Category: Fundraising

Schoolgirl Philippa Wilson has just undergone a hair-raising experience – having her beautiful blond locks cut for the first time!

Even Pip’s hairdresser was anxious about using the scissors because she had never seen hair that long before.

Pip with a reminder of her long hair.   

The nine-year-old volunteered to face the chop to raise money for two charities, East Cheshire Hospice and Treetops Hospice.

Her friend’s mum Nicola Murrells was originally from Stoke-on-Trent and then lived in Prestbury. She died of cancer in 2018 and was cared for by East Cheshire Hospice.

Pip, a former pupil at King’s School, donated her hair to The Little Princess Trust as a way of helping other children.

Pip said: “I’ve never had a hair-cut and have always loved having my blonde hair super long. I’ve given my hair to The Little Princess Trust so they can make it into a long-haired wig. They’re really desperate for long hair.

Pip’s new look hairstyle.

“I want to thank all my sponsors and the money raised will go to the Hospice’s childhood bereavement services.”

“My friend’s experience made me very aware just how important this help and support is to children who’ve lost their mummy.”

Pip’s mum Deborah said: “Pip’s so proud and happy she’s had it cut and is delighted with the result. She has no regrets and couldn’t stop smiling afterwards. Pip said it feels so light and swishy.

“Pip’s always been sensitive about her hair and that was her super power. It was quite a thing for her to have 27 inches of hair cut off, but she took it all in her stride.

“The hairdresser was more nervous than Pip. She said she’d never seen natural hair that long, never mind cut it all off.”

Hairdresser Ruby Beeston, who owns Ruby Ysabelle Hair based at Denstone Hall Farm Shop and Cafe, performed the hour-long cut for free.

Ruby and her fiancé even donated £200, helping the fundraising top its £2,222 target.

Pip and classmates at her new school Denstone Prep undertook various challenges in aid of both hospices knowing they support families and children across Cheshire and Staffordshire.

From left, Elizabeth, Beatrix and Pip Wilson.

Meanwhile, Pip’s elder sister Elizabeth (10) is now contemplating having her long hair cut, while younger sister Beatrix (4) insists her hair stays away from any scissors, or even hair-clips!

* To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/denstoneprep

The long-awaited return of fundraising events has come as a welcome relief for East Cheshire Hospice. The charity held a Drive-In Cinema and a Firewalk last month after a two-year break from events due to the pandemic. The previous formal event staged by the Hospice was a Tough Woofer dog walk back in October 2019.

The Drive-In Cinema at Capesthorne Hall.

Thankfully, since then generous individuals and local groups have rallied to support the Hospice with donations and with their own fundraising initiatives. The Hospice stresses that it still requires that much-needed public support to continue during difficult financial times.

Meanwhile, it is making plans for more official community events in 2022, on top of those already announced.

Challenge Events Coordinator Bethan Wade said: “We’re glad to be back – it was such a huge relief to be holding events again.

“It’s been such a frustrating time, but October 2021 was a big milestone for us with the Drive-In Cinema and Firewalk.

The East Cheshire Hospice fundraising team at the Drive-In Cinema

Supporter Finn O’Gara takes on the firewalk challenge, one of two fundraising events held by East Cheshire Hospice last month.

“Both were very successful and it felt good to be in touch with the community again. We made sure all necessary safety precautions were taken, including social distancing measures.

“Like everyone else, we’re keeping a close eye on the number of Covid infections locally and nationally. “We will adapt our plans accordingly if necessary, but hopefully the worst is over and 2022 will be a much better year for us all in so many ways.”

The quiz group who regularly support the Hospice held another of their competitions last Friday. The annual Christmas tree collection will be held on the weekend of January 15-16, although registrations are not yet open. This year’s collection was delayed for three months until lockdown restrictions were eased, but still raised a staggering £150,000.

Around 1,000 trees were collected in April – a seventh of the total that would have been recycled had the collection been on time in January.

Supporters who had not even registered their trees for collection made donations to help out the Hospice.

The Memory Miles walk will be on Friday, March 25, at Adlington Hall. By then it will be three years since the charity last staged this popular mass participation event which has been postponed four times.

When musician John Jones MBE dropped off his latest collection at East Cheshire Hospice he reached a £100,000 milestone of fundraising. The accordion player has been busking outside the Hospice shop ECHO in Poynton since it opened just over a year ago after taking six months off during the pandemic.

John also performed last month with Stockport Accordion Club for a 20th annual concert at Broken Cross Club in aid of the Hospice. His support for the Hospice stretches back over many years, hence the six-figure sum he has raised. Amazingly, he has also raised a similar amount for the intensive care unit at Macclesfield and District General Hospital which cared for his wife June who died last year.

John Jones performing at the 20th anniversary concert.

John, from Macclesfield, said: “It was a fantastic concert and such a great thrill. It was like a big family reunion after Covid and it’s been a privilege to be part of it over the years when I’ve made so many friends.”

John enjoys entertaining residents at care homes, playing their favourite music and songs from yesteryear. The retired structural engineer said: “I’d like to thank everyone for their kind donations towards the Hospice and hospital which are both close to my heart.”

 John delivers his collection box to East Cheshire Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston (left) and Community Fundraiser Carley Macey (right).

He has raised about £330,000 for local charities during more than 30 years playing his accordion. He still has the antique accordion which belonged to his father Edgar who inspired him to play.

John received the MBE for charitable work in 2012.

Business partners Geoff Gittins and David Baker are turning their walking challenge in aid of East Cheshire Hospice into an annual event. Their latest adventure saw them tackle the demanding Limestone Way over the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales.

Keen walkers Geoff Gittins (left) and David Baker.

A year ago the pair undertook the Gritstone Trail to support the Hospice where Geoff’s late father Harold and late uncle Leslie Singleton were patients. Geoff and David are directors at The Switched On Solutions Group (SOSG), with the company part of the charity’s 500 club in which members raise at least £500 a year over a three-year period. They were also honouring the memory of fellow walker Sandra Baran who was also cared for by the Hospice. Sandra, who died in 2020, was a colleague of Geoff at AstraZeneca.

Geoff, from Macclesfield, said: “We spread the walk over three days and it was tougher than our previous walk. The limestone was craggy and had steep climbs and descents, but we enjoyed the challenge and will attempt another walk next year.”

Geoff is a Hospice lottery volunteer and an authorised partner for multi-service providers UW (Utility Warehouse). The Hospice benefits from Geoff’s donations from his commission payments.

Geoff said: “We offer free online reviews so businesses and home owners can lower costs by getting the best deals and benefit themselves and the Hospice at the same time.”

* To sponsor their challenge visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ech-sosg-2021