November 2024 - East Cheshire Hospice
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Month: November 2024

A special video message to promote the Hospice’s Christmas tree collection

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

It’s Christmas!’

The famous catchphrase of singer Noddy Holder who is using his festive fame to help East Cheshire Hospice.

The musician has recorded a special video message to promote the Hospice’s Christmas tree collection on January 11 and 12.

The short video is inspired by his iconic ‘It’s Christmas’ line from the 1973 smash hit Merry Xmas Everybody.

The song is part of Christmas as much as turkey and trees with a remastered Girls Aloud version currently featuring in a TV advert for online retailer Very.

Noddy’s wife Suzan said: “Noddy is synonymous with Christmas as much as Santa himself. The ‘It’s Christmas’ line was actually an ad-lib in the recording studio.

Noddy Holder and wife Suzan (right) with Hospice chief executive Karyn Johnston at Art Fair Cheshire.

“People must think Noddy has a microchip in him which triggers the song every time he walks into a shop.

“When our son Django was young, a shop tannoy started playing the song. Django decided to sing along at the top of his voice while shouting ‘It’s your song Daddy! Daddy, it’s you.’

“His antics began to draw a crowd and Noddy had to scarper.”

“The song gets played a lot and Noddy loves the fact it’s still so popular.”

The Hospice tree collection is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The charity is making a film about the scheme and its history.

The collection covers postcode areas CW12, SK9, SK10, SK11, SK12 & WA16.

* Visit www.echtrees.org.uk to register your tree or call the customer care helpline on 01625 708939.

Win a papier mâché sculpture of Noddy Holder

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

A mini version of singer Noddy Holder in his Seventies heyday will be a special Christmas present for a lucky supporter of East Cheshire Hospice.

A papier mâché sculpture of the legendary Slade front man is being raffled off to raise funds for the Hospice.

Noddy and his wife Suzan have commissioned the model to support the Hospice where they are both patrons.

Tickets are £10 and can be bought from www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/campaign/noddy-holder-sculpture-raffle/

The competition runs until December 15 when the lucky winner will be drawn by Noddy himself.

Noddy Holder with a sculpture of himself. 

Renowned artist Patty Callaghan has created the impressive sculpture of Noddy, complete with his guitar.

The work is a replica of her model sold at Art Fair Cheshire several weeks ago.

Artist Patty Callaghan with her papier mâché work.

The model is called Cum on Feel The Noize, the title of the glam rock group’s No 1 record in 1973.

Suzan said: “The sculpture is a wonderful piece of work. Noddy and I were taken by surprise when we saw it at the Art Fair. We had no idea it’d be there.

“When we shared the pictures on social media, there was a lot of interest. People said how great the sculpture was.

“We thought it’d be a good idea to raffle another model to raise more money for the Hospice, giving people a chance to own this piece of unique artwork.

A close-up view of the Noddy Holder model.

“Noddy said he didn’t want to sell to the highest bidder or hold an auction and Patty kindly agreed to help.

“We wanted to organise a raffle so anyone can put £10 in the hat and has a chance of winning it.

“The raffle is a great way to raise funds for the Hospice and hopefully a lot of tickets will be sold for such a wonderful cause.”

Noddy and Suzan became patrons of the Hospice after meeting Professor Was Mansoor, a fellow patron.

Prof Mansoor is a consultant medical oncologist at The Christie in Manchester where he treated Noddy for oesophageal cancer in 2018.

Suzan said: “We asked Prof Mansoor how we could thank him for what he’d done for Noddy and he suggested that we get involved with the Hospice.

“He told us what a great charity the Hospice is and after the way he looked after Noddy we’ll do anything the Professor says. Noddy is in good form.”

A trip down memory lane for financial adviser Phil Jones

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

A visit to East Cheshire Hospice was a poignant trip down memory lane for financial adviser Phil Jones.

He had not been back to the Hospice since his mum Linda died there 25 years ago when he was a university student.

He has never forgotten how much the Hospice helped his family so was delighted when his firm JPB Financial Planning became a major donor.

Phil Jones (left) and Will Beighton after completing the Manchester half marathon.

As part of its support, he and co-director Will Beighton raised £4,470 by running the Manchester half marathon.

Will has lived in Macclesfield since he was young, so they both know the value of the Hospice to the community.

Phil said: “Family and friends kindly sponsored us to do the run and we had the backing of many generous clients.

“We’re a firm of independent financial advisers based in Macclesfield and have a lot of clients here and across East Cheshire.

“The Hospice is close to people’s hearts. A lot of them either know someone cared for by the Hospice or are conscious it could be them needing its services one day.

“We’ve also got clients who volunteer at the Hospice in different ways. It’s a wonderful place and is well run and well respected.

“Mum died of cancer aged 53 and spent her last month there, so I’ve had first-hand experience of the care and support.

“As our company is a major donor, I went back to the Hospice on a tour. It has changed a lot, though the quality of care is still just as good.”

Silver Jubilee for our Christmas Tree Collection!

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Organisers of the East Cheshire Hospice Christmas tree collection plan to celebrate its silver jubilee in style.

The 25th anniversary of the scheme falls coincidentally in 2025 with trees collected on the weekend of January 11 and 12.

The scheme has been an extraordinary success, raising almost £2m for the Hospice.

Registrations are open at www.echtrees.org.uk

Co-founder Richard Raymond said: “This next collection is a big one for us and we want to make it a special celebration.

Tree collection co-founders Pete Chapman (left) and Richard Raymond. 

“We wouldn’t have reached this milestone without the amazing dedication of volunteers, donors and sponsors over the years.

“It has been an incredible journey and, importantly, we need to continue to raise funds for the Hospice which now needs to fundraise £9,362 daily.”

The tree idea came in 1999 when Heather Chapman, wife of co-founder Pete, suggested collecting discarded Christmas trees to help buy a new organ at Prestbury Church where son Andy, then 15, sang in the choir.

Each chorister received a £10 incentive. The family trailer was used to pick up trees and the couple realised the fundraising potential.

Pete said: “We used the £10 note to pay for petrol to collect trees from the neighbours and raised £600 for two charities. Everyone said it was a brilliant idea and asked if we’d do it again.

“The success has been beyond our wildest dreams, inspiring dozens of similar collections around the country.”

Volunteers at the last tree collection.

Richard said: “Pete asked me the second year if we could borrow a van from where I worked and the third year said he felt he was on to something.

“We needed a charity that would appeal to everyone in the area so from 2001 we decided to support the Hospice.

“More than 160 hospices run Christmas tree collections, all originating from ours. Many have had help from us.

“Peter and I liaise with them over Zoom and they email with questions.

“As we’ve been down that road, we know what to do. We created help sheets and have set up a resources library which hospices can access.”

Macclesfield MP Tim Roca is among volunteers in January.

Sponsorship covers running costs meaning every donation goes directly to providing care. The collection covers postcode areas CW12, SK9, SK10, SK11, SK12 & WA16.

* Visit echtrees.org.uk to find out more or call the customer care helpline on 01625 708939.

Get into the Christmas spirit at a Light Up A Life service

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Remember someone special and get into the Christmas spirit at a Light Up A Life service on Sunday, December 8, starting at 4 pm.

The 40-minute service is organised by East Cheshire Hospice which has teamed up with Macclesfield Town Council for the first time for the event.

There is no need to have any Hospice link to attend and tickets are not required.

The venue is the United Reformed Church, Macclesfield.

Last year’s Light Up A Life service.

Afterwards guests can browse stalls selling festive items and handmade goods while enjoying a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine.

The Hospice choir Claritas will be performing at the service which is conducted by Hospice Chaplain Marion Tugwood.

The service will not be streamed live but will be available on the Hospice website a few days later.

Amy Williams, the Hospice’s Family and Friends Fundraising Co-ordinator said: “We’re delighted to link up with Macclesfield Town Council for this family occasion.

“Children are welcome to join the service and there’ll be special safety candles for them to personalise.”

The service will be accompanied by a signer.

Marion said: “The service of remembrance is a beautiful way to come together at Christmas to remember those no longer with us.

Hospice Chaplain Marion Tugwood.

“I’ve been at the Hospice for two years and my very first duty when I arrived was to lead the Light Up a Life service.

“I love my job and it’s a privilege to sit with people during difficult times and to be there for them.”

Wonderful Chestergate shop volunteers start their week right

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

There are no Monday morning blues for grandmother Jo Nadin when she gets up for work.

Volunteering for East Cheshire Hospice at its shop on Chestergate is the perfect way to start her week.

Jo has been involved with the Hospice for the last 17 years since she joined the army of volunteers without whom the Hospice would not be here.

It was in 2006 that Jo’s daughter Sally died of a brain tumour in a hospice, prompting her to get involved.

Hospice volunteers Shirley Plant (left) and Jo Nadin.

Jo said: “I realised I couldn’t just sit at home and do nothing so I volunteered at the Hospice. Sally wouldn’t have wanted me to mope about.

“I’d worked in nursing so thought I could help, but being recently bereaved, decided to help in the shop rather than the Hospice itself.”

“I volunteer on Monday mornings and getting up is no problem – you just do it.

“The shop is a happy place to work. Everyone is so friendly and we get to know the customers.”

Colleague Shirley Plant feels the same way. Shirley volunteers twice weekly at the Chestergate shop and fills rota gaps.

Shirley said: “It’s brilliant working here – it’s like being in a boutique. Everyone comments on how nice the clothes are.

“I’m from Gawsworth originally and came back from Shropshire five years ago to live near my family.

“I decided I needed to get out and about and applied. The staff are great. You meet different people and get to know regulars who thank us for our efforts.”

The Hospice also has shops at Thornton Square and in Poynton and Handforth with a further outlet in Congleton opening soon.

Chestergate manager Lindsay McDonald said: “The volunteers are the backbone of the shop and mean everything to us.

Chestergate shop manager Lindsay McDonald.

“Without them, the shops wouldn’t be able to run. They’re kind and give up their time for free when they don’t have to.

“Jo and Shirley are examples of the dedication and commitment made by all our volunteers.

“People are more conscious about the environment and we’re trying to promote the shop with a message of ‘don’t buy new – buy pre-loved.’

“That way customers can save money for themselves and support a local charity.

“We stock a variety of outfits available at brilliant prices, including Christmas jumpers.

“Upstairs we sell furniture which should fit into a car.”

Look out for thousands of reindeers racing across Macclesfield and beyond!

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Look out for thousands of reindeers racing across Macclesfield and beyond!

It is time for Reindeer Rush, an easy way to provide a big help to East Cheshire Hospice.

Parkroyal Community School taking part in last winter’s Santa Dash.

Schools and organisations are invited to take part in the charity’s biggest mass participation event.

Last year’s Santa Dash involved 39 schools, raising a massive £59,209, one of the largest amounts in the event’s history.

The Hospice gives festive headwear to everyone taking part.

The Hospice toast last year’s bumper amount.

Community and Events fundraiser Sarah Elvin said: “We always put together a fun Christmas activity for local schools and youth groups.

“It’s designed so organisers can plan around their calendars. We ask them to raise sponsorship to help provide vital funds for the Hospice.

“You choose a date to gather in a location of your choice, like a school field, playground, hall or park.

“It can be as inclusive as possible, so feel free to put your own spin on it.

“It doesn’t have to be a run. It could be a Festive Boogie, Nature Walk or Treasure Hunt. The most important thing is to have fun.”

The Hospice provides sponsorship envelopes to collect donations from friends and family, access to a JustGiving campaign for anyone wanting to fundraise online and the all-important headgear for all participants.

Sarah said: “We can also provide a fun presentation about the run and the Hospice to share with pupils or group members.”

Enter via the Hospice website, email events@echospice.org.uk or call 01625 433477.

Jill Booth has raised over £4,500 for the Hospice since 2021

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Retired primary school teacher Jill Booth deserves a medal for all her fundraising for East Cheshire Hospice.

In fact, she owns plenty of medals already, all souvenirs from the dozens of races she has entered.

Jill said: “I like the bling – I like the medals. I must have about 90 of them from my different races.”

Her latest challenge was the Macclesfield 10k in a year that saw her complete the London Marathon.

Jill Booth with her collection of medals.

She said: “I took up running when I reached 50 nine years ago.”

“I’d plodded round a few Race for Lifes and my son Mike made me enter the Manchester 10k in 2016 after I’d watched him in a half marathon at university.”

Jill has raised more than £4,500 for the Hospice since 2021 when she lost good friend Liz Norton (76) who had oesophageal cancer.

Jill said: “Liz was like a second mum to me when I was growing up. She was always there for me, and we’d often put the world to rights.

“She spent her last couple of weeks at the Hospice and I saw how fantastic they were with her, and us, as visitors.

“They just gave her the most brilliant care.

“I miss her and thought I must raise some money for the Hospice. I thought what better way than to give back to the place that looked after her.”

Jill is a parkrun regular where she also volunteers.

Jill competing in the London marathon.

She said: “I run about three times a week and tried to enter an organised race every month. The atmosphere during my first marathon was amazing.

“I had tears in my eyes rounding Buckingham Palace to approach the finishing line. I never imagined I could achieve something like that.”

Jill has run 28 races for the Hospice in four years, plus the Great North Run, Manchester half marathon, walls of Dubrovnik and a 5k in the Croatian city.

She said: “Raising money in Liz’s memory made it even more wonderful and memorable.”

Her next big target is next year’s Rob Burrow marathon in Leeds.

She said: “Mike encouraged me to do that first run, though he’s not run that much since. He has been my bag carrier, though, along with my husband Andrew and they’re both good supporters.

“The school children always liked seeing my medals after a race. It was a nice way to encourage them to stay active.”

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