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East Cheshire Hospice’s bespoke candle

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

A scented candle with an East Cheshire Hospice theme could make the perfect Mother’s Day present.

The bespoke gift has been created by Nicky Thorpe who lost two close relatives at the Hospice.

The candle fragrance is camomile, vanilla and lavender, a favourite plant in the Hospice gardens.

Nicky Thorpe with her East Cheshire Hospice candle.

Etched into the glass jar is a sunflower, the emblem of the Hospice, with the candle flickering when lit.

Nicky designed the eco-friendly gift from her workshop in Tytherington where she set up in business five years ago after three decades with AstraZeneca.

Candles cost £25, with £10 donated to the Hospice where Nicky has strong connections.

Her father Brian Cavanagh, a painter and decorator before he too worked at AstraZeneca, died in the Hospice in 2019, aged 82.

Her late mother-in-law Sheila Thorpe (82) was also a patient there in 2023, while Nicky has friends who work for the Hospice.

Nicky said: “I’ve created a couple of charity candles and thought it’d be a good idea to do something similar for the Hospice.

“I approached Luke Oldham, who’s part of the fundraising team, and between us we’ve created a fragrance. The Hospice is surrounded by lavender, so they were quite keen to have a lavender-based fragrance.

“A sunflower is neutral so any household could have one and support the Hospice at the same time.”

“After I lost my dad, I thought a candle might be a beautiful memento for families to take away and light in memory of their loved one.

“I’ve since made personalised candles for those who’ve lost relatives.”

Nicky’s business Molly Lou Home Fragrance is very much a family affair.

Daughter Molly Lou helped found the company during Covid, while son Josh helps with marketing and admin.

Husband Rick, a joiner, built a workshop at home. He has walked the Three Peaks of Scotland, Wales and England with friends in aid of the Hospice.

The couple own a company specialising in making bespoke kitchen and bedroom furniture.

Nicky said: “It’s incredible how much the candle making venture has grown. There’s been a lot of support with several outlets stocking our candles.

“Customers can refill jars to help with sustainability, while plant-based rapeseed and coconut wax is used.” * Hospice themed candles can be bought from www.mollyloucandles.co.uk.

Runner Luke Hughes to take on London Marathon for East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Runner Luke Hughes was surprised to learn he is taking part in the London marathon.

Luke was among a record 840,000 applicants who entered the ballot for the run on Sunday, April 27.

Around 50,000 runners have places with Luke raising money for East Cheshire Hospice where he is a fundraiser.

Luke said: “I applied for the London marathon on a whim with a couple of mates and was the only one who got in.

Luke Hughes who is preparing for the London marathon.

“I was shocked to be honest. I suspect my pals are probably glad in the end that they weren’t successful.

“After last year’s event there was a big buzz on social media and that made me think of doing it. I didn’t expect to get a place. It can take years to be accepted.”

Luke only started running early last year and completed a 30k training run last month.

He said: “I almost caved in near the end but pushed myself as I’m going to have to run another 12k on top of that distance in the marathon.”

To sponsor Luke visit https://shorturl.at/ZKvlS

Luke and Hospice colleagues are busy preparing for the charity’s Starlight Walk at Capesthorne Hall on Thursday, May 15.

The route is 2.5k with the option to cover multiple laps. The memory walk has lighting, lanterns, fire pits, points of reflection and other features.

Gates open at 6 pm with the walk from 7 pm. There will be live entertainment with food and drink stalls.

* To register visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/starlight-walk-2025.

Sisters sell off prized possessions as a way of thanking East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Sisters Imogen and Hattie Shuttleworth are generously selling off their prized possessions as a way of thanking East Cheshire Hospice for looking after their grandfather.

Richard Lea, from Macclesfield, is an inpatient at the Hospice after he was diagnosed with a stage four brain tumour on Christmas Eve.

He dotes on his two granddaughters, so the efforts made by them to support the Hospice are a great source of pride to him and his family.

Imogen (left) and Hattie with grandpa Richard Lea. 

Hattie, aged 10, ran a teddy bear stall outside her home which raised £400, while Imogen (14) will spend six months selling her beloved artwork.

Bollington Printshop print for free to support her fundraising, with all sale proceeds donated to the Hospice where the girls have been regular visitors to Richard’s bedside.

Imogen, a pupil at Church Lawton School, Staffordshire, said: “I’m volunteering as part of my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and want to use my creativity and paint commissions, mostly of pets and landscapes, to raise money for the Hospice.

Hattie with her teddy bear stall.

“The charity is very important to our family as it cares for our grandpa who has a brain tumour.”

Hattie, who attends Ivy Bank Primary School, used her Christmas money to make friendship bracelets bearing messages.

Mum Verity said: “Hattie decided she wanted to sell her teddy bears to raise funds. Dad isn’t well but he’d be thrilled by what his granddaughters are doing.

Imogen and her artwork.

“We’re extremely grateful for the way the Hospice are looking after us all as a family.”

Imogen and Hattie have already raised more than £900.

* To donate visit www.justgiving.com/page/imogen-shuttleworth-1

AstraZeneca employees raise outstanding amount of funds

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Employees at AstraZeneca in Macclesfield helped to raise more than £94,000 for East Cheshire Hospice and Silklife Foodbank last year.

Staff held a range of activities from quizzes, craft events, runs and a netball tournament to support the charities.

Fundraising activities were matched by AstraZeneca which was headline sponsor of Art Fair Cheshire and the Christmas tree collection which celebrated its 25th year.

The AZ donation to the Hospice in 2024 was a staggering £47,821.

AZ employees celebrate raising more than £94,000 for East Cheshire Hospice and Silklife Foodbank.

Guy Camm, from AZ, said: “Our employees know that our local charities need all the support they can get.  We’re constantly amazed at the wide variety of fundraising activities our teams always seem to have on the go!

“We’re delighted to match the donations raised for these charities, both of which provide such crucial support to individuals and families across our community.”

Rachel Allcock, from the Hospice, said: “Working with the AZ team is such a pleasure.  Their staff never fail to raise much-needed funds for the Hospice. We’re so grateful for their unwavering support.”

AZ employees regularly donate food and other much-needed items for the foodbank through two collection points permanently based at its Macclesfield campus.

Dan Blackman, from Silklife Foodbank, said: “AZ Macclesfield’s financial contribution has helped us to make a really meaningful difference to the most vulnerable families in our local community.”

Gary Morgan adds his Noddy Holder raffle prize to his memorabilia collections

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Slade fan Gary Morgan thought he was the victim of a prank when he got a phone call from   Noddy Holder, the glam rock group’s lead singer.

Noddy rang Gary to tell him he had won a papier mâché sculpture of the music legend.

It was the prize in a raffle run by East Cheshire Hospice where Noddy and wife Suzan are patrons.

Gary, a retired airport ground handling boss, said: “I thought it was a wind up when Noddy called.

Gary Morgan adds his Noddy Holder raffle prize to his Manchester City memorabilia.

“My wife and daughter had gone out shopping and I was sat on the sofa with my headphones on loading up Slade songs when my phone began vibrating in my pocket.

“I didn’t recognise the number and this voice said, ‘Hello Gary, it’s Noddy Holder here.’

“I thought it was a wind up, but I knew his voice and that it was really him.

“I was bowled over and couldn’t believe it when Noddy told me I’d won the raffle.”

Gary had seen Noddy on television promoting the competition.

Noddy Holder with the sculpture of himself. 

He said: “I’ve been a huge Slade fan all my life so my interest was piqued when I saw Noddy and his wife on BBC news one morning. At the end of the interview, they said raffle tickets were £10.

Gary said: “I bought two and didn’t think anything more about it. It didn’t matter whether I won or not as the money was for a good cause.”

The model has now pride of place in Gary’s living room.

He said: “It’s underneath my big TV in a Perspex case with a brass plate situated next to my Kevin De Bruyne signed boot and signed Manchester City ball.

“The model is fabulous. I’m amazed how someone can make a little sculpture look so like the character – it couldn’t be anyone but Noddy.

“I was telling Noddy how I skipped school in April 1974 to see Slade perform at Kings Hall in Manchester and he remembered that concert. I saw them perform three times.”

“It was a wonderful surprise to receive the call.”

The competition raised £10,200 for the Hospice.

Renowned artist Patty Callaghan created the sculpture of Noddy, complete with his guitar.

The work is called Cum on Feel The Noize, the title of the group’s No 1 record in 1973.

Fallibroome Academy raise over £7,000 for East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Fallibroome Academy has again earned top marks for its amazing support for East Cheshire Hospice.

The school raised £7,000 for the charity from its Jingle Jog before Christmas, bringing the total donated over the last eight years to an amazing £49,180.

The Fallibroome contribution helped raise £41,407 before Gift Aid from the Hospice’s latest Reindeer Rush in December. Some 29 schools were involved.

Under starter’s orders …students at Fallibroome Academy stage their Jingle Jog.

The Hospice has a special place in the hearts of everyone at Fallibroome after caring for one of the Academy’s late teachers.

Every pupil attending the last week of term defied bad weather to walk, run or jog round the athletics track at the nearby Everybody Macclesfield Leisure Centre.

PE teacher Lucy Bradley, one of four Academy community managers, said: “We hold several charitable initiatives in the year and the Hospice event is always our big one.

“We know of students’ parents and grandparents who’ve used the Hospice services, while students have also accessed its counselling services after relatives were treated there.

Head teacher Ross Martland in Santa outfit with Jennifer Dunn, assistant head of PE.   

“The Hospice ask students to raise at least £3 to cover the cost of envelopes and reindeer ears and we were astonished how much was donated. The average donation was probably £30.

“We thank everyone for their generous support. Parents and students appreciate what the Hospice does and why we need it.

“We hold assemblies for every year group to explain the different ways people use the Hospice. It is described as ‘a place where people come to live’ and we explain why to students.”

Hospice nurse team take on Trek Snowdon

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Overnight shifts are part of the routine caring on the ward at East Cheshire Hospice.

So staying awake at night will come easily for nursing staff when they climb Mount Snowdon.

Finding the strength and stamina will probably be the biggest test on the nine-mile trek on August 2 and 3.

The Hospice team are inviting other supporters to join them raising funds for the Hospice.

Places can be booked via www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/trek-2025/

Snowdon walkers (from left) health care assistants Caroline Allen and Jill Harding with staff nurse Lesley Cork and ward sister Rachael Newton.  

Ward sister Rachael Newton will be joined by nursing colleagues Jill Harding, Caroline Allen, Sharon Doherty, Donna Paddock, Charlie Guerin, Dee Foster, Lucy Turnbull, Fiona Holmes, Linda Tronconi, Carly Forrester, Hannah George, Cheyanne Hanson, Clare Preston, Pippa Williams and Lesley Cork.

Jill said: “It’s great that so many of the nursing staff have committed to do the walk as a team. It should be good fun.

“Anyone is welcome to join us to support such a special place.

“Hospices are suffering financially and need all the help they can get. East Cheshire is such a lovely place to work.

“The relationships you build up in such a short space of time with patients and relatives is amazing.”

Jill is a prolific fundraiser and part of the What Women Want group which has raised £447,000 for the Hospice in 15 years. Their target is £500,000.

Separately, Jill has also undertaken a sky dive and wing walk for the Hospice which cared for her late mum Mary Barber more than 20 years ago.

Jill said: “Some challenges last a few days and are therefore quite time consuming whereas this one isn’t.

“I love walking. It’ll be challenge as my left leg is mostly metal after I had bone cancer at 17. I’ve always wanted to climb Snowdon.”

Experienced mountain guide leaders will assist trekkers on a walk described as ‘challenging’ by organisers.

Registration is £45 and a minimum of £330 must be raised in sponsorship.

Participants get a hot buffet at a Llanberis hotel before a 1 am registration, briefing and a 2 am ascent taking three to four hours.

Walkers will watch the sunset at the summit, or on the ascent, depending on their speed. Snacks are supplied before a well-earned breakfast on completion.

Head torches are supplied and a support vehicle. The same trail is used for a two-to-three-hour descent.

Excluded is travel insurance, alcoholic drinks and personal trekking equipment such as boots, poles etc.

Starlight Walk is back for 2025

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

The Starlight Walk at Capesthorne Hall will take place on Thursday, May 15, which is later than usual this year.

The East Cheshire Hospice spring walk is one of the Hospice’s flagship events, attracting hundreds each year.

Venue availability is behind the change, though organisers are hoping the later date will also improve the chances of better weather.

Ready to start the 2024 Starlight Walk.

An ‘early bird’ entry fee of £20 for adults and £15 for under 16s is available until March 15 before the price changes to £22.50 and £17.50.

Walkers will stroll through beautiful woodland on a 2.5k route, with the option to complete multiple laps if desired.

For many it is an emotional journey, giving them a chance to remember lost loved ones.

The walk has lighting, lanterns, fire pits, points of reflection and other features.

Walkers enjoying the fun at last year’s Starlight Walk.

Community and Events Fundraiser Claire Gorton said: “As the entrance fee only covers the cost of the event, we ask everyone to try to raise sponsorship of at least £50.

“Every penny raised makes a huge difference helping us to continue to provide care in the local community.

“Alternatively, if walkers would rather not raise sponsorship, they’re able to add an extra donation of £50 when booking a place.”

Gates open at 6 pm with the walk from 7 pm. There will be live entertainment with food and drink stalls.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome and there are no fireworks. The walk is not accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

* To register visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/starlight-walk-2025.

Take on a challenge this year

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Take your pick from a host of challenges near or far in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

It could be a run or a walk, taking things at your own pace either as a team or individually.

A new addition to the Hospice fundraising calendar is Ultra Challenge which involves walking or running distances between 25 and 100 kilometres in locations such as the River Thames, Cotswolds, Lake District and the Peak District.

The aim is to appeal to all abilities and not just elite athletes.

A bungee jump in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

 

There are also various events over shorter routes, beginning with a 5k or 10k run in Tatton Park on Sunday, February 8.

A bungee jump event is at Salford Quays on Saturday, February 22.

The Hospice has its popular Starlight Walk at Capesthorne Hall on Thursday, May 15, with the Great Manchester Run on Sunday, May 18.

Capesthorne is also the venue for Born Survivor, a muddy obstacle course on Saturday, April 26.

Battling mud in Born Survivor.  

Hospice fundraiser Luke Hughes said: “We’ve teamed up with Run For Charity and Ultra Challenge Series, online platforms which give our supporters access to a range of events to raise money for the Hospice.

“It’s a much easier way for us to promote events, reducing costs, logistics and the registration process.

“One exception to this partnership is, of course, our Starlight Walk, one of our flagship community events, which we’re proud to host again this year.”

Links to all events are on the Hospice website.

Joe Corrigan spoke of his proud links to East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Joe Corrigan spoke of his proud links to East Cheshire Hospice when Manchester City fans celebrated his MBE.

The former goalkeeper mentioned the charity when receiving a rapturous reception in front of 53,000 fans at City’s home game with West Ham.

Big Joe, from Tytherington, received the award in the New Year’s Honours list for services to charitable fundraising.

His role as a Hospice patron includes supporting fundraising campaigns and visiting football-loving patients.

Joe made 603 appearances for City between 1967 and 1983 and made nine appearances for England. The honour took him by surprise.

He said: “Words can’t describe it – it was totally unbelievable and I’m still in a bit of state of shock.

“It’s just an amazing honour to even be considered. My first emotion was one of disbelief.

“It’s the highest honour you can get. I got the envelope and on the cover it said, ‘On His Majesty’s Service’, and at first I thought it was a tax bill!

“But then when I opened it and read the contents, I just filled up.”

Joe would visit fans in hospital with teammates in his playing days.

He said: “Now I’m in a position where I’ve got a little bit little bit more free time to be able to do more charitable things.

“I’m an ambassador for East Cheshire Hospice which is a huge honour and I’m also so proud to be chairman of City’s Former Players Association, where we raise and donate money to a host of charities.”

Ex Man City keeper Joe Corrigan, who has received an MBE.

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