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Pye Ash Farm supports the Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Breeding farm animals runs in the Gilman family and so does raising funds for East Cheshire Hospice.

They have raised more than £11,000 for the charity in just over two years through pumpkin mazes and lambing live events.

They own Pye Ash Farm, in Bosley, where face painting sessions have proved as popular with children as cattle and sheep.

Three generations work on a farm family owned since the 1930s.

From left, friends Lizzie Jones, Martha Gilman and Jemma Long with Pippy and Scrappy.

James’ father Joe – now almost 90 – still keeps an eye on what is going on at the farm and helps with car parking at seasonal events.

James is one of the country’s top sheepdog trainers and held trials for charity last year. The accomplished dog handler has represented England many times.

Indeed, in 2007 he won One Man and His Dog, a popular BBC television series.

James developed an interest 40 years ago when he bought his first dog Jill for £5. The sheepdogs he now trains are eighth generation.

Farm team members (from left) James Gilman, Lizzie Jones, Lizzie Clark, Kiera Bradley, Jane Gilman, Ash Imber and George Gilman.

Daughter Martha said: “Dad takes great pride in breeding and owning dogs and his lessons for local farmers and handlers are extremely popular.

“He just got the bug for sheepdog training and it became his passion, along with running the farm.

“We have 500 sheep of different breeds, 100 head of Hereford cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys and around 10 sheepdogs at any one time.”

James Gilman and sheepdog Harry.

Bees are also part of life. James’ wife Jane is a beekeeper, a hobby she combines with teaching in Wincle and helping train dogs.

Martha and brother George will get involved at events, while George’s fiancée Liz is a vet which is useful. Their friend Jemma Long is a willing helper.

Martha said: “East Cheshire is our nearest hospice and close to the hearts of a lot of people we know.

“We’ve raised more than £14,000 for charity, mostly for the Hospice, from donations, including for face painting.

Farm workers (from left, back) Olivia Wain, Martha Gilman, Winnie Bullock, Sarah Nixon, Grace Gibbs. Front, Jane Gilman, Lizzie Clark, Kiera Bradley, James Gilman, Paige Jepson.

“The TV show brought sheepdog competition to the public attention. It involves how well the dog and handler work together getting sheep through gates.”

Pye Ash Farm will host sheepdog trials in August next year and their next event is a Pumpkin Maze this October. Visit pyeashfarm.co.uk.

Caring Carl Lamptey is the pride of Cheshire!

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Caring Carl Lamptey is the pride of Cheshire!

Modest Carl will not admit it since he is too busy fundraising, but he deserves the accolade for amazing service to the community.

Carl Lamptey at the Local Hero awards at Cottons Hotel and Spa.

The Macclesfield dad is overwhelmed after scooping two awards recognising his dedication.

Carl won Cheshire’s Silk 106.9 Pride of Cheshire prize at the Local Hero 2023 Awards, days after receiving a civic award from Macclesfield mayor Cllr Fiona Wilson.

His Team Rainbow has raised more than £70,000 for East Cheshire Hospice where wife Sarah died of breast cancer in 2014, aged 36.

Carl Lamptey with his Silk 106.9 award. 

He supports many causes, including appeals by the radio station. He also helped a boy with a brain tumour get his wish for an Apple tablet.

Carl said: “It all began when Sarah started holding parties to raise funds and basically I’ve continued her legacy. I’ve not stopped fundraising because that’s what she wanted to do.

“I know the community are going to give, because they’re awesome. During lockdown I asked footballers to donate and they didn’t, so I turned to the community and the rest is history. They just nailed it.

“It’s nice to get recognition, but I don’t do it for awards. When Sarah passed I got so many messages from people I didn’t know and realised we’re in a good area with good people who care.

“I know we’ve got a good community, so that’s why I keep doing what I’m doing and the Hospice has been at the heart of my fundraising.”

What Women Want Bingo hit the jackpot

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Disco fever swept Tytherington High School as a bingo night hit the jackpot for East Cheshire Hospice.

Organisers What Women Want raised a record £13,500 from the sell-out event which attracted more than 300 party goers.

It took the total raised by the five voluntary fundraisers to £393,000 since the group was set up 13 years ago.

Disco bingo has been a big hit since the fun nights began with players quite literally entering into the spirit of the occasion. No one went thirsty with the infamous barrows of donated booze raffled off.

The WWW group – Julie Barnes, Jo Millward, Jill Harding, Elaine Burgess and Jayne Carter – are prolific fundraisers with their balls, bingo nights and fashion shows.

Sarah Dale (centre) from the Hospice with What Women Want fundraisers (from left) Jo Millward, Julie Barnes, Jayne Carter and Elaine Burgess.

They have also undertaken individual challenges to raise funds. Jill is a health care assistant at the Hospice where her mum Mary was a patient.

Jayne, the group chair, said: “Our latest bingo didn’t disappoint. It was our biggest yet and the lucky ones who got tickets dug deep to help us raise a fantastic amount.

“We’re overwhelmed at the continued generosity from our supporters. They are truly amazing. We’d also like to thank the fabulous bar staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make the night a huge success.”

Funds raised are used to buy specific items to benefit Hospice patients. The two cars used by the Hospice @Home nurses were bought thanks to donations from the WWW women.

Hold a Coronation Big Lunch

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Join the Coronation Big Lunch and help crown the new King in style with East Cheshire Hospice.

The Fundraising Team are giving away free fundraising packs for a weekend of national celebration from May 6-8.

Everyone is invited, whether it’s sharing a cuppa with a neighbour on the doorstep, or a bigger bash in the street.

The lunch box packs have balloons, bunting and Union Jacks to help parties go with a swing.

Getting into the coronation celebrations … Hospice fundraiser Bethan Wade and Becky Sidwell from the marketing team.

The packs, including collection cubes, are available from the Hospice. Either call in or telephone 01625 433477 or visit the website www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/biglunch

The Big Lunch is a nationwide act of celebration marking the historic coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The aim is to bring families, friends, neighbours and communities together to share friendship, food and fun.

Thousands of events are planned across the country and the Hospice has produced its own packs so supporters can share the excitement and at the same time hopefully raise money for the charity.

Community fundraiser Claire Gorton said: “We’re encouraging people to get together to celebrate the coronation and fundraise for a local cause at the same time.

“Supporters will be organising lots of fun events and these packs will add colour as they enter into the spirit of the occasion.

“Big Lunch means anything – sandwiches, tea, cake and a chat, or whatever people want. You decide.

“But it’s not far off, so we encourage people to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, the Hospice’s Starlight Walk at Capesthorne Hall is fast approaching on Thursday, April 27, at 6 pm. The walk starts at 7 pm.

It is four years since Capesthorne last staged the walk in memory of loved ones. The event was at Adlington Hall last year after a Covid break.

Entry is £20 and £15 via the website. The dusk-time woodland walk, sponsored by Ford dealers Sidney Jackson, is over a 2.5km loop featuring atmospheric lighting and fire pits.

Walkers can complete the course multiple times. The last set off time is 8.30 pm, with the event closing at 10 pm. Tickets are available at www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/starlight-walk.

Easter Humpties are back!

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Volunteer knitters have put Easter Humpties back together again as part a new fundraising campaign.

The cute colourful characters are on sale for £2, with all proceeds going to East Cheshire Hospice.

Inside are mouth-watering creme eggs donated by businesses.

More than 1,300 humpties and chicks have been made, with more than half created by the handiwork of tireless volunteer Angela Roberts.

The Easter treats are available at King’s School, Upton Priory and Bollinbrook, the same primary schools which sold them last year.

They can also be bought from the Hospice reception (9 am to 7 pm); its shops in Poynton and Handforth, Prestbury Pharmacy and Quality Dry Cleaners in Tytherington.

Community fundraiser Claire Gorton with an Easter Humpty.

Community fundraiser Claire Gorton said: “Once again our fantastic knitters have risen to the challenge. Some knit for us all year round and attaching the sparkly hair can be a little tricky.”

Companies which have donated eggs are Anthony Collins Solicitors; BNI Silk; C3 Sales and Consulting; STD Transport; Surface Technology International and Thorneycroft Solicitors.

Claire said: “It makes a huge difference for the Hospice not to have to buy the creme eggs, meaning every penny from each Humpty sold goes directly towards providing vital end-of-life support for those in our community.

“Last year the humpties were so popular I was constantly popping back to schools with extra deliveries. The kids were desperate to see what different colour combinations they could find within each batch.”

Other handmade Easter decorations, priced from £2, are also available from the Hospice reception.

Pete Chapman’s Christmas Tree Collection milestone

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Volunteer Pete Chapman reached a special milestone with the latest tree collection.

It marked 25 years since Pete and wife Heather first picked up a discarded Christmas tree, starting an incredible fundraising journey.

Their dedication was recognised with a presentation by Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston after the latest collection.

Pete’s family began collecting trees for charity in 1999. Two years later they decided to donate funds to East Cheshire Hospice, a kind gesture which led to a relationship still going strong today.

Pete Chapman, Karyn Johnston and Richard Raymond

The initial idea came when Heather suggested collecting trees to help buy a new organ at Prestbury Church where son Andy, then 15, sang in the choir.

Each chorister was given £10 as an 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.

“We’ve been amazed by the scheme’s success over the years. It’s been beyond our wildest dreams and has inspired dozens of similar collections around the country.”

Christmas Tree Collection 2023 success!

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Wind and rain did not deter volunteers who turned the East Cheshire Hospice tree collection into another major triumph.

More than 6,000 trees were collected last weekend in what is believed to be the largest scheme of its kind in the world.

Around £150,000 was raised as more than 250 volunteers staged a military-style operation to collect Christmas trees in a fleet of vans.

Volunteers ready to start the Christmas tree collection.

Richard Raymond, co-founder of the scheme, said: “What another amazing effort! Every year we are so lucky to get such an incredible response to our appeal from the public.

“That support comes from dedicated volunteers who always answer our call for help and those who continue to make generous donations.

“This year has been particularly hard due to the cost of living crisis, yet we still managed to raise as much as we have done in the last few years.

Helping hands… catering volunteers (from left) Sunflower Wellbeing Centre manager Helen Henshaw, Clinical Director Sandra Jones, Medical Director Dr Debbie Alexander and Trustee Louise Haughton.

“We have a long list of sponsors as well, led by AstraZenaca, who loyally stick by us and we must say a special thank you to them.”

The scheme has raised a staggering £1.65m in 23 years.

Volunteers over the two days included Hospice staff and workers at the Ansa recycling plant in West Park.

Christmas tree scheme co-founders Richard Raymond (left) and Pete Chapman.

A mulching machine operated by CRJ Recycling, from Allostock, turned trees into compost, complying with the Hospice’s on-going eco initiatives.

Two traditions returned after a Covid-enforced absence.

The Mulchers Arms, a makeshift canteen for refreshments, reopened at the recycling plant, while a post-event drink at the Cock and Pheasant pub in Bollington also made a welcome return.

Tree collectors (from left) Tony Browne, Spike Elliott and wife Helen.

Volunteers taking part included Harry Whittaker, whose dad Clive played a key role in the route planning for collection vans, using sophisticated software.

Early starters on collection rounds were husband and wife Spike and Helen Elliott, from Broken Cross, whose crew included Tony Browne, from Macclesfield. The trio are all regulars on the volunteering front.

Ansa depot recyclers playing their part in the tree collection scheme.

Volunteer Harry Whittaker collects the first tree from East Cheshire Hospice.

Volunteers at Christmas Tree Collection

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Volunteers Rob and Marion BoSmith have a unique claim to fame in the long history of collecting trees in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

The Bollington couple picked up a symbolic tree that saw the fundraising scheme smash through the £1m barrier in 2019.

They only discovered their historic role in the tree collection scheme when they returned to the recycling plant at West Park late one afternoon.

Rob said: “We drove back to the plant and the first thing we knew was when everyone started screaming and shouting. Photographs were taken as champagne was sprayed over the van.

“It was pure coincidence that we happened to be the people who collected the tree which took the total beyond the £1m mark.”

Youngest daughter Astrid with Rob and Marion during the 2017 collection which was re-arranged due to snow. Astrid stood in for sister Imogen who had travelled from London for the original date.

Rob and Marion will be out and about again with fellow volunteers over the weekend of January 14/15 when the next collection takes place.

It is not too late to register. Visit www.echtrees.org.uk.

The couple will be joined by one of their three daughters, Imogen, who has volunteered before.

Rob, a helper for 15 years, will carry his chainsaw and cutters to trim any large trees.

Marion, a more recent recruit, said: “There’s an amazing sense of camaraderie. It’s a pleasure to be involved.

Rob BoSmith, a veteran of the East Cheshire Hospice Christmas tree recycling scheme.

“Everyone bends over backwards to be helpful, including those serving food, the van crews and staff at the Ansa plant who’re wonderful.

“They’re safety conscious and take the trees from us, while braving the elements all day.

“Everyone is buzzing all day as we exchange messages on WhatsApp about how we’re getting along.”

The scheme has raised more than £1.5m in 22 years. Post codes covered are CW12, SK9, SK10, SK11, SK12 and WA16.

The event is sponsored by local businesses, including main sponsors AstraZeneca, meaning all donations go straight to the Hospice.

Rob said: “We’ve been to all sorts of places. Despite living here for 42  years, we’re still discovering places we never knew existed. Everyone is so helpful if we can’t find a particular house.”

The couple met at the Wellcome Research Laboratories in Kent before moving to Bollington, running a corner shop attached to their home for eight years.

They both worked at AstraZeneca, Rob leaving to teach IT at Macclesfield College.

Marion said: “It didn’t take us long to get over any homesickness. It’s much nicer up here, where we’re part of a lovely community.”

Review of the year 2022

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Another year packed with special memories at East Cheshire Hospice draws to a close.

The Hospice once again put patients at the heart of its activities.

Patients and visitors can enjoy a Serenity Garden created in a courtyard outside the inpatient ward.

Volunteers turned out in force to help with planting, aiming to make a garden look good all-year round.

Volunteer gardener Deborah Roberts with garden designer Ben Darlington (left) and landscaper Mark Marshall. 

From left, Chair of the Hospice’s Trustee Board Will Spinks, Andy Burnham and Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston.

There was also an environmental emphasis, a recurring theme throughout 2022 for the Hospice.

Installing solar panels will hopefully reduce energy costs, while reducing food waste was another eco initiative.

Scores of families basked in early spring sunshine at a Memory Miles walk at Adlington Hall.

One of the first post-Covid events saw walkers undertook a one-kilometre woodland loop of the beautiful grounds. Look out for details in the New Year about a similar walk.

The weather was not so kind for a Pie and a Pint challenge over a 10k route in heavy rain, while firefighter Adam Davies chose a flaming hot day to tackle a gruelling golf challenge.

The keen golfer played 72 holes over 15 hours at Shrigley Hall Hotel and Spa.

Firefighter Adam Davies during his epic golf challenge.  

One of many fundraisers who went to extraordinary lengths to raise funds.

Brothers Tom and George Bentham paddled a canoe from one side of the country to the other in memory of their late father Mark, a chef and sailor.

Canoeing brothers Tom (left) and George Bentham.

Their bizarre challenge took nine days, while round-the-world sailor Heather Broadbent spent almost three years on her voyage due to pandemic delays.

Thankfully, services at the Sunflower Wellbeing Centre are fully back to normal after the disruption.

Popular group sessions such as Live Well Feel Well and a range of dementia programmes are meeting community needs.

The Hospice strengthened its dementia team this year due to an increase in demand.

Its Hospice @Home service proudly celebrated its fifth anniversary in October.

Hospice @Home staff (from left) Sally Heaven, Helen Singleton and Gill Tomlinson.  

The service has been an outstanding success, with a six-strong team expanding to 25.

A patient who lost her hair inspired health care assistant Elaine Taylor to shave her head to raise funds and show her support.

Art Fair Cheshire was also back, showcasing the region’s finest creative talent.

Art teacher Patty Callaghan who was among exhibitors at Art Fair Cheshire 2022.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, visited the Hospice. He passionately supports the Hospice sector and the holistic care it provides.

James Hurley Hospice fundraiser

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

The sight of Star Wars baddy Kylo Ren circling White Nancy must have frightened a few walkers enjoying a weekend stroll.

Alas there was nothing to fear from a different galaxy.

It was James Hurley dressed as the fictional character raising funds for East Cheshire Hospice where his mum Sharon works.

Fundraiser James Hurley enjoying the view from White Nancy.  

Star Wars fan James walked to the top carrying a collection bucket before completing 50 circuits of the monument.

The nine-year-old’s efforts raised £312, well above his initial £200 target.

Walkers donated, along with friends and family, including sister Emma (13).

Class mates and teachers at St Alban’s Catholic Primary School, where he is in year five, also supported his adventure.

Sharon is the sister at the Sunflower Wellbeing Centre.

She said: “It was James’ idea to walk round White Nancy. With me working at the Hospice, he just decided one day that he wanted to raise money for the Hospice.

May the force be with you…James as Star Wars character Kylo Ren.

“I’m really proud and quite touched that he wanted to do it.  I don’t talk too much about my work, but he knows I look after poorly people.

“Walkers were clapping James as he walked back down through Bollington village after completing his journey. He’s always loved Star Wars and has plenty of costumes.”

St Alban’s have also held cake sales as part of their support for the Hospice.

Unmasked….James sports his East Cheshire Hospice top.    

* Any supporters wishing to fundraise for the Hospice can email fundraising@echospice.org.uk

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