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.
Back to all newsThank you so much for choosing to support East Cheshire Hospice. You may never know how much your gift means, but we know that it will make the world of difference to our patients and their families.
