Corporate Archives - East Cheshire Hospice
01625 610364

Category: Corporate

The Tytherington Club’s Corporate Challenge

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

A new era dawns at The Tytherington Club at the end of next month when it opens a plush 65-bedroom hotel.

The countdown continued to the November 30 opening with members supporting a month-long charity campaign run by East Cheshire Hospice.

The country club donated £554 as part of a Corporate Challenge which raised a record total of £12,226 for the Hospice.

Tytherington should have welcomed its first hotel guests in the spring but had to delay opening because of Covid-19.

Liz Turner, Event Sales Assistant at the club, said: “These are exciting times for The Tytherington Club with the forthcoming opening of our new hotel development.

“Our members are keen supporters of the Hospice so were delighted to take part in the Corporate Challenge.

“It’s been a difficult time for every business and unfortunately our plans were delayed  because of the pandemic.

“Thankfully, work is now nearing completion and with Macclesfield such a popular destination the hotel will be a great addition to our existing facilities and meet the need for accommodation.”

The club ran several Corporate Challenge events, including gym members cycling the combined distance between Land’s End and John O’Groats led by instructor Rebecca Jackson. They also paid £5 for classes on National Fitness Day when instructors waived their fees.

Gym members at The Tytherington Club limbering up to support  East Cheshire Hospice.

Golfers guessed the number of tees in a bowl while spa guests had a similar nail varnish challenge. Raffle prizes included a hotel stay and golf on its championship course.

Liz said: “I used to work at the Hospice so know first-hand what a wonderful place it is and how much they rely on donations.”

The Corporate Challenge was won by Equilibrium Financial Planning who raised £4,620. Builders merchants MaccPlas came second with recruitment firm Leap 29 third.

Bioscript, the 7i Group and the Ivy Leaf pub also took part. Each group received a £100 start-up loan and all profit from that investment was donated to the Hospice.

Kate Bowmar, Corporate Relationship Manager at the Hospice, said: “We’d like to thank the businesses for taking part and entering into the spirit of a fun competition. They raised an amazing total, especially during such a difficult year for everyone.”

East Cheshire Hospice Community Fundraiser Carley Macey (left) with Liz Turner, Event Sales Assistant at The Tytherington Club.

Norfox Donation

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

East Cheshire Hospice were delighted to receive a £1,500 donation from NORFOX recently as part of the organisation’s ongoing support towards North West hospices.

As the second lowest funded hospice in the UK and with the cancellation of fundraising events and activities in the Covid-19 pandemic, East Cheshire Hospice has suffered a severe impact on its ability to generate sustainable income.

In a letter of thanks to NORFOX, Corporate Fundraiser at East Cheshire Hospice Kate Bowmar wrote: “The fact that you are thinking of ways to support others at what is a worrying time for us all speaks volumes for your kindness.

“Thanks to you and your supporters, we can continue to offer vital care to those who currently need it the most.”

Chair of NORFOX Stewart Grant added:  “We all know families that have been wholly cared for by our regional Hospices like East Cheshire at times of severe illness and bereavement and they deserve our continuing gratitude, support and generosity,”

Geoff Gittins tackles the Gritstone Trail for the Hospice

Posted on by Amy Chatwood

Keen walker Geoff Gittins is dedicating his most ambitious challenge to the memory of friends and relatives.

Geoff, from Macclesfield, will tackle the 35-mile Gritstone Trail as a tribute to father Harold, uncle Leslie Singleton and fellow walker Sandra Baran.

Sandra, who worked with Geoff at AstraZeneca, died earlier this year and like his two relatives was cared for by East Cheshire Hospice.

Geoff will be joined by David Baker, a fellow director at The Switched On Solutions Group (SOSG), for the three-day walk from Disley to Kidsgrove across the Cheshire plain.

Their company is part of the charity’s 500 Club in which members raise at least £500 a year over a three-year period.

Geoff said: “I enjoy walking but haven’t attempted anything like this before and it will be challenging. We’re aiming to raise £1,000 for a charity which is close to my heart.”

Geoff, who is also a Hospice lottery volunteer, is an authorised partner for multi-service providers UW (Utility Warehouse). For each new customer he makes a donation to the Hospice.

Geoff said: “We offer free online reviews so businesses and home owners can lower costs by getting the best deals and benefit themselves and the Hospice at the same time.”

* To sponsor Geoff visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ech-sosg-gritstone.

           

From left to right:

David Baker who is joining co-director Geoff Gittins for the 35-mile walk.

David Baker (left) and Geoff Gittins with wives Katherine Baker and Janet Gittins.  

Geoff Gittins who is tackling the Gritstone Trail Challenge.

Will Week 2020

Posted on by Amy Chatwood

A Macclesfield law specialist says the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 has led to an increase in demand for legal advice.

Estate planning consultant Tina Timmins says concerns among the public over planning for the future has created a surge in inquiries.

Tina is encouraging people to sign up for Will Week, run by East Cheshire Hospice from October 5-9, when solicitors waive fees in return for a donation to the charity.

Tina recently joined GPW Trusts – soon to open an office on Church Street – after 16 years with Blunts Solicitors which ceased trading in June when the long-established company went into administration.

GPW Trusts specialises in Will writing, trusts, long term care planning, inheritance tax planning, powers of attorney and probate.

Tina said: “My message is to make sure you have a Will and in this changing world there are ways of protecting your assets.

“It’s important people consider their estate planning and how they can plan to prevent their wealth being eroded by future threats.”

“We’ve had a lot of calls since the start of the pandemic and I’d encourage people to sign up for Will Week as soon as possible as appointments get booked very quickly.

“People want to support the Hospice and they come along because the charity is dear to their heart. This year more than any other has highlighted the need to have a Will.”

A full list of participating solicitors is available on the Hospice website eastcheshirehospice.org.uk.

Participating solicitors can write a single or mirror Will, or update an existing Will, in return for a donation to the Hospice. Any other services are chargeable at the solicitor’s usual cost.

GPW Trusts is expanding into Macclesfield, using Tina’s experience and in-depth knowledge of estate planning, which include Power of Attorney, Court of Protection and Probate.

Tina said: “I’m delighted to be at the start of an exciting new project and this is a new office for GPW Trusts which is well established in West Cheshire and North Wales.

“Will Week is usually three weeks for me by the time Wills are drafted and signed and I enjoy helping the Hospice.”

Pre lockdown, she was a frequent visitor to the charity’s Sunflower Centre giving informal legal advice to patients and families.

Tina is based at home and online until the new Macclesfield office is ready. Visit www.gpwtrusts.co.uk.

East Cheshire Hospice Gets a Helping Hand

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

East Cheshire Hospice is celebrating the opening of its new charity shop on Park Lane in Poynton this week.

The boutique will specialise in rediscovered treasures and was at risk of never being able to open its doors due to the fundraising challenges covid-19 has posed.

However, thanks to the gifts in kind and donations from local companies, it will open its doors to the public on Saturday 5th September 2020. Warrington based Caddick Construction is the latest to provide a helping hand, providing a £5,000 donation towards the shop’s fixtures and fittings.

l-r Aaron Day of Caddick Construction and Kate Bowmar of East Cheshire Hospice

Aaron Day, Site Manager at Caddick Construction, said: “Our team are delivering new developments at Alderley Park and our client, Bruntwood, introduced us to the East Cheshire Hospice team. We were delighted to make a donation to support such an important local charity and wish them the best of luck with the new boutique and their on-going fundraising efforts.”

Kate Bowmar, corporate fundraiser for East Cheshire Hospice, said: “The donations from Caddick Construction and other local businesses have been instrumental in the delivery of our new Poynton shop.

“The pandemic has had a huge impact on every charity’s fundraising efforts and earlier this year it looked as though we might not be able to open the new shop. We’re delighted to have been able to complete the fit out and create a fantastic welcoming environment that will encourage people to visit, discover treasures and hopefully donate pre-loved items, helping palliative care services across our local community.”

Will Week 2020

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

A Macclesfield law specialist says the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 has led to an increase in demand for legal advice.

Estate planning consultant Tina Timmins says concerns among the public over planning for the future has created a surge in inquiries.

Tina is encouraging people to sign up for Will Week, run by East Cheshire Hospice from October 5-9, when solicitors waive fees in return for a donation to the Hospice.

Tina recently joined GPW Trusts – soon to open an office on Church Street – after 16 years with Blunts Solicitors which ceased trading in June when the long-established company went into administration.

GPW Trusts specialises in Will writing, trusts, long term care planning, inheritance tax planning, powers of attorney and probate.

Tina said: “My message is to make sure you have a Will and in this changing world there are ways of protecting your assets.

“It’s important people consider their estate planning and how they can plan to prevent their wealth being eroded by future threats.”

“We’ve had a lot of calls since the start of the pandemic and I’d encourage people to sign up for Will Week as soon as possible as appointments get booked very quickly.

“People want to support the Hospice and they come along because the charity is dear to their heart. This year more than any other has highlighted the need to have a Will.”

A full list of participating solicitors is available on the Hospice website eastcheshirehospice.org.uk.

Participating solicitors can write a single or mirror Will, or update an existing Will, in return for a donation to the Hospice. Any other services are chargeable at the solicitor’s usual cost.

GPW Trusts is expanding into Macclesfield, using Tina’s experience and in-depth knowledge of estate planning, which include Power of Attorney, Court of Protection and Probate.

Tina said: “I’m delighted to be at the start of an exciting new project and this is a new office for GPW Trusts which is well established in West Cheshire and North Wales.

“Will Week is usually three weeks for me by the time Wills are drafted and signed and I enjoy helping the Hospice.”

Pre lockdown, she was a frequent visitor to the charity’s Sunflower Centre giving informal legal advice to patients and families.

Tina is based at home and online until the new Macclesfield office is ready. Visit www.gpwtrusts.co.uk.

Tina Timmins, estate planning consultant at GPW Trusts.

Spall Clark and Will Week

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

A Congleton/Wilmslow solicitor says Covid-19 has led to a rise in the number of people making wills.

Paul Clark, Managing Director of Spall Clark Solicitors, says as a result of Covid-19, concerns among the public over planning for the future has increased the demand for wills.

Paul is encouraging people to sign up for Will Week, run by East Cheshire Hospice from October 5-9, when solicitors waive fees in return for a donation to the Hospice.

He said: “The pandemic has brought home that sadly we do lose people and anyone can catch a serious illness such as Covid. It’s made people reassess their plans to make sure they’re fully covered against whatever the worst brings.

“There’s been an increase in people making wills simply because people are finally getting round to dealing with it, realising that one day tomorrow will be here and sadly something is going to happen to all of us. They’re now making preparations to cover what happens in that worst case scenario.”

Solicitors from Spall Clark will make home visits if requested during Will Week, an offer which may suit those unable to leave their home or are uncomfortable going out.

Many wills have been written remotely during the crisis with final documents signed on car bonnets or passed through windows to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Paul, who is also legacy officer at the Hospice said: “I get to see all the good work that legacies do and the benefit they provide to the Hospice. I’d therefore urge people to consider making gifts to charities such as the Hospice because they’ve always been there for us when we need them and it’s a small way we can give back.

“Supporting Will Week is a very good way of giving back to the local community while at the same time giving you peace of mind knowing that whatever happens in life, your wishes will be carried out and you’ll be making things as easy as possible for your family when you’re not here.”

“Everyone has an image of a Hospice, however it’s an uplifting place to go and provides such great support for people going through the most difficult time of their lives.”

A full list of participating solicitors during Will Week, is available on the Hospice website eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/will-week.

Participating solicitors can write a single or mirror Will, or update an existing Will, in return for a donation to the Hospice. Any other services are chargeable at the solicitor’s usual cost.

Paul Clark, Managing Director of Spall Clark Solicitors.

Local Businesses Back New Hospice Shop

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Kind-hearted businesses have come to the rescue of East Cheshire Hospice by renovating its new shop.

Several firms including Bruntwood Properties, Ceiling Solutions, Cheshire Flooring and Andrew Delany Cabinet Makers and Carpenters supplied labour free of charge.

Caddick Construction donated £5,000 for fixtures and fittings at the Poynton shop while Richard Johnson, Director of Chestergate Properties, provided voluntary conveyancing advice.

Hospice Commercial Manager Louise Delany said: “The shop looks amazing and we’d like to say a massive thank you to all those who gave their time and skills to make it happen.

“The shop is spacious and stylish and without the generous support of different trades we wouldn’t have had the budget to open it.

“They offered to help us before Covid-19 and kindly honoured that agreement, even though businesses have obviously faced their own challenges because of the pandemic.”

Louise’s husband Andrew made a bespoke reception desk, while Dean Broad and sons Ethan, Connor and Jordan, from Ceiling Solutions, provided building and plastering expertise.

That they are all from the same family meant they could continue working at the height of lockdown.

Andrew Delany with the reception desk he built.

Dean Broad with sons (from left) Ethan, Connor and Jordan.

 

A team from Bruntwood at Alderley Park helped with painting and also supplied the vital contacts needed to complete the work.

Louise said: “The slogan is ‘rediscovered treasures’  summing up the feel of a shop packed with great quality hand-picked pre-loved clothes and furniture.

“It offers sustainable shopping for you and your home and will be an exciting addition to the village  experience.”

Maccplas Take on the Corporate Challenge

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Business has been booming for builders merchants Maccplas despite challenging trading conditions.

The family firm even took on two new drivers during lockdown to cope with demand.

Maccplas is one of six teams to so far enter the Virtual Corporate Challenge run by East Cheshire Hospice.

Their aim is to raise as much money as possible for the Hospice during September. The fun competition had to be delayed four months because of Covid-19.

Each group receives a £100 start-up loan and all profit made by teams from that investment at the end of the month is then donated to the Hospice.

Maccplas is running a football results prediction competition as part of its fundraising. Visitors to its yard on the Hurdsfield Industrial Estate have also been donating.

In addition, the company will make a £1,000 donation to the Hospice which it supports on a regular basis.

 

Maccplas is owned by husband and wife Paul and Lynn Carter, with son Scott and daughter Shell also involved in running the business.

Shell said: “We were able to carry on trading during lockdown because we’re classed as an essential business. We’ve been so busy and employed a couple of extra staff who’d been laid off from other jobs to help with deliveries.

“Getting supplies has been a nightmare and we’d like to thank our loyal customers for their continued support during this difficult time. We’re delighted to support the Hospice and know lots of people who’ve been patients there.”

Maccplas driver Andy Watt.

 

Other entrants are health care communications agency Bioscript, winners in 2018 when they made a £2,000 profit; Ivy Leaf pub; recruitment firm Leap29; Equilibrium Asset Management and The Tytherington Club.

There is still time to enter an event which last year raised £9,000, including £3,240 from winners McCann Health Medical.

All funds raised from this campaign will go towards our emergency Now More Than Ever appeal to recover lost income due to Covid-19.

Hospice Corporate Relationships Manager Kate Bowmar said: “It’s been a tough year for everyone, including businesses and we’d like to thank them for supporting the Hospice.

“We’d welcome more entrants and companies can raise money in any way they like as long as it complies to current government guidelines on social distancing etc.”

To enter visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/virtual-corporate-challenge.

AstraZeneca Go the Extra Mile

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

Employees from AstraZeneca went the extra mile once again as Macclesfield took on Gothenburg in a fun charity challenge.

Some 84 staff based at the Macclesfield site came out on top against their Swedish colleagues in a competition to cover the furthest distance.

The Cheshire team covered 1,065 kilometres compared to 795 by their Scandinavian rivals.

Employees could walk or run 5k or 10k and the Macclesfield group raised around £1,000 from their efforts for East Cheshire Hospice.

The fastest local runners were Kristy Gill and Paul Thompson (5k) and Billy Hicks and Angela Jordan (10k).

Fundraisers during the AstraZeneca challenge. From left, Nick Markley, Peta Sinclair and Angela Jordan.

The challenge was organised by the company’s Pharmaceutical Technology and Development graduates.

Global Graduate Associate Harriet Hampshire said: “The event created a sense of togetherness for employees when working from home, and encouraged people to enjoy the outdoors while contributing to a great charity.

“It was great we won the distance challenge and our Swedish colleagues won a photography-based challenge, donating to their local charity.”

AstraZenaca  has raised more than £60,000 for the Hospice in the last two years alone.

The company has supported the Hospice since it first opened its doors in 1988 and was an original founding business contributing to building costs.

Sign up to news and event updates
Follow us on