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Nepal Trek 2019

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

One-time keen mountaineer Jonathan Edwards is undaunted by trekking in Nepal.

His biggest challenge since February has been avoiding alcohol in preparation for the 12-day trip starting on Saturday (Nov 9).

The medical writer is part of a five-strong group raising funds for East Cheshire Hospice.

Two days helping a hospice project in Kathmandu is followed by a tough five-day trek with stunning views of the Annapurna mountain range.

Jonathan, from Macclesfield, said: “My wife Verity saw the trip on the Hospice’s Facebook page and I’ve always wanted to visit Nepal, but was going to wait until my 50th next year.

“I enjoyed mountaineering before our children Molly and George were born so won’t be out of my comfort zone, but staying off alcohol has been difficult.”

He is fundraising in memory of Verity’s stepfather David  White who died of prostate cancer last year and was cared for by the Hospice.

The family has raised £2,500, including £500 from a music night at the Wharf pub, supported by Macclesfield musicians, and Jonathan ran the Coniston half marathon.

At 70, Helen Connolly is the oldest hiker. Sister-in-law Sheila Kirk, from Prestbury, fundraises for the Hospice and alerted her to the trip via social media. Helen walked in Machu Picchu and Costa Rica several years ago.

Sherry Daniels, who ran a salon in Marton, enjoys mountaineering and is fundraising in memory of late friends, including Pip Roberts, a Hospice patient.

The party also includes Hospice staff members Sarah Dale and Louise Delany.

Business Briefing with Nick Robinson

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Leading BBC journalist Nick Robinson has made a personal appeal to business leaders to continue to support East Cheshire Hospice.

The Macclesfield-born presenter of Radio 4’s Today programme has first-hand experience of the charity’s work.

His late father Robbie was cared for by the Hospice and his mother Evelyn was among the audience for his keynote speech at the Hospice’s annual Business Briefing at Alderley Park.

Robinson said:  “The Hospice is a place of sanctuary, welcome and re-assurance. It’s also a place that makes those last few days tolerable, manageable and removes all the other anxieties there can be when somebody comes to the end of their life.”

His entertaining talk, entitled ‘The New Chaos’, gave an insight into his career covering politics, including Brexit. He was the BBC’s chief political correspondent for 10 years.

He added:  “I’m nervous because my mother’s here. When I was on the telly the test for my piece would be the ‘my mum’ test.  It meant does this make sense to someone who doesn’t follow everything incredibly carefully?”

Robinson, who was treated successfully for lung cancer in 2015, said: “What angers me about politics and the New Chaos over the last three years, is we’ve spent a lot of time insulting each other and being angry with each other and taken our eye off the ball of the things that really matter and change people’s lives.”

More than 150 business leaders were urged to support the charity’s Hospice @Home service.

He said: “You’re being asked today to help make the end of people’s lives better. What’s really exciting is it isn’t just in the Hospice, but increasingly will be in people’s homes.

“It’ll mean the experience of the last few days is as tolerable as possible and that’s a great cause to be involved in.”

Other speakers included Dr Kath Mackay, Managing Director of Alderley Park; Hospice @Home Ambassador Chair Dr Simon Hayward; and the Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs MBE KStJ, President of East Cheshire Hospice.

Hospice Director Karyn Johnston said: “We’re extremely grateful to Nick for giving up his time during yet another busy political week and all our other speakers and members of the business community who attended.

“We’re fortunate to enjoy wonderful support from the corporate community which is vital to our future.  We’d also like to thank our friends at Alderley Park for hosting our third Business Briefing.”

Tough Woofer 2019

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Every dog has its day and Tough Woofer 2019 saw the canine world support East Cheshire Hospice.

Around 300 pets tackled a 5k obstacle course at Capesthorne Hall on Sunday morning (Oct 20).

The four-legged friends, accompanied by their owners, negotiated a series of mud, water and climbing challenges, supplied by Extreme Adventure Ltd.

The picturesque estate was the perfect setting, with cars and vans having more difficulty dealing with the heavy ground than the dogs.

Beth Candy,  Events Manager at the Hospice, said: “We were blessed with a lovely sunny day and want to thank everyone for coming along and making it such a special occasion.

“It wouldn’t have happened without the support of amazing volunteers and a special thanks must go to James Bunker who rescued a few vehicles from the soft ground. We’d also like to thank Capesthorne Hall for use of such a great venue.”

Owner Sue Clarke took part with eight-year-old mini wirehair dachshund Margot. Sue has an office  at Alderley Park where the Hospice also has a base.

Lyndsey Annikin and her cockapoo Sky joined Abby Dellow and her Hungarian vizsla Penny. Lyndsey has a family friend cared for by the Hospice.

She said: “The Hospice has been brilliant and we’re delighted to take part in Tough Woofer as way of thanking everyone there.”

Student nurse Anna Mather was joined by mum and dad Clare and Jonathan and 18-month-old labrador Millie.

Anna said: “I’ve got friends who’ve worked at the Hospice which is so well known and we want to help such a good local cause. The dogs love the outdoors here.”

Mother and daughter Kim and Nina Bennett guided cockapoo Elsie round the course. Nina has visited the Hospice in her role as a student physiotherapist.

A Charity Village, including stalls and activities, kept dogs and owners entertained.

   

Update on Heather Broadbent’s Around the World Challenge

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Round-the-world sailor Heather Broadbent is preparing to embark on her epic voyage on Sunday (Sept 1).

Heather will spend 11 months at sea competing in the Clipper 2019-20 Round the World Yacht Race which starts at St Katherine Docks in London.

The landscape gardener, from Disley, will be on board the 70-foot ocean racing yacht GoToBermuda for her trip-of-a-lifetime.

Heather is hoping to raise £40,000 for East Cheshire Hospice where her late husband Adam (45) was a patient.  Adam died of cancer in 2013.

Heather has already raised £22,750, a total boosted by £6,500 after her adventure was featured on the regional BBC 1 programme North West Tonight.

The funds will go towards supporting the charity’s Hospice @ Home service which has treated 626 patients since it began in October 2017.

Heather, who has two grown up daughters, said: “I’m so excited and can’t wait for the race to start.  I’ve completed all my training and if anyone can sponsor me, they’ll be supporting a marvellous cause. My aim is to raise a pound for every mile of the 40,000-mile journey.

“I’ve already met half our crew, and everyone has been absolutely wonderful. We’ve all got the same mindset but we realise that spending so long together at sea in a confined space will be a challenge.

“I’m looking forward to visiting every port, especially Bermuda which sounds like a fabulous island.”

Heather has been appointed team co-ordinator, supervising a rota so that no-one is on duty for more than 12 hours during a 24-hour period.

Heather said: “It’s a huge honour and quite a task making sure everyone is in the right place at the right time with the correct kit.”

To help her, she will test a new Dell Latitude Rugged laptop supplied by the computer company so she can also send back pictures, vlogs and blogs.

Heather Broadbent will be travelling light at sea.

Each crew member has a 15-kilogram weight allowance, set by their team, for individual cubby holes.

Heather said: “We’re allowed to carry less weight than someone would probably take for a weekend away, but as you can imagine there’s little room on board.

“I’m taking three changes of clothing but no luxuries, so I’ll leave behind my face cream.

“I’ll have my own sleeping bag but won’t have my own bunk bed. There could be 22 people on board at any one time and due to the watch system we ‘hot-bunk.'”

Racing on board the 70 ft racing yacht GoToBermuda, Heather is one of only two women among her eight-strong amateur crew undertaking a full circumnavigation of the globe under the guidance of a professional skipper and mate.

Other crew members will join the GoToBermuda team for different legs of the journey as they compete against 10 other crews.

The fleet will call at ports in Portugal, Uruguay, South Africa, Australia, China, the Philippines, Panama, the USA (Seattle and New York), Bermuda and Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland, before crossing the finishing line in London 11 months later.

* To sponsor Heather and read her blogs visit eastcheshirehospice.org/heather

Training for Nepal!

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Tackling Tegg’s Nose on a summer’s evening is one thing, but navigating Nepal in November is a completely different prospect.

But that is the challenge facing Sarah Dale and Louise Delany who must combine preparations for a Himalayan trek with jobs at East Cheshire Hospice as well as running families.

Both volunteered for the once-in-a-lifetime adventure which involves two days working on a hospice project in Kathmandu followed by an arduous five-day trek along the Ghorepani Poon Hill trail.

There they will enjoy stunning views of the Annapurna mountain range staying in tea-houses and lodges. Temperatures will range from 25C to -5 at night.

Sarah and Louise are part of a nine-strong group from East Cheshire Hospice, each pledging to raise at least £3,500 for the charity which undertook a Grand Canyon trek last year.

Sarah, who is Clinical Director at the Hospice, said: “I’m petrified and the more I think about it the worse it gets, but it’ll be an amazing challenge.

“I don’t really like flying, I’ll miss my kids and husband and I’m not good with bugs or getting cold. The chance to see how palliative care works in a different country motivated me initially and I’d happily spend all the time at the hospice out there, but that’s not the idea.

“I thought we’d be meandering through villages but each day there are tough walks with a 3,500 metre climb.”

Sarah and Louise are walking through Macclesfield Forest, or climbing Tegg’s Nose, four times a week as preparation.

Louise, the Hospice’s Commercial Manager, said: ” I don’t think I’ve done any challenge before so we’re both out of our comfort zone. We want to be fit enough so our experience is a good one and we don’t suffer.

“Working full time five days a week, plus family commitments and the practice walks is time-consuming and at the same time we’re trying to fundraise.

“Sarah is from the clinical side and I’m from admin and we’re glad we’re supporting each other. Our aim is to raise £7,500 which is how much it costs to run the Hospice for a day.”

The pair are grateful for the support of the Broken Cross Club which is hosting a bingo afternoon on Sunday, Sept 15, and a race night on Friday, Oct 4.

* To sponsor them go to justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-dale32 and justgiving.com/fundraising/louise-delany.

Award Nominated Dementia Community Companions

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Some of our volunteers have been short-listed for a prestigious charity award.

The 12-strong team of Dementia Community Companions could become the Volunteer Team of the Year at the 2019 North West Charity Awards.

Each member of the group spends at least two hours a week as a companion to someone with the early stages of dementia.

Their work has earned the admiration of everyone connected with the Hospice and now their selfless dedication has been recognised through a nomination for this award.

We will find out whether they have won at a special ceremony in Manchester on Friday, September 27.

Volunteer Co-ordinator Helena Smith is extremely proud of the project and those who have made it such a success.

Helena said: “It’s a wonderful service, set up as part of our carers’ well-being programme,  and I’m delighted that our committed volunteers have received this deserved recognition.

“It may not be a medical or clinical role, but in its own way is just as important.

“The volunteers’ role is to give the person living with dementia an opportunity to do normal activities in a safe environment.

“Our team enjoy the company of others and are caring and compassionate. As well as resilience, they have a good sense of humour and not all of them have previous experience of working with people with dementia.

“Our volunteers are from all walks of life and I’m proud to say that some manage to work with people with dementia while working full time.”

Helena would like to add to the team if more volunteers feel they can help.

She added: “The role is one of friendship. The volunteer doesn’t provide personal care but concentrates on making a real difference to the life of their companion.

“Knowing that their loved one is in the care of someone who is well-trained and supported, and who wants to be with them, helps the carer to concentrate on their needs and to get back to being themselves again for two or three hours a week.

“The responsibility for care often falls on the husband, wife or children and this led us to our goal of making a real impact on the education and support of the carers, allowing them to look after themselves so  the person with dementia can ‘live well with dementia.’”

* Contact Helena on 01625 664984 or email hsmith@echospice.org.uk or complete the online application form

Elaine Unthank’s Fundraising

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Volunteer Elaine Unthank has a heart of gold after spending most of last year organising collections for East Cheshire Hospice.

She took up the challenge in memory of her brother Darren Harper (49) who died of sarcoma cancer in the Hospice in November 2016.

Darren worked at Spectus Windows in Macclesfield for more than 25 years.

Elaine, who helps at the charity’s shop on Chestergate, raised £4,191.79p from the collections which involved distributing cardboard boxes to countless businesses and households.

A further £559 was raised from a raffle as Elaine kept a promise to her brother that she would support the Hospice during its 30th anniversary celebrations as a thank you for helping him.

Elaine, from Macclesfield, said: “I was very close to my brother. He was a true gentleman and during his time as a Hospice inpatient, told me he wished he could have done something for them.

“I told him not to worry and promised to help the charity for their fantastic care. The nurses there loved him.

“The Hospice wouldn’t be here without such donations. It helps patients cope with their pain and supports the families.

“I also want to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated through the raffle and collections. It wasn’t easy and a lot of hard work but well worth it.

“I’d like say a special thanks to the Co-op, B&M, and everyone at the Plough Inn.”

Art Fair 2019 – Volunteers

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Art Fair Cheshire is on the lookout for volunteers to help at two special events to mark its 20th anniversary.

An exhibition at Macclesfield Town Hall (Thurs, Sept 26 to Thurs, Oct 3) will celebrate two decades of exhibiting and selling art for East Cheshire Hospice.

Highlights include artist-led tours, evening gallery events, plus guest speakers and workshops.

Volunteers have already come forward but more are needed to help as stewards, on reception and assist catering.

Stewards are also required for a major new artwork entitled Gathering which goes on display at the Mansion in Tatton Park from June 28 to Sept 29.

This spectacular installation will see red velvet and barbed wire suspended in the Mansion’s grand rotunda.

Artist Susie MacMurray has been collaborating with Hospice volunteers to create the thousands of individual elements, a project inspired partly by memories, mortality and loss.

Camilla Crockett, the Hospice’s Corporate and Community Relationships Manager, said: “Art Fair Cheshire is recognised as one of the region’s leading art events and has contributed more than £200,000 to the Hospice.

“Volunteers and potential sponsors are asked to come forward for both events. Helpers don’t necessarily need to know about art and all that matters is a desire to help the Hospice.”

Art Fair Cheshire, co-chaired by Steven Dalton and Georgie Johnson, has a new website theartfair.org.uk.

* Interested volunteers/sponsors can visit contact@theartfair.org.uk.

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