Category: Fundraising

Off stage actor Luke Oldham is just as happy performing his main role as corporate fundraiser for East Cheshire Hospice.

Luke is hard at work rehearsing for his part in Constellations, a romantic play at MADS Theatre from October 17-19.

The theatre world occupies his time away from his desk at the Hospice where he puts corporate supporters centre stage.

Luke Oldham (left) with MADS chair Amy Leech and John Chandler.

Luke said: “I’ve got the best of both worlds. I love developing relationships with corporate sponsors for the Hopspice and my theatre involvement.

“A lot of exciting things are happening on the corporate side at the Hospice and we enjoy fantastic support from the business community.

“The theatre work has been incredibly full on as well. I’m rehearsing something pretty much every available evening.”

Luke stars alongside actress Gemma Wilson as the only two actors in Constellations.

He said: “It’s a love story. Certain scenes throughout their relationship play out in different ways exploring the consequences we don’t always see from our choices.

“It’s a sweet heartbreaking piece, funny in places.”

On behalf of Northern Rep Theatre, Luke is co-directing a trilogy Not Being Mean performed by Poynton Players in December.

Wearing his Hospice hat, he received a cheque for £831 from MADS – of which he is a member – as proceeds from a performance by an Australian touring theatre company in July.

Nuworks performed The Shoemaker of Havana, based on the life of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

The group made their second visit to Macclesfield in a year. MADS management member John Chandler said: “The audience loved the show, it was a pleasure to have them back.

“They’re due to return in 2026 and we’ll welcome them with open arms. They pay their own fares and touring with cars and hotels is expensive which is why they’re having a year off.”

Meanwhile, Luke was heavily involved in attracting corporate support for Art Fair Cheshire which has just ended.

Other priorities include Will Month in October and the ongoing 500 Club in which organisations raise a minimum of £500 a year for the Hospice.

Mowgli Street Foods, in Knutsford, have become a corporate partner, making the Hospice its charity of the year.

Luke said: “We have a base of enthusiastic supporters and without our corporate help we would not be here.”

* For corporate Hospice inquiries contact Luke on luke.oldham@echospice.org.uk

Give it to Gary – that is the motto of promotional merchandising suppliers Bown Enterprises with its charitable support.

The company has played a major role helping Gary Henshaw raise almost £20,000 for East Cheshire Hospice in the last two and a half years.

Pens, pencils, notebooks have been among stock donated to Gary who in turn raises money from these goods at his tombola stall at Macclesfield market.

Bown Enterprises Accounts Manager Julie Rutter (left) and Head of Sales Fiona Pearson with promotional merchandise. 

Thousands of pens have just been handed over, enabling Gary’s fundraising initiative to flourish.

The suppliers were founded by Ken Bown, now in his Nineties, more than 35 years ago.

Son Duncan and wife Alison own the Adlington-based business with merchandise stored at a warehouse located elsewhere.

MD Duncan said: “It’s important we do something for charity and we know the funds raised by Gary helps patients and families at the most precious time in their lives.

“Any end of line stock, or goods we can’t use for various reasons, we give to Gary.

“We buy vast stock, such as bags, notebooks and pens, from overseas. Merchandise can be from high end to giveaways.”

Gary charges £1 for his draw, with a prize won on every spin of his tombola drum.

Gary said: “I love doing it and every penny taken goes to the Hospice. I couldn’t do it without the support of Bown Enterprises, other businesses and the public who also make donations.”

* To donate contact Gary on 07776 181028 or gazhenshaw@hotmail.com

A well-known photography studio is marking its 60th anniversary with a special promotion in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

Ollier Photography is offering a two-hour studio portrait shoot, plus a 10” x 8” mounted photograph valued at £180, for a £25 donation to the Hospice.

Any additional images can then be bought separately from the studio which has strong Macclesfield roots.

The firm was set up in 1964 by the late Brian Ollier after he left his job as a junior photographer with the Macclesfield Express. Wife Margaret left her job as a cook to help run the studio.

Joe Ollier who is supporting East Cheshire Hospice.

He kept his links with the paper through his popular ‘Looking Back’ column which was published for many years.

Brian’s original pastel portrait style was highly successful and the couple travelled the world attending lectures and seminars.

Brian died in 2014, a year after he retired. The firm continues to flourish under youngest son Joe and business partner Matt Webb.

Matt said: “We’re proud of our Macclesfield heritage and want to celebrate 60 years in business by supporting the Hospice.”

“People can have portraits of whatever they want – it might be their children, grandchildren or their pets.”

Margaret said: “Brian saw great changes in photography throughout his career, finally embracing digital photography. He never lost his enthusiasm for his art and left a legacy of thousands of images spanning almost 50 years.”

Visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/ollier-photography to make the donation, using the email confirmation as a voucher to book a session directly with Ollier Photography.