantee huge amounts of fun as entrants tackle five fun water challenges over a five-kilometre course. Obstacles include a giant slippery slide and a wobbly floating bridge.

RRG General Manager, Nigel Clarke, says the company is delighted to be involved with the event and he expects to see a staff team take part in the event which takes place on Saturday, July 6 at Alderley Park.

“The Hospice is a great local cause and we are very pleased to be associated with this brand new event,” he said.

Splash Out! replaces Bubble Rush in the Hospice’s fundraising calendar and the Hospice events team are sure it’ll will guarantee a great family day out.

Jo Boyd, Events Manager at East Cheshire Hospice, said: ” When water and children are involved, its always going to be fun and Splash Out! promises plenty of that. “

There’s just over a week left to buy Early Bird tickets for the event, which is being held in partnership with Francis House Children’s Hospice, one of Manchester’s favourite children’s charities. Early Bird tickets are priced at £20 for adults and £10 for children.

For more information and to enter go to eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/splashout19