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Running like a rocket is the aim for one East Cheshire Hospice supporter embarking on his own amazing 3,2,1 challenge – three marathons, two half-marathons and a 10K during 2019.

Steve Nixon, 56, from Tytherington, has nicknamed his challenge “Stephen’s Rocket” as inspired by Stephenson’s Rocket – the locomotive designed by Robert Stephenson almost 190 years ago in October 1829.

As a railway lover, Steve is hoping the rocket theme will inspire him to do great times on his running challenge.

“My enjoyment of running started about six years ago when the Hospice gave me a place in the London Marathon and since then I just keep doing more and more,” says Steve. “This year I decided to up the ante a little and take on more than I’ve ever done.

“I’ve now done two marathons – in Manchester and Liverpool – and also the 10K Great Manchester run and next up is the Bollington 10k in August which runs along the old railway line.”

Then in the autumn Steve stays at home for the Macclesfield Half Marathon in September before heading to the North East, where appropriately George Stephenson, renowned as the “Father of the Railways”, and his son, Robert, were born.

The Great North Run half marathon in September – described as the world’s biggest run with 60,000 runners – will be followed by what Steve feels will be the hardest of all his planned events at the picturesque but hilly Kielder Marathon in October.

Careful observers will note that Steve is already in line to smash his planned 3,2,1 challenge as, if he completes all his races, he’s added an extra 10K on to his total.

“I didn’t think I was able to do the Manchester 10K but slotted it in and managed to achieve a personal best of 46’ 18”. And who knows, I may even add some more runs so it could become a 3,3,3”, says Steve.

Steve, an interim executive, travels throughout Europe with his job and finds he can fit in lots of running whilst staying away.

He says: “I’ve got plenty of time in the evenings when I’m away to train so it works well”.

And what does his wife, Beverley, and three children think of his running challenge? “They think I’m an idiot but know I love it,” he laughs.

To support Steve his fundraising site is https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stevenixon2019

Art Fair Cheshire will celebrate its 20th year with a look back to some of the artists who were there at its “birth” in 1999.

Four artists – Louise Gardiner, Steven Bewsher, E.B. Watts and Iola Spafford – have been asked to return to the Fair to mark this special year and will feature alongside 76 other artists at the week-long exhibition at Macclesfield Town Hall (Thurs, Sept 26 – Thurs, Oct 3).

Art Fair Co-Chair, Steven Dalton, says the anniversary is a good opportunity to celebrate both the success of the biennial event and the artists who support it.

“Some of the artists who exhibited at our first Art Fair have gone on to achieve international success and we are very proud to have them with us again,” he says. “We are changing the look and feel of the event with new white gallery boards and different lighting.

“What has not changed is that each artist is donating a proportion of their sales to East Cheshire Hospice and visitors will still be able to buy anything from a greetings card to a large original work be it sculpture or painting during the event.

Art Fair Cheshire is now one of the regions leading arts events attracting hundreds of visitors to the town.

Highlights this year also include artist-led tours, evening gallery events, plus guest speakers and workshops. Information on all the exhibiting artists can be found on the Art Fair Cheshire website www.theartfair.org.uk.

Kyle and Angus are cycling 210 miles in 3 days inn support of East Cheshire Hospice

Leap29 have chosen East Cheshire Hospice as their Charity of the Year!

To help raise donations for the Hospice, Kyle and Angus of Leap29 recruitment, have joined forces to take on an epic 210-mile cycle challenge from London to Leap29 in just 3 days.

On Wednesday 28th August, Kyle and Angus will be kicking off their cycle challenge in London, traveling to all the major landmarks across London including Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, London Eye, Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. Then over the next 3 days they will be travelling through some of England’s major cities including Watford, Luton, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Leamington Spa, Coventry, Cannock, Stoke and then finishing at Leap29 office in Wilmslow, just outside of Manchester.

For updates on the London to Leap29 challenge please check out their just giving page at…
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/londontoleap29

Or follow them on…
www.instagram.com/leap29ltd/
www.facebook.com/leap29limited
www.twitter.com/Leap29Ltd

Health and social care professionals attended the latest East Cheshire Hospice workshop about palliative and end of life care.
The monthly lunchtime sessions bring together the clinical community to share knowledge and experience.
Hospice staff collaborate with partners such as East Cheshire NHS Trust and The Christie to deliver the workshops.
Sponsorship by Porthaven Care Homes, which runs Prestbury House, Macclesfield, and Astbury Mere, Congleton, helps cover on-going costs.

The Hospice uses a combination of in-house and external experts to deliver the training workshops which started a couple of years ago.
Alicia Whittaker, the Hospice’s Training and HR Advisor, said: “The workshops are designed for all health and social care professionals looking to broaden their palliative care knowledge.

“Staff attend from a variety of different organisations, including health care assistants and nurses, the NHS, care home workers, pharmacists, GP practice nurses and student nurses.”

Michelle Hinds, Client Services Manager at Astbury Mere, said: “We’re delighted to support East Cheshire Hospice which provides such a fantastic service for the local community. As a care home, we’re passionate  about providing the best care and are pleased to be part of this initiative.”

East Cheshire Hospice is supporting a campaign aimed at widening access to services nationally.

Open Up Hospice Care reaches out to community groups missing out on vital support, including those caring for loved ones at home.

A survey commissioned by charity Hospice UK as part of its campaign found that 72 per cent of adults believe support from a local hospice would make them feel more confident supporting a loved one with a terminal condition at home.

For its part, East Cheshire Hospice has been at the forefront of in-home care, launching its hugely successful Hospice @ Home service 18 months ago.

The ComRes survey also showed that half of UK adults (48%) are aware that hospices receive the majority of funding from fundraising and donations (e.g. via charity shops, communities, lotteries).

Almost a fifth incorrectly think that hospices receive the majority of their funding from the NHS.  East Cheshire Hospice receives under 17% of its funding from the NHS.

Amy Chatwood, Marketing Manager at the Hospice, said: “At the end of a person’s life, we only have one chance to get it right and that is why the hospice movement is there to provide expert, compassionate care.

“All the fundraising we do is to provide great care for our patients in the in-patient unit and across East Cheshire through our Hospice @Home service.  We’re sharing this sentiment across social media throughout the month and hope it inspires people to get involved with our fundraising efforts.”

Car dealers Sidney Jackson & Son Ltd are hoping to drive a popular memory walk to even greater success next month.

The long-established family-run Ford retailer is sponsoring Light Up The Night, organised by East Cheshire Hospice, for the third year in a row.

The event takes place in the beautiful grounds of Capesthorne Hall on Friday, April 5, with the walk starting at 7.30 pm. Gates open at 6 pm.

Organisers are hoping to attract another bumper turnout after last year’s walk drew a record 770 walkers.

The route is over a loop of 2.5 kilometres through a forest and entrants can choose to complete the circuit once, twice (5k) or four times (10k).

The Hall, which is illuminated for the occasion, provides a stunning backdrop. The evening will come to a spectacular end with a firework display.

Walkers will carry a paper lantern to light the way along the route as the sun sets. Walkers will also be able to float a lantern on the lake to remember someone special.

Liam Riley, General Manager at Sidney Jackson, said: “We’re delighted to be involved once again with East Cheshire Hospice which does such wonderful work in the community.

“Our company motto is Part of the Family because of the proud relationship we’ve built with our customers, some of whom include several generations of families. In the same way the Hospice is part of the fabric of the community and deserves all our support.”

Sidney Jackson, based on Wilmslow Road, Macclesfield, was established in Butley in 1920 and became a Ford retail dealership in 1955.

Kate Bowmar, Corporate Fundraiser at the Hospice, said: “This generous sponsorship will help cover a proportion of our costs for the event which means the sponsorship raised by walkers can go directly towards supporting patient care.

“Light Up The Night will be a memorable occasion and we’re hoping as many people as possible can join us. There’s no need to have a previous connection to the Hospice.”

The Events Village opens at 6 pm with stalls, refreshments, face-painting and a DJ.

Registration is £20 for over 16s and £15 for 5-15. This includes entry, a unique Light Up The Night T-shirt and a hand-held paper lantern to take home as a keepsake.

Walkers are asked to try to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship. To register visit eastcheshirehospice.co.uk/lutn.