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The Hospice’s new head of fundraising

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

First impressions soon convinced Laura Tomlinson that she made the right choice joining East Cheshire Hospice.

The Hospice’s new head of fundraising leads a team without whom the Hospice would not exist.

Such is the department’s importance inspiring the public to give generously to a cause dear to its heart.

Laura is already loving her role after only a few weeks in post.

Laura Tomlinson, the new head of fundraising at East Cheshire Hospice.

She said: “You can feel the passion and energy here and that’s what I want to bring too.

“I like that we’re ambitious in what we do. We’re trying to lead the way and set the benchmark for other hospices.

“My initial impression is how warm and welcoming the Hospice is and I’m bowled over by the depth of support we provide.

“It’s easy to think it’s a hospice with end-of-life care, an inpatient unit, and Hospice @Home.

“But there’s so much more that we do, like all the support we offer to help a person’s wellbeing at the Sunflower Centre and out in the community.”

Laura has spent 11 years in the charity sector. She worked at Marie Curie before taking a gap year travelling with younger sisters Anna and Josie and two friends.

Then came eight years at Maggie’s where she was fundraising manager at its cancer support centre in Oldham.

Laura said: “I knew from Marie Curie that I loved fundraising. It ticks all the boxes for me.

“I enjoy meeting amazing people from all walks of life who give time, energy and love to a charity.

“I love the buzz of organising events that bring people together and championing people in their fundraising.

“I had a taste of everything at Maggie’s, from working with corporate partners, to cheering on people climbing mountains, to supporting fundraisers holding bake sales, and everything in between!

“Being under the same roof as those who receive invaluable care is important to me.”

Fundraising is vital as the Hospice gets only 21 per cent of income from government, meaning an additional £9,362 is needed every day.

Laura said: “I never fail to be amazed by the generosity of people, whether they’re donating, fundraising, or giving us their time. People always find a way to help.”

“Everyone comes together and that’s special. It’s an absolute privilege to be here.

AstraZeneca has donated 16 new laptops to East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

AstraZeneca has donated 16 new laptops to East Cheshire Hospice as part of its long-standing support for the charity.

Members of the company’s IT department visited the Hospice to hand over the devices which greatly assist the charity’s IT upgrade.

Equipping admin and clinical staff with laptops also enables the charity to channel funding into other important areas of end-of-life care.

The laptops are new but were no longer needed by AZ, so the team there knew there was a good home for them at the Hospice.

Conor Stubbs from East Cheshire Hospice (second right) with AZ staff (from left) Guy Camm, Damian Tonge, Sudie Bennett and Simon James.

Sudie Bennett and Damian Tonge, from AZ’s IT department, said: “The team at East Cheshire Hospice do a fantastic job in an environment of acute funding pressure.

“We were delighted to be able to help in the IT space and will continue to offer support where we can.”

Conor Stubbs, the Hospice’s Head of IT, said: “We were absolutely delighted to receive the new hardware and are having discussions to collaborate further, with AZ sharing IT consultancy and training expertise as we embrace technology and data more and more as part of our IT Strategy.”

An AZ donation helped set up the Hospice in 1988 and the pharmaceutical company has continued its support ever since.

Last year, the Hospice received a generous donation of £47,821 from AZ, due to the fundraising efforts of its employees participating in various activities.

AZ match funded that fundraising, resulting in a donation of more than £94,000 for the Hospice and its other nominated charity Silklife Foodbank.

East Cheshire Hospice is hosting a special drop-in centre for those missing loved ones at Easter

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

East Cheshire Hospice is hosting a special drop-in centre for those missing loved ones at Easter.

The public are welcome to visit the Savage Chapel at St Michael and All Angels Church between 11 am and 2 pm on Saturday, April 19.

An Easter trail run by churches in the Macclesfield area is taking place in the church grounds at the same time.

Hospice Chaplain Marion Tugwood who is part of an Easter drop-in centre

It is part of a family day of town centre activities organised by the council to celebrate Easter.

Hospice Chaplain Marion Tugwood said: “Churches from the Hope in North East Cheshire group will tell the Easter story at stations in the churchyard.

“The Savage Chapel will become a reflective space for those grieving at Easter.

“They can light a candle and our chaplaincy team are there for anyone who needs a quiet chat. Visitors can write messages and are welcome to stay for two minutes or two hours.

“Major festivals are a time when families get together and they miss relatives and friends. It’s important to acknowledge that Easter can be just as hard as Christmas.”

Meanwhile, the Hospice has organised two more Death Café gatherings at its Sunflower Living Well Centre on Saturdays May 10 and June 28, both from 10.30 am.

Guests can talk openly and confidentially about death and dying. No booking is needed.

Marion said: “There’s no agenda and we’re not trying to force any particular belief on anyone or sell any products or services.

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.

Newest addition to the team is specialist dementia nurse Sara Jones

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

East Cheshire Hospice has further strengthened its dementia team as it looks after an increasing number of patients and carers.

The newest addition to the team is specialist dementia nurse Sara Jones who brings a wealth of experience.

The Hospice has run dementia programmes from its Macclesfield site for the last 10 years.

Dementia nurse Sara Jones.

Those courses have been gradually extended locally over that period due to demand, while the charity also had a long-term aim to serve other locations in Cheshire East.

To meet that need, communities in Knutsford, Poynton, Wilmslow and Congleton communities all now have dedicated carer wellbeing programmes.

The dementia team at East Cheshire Hospice.

Sara joins the Hospice from the End of Life Partnership where she was an Admiral Nurse in its advanced dementia support team.

The Crewe-based charity delivers education around end-of-life care.

Sara also has experience of working in a hospice setting after starting her nursing career in neurosurgery and intensive care.

She said: “I’m thrilled to join the Hospice which has a great reputation for palliative care.

“There aren’t many specialist dementia nurses in the area and my role will be to help deliver programmes to patients and carers out in our community. It’s important our services are as accessible as possible.”

Debbie Kassas, Specialist Dementia Nurse and Dementia Lead at the Hospice, said: “People can self-refer and attend courses in any of our areas. Dementia awareness is improving, so more people are seeking support.” Call 01625 666990 or visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/dementia-support for more details.

A new-look lymphoedema service

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

A new-look lymphoedema service run by East Cheshire Hospice is hoping to welcome even more cancer patients.

Dozens of patients have already attended sessions at the charity’s Sunflower Living Well Centre (SLWC) within the first six months.

That success encourages Lymphoedema Specialist Nurse Vick Sayers to believe that more people can also benefit.

Criteria for referrals is that lymphoedema must be directly related to cancer or its treatment. Examples are arm swelling after surgery or radiotherapy for breast cancer.

Patients learn about the four cornerstones of lymphoedema management – skin care, exercise, lymphatic drainage massage and compression garments.

Vick said: “Caseload numbers have increased since we developed the programme and there must be others requiring help.

Vick Sayers, who runs the lymphoedema service at East Cheshire Hospice. 

“We want to make everyone aware that support and help is available here for those who need it. Patients must be referred by a healthcare professional.

“The service was shut during the SLWC renovations, but referrals have started to come in again.”

The Hospice also runs a lymphoedema support group meeting on a fifth Tuesday in a month.

Vick said: “All sessions focus on educating and empowering patients to self-manage their care, as lymphoedema is a lifelong condition.

“The lymphatic system is vital but often overlooked and underappreciated. It is crucial for immune function, fluid balance and detoxification.

“When a patient has breast cancer surgery their focus, understandably, is on removing the cancer.

“They may be unaware they may be left with swelling in the arm for the rest of their life and may need to wear a compression garment. This can have a psychological impact on their body/self-image.”

Vick was a district nurse for eight years.

She said: “A background in palliative care and bandaging leg ulcers etc helped me understand how fluid exchange works.

“I see new patients recently diagnosed and many who have had lymphoedema for years. I see outpatients on a regular follow up basis until their lymphoedema is controlled and stable.

“The group sessions are fantastic for peer support, sharing techniques and tips, as well as exercising with others in a similar situation. The feedback has been extremely positive.”

Sessions run weekly on Tuesdays (1.3o-3 pm) at the Sunflower Centre. The referral form is on the Hospice website www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/how-to-refer.

 

* Lymphoedema is a chronic condition characterised by swelling in the body’s tissues. It most commonly affects the arms, legs, head and neck. Secondary lymphoedema can be caused by cancer and its treatment

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.

Overview of the year 2024

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

The new look Sunflower Living Well Centre welcomed its first patients to East Cheshire Hospice in April.

The facility’s opening was among many highlights during a memorable 2024 for the charity.

The then Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire Lady Alexis Redmond MBE officially declared the centre open after a nine-month building project costing £1.3m.

Hospice staff at the reopening of the Sunflower Living Well Centre.

There to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony were long-standing Hospice supporters Anna Rains, Thelma Jackson and Madge Slater whose fundraising exploits created the original Sunflower Centre in 2000.

The Starlight Walk returns in 2025 and is likely to prove just as popular as last spring’s event which attracted around 400 walkers.

A pink theme for staff from Mulberry ward, a specialist inpatient unit on Victoria Road, in memory of a colleague at the Starlight Walk.

Make a note of the date, Thursday, May 15, for the early evening stroll through the beautiful grounds of Capesthorne Hall.

The walk was one of countless events which included March through March and Squatober, both of which saw dedicated supporters going to great lengths to raise funds.

A papier mâché model of legendary Slade singer Noddy Holder was a star attraction at Art Fair Cheshire.

Noddy Holder with artist Patty Callaghan and her model of the singer.

Noddy liked it so much he commissioned another sculpture which has been raffled off for Hospice funds.

Artist Patty Callaghan created the artwork which shows Noddy with his guitar. Noddy and wife Suzan became Hospice patrons during the year.

Patients took a trip down memory lane when a dark green 1913 Model T Ford was taken to the Hospice.

Veteran car enthusiast Steve Nixon who ran along Hadrian’s Wall.

Owner Steve Nixon was happy to show off his veteran car as part of his support for the Hospice.

Steve, from Tytherington, even ran the length of Hadrian’s Wall to raise funds. He and wife Beverley took their 1903 Darracq on the London to Brighton Run.

Golfer Liz Stott played 72 holes during a marathon 13-hour game. Liz walked all the way round her local course at Tytherington on the longest day of the year.

Golfer Liz Stott with supporters.

Unfortunately, the cost of running the Hospice has gone up. It now needs to find £9,362 a day to keep its doors open.

That represents a near 25 per cent increase on the old figure of £7,500.

The new total, calculated on average costs over the last five years, excludes the 21 per cent of income received from government.

Energy bills have risen, along with staff wages, with the Hospice committed to matching NHS salaries. Equipment and building maintenance costs also went up.

The £7,500 figure excluded the charity’s Hospice @Home service which started in 2017.

Chief Executive Karyn Johnston received a special surprise at Art Fair

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Chief Executive Karyn Johnston received a special surprise to coincide with 10 years of service at East Cheshire Hospice.

Karyn was given a prestigious award for community service by Clare Hayward MBE DL, the High Sheriff of Cheshire.

The award, made at Art Fair Cheshire, recognised Karyn’s efforts leading a team which continues to put the Hospice at the forefront of end-of-life care.

Karyn joined the Hospice as head of income generation before assuming the role of chief executive six years ago.

Karyn said: “This recognition only came to me because I work with great people. I know this award is down to the team effort.

“I was embarrassed to receive a personal accolade which really belongs to my colleagues and others who support the Hospice in many different ways.”

Karyn Johnston (left) with Clare Hayward MBE DL, the High Sheriff of Cheshire.

The Hospice cared for a record 1,277 patients and thousands of family members last year, further illustrating its value to the community.

Karyn said: “Last year, via all our services, we helped the most patients in any single year in the Hospice’s history.

“That was before the extension of our new Sunflower Living Well Centre, which opened in April, so we can probably expect that figure to go up this year.

“Our aim is to help more patients year-on-year. We are driven by the needs of the community.

“For instance, we realised that people in the community wanted more care at home, so we added two more teams to our Hospice @Home service.

“This doubled the number of our teams serving our community in the comfort of their own homes.

“Our ambition does not diminish in the slightest. We’ll soon be announcing another big project to make end-of-life care even more accessible.”

The 25th year of the Art Fair was once again a major success, raising vital funds for the Hospice.

A VIP gathering to launch the fair raised a substantial sum from the sale of artwork, setting a pattern of generous giving which continued during the week-long event.

Karyn said: “The Art Fair was yet another glorious example of a superb collective effort, involving artists, buyers, sponsors and other supporters, including our wonderful volunteers.”

Art created by schools and colleges added to the community feel, as did a special display by those who access childhood bereavement counselling at the Hospice.

Guests included key Hospice sponsors and supporters, including Macclesfield MP Tim Roca.

Sponsors were AstraZeneca, The Little Greene Paint Company, Thorneycroft Solicitors, Estate Planning Solutions and MacPac.

Luke Brightmore plays the drums for up-and-coming rock group Camens

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

By day Luke Brightmore bangs the drum for East Cheshire Hospice in his role as marketing and communications manager.

By night he plays the drums for up-and-coming indie rock group Camens, a headline act at a festival in Bulgaria this weekend.

Luke saves up annual leave for gigs with fellow band members Scott Powell (songwriter, vocals, bass), James Corbishley (lead guitar) and Josh Egan (vocals, rhythm guitar).

Camens (from left), James Corbishley, Josh Egan, Scott Powell and Luke Brightmore.

Camens’ debut album Work/Life/Balance was released in May, reaching nine in the official download charts.

The group appeared at festivals up and down the country over the summer following their own tour in May, promoting their original work.

Camens have recently supported Scouting For Girls, The Feeling and The K’s.

Luke said: “I’ve played drums since I was young and it was through promoting bands that I got into marketing. I now put that experience into practice professionally with the Hospice.

Camens on stage with Luke on drums.

“I put on a completely different hat with the band. Once home from work, I’ll jump in a van and live a different lifestyle for a few hours before returning to reality.

“There’s a lot of driving, waiting, and packing gear up and down.

“You sample the rock and roll lifestyle at festivals where you’re treated like royalty for a couple of hours before getting back in the van.

Luke Brightmore performing with Camens.

“My work colleagues are extremely supportive, buying albums and attending gigs. I try not to bore them with it too much in the office.”

* Find out more about Camens via linktr.ee/camensuk.

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