April 2019 - East Cheshire Hospice

The London Marathon 2019

On 28th April 2019 Catherine Mather and Damien Lacey took on the ultimate running challenge in aid of the Hospice, The London Marathon.

Damian is a Macmillan nurse and works closely with the Hospice. He also has a very personal connection with us after his mother-in-law was cared for here.

“I am  raising money for the East Cheshire Hospice. Linda stayed here for 6 weeks when she was first diagnosed and was critically ill. When it became apparent that we would be able to take her home she continued to visit the Hospice Sunflower Centre when she was well enough too, and enjoyed the support from staff and fellow patients.”

Damian started running about 4 years ago with a ‘couch to 5k’ challenge. He has come an incredibly long way and despite having a problem with his know at mile 16 which required physio, has now successfully completed the grueling 26 mile London Marathon!

In 2016 Catherine Mather suffered a badly dislocated ankle and had almost a years absence from running. But she came back with a bang by successfully finishing the marathon in aid of the Hospice!

“I felt that it was really important to support a local charity and I chose East Cheshire Hospice because of the wonderful care and support they provide. I have friends who have had family members use the Hospice and I know how important it has been for them to have such valuable and crucial support.”

Remap Consulting doing their bit!

Collection tins for East Cheshire Hospice have been given a new look by volunteers.

Staff from Remap Consulting, based at Alderley Park, spent a day re-wrapping around 450 boxes featuring the Hospice logo which changed in 2016.

Collection tins raise around £25,000 a year for the charity and are a vital source of revenue.

The tins are in shops, pubs, bars and other outlets and anyone who wants them is asked to contact the hospice on 01625 433477 or email fundraising@echospice.org.uk.

Remap are a member of the Hospice’s 500 Club, a corporate giving scheme in which local businesses are asked to raise or donate £500 a year for three years.

Kate Bowmar, the Hospice’s Corporate Fundraiser, said: “We currently have 37 members who form a network of forward-thinking, community-engaged and socially responsible businesses.

“The boxes display a number for people to call when full. All sites now have a volunteer collector and once full we’ll arrange for it to be collected. We’d like to place more boxes if possible and it’s a great way to help the Hospice.”

Remap is a specialist pharmaceutical pricing and market access consultancy company.

Sarah Bailey of Remap said: “I was proud to support the Hospice by giving up a day to wrap collection tins, which gave me a feeling of accomplishment. Even the little things can make a huge difference.

“We’ve organised several fundraising initiatives including bake sales and an Easter egg competition, and would urge other companies to help the Hospice.”

The newest member of our lottery team – Tara

A Tuesday morning telephone call to a lucky winner is one of the perks of the job for Tara Ward

Tara took over as Lottery Administrator at East Cheshire Hospice three months ago and supervises an essential part of the charity’s fundraising.

The weekly winner of the £1,000 jackpot is chosen at random with a different volunteer performing the all-important task of pressing the button.

Tara said: “It’s the best part of the job  when either myself, or my colleague Celia Stanley, make the call to let the winner know they’ve won. We’re making someone’s day.”

There are 6,000 members of the lottery and their support raises around £1,000 a day towards the cost of providing Hospice care to patients, their families and carers.

Apart from the weekly £1,000 top prize, there are 22 other cash sums. The £200 second prize is rolled over if it is not won, earning a potential £10,000 jackpot.

Tara, from Handforth,  was PA to the Head Teacher at Poynton High School before joining the Hospice.

She said: “I’ve also worked in the corporate sector and the Hospice is completely different. It’s a lovely set up and everyone is here for the same reason because they believe in the ethos of the Hospice.

“The lottery is an easy way to support us on a regular basis. People can play online by filling in a form online and we also accept telephone applications.”

The Hospice needs £7,500 every day to keep going and the lottery has contributed almost £3.9m since it began in 1995. Tickets are £1 a week and players can pay via direct debit at £4.34 a month.

Winning numbers are published on the website. To join go to eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/lottery or call 01625 433477 (Ext 2).

Will Week Thank You Event

East Cheshire Hospice held a thank you event for solicitors who supported the charity’s Will Week.

A total of £7,618 was raised after local legal firms donated their time and expertise to help the Hospice.

Solicitors waive their usual fees in return for a donation to the charity during October’s campaign.

Taking part in 2018 were SAS Daniels; Blunts Solicitors; Bennetts Solicitors; Poole Alcock, Congleton;

Alfred Newton, Bredbury; Stratford Solicitors; Poole Alcock, Sandbach; Woods Solicitors, Alfred Newton, Stockport and Wilmslow and PSG Law.

Hospice Corporate Fundraiser Kate Bowmar said: “Will Week is an important part of our fundraising calendar and we thank solicitors for their kind support.

“It wouldn’t be a success without the goodwill and generosity of the public, so we thank everyone who made donations and hope others will also take advantage of this special opportunity in 2019.”

Will Week is from Oct 7-11 this year and coincides with Hospice Care Week.

A list of participating solicitors will be published on the Hospice website and on social media pages in July for bookings.

Damian Lacey’s Marathon

Runner Damian Lacey has both professional and personal experience of the care offered by East Cheshire Hospice.

As a Macmillan nurse he is part of the support network which provides end-of-life palliative care for Hospice patients.

Damian’s mother-in-law Linda Tute was a recipient of that care before her death from oesophageal cancer last September, aged 75.

The family were so grateful for the way Linda was looked after that Damian is raising funds for the Hospice by competing in the London Marathon on Sunday, April 28.

It is Damian’s first marathon and when Sir Andy Murray fires the starting gun for the field of 42,000 it will complete a remarkable journey.

The Macclesfield Harrier said: “I only started running just over four years ago and it was a case of couch to 5k for me. Then I couldn’t run 10 feet never mind 10 miles.

“Linda used to joke about my figure and now she’s having the last laugh because I’m running the marathon.

“Perhaps it was fate that my application was accepted after missing out twice in the ballot, because the letter telling me I was successful arrived on the day of Linda’s funeral in October.”

Linda and husband Martin ran a grocery business in Bollington before retiring. Martin is a member of Macclesfield Male Voice Choir and a former Pott Shrigley Cricket Club player and both organisations have rallied round to support Damian, along with wife Sheona and sister-in-laws Kerry Tute and Meryl Goodwin.

Damian, from Tytherington, is part of the Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care team at Macclesfield Hospital.

He added: “We work in close collaboration with the Hospice even though we’re separate organisations. I know about the Hospice services professionally but when Linda was on the receiving end it gave me a different perspective.

“She was an inpatient and was also one of the first to access the Hospice@ Home service set up 18 months ago.”

* To sponsor Damian go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/damian-lacey

Light Up The Night, How did it go?

Scores of families turned Light Up The Night into a major triumph for East Cheshire Hospice. Around 600 walkers strolled past the tranquil setting of Capesthorne Hall before a firework display.
For many Friday’s event was a poignant occasion, remembering loved ones with special memory lanterns. Among them Susan Brown whose husband Tony (69) died last May and was treated by the charity’s Hospice @ Home service.  Daughters Liz and Helen have helped raise £1,000 in their father’s memory.

 

The event is hoping to raise £70,000 and walkers are urged to return sponsorship monies by the end of the month if possible. Emma Cleek, from Tytherington, and daughter Lottie (7), a pupil at Marlborough Primary School, were joined by Emma’s sister Alex Fiddler. The trio were remembering auntie Val who died in a hospice two years ago.

Toby Beesley, whose mum Beth is a nurse at East Cheshire Hospice,  was joined by Ollie Stubbens, Nicky Holmes and Georgie Vaughan. The walk was started by Hospice Patron Charlie Lawson, the former Coronation Street actor, while  Hospice Chaplain Margaret Lillis led a minute’s reflection.

Round-the-world sailor Heather Broadbent spoke about her forthcoming challenge and Hospice links. Pam Webster, a Health Care Assistant at the Hospice, explained  how every step and every pound raised makes a difference to patients.

The event was again sponsored by Ford dealers Sidney Jackson.

Jo Boyd, Events Manager at the Hospice, said: “We’d like to thank our sponsors and all those who helped in many different ways, including more than 50 volunteers.  The venue is fantastic.
Fortunately the weather was kind and we hope everyone who came along enjoyed the event.”

Hospice Shop Designer Sale

A Designer Sale is being held at the East Cheshire Hospice charity shop in Thornton Square on Wednesday, April 10, from 5 pm until 8 pm.

Outfits by famous designers will be on offer at a big discount to normal prices.

Shop Manager Angela Prior said: “Customers can just pop in on the night and have a look and find a beautiful outfit at an amazing bargain.

“We’ll be selling ladies and gents wear, wedding outfits, party and prom and cruise wear, men’s shirts and suits, leather and suede coats, handbags, shoes and much more.

“Our items will be new and nearly new, in various sizes and all in immaculate condition. Our first Designer Sale in November was a brilliant evening and highly successful.”

Angela, who took over in September, said: “I was made very welcome by the amazing volunteers who give up their spare time to help me and the assistant manager Kim run the shop, and by the regulars who pop in and share a story.

“I’ve been blown away by the donations received.  It feels more than a shop, we’re part of a lovely community.  We sell quality goods at low prices with free parking outside.”

The shop sells clothing for all ages, plus items including handbags, purses, wallets, travel bags, rucksacks, jewellery and accessories, furniture, electrical goods, kitchenware, ornaments, pictures and frames, toys, books and games.

Opening hours are 9.30 am to 4.30 pm Mon-Sat and its Facebook page @ECHShopatThorntonSquare is updated weekly.

Corporate Challenge

Six companies have already signed up to the East Cheshire Hospice Corporate Challenge.

Their aim will be to invest a £100 start-up loan and make as much profit as possible during May.

The profit will be donated to the Hospice and used directly to help care for patients with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers.

Scientific communications agency Bioscript will be defending their title won last year when they made a healthy £2,000 profit.

Competing against them so far are Chess ICT, Pan European Networks, McCann Medical, Ashfield Healthcare and Context Public Relations.

It is not too late to enter and for more details go to eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/corporate-challenge or contact the Hospice’s Corporate Relationships Manager Kate Bowmar on 01625 433477 or kbowmar@echospice.org.uk.

Kate said: “Fundraising is great way for employees to gain new skills, develop confidence and give something back.

“Obviously, it has to be legal but it’s a chance to use your imagination and business brain to make money grow and at the same time help our patients.”

A gala awards evening will be held at The Colony HQ in Wilmslow on Thursday, June 6, when the winners will be announced.

David Pollock, CEO and founder of telecoms provider Chess, said: “It’s important for a modern business  to play our part in the wider community and the Hospice does  phenomenal work looking after people at end of life.

“The Corporate Challenge is great for employee engagement and staff want to participate. Our staff have jumped out of planes, baked cakes, run 10ks and dressed up in silly clothes.

“It binds them and their community together and helps their business.”

What Women Want Fashion Show 2019

Fashion, fizz and fun turned the latest What Women Want extravaganza into a roaring success.
The glitzy fashion show at Tytherington High School drew an audience of 200 guests, raising £4,500 for East Cheshire Hospice. What Women Want is made up of Julie Barnes, Jo Millward, Elaine Burgess, Jayne Carter and Jill Harding who have spent the last decade fundraising tirelessly for the charity.
They have raised an amazing £270,000 during that time and the latest cheque for £40,000 was handed over to the Hospice during the evening.

Models strutted their stuff on the catwalk, displaying the latest High Street labels from Fuzzy Goose and Demand Attire.  All models have been affected by cancer, either themselves or a family member.Community choir Do Youth Thing provided top-class entertainment. There were also pop-up shops and a team of waiters ensured the drinks flowed and everything went smoothly.

Lisa Ball, Community Fundraiser at the Hospice, said: “Once again the What Women Want excelled themselves and they certainly know how to throw a party.

“Their dedication and commitment to the Hospice is quite staggering and they work so hard to support us. All the funds raised helps support patients in practical ways by purchasing much-needed equipment.
“We can’t thank them enough for their support and everyone who contributed towards making the fashion show such a success.”

A ball marking the What Women Want committee’s 10th anniversary raised £37,000 in November, taking the group’s total beyond the magical £250,000 target.

The group came together following a chat in the back of a taxi on the way to a charity event when the women realised that prizes at fundraising events were at the time too often aimed at men and not ‘what women want.’

The group has decided not to hold a ball this year while they take a Glastonbury-style break to recuperate.

Open Up Hospice Care Month

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.”