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What have a Bishop, a Mayor and Chaplain all got in common? The answer is they all took part in this year’s East Cheshire Hospice Christmas tree collection.

They were among some 230 volunteers from all walks of life who helped gather more than 6,400 trees.

The 24^th edition of the scheme went like clockwork once again, thanks to a well-drilled routine which raised another £150,000 for the Hospice.

Volunteers ready to start the Christmas tree collection.

A staggering £1.9m has been generated overall for the Hospice, leaving organisers on course to smash the £2m mark when the scheme celebrates its silver jubilee next year.

Macclesfield Mayor Cllr Chris Wilcock was on a mission, signing up as a volunteer after his late mum Lesley was a Hospice outpatient in 2015.

Cllr Wilcock said: “The Hospice is one of my chosen charities during my year of office and my mum is another reason I wanted to help. She was only 59 when she died of cancer.

Macclesfield Mayor Cllr Chris Wilcock and wife Katie, the Mayoress.

“She was treated at the Sunflower Centre and on the day she died was on her way here to become an inpatient.”

The Bishop of Stockport, Reverend Sam Corley, was also out and about collecting trees for delivery to the Ansa recycling plant in West Park and Swift Tree Services in Adlington.

Rev Corley said: “I’m one of several bellringers involved in this brilliant event. I couldn’t make it last year and am delighted I can be here this time.

Air Cadets (from left) Cpl Arthur Brough, Sgt Bill Martin, Sgt Millie Carlisle and Andrew Storer.   

“It’s a win-win – people get their trees collected and it raises money for a wonderful cause.

“The collection helps promote the work of the Hospice in the local community and there’s a real buzz among volunteers.”

Co-founder Richard Raymond said: “Yet again we’ve had an overwhelming response, both in terms of donations and volunteers whose amazing dedication makes this all possible.

Volunteer bellringers (from left) Nick and Graham Jenkins, Richard Raymond, Marcela Hall, David White and Rev Sam Corley.

 Workers at the Ansa recycling plant prepare to mulch the first tree delivery.

“The support of sponsors, led by AstraZenaca, covers costs meaning funds donated go directly to patient care.”

Richard and co-founder Pete Chapman will hold a debrief in the coming weeks as thoughts turn to how to mark the 25^th year. One idea is to get everyone who has volunteered involved.

Volunteers collected trees over two days.  

Volunteers helping with refreshments included Hospice Chaplain Marion Tugwood and Air Cadets from 201 (Macclesfield) Squadron, whose Flt Lt Spike Elliott is a long-standing volunteer.

Organisers have advised other hospices on running their own collections and on the eve of this event provided route planning help for charities in Essex and Yorkshire.

It’s a wrap … volunteers enjoy a well-earned drink after the collection.

Two phone calls the same afternoon brought good news for Sarah Elvin.

First, she was told her application to adopt a puppy Rottweiler had been successful.

Then she found out she had landed a job as a community and events fundraiser with East Cheshire Hospice.

Now she is settled into her new role and 16-week-old Moose is growing quickly.

Sarah Elvin with partner Steven Cox and Moose.

Sarah said: “The Hospice is such a lovely place to work and everyone’s so nice. It’s a lot different to what I thought.

“You think of a Hospice and imagine a dark and sad place, but when I walked in for my interview it was bright and airy with flowers everywhere and pictures and everyone was so smiley and friendly.”

Sarah’s alarm call is her dog. She said: “Moose wakes me at 5.30 am each morning. He’s more than a handful and biting and chewing through everything but easy to train.

“I always wanted a dog and when I worked in hospitality for 13 years the hours weren’t really dog friendly.

Sarah Elvin, who has joined East Cheshire Hospice.

“I saw on Instagram one day that my local RSPCA had six puppies. I thought it was fate, so filled out a form and learned I’d been accepted the same day I had my Hospice interview.

“The Hospice rang me an hour after the RSPCA.”

Sarah was a waitress and became a chef, working in ski resorts and travelled the world before Covid.

She said: “I thought I’d better get a proper ‘grown up’ job so worked in marketing, but realised I wasn’t getting the satisfaction I got in hospitality and that was meeting people.

“I like making a difference to someone’s day. I didn’t want to go back into hospitality as it was too unsociable and when I saw the Hospice job come up and thought this is for me.

“I’m loving my new role. It’s not easy asking people to give up money but when you really believe in the cause it’s not that difficult. People have a lot of emotion for the Hospice and know they’re giving to a good cause.”

Sarah invariably ends her day in her kitchen. “My No 1 hobby is cooking and I spend two or three hours in the kitchen every single night. It’s never just a frozen pizza.

“I make everything from scratch and it’s how I unwind – I love it. Asian food is my speciality. Ramen, dumplings and sushi.”

Are you brave enough to walk over fire and broken glass?

The challenge is issued by East Cheshire Hospice which has organised Fire and Ice Walk 2023.

The tea time event is on Thursday, November 9 at a location to be decided. Participants can do both challenges or just one.

The hot coals walk has been a fixture on the fundraising calendar, but now the glass element has been introduced.

Hot work … Jean Ham (left) and sister Denise Fraser-King at last year’s Firewalk.

Daredevils aged 16 and over can take part and experts will hold a full indoor safety briefing beforehand.

Hospice fundraiser Claire Gorton said: “Walking on burning embers has been a popular activity for Hospice fundraisers and now we’ve added the thrilling option to walk on glass.

“It’s the ultimate mind over matter challenge and for those scared by the prospect, this is the perfect chance to overcome nerves and defeat your fears.”

Participants will receive a t-shirt and certificate. The two walks are £50,  with a single entry £30.

Claire said: “The registration fee only covers the cost of the event so we urge supporters to raise additional sponsorship which will go directly towards caring for patients.

“It costs more than £7,500 to keep the Hospice running for one day, so every penny raised is important.

“You can be assured that the impact your support will have on local families who can benefit from Hospice services at one of the most difficult and emotional times will be huge and greatly appreciated.”

To sign up visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/fire-and-ice-walk/

One of the newest nurses at East Cheshire Hospice has become a video star.

Lucy Roberts features in a ‘Day in the Life’ film explaining what it’s like to work on the ward.

The five-minute story is being sent to businesses to promote the charity’s 500 Club in which members pledge to raise £500 a year.

The camera started rolling within weeks of Lucy starting her job in January, shortly after she qualified.

Nurse Lucy Roberts during filming for an East Cheshire Hospice video.

Lucy studied a two-year masters degree at Chester University after working in care homes and getting a degree in health care.

Lucy said: “I did a 12-week placement here and fell in love with the Hospice. I quickly realised I wanted to work here and nurses and health care assistants encouraged me to apply when a vacancy came up.

“I seemed to fit in, they knew me and I felt supported. Ward clerk Julia Wild then put my name forward when the video idea came up.

“I wasn’t sure I could do it at first but knew it’d be good experience and really enjoyed making the film away from my shifts.”

Lucy narrates the film, giving an insight into her job. She said: “If you ask a nurse what a typical working day is like they’d probably just laugh at you.

“No day is typical in the health care world. Every day is different.

Morning briefing… Lucy with one of the student nurses.

“Most people enter the nursing profession to help heal patients, but for me it’s an honour to care for patients with terminal illnesses so they can pass away comfortably surrounded by their family.

“My shift starts early at 7.30 am and can finish 14 hours later. Our building is light, airy, full of smiles with a feeling of being at home.

“It can be a really stressful time for families so when we welcome a new patient and their family to the hospice our aim is to take as much anxiety away as possible.

“A big part of my day is talking to patients and family members about the care we provide.”

* For more details on joining the 500 Club and to watch the video visit  eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/500-club

Email queries to lisa.ball@echospice.org.uk.

A security company has stepped forward to foil thieves who stole from East Cheshire Hospice.

The firm has installed a three-camera system at the charity’s shop on Chestergate which opened almost a year ago.

The company has asked to remain anonymous.

Volunteers Judith Bayley (left) and Joan Nadin at the Chestergate shop which has had security cameras fitted.

They immediately answered an appeal for help from the Hospice which became frustrated by sneak thieves who pinched goods during shop opening hours.

Designer menswear, cameras, perfume and candles were among items taken.

The Hospice now has CCTV installed thanks to the kind-hearted company who acted swiftly once they heard about the charity’s plight.

Hospice commercial manager Louise Delany said: “It was extremely generous of the company to come forward to offer this help.

“We now have a sophisticated camera security system in place which includes an intruder alarm and that should deter would-be thieves who will be caught on camera.

“The company insisted they didn’t want any recognition for their work. The owner just said ‘I think this is the right thing to do. I just want to help.’

“That’s unbelievably generous. They couldn’t do enough for us. The survey of the shop and installation was all done in the space of four or five days.

“I just don’t understand how people can steal items which our donors have so generously given to us. It baffles me to be honest.

“Thankfully, this story has a happy ending, showing the kinder side of human nature.”