Category: Fundraising

Learning how to ride a road bike has inspired teenager Tom Escott-Smith who is determined to help others.

The Fallibroome Academy pupil raised more than £950 for East Cheshire Hospice after cycling 440 miles.

Now the 13-year-old from Prestbury, who has dyspraxia, is showing two youngsters fostered by his mum Lesley how to ride as well.

Tom’s feet have hardly touched the ground since personal trainer Richard Storer gave him the confidence to get into the saddle.

Mum Lesley said: “Tom’s quite proud of his achievements because he only really started riding two years ago. He wanted to do something useful and helpful during lockdown and the racing bike has transformed him and developed his physique.

“He was committed and cycled every day. His school was very supportive and awarded him a certificate in recognition of his community work.”

The challenge equalled the distance to the family home of Lesley’s father at Findochty, near Cullen Bay, Scotland, where the local hotel fully supported and sponsored Tom.

Lesley and Tom had intended to join the Light Up The Night memory walk, organised by the Hospice.

Tom said: “We’ve done the walk each year so when it was called off, I looked for an incentive.

“I wanted to keep fit and active and do some good for charity and the Hospice does a brilliant job. I did some of the challenge from my own lounge during lockdown.”

* To sponsor Tom visit justgiving.com/fundraising/lesley-smith84

Tom Escott-Smith who raised £950 from a cycling challenge. 

Running for 24 minutes is long enough for most but a Bollington couple are attempting to keep going for a staggering 24 hours!

Victoria McKibben and Jake Crabtree are taking part in long-distance challenge from Meriden, the geographical centre of England, in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

They will set off from the Warwickshire village at 6 pm on Friday, November 13, and see how far they can travel on foot within a 24-hour time limit.

More than 200 runners will leave at staggered start times with GPS tracking devices determining the winners who go the furthest in any direction as the crow flies.

Victoria and Jake, a contracts manager, will navigate roads and footpaths with Manchester Cathedral – around 100 miles away – their target destination.

Victoria, a primary school teacher, said: “We’ve been training hard but the most we’ve run is a 50-mile ultra marathon in the Peak District last year which took 13 hours.

“We want to keep running as much as possible and will only stop for a few minutes’ rest if necessary. Hopefully, we’ll spur each other on to keep going.

“We’ll have a rucksack but don’t want to carry too much and will have enough refreshments to keep us going through the night before we top up on water and food.

“We often donate to the Hospice and would like to raise £1,000 for a wonderful local charity.”

* To sponsor them visit justgiving.com/fundraising/escapefrommeriden2020.

Jake Crabtree and Victoria McKibben and training for their 24-hour running challenge.

East Cheshire Hospice has launched an interactive tool on their website to help potential fundraisers.

The Challenge Ideas Generator web page suggests ways of getting involved with events to support the Hospice.

The Hospice fundraising team came up with the easy-to-use guide as a response to the phenomenal success of supporter-led initiatives over the last six months.

The donations given as sponsorship for these initiatives have provided a lifeline for the Hospice after it was forced to cancel all official events six months ago because of Covid-19.

Hospice Marketing Manager Amy Chatwood said: “This new interactive Challenge Ideas Generator is basically a summary of just over 100 ideas and events as inspiration for ways of fundraising.

“The challenge generator breaks down into categories, such as how difficult a challenge someone wants to undertake and whether they want to do it on their own, or in a group.

“It could be anything from a bike ride, walk, run, swim, Three Peaks Challenge or even sky diving. The short interactive form is designed to help people help us because we still urgently need ongoing support.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown by people who’ve wanted to get involved with the Hospice over the summer.

“The community has responded to the challenge and we’ve been so grateful for that support. Thankfully, it seems people are still up for the challenge and our new web page is designed to assist them.”

* Visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/ideas for more details.

Rachel Gledhill had to borrow a bike and buy running shoes for her first triathlon.

She did at least own a wetsuit for the one-mile swim across Pickmere Lake which started her endurance challenge.

Heavy rain meant there was no way of drying off for a 40k bike ride to Chelford before a 10k run uphill to East Cheshire Hospice.

There she was met by nurses who toasted her success after four-and-a-half hour journey in bad conditions.

Heavy rain could not deter Rachel from completing her triathlon.

Rachel’s exploits raised £3,100 for the charity in memory of her husband Tom’s grandad Roy Lee, from Chelford.

Roy (78) died in the Hospice four years ago and the family never forgot the care he received.

Rachel said: “Tom’s grandad took me under  his wing and I always said I’d do something to pay the Hospice back, especially as it needs thousands of pounds each day to stay open.

“The care was unbelievable and Hospice made him so comfortable. He was so happy there in his final days.”

Rachel with her husband Tom’s grandad Roy Lee.

Rachel, who works for property developers DeTrafford, was joined by friends and family en route to keep her spirits up.

Sister-in-law  Leanne Tully and her daughter Isabelle (8) ran the last mile with her from Broken Cross.

Rachel said: “A triathlon is not my thing at all and I had to borrow a bike and buy proper running shoes. I started exercising during lockdown and really enjoyed it and that inspired me.

“Two triathlons I’d entered were cancelled so I took matters into my own hands and created my own route. Unfortunately, it was one of the wettest days on record so there was no chance of getting dry after the swim section.

“Five supporters joined me on the bike ride and three on the run and I’m overwhelmed by everyone’s support and generosity and want to thank them for donating.”

* To support Rachel visit justgiving.com/fundraising/rachelsfirsttri.

Rachel with Miley Morris (left) and Isabelle Tully.    

Gaynor Webb has a burning desire to help East Cheshire Hospice.

That is why she is daring to walk over hot coals at a Firewalk on Friday, November 6.

Family and friends will watch her challenge via a live stream because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Strict safety guidelines will be in place for the event, from 7 pm, at the Hospice’s Millbank Drive site.

The Hospice was forced to cancel several high-profile fundraising events this year but is going ahead with its Firewalk with social distancing in place and a limit on spectators.

Gaynor, from Macclesfield, is a regular supporter of the Hospice, volunteering at various events.

She said: “I’m strangely excited by the idea of walking on fire for the first time. It’s the fear of the unknown and a challenge you might get anxious or scared by, but actually doesn’t turn out to be as bad as you expected.

“Some people might think I’m either daft or brave, but I try to make a difference. It’s a feel good factor for me and I always get a sense of pride when I’m doing something to help the Hospice.”

Gaynor, who has worked at AstraZeneca for 22 years, is hoping to raise £1,000. To sponsor her visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Gaynor-Webb4?

Gaynor said: “I’ve done a tour of the Hospice and it’s a beautiful place. I help the charity whenever I can, especially with Covid-19 which has meant it’s had to cancel various fundraising events.

“It’s missed out on so much and thankfully people are still focussed on donating in the current crisis.”

The Hospice still has places available for Firewalk and entrants will receive online safety training from organisers.  To enter visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/firewalk/

Gaynor Webb who is tackling a Firewalk in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

Bethan Wade, Challenge Events Coordinator at the Hospice, said: “It’s safe and fun and ideal for anyone who fancies a challenge and wants to raise funds for the Hospice.

“It’s a relief that we can finally stage an outdoor fundraising event again after such a long wait and we must stress that social distancing safety guidelines will be fully adhered to.

“Live streaming will also reduce spectator numbers. The £30 registration fee covers the cost of the event and any additional sponsorship raised goes directly towards the vital care provided by the Hospice.

“It costs £7,500 to keep the Hospice running for one day so every penny raised is important, especially at this difficult and emotional time.”