Category: Fundraising

A trek through the Sahara Desert rounded off a memorable year of challenges undertaken by East Cheshire Hospice supporters.

A bumper £183,000 was raised during the year from the tireless efforts of hundreds of dedicated volunteers.

A 20-strong group went to Morocco to sleep under the stars and scale sand dunes in scorching temperatures.

Sahara trekkers (from left) Ellie Heaton, Rob Gorton, Jo Helm, Dave Helm, Alison Brammer, Loz Broome.

Among them was Hospice Challenge Events co-ordinator Bethan Wade. She said: “Our Challenge series had its best year yet in 2022.

“After coming out of Covid, we had such a good year with fundraisers undertaking all sorts of crazy challenges.

“We had wing walks, head shaves, fire walks, marathons and much more. We appreciate times are tough, so everyone’s continued support doesn’t go unnoticed.

“Every penny donated goes towards the vital care we provide at our Hospice and out in the community.”

A fire walk and ice walk is planned for 2023 and other fun events will be announced shortly. A skydive in May is already fully subscribed.

The deadline for a Camino Trail adventure in northern Spain in October has passed, but walkers wishing to go can contact Bethan to check any late availability. Email bwade@echospice.org.uk.

Many individuals tackle challenges single-handedly like nine-year-old James Hurley who completed 50 circuits of White Nancy dressed as Star Wars character Kylo Ren, raising more than £300.

James Hurley during his White Nancy challenge.

Bethan said: “It’s amazing what people do to help us and if they want any advice on ideas for challenges please contact us on 01625 433477.”

HR and recruitment specialist Andrea Mason is ready to go through the pain barrier again for East Cheshire Hospice.

Andrea is tackling Born Survivor, a gruelling obstacle course at Capesthorne Hall on Saturday, April 22.

Work colleagues at Leap29 will also attempt the challenge, as will her partner Jason Lowe.

Jason is partner at Equilibrium Financial Planning, where staff are also gearing up to face the course designed by Royal Marine commandos.

Andrea Mason after last year’s Born Survivor.

Andrea, from Macclesfield, has personal as well as professional reasons for supporting the Hospice.

Her late grandfather Alfie Pimblott was a patient at the Hospice many years ago.

Her best friend from school, Yvonne Costello-Hellerstein, is the goddaughter of Margaret Lillis, the Hospice chaplain who died last year.

Andrea and Yvonne honoured Margaret’s memory at the Hospice’s Winter Ball in November.

Andrea is Head of HR and Talent at recruitment firm Leap 29, a Hospice corporate supporter, along with Equilibrium.

Andrea said: “We’re quite an active workforce and people in our business love this sort of challenge. It allows us to all work together as a team. It’s not just a fundraising event, it’s fantastic for team building and employee engagement.

“Our people love coming together to raise money for the hospice and Born Survivor is the perfect way to raise funds and have fun with your colleagues.

“A group of us did Born Survivor last year and it was tough. I only did the 5k course, whereas this time I want to challenge myself even further so have opted for the 10k circuit with 30 obstacles.

Andrea Mason and colleagues celebrate completing Born Survivor.

“By taking on a harder challenge this year, I hope to raise even more for the hospice and the incredible work they do.

“Staff decided to support the Hospice a few years ago. Leap 29 try to encourage charitable giving and everyone has a day off each year, either to volunteer or do an event like Born Survivor.

“We also have a dedicated culture team who think of new ideas for charitable events and how we can support the Hospice.”

Jason with wife Andrea and daughter Sacha.

Jason is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro next month to raise funds for the Hospice.

Meanwhile, Yvonne is undertaking the Camino Trail in northern Spain in October as part of a Hospice trip. The five-day trek covers 115  kilometres.

Entry to Born Survivor is £50 and to sign up visit the Hospice website eastcheshirehospice.org.uk. There are 5k or 10 options and entrants must be at least 16.

* To support Andrea and her colleagues visit justgiving.com/teams/Leap29ECH

Student Holly Thompson prepared for her graduation ceremony by walking across northern Spain in scorching temperatures.

 

Student Holly Thompson who raised funds in memory of her friend Alex Boyle.

 

The heatwave that affected Europe did not cool Holly’s enthusiasm for a trek in memory of close friend Alex Boyle, from Macclesfield.

Alex died from a rare form of bone cancer in 2019 and was a patient at East Cheshire Hospice.

Holly, with four friends, walked part of the Camino del Norte, a route along the Bay of Biscay from Santander to Santiago de Compostela.

A journey of almost 600 kilometres was crammed into three weeks as one of the group had to be back to work.

 

Holly Thompson on her Spanish adventure.

 

Holly, who raised more than £1,000 for the Hospice, said:  “The walk’s been popular with pilgrims since medieval times, ending at the cathedral in Santiago.

“We were walking in temperatures of 38 degrees some days, so started at 5.30 am when it was much cooler. Thankfully, there were water fountains along the route and one day the elevation was 1,800 metres.

“I really enjoyed the experience and all we did was wake up, walk, find shelter and food. But because I’m vegan that was challenging at times.

“My knees started giving away near the end and were pretty painful, but it was worth it in memory of Alex.

“He’d beaten cancer once and unfortunately it came back a lot stronger a few months later. He tried to stay at home as long as possible and then went into the Hospice.

“His family said how good the Hospice were and I know it runs on 80 per cent donations which is absolutely insane, so I decided I wanted to do something to help.

“Other families who’re going through the same thing will need their support and I know how important it was for his family.”

 

Alex Boyle who was a patient at East Cheshire Hospice.

 

No sooner had Holly returned than she was graduating from Lancaster University with a degree in physics. Further studies can wait as she is travelling to south east Asia and then Australia.

Holly said: “There are different walking routes in northern Spain and I’d recommend it to anyone. It was lovely meeting different people and we’ll  do it again next year, but another route.”

* The Hospice is organising a five-day trek on the Camino way in northern Spain from Oct 14-21 year.

For more details about the 115-kilometre walk visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/trek-2023