January 2022 - East Cheshire Hospice
01625 610364
Skip to content

Month: January 2022

Round the world sailor Heather Broadbent

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Round-the-world sailor Heather Broadbent is raring to go again as she prepares to set sail on her epic voyage.

She is determined to finish the race – and reach her £40,000 fundraising target for East Cheshire Hospice.

Heather has already raised £30,000 for the Hospice where her late husband Adam (45) was a patient.  Funds raised will go towards Hospice @Home services.

She flies out to the Philippines in late February where she will resume the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race a month later.

The event was halted for two years because of the pandemic and the route has been changed with three China stops cancelled.

Heather Broadbent on her voyage.

Heather, a landscape gardener from Disley, said: “I’m keen to finish what I started both for myself and the Hospice. I’m excited and nervous, but the big goal has always been to get across the Pacific and then we’re homeward bound.

“The Hospice needs the funds now more than ever because of the loss of fundraising revenue caused by Covid-19, so I’m grateful for any donations.

“I set a target of £40,000 because that’s how many miles the race will eventually cover.”

Heather and her crew on board their yacht GoToBermuda will cross the Pacific en route to Seattle before reaching Bermuda in June.

Then it is off to New York before the final Atlantic leg eventually back to London in July where Heather’s voyage began almost three years earlier.

* To sponsor Heather visit justgiving.com/fundraising/dreamitnowdoit.

Mark Leah’s moustache journey

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Growing a moustache is always a hairy experience for pilates teacher Mark Leah.

That is because he usually gets a look of horror from family and friends when he unveils his latest design.

They will be relieved Mark is staying clean shaven until he launches his next Movember charity challenge.

It will be his 10th successive year during which time he has raised more than £10,000 for East Cheshire Hospice.

A few of  Mark Leah’s many appearances.  

Mark, from Macclesfield, said: “It’s good fun for little work for a local charity and people are so generous. At the end of the day it’s only a moustache and it’s not as though I’m doing anything too strenuous.

“The moustache is a nuisance to be honest and it’s great to be able to shave it off afterwards. My wife Margaret is much happier once it’s gone.”

Mark often keeps his black moustache well into December for effect at Christmas parties, a move that invariably tops up his fundraising.

He has just presented a cheque to the Hospice for £830 from his latest effort.

The most he raised was £1,369 in 2019 before lockdowns and face masks which hide his moustache from pilates students at Trinity House physiotherapy practice where he is based.

Mark said: “People forgot I was growing a moustache, so it was a bit of nightmare. I then found a really good mask with a Mexican moustache, but unfortunately it scared too many people who said it was putting them off.

“I change my moustache every week if possible. It’s been bright red but the dye wouldn’t wash out of the bed sheets for weeks. I’ve also had it in stripes, with chunks cut out and even got a hairdresser to turn it into a bat shape once.

“I judge it on the reaction of my daughter Gemma and son Jamie. If they say ‘dad you can’t go out like that’ I know it’s daft enough and I’ve got an effect.”

Mark took part in memory walks with his late father Frank while father-in-law George Calnun died in the Hospice in 2009. He said: “The Hospice were fantastic and we’ll always be grateful.”

Mark’s most bizarre fundraiser was a walk backwards from Arighi Bianchi to the Cat and Fiddle pub.

* To sponsor him visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Mark-Leah-Movember2021

Silktown Stitchers

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Art work by the Silktown Stitchers has pride of place at East Cheshire Hospice. The group dedicated the colourful hanging to the memory of Jill Rowbotham, a much-loved member who died of cancer in March 2020.

David Rowbotham and Alison Bettles with the art work by the Silktown Stitchers.

Her husband David was present at the hand over, along with Alison Bettles, chair of the Silktown Stitchers. The 30-strong group meet on the second Thursday of each month at the youth centre in Prestbury.

The theme for the creation was ‘haven’ to show the link between the security homes provided during lockdown and isolation and the support the Hospice offers families during their most difficult times.

Alison said: “The hanging was created when members couldn’t meet due to Covid restrictions. We chose haven as a theme, but decided not to put a name to it so members could interpret it as they wished.

“Our group has a particular interest in embroidery, but encompasses all aspects of textile art. Visitors are welcome and our meetings comprise a mixture of speakers, stitch and chat afternoons and social events.”

The hanging was the first major project for the Stitchers since it became an independent stitch group following the withdrawal of branch support by the Embroiderers Guild.

* For more information email Alison at alisonenb@hotmail.com.

The display is located in a popular meeting room at the Hospice.

Christmas Tree Collection 2022 success!

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Volunteers were out in force as the Christmas tree collection in aid of East Cheshire Hospice returned in style.

Organisers had to scale back last year’s delayed scheme because of lockdown and Covid safety concerns were again the main focus this time.

Early arrivals at the Hospice preparing for the Christmas tree collection.

However, the country’s most successful tree collection was able to go ahead on schedule in its 22nd year, with more than £155,000 raised for the Hospice.

Some 150 volunteers took part last weekend, with a fleet of vans shuttling between homes and the Ansa recycling plant at West Park, Macclesfield.

Ansa depot recyclers (from left) Dave Heeks, Steve Greenaway, Steve Worthington and Mark Birtles.

Almost 7,000 trees were collected and will be turned into compost for parks, gardens and Cheshire farmland.

Until two years ago the depot also housed the so-called Mulchers Arms, a makeshift canteen for refreshments.

This time refreshments were provided at the Hospice for volunteers whose shift times were staggered to prevent a large gathering.

Catering volunteers Kath Jones (left) and Lilly Tester.

The traditional post-event drink at the Cock and Pheasant pub in Bollington was also cancelled this year as a safety measure.

More donors contributed online this year when using the Hospice web page to register for the collection, which had AstraZeneca as main sponsors.

Richard Raymond, co-founder of the scheme, said:  “We’d like to thank everyone who played their part in making the collection happen again this year.

“It hasn’t been an easy time because of Covid, but the dedication, loyalty and generosity of donors, volunteers and sponsors has meant we’ve enjoyed another hugely successful year.

“The Hospice depends on contributions from our community to continue its vital role caring and supporting those in need.”

The latest collection brings the total raised by the scheme to more than £1.5m.

Long-standing supporters include Bosley-based King Feeders, which loaned a mulching machine,  and Cheshire Vehicle Rental.

The first collection team of the day. From left, Steve Bower, Gary Richards and son Criss.

Tree collectors in Broken Cross. James Chapman (left) brother Chris and Caitlin Howarth.

Fundraising Schedule for 2022

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

East Cheshire Hospice has unveiled a packed programme of exciting events for supporters in 2022.

A highlight will be a Memory Walk at Adlington Hall on Friday, March 25, with registrations due to open soon.

Amazingly, it will be three years since the last such event happened. Entries open soon and walkers can find out more on the Hospice website.

The fundraising programme starts with a Pie and a Pint walk over a 10k loop from Macclesfield Rugby Club on Sunday, February 6.

Then comes the Memory Walk and the rest of the schedule reads:

  • Art Fair Cheshire – May 26 to June 5
  • Fashion on the Edge – June 22
  • Hospice to Hospice walk – July 2
  • Wing walk – July 11
  • Firewalk – Oct 27
  • Trek Sahara – Nov 12-19

A new event is the Hospice to Hospice walk.

Participants will walk from Warrington to Macclesfield, or Macclesfield to Warrington – starting and finishing at either St Rocco’s Hospice or East Cheshire Hospice.

It is over the marathon distance of 26 miles with a half-marathon version also an option.

The biennial Art Fair at Macclesfield Town Hall is re-scheduled for this coming May after it was held over from September amid uncertainty over the pandemic.

The last event in 2019 raised £45,000 for the charity’s art therapy unit. The fair has donated around £300,000 to the Hospice since 1999.

Fashion on the Edge will be a lavish ladies lunch and colourful fashion show in a marquee at Alderley Edge Cricket Club.

The wing walk is back by popular demand. Daredevils will once again take to the skies over an air field in Gloucestershire strapped to a classic 1940s Boeing Stearman biplane.

Volunteers at last year’s Firewalk.

The Firewalk is another fundraising favourite, while the deadline for entries for Trek Sahara is  January 21.  Adventurers who fancy a 50k desert walk before voluntary work at a community project in Marrakech can contact the Hospice.

The wing walk is back in July.

Events Manager Beth Candy said: “Hopefully, there’s something for everyone in 2022 and we look forward to welcoming back our supporters in large numbers after the frustrations of the last two years.

“Obviously, we’ll continue to monitor the Covid situation closely and will take all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of all participants.

“These events are vital to us. Not just for the funds generated through sponsorship towards patient care, but also the community involvement which we’ve missed so much.”

ends

Brand new Pie & Pint event this February!

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

A tasty pie and a traditional pint – that’s the welcome awaiting walkers at a new fundraising event organised by East Cheshire Hospice.

A 10k walk on Sunday, February 6, starts and ends at Macclesfield Rugby Union Football Club.

Pie and Pint, starting at 10 am, is a scenic stroll through the Cheshire countryside.

The route visits Over Alderley before a half way refreshment stop at Mottram St Andrew. Prestbury is the next port of call before the last stretch into Dale Brow and back to the rugby club.

Hospice fundraisers Bethan Wade (left) and Beth Candy practice the Pie and Pint route.

Tickets are £25 for adults and £15 for under 18s who must be accompanied by an adult or have written permission. Tickets will also provide a non-alcoholic drink.

Challenge Events Coordinator Bethan Wade said: “It’s a new event and a great way to get into shape for the spring.

“Walkers are urged to wear suitable clothing and footwear such as walking boots and waterproofs and not trainers as the route is challenging and is likely to be muddy.

Fundraiser Beth Candy shows the way on the Pie and Pint route.

“The entry fee only covers the cost of staging the event, so we’re asking walkers to raise sponsorship which will go directly towards caring for patients.

“All entrants will receive a custom pint glass, hi vis jacket and, of course, a pie and a pint at the end. There are three flavours – meat and potato, chicken balti and cheese and onion – plus vegan, gluten free options. Walkers  can watch the rugby afterwards if they wish.”

To enter visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/pie-and-pint/

Nick Jenkins Christmas Tree Collection Volunteer

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Bell ringer Nick Jenkins has been tuning up for the next Christmas tree collection in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

Weeks ago he was out and about in Bollington where he lives putting up banners and distributing leaflets.

Nick is an area organiser for the hugely successful collection scheme, now into its 22nd year.

From left, tree collectors Clive Whittaker, Nick Jenkins and Richard Affleck

Like other volunteers, he will be riding round in a van picking up trees for recycling on the weekend of January 15/16.

Younger sister Suzanne will do the same, while their dad Graham is part of a fleet of drivers.

The family has been helping out with the tree collection for many years and they are also long-serving bell ringers at St Peter’s Church in Prestbury.

Bell ringers involved in the 2019 tree collection. From left, Richard Raymond, Becky Morgan, Andrew Robertson, Anna Howard, Nick Jenkins, John Wilson, Suzanne Jenkins, Peter Robinson and Graham Jenkins.  

Nick said: “My dad’s been doing the collection since 2007 and I started a few years later when I was 16.

“I tend to target tree sellers with leaflets from the end of November. It’s the best place really to have a presence for when people are buying a tree, encouraging them to register for our collection.

“Everyone’s very appreciative of the work the Hospice does and some people save all their yearly donations to the charity for this one event.

“We also get people coming out to tell us about family members who’ve spent their last days in the Hospice and how grateful they were treated with such dignity and care.

“There’s a great camaraderie among volunteers and afterwards we end up sharing experiences with different crews over a pint at the Cock and Pheasant pub in Bollington.”

Nick, whose late grandfather Denis Grundy spent his final days at the Hospice, combines his job as a ramp agent with Jet2 at Manchester Airport with weekly bell-ringing duties.

“Some people come to bell ringing from a musical interest and others from a mathematical  background because it’s about permutations and combining  different numbers. There’s also a lot of physical effort involved.”

Volunteers will be collecting trees over post codes CW12, SK9, SK10, SK11, SK12 and WA16.

The event is sponsored by local businesses, including main sponsors AstraZeneca, so all donations go straight to the Hospice. To register trees visit www.echtrees.org.uk.

January Rug Sale

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

A massive rug sale is under way thanks to a generous gift to East Cheshire Hospice.

East Cheshire Hospice are selling new rugs of all shapes and sizes at its three shops at Thornton Square and in Handforth and Poynton.

Some 1400 rugs which were surplus stock were donated to the Hospice, with all proceeds going directly to fund patient care.

Hospice shop manager Pete Gorton and furniture co-ordinator Michele Slack with just a few of the rugs.  

The Hospice has also arranged a special sale at Macclesfield community centre – formerly Macclesfield senior citizens hall – on Duke Street.

The centre will be open for the rug sales from 10 am until 4 pm on three successive Saturdays, starting from January 8.

Commercial manager Louise Delany said: “It’s first come, first served basically at our three shops but because we’ve got so many we haven’t enough room to display as many as we’d like.

“Therefore, we’ve set up an opportunity for potential buyers to view them at our sales days at the community centre.

“There’s already been a big demand, but we’ve got hundreds of high quality rugs for sale, mostly for less than half the retail price.

“There’s a huge assortment of sizes, colours, patterns and prices.

“If people want to grab a great bargain then I suggest they visit our shops quickly, or come along on one of the three Saturdays.”

Sign up to news and event updates
Follow us on