Retail Archives - East Cheshire Hospice

East Cheshire Hospice Gets a Helping Hand

Posted on 4th September 20204th September 2020 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 5^th 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.”

ECHO – Opening September 5th

Posted on 26th August 2020 by Luke Brightmore

East Cheshire Hospice opens the doors to its new charity shop ECHO in Poynton on Saturday, September 5.

Poynton was chosen as the location because the Hospice is keen to build a greater presence in the village to reflect the number of patients, volunteers and supporters who live there.

The opening has been delayed by four months because of Covid-19 and the Hospice has already been encouraged by the public response, even before the first item is sold.

The Park Lane shop will sell ladies, men’s and children’s clothes, shoes, handbags, toys, bric-a-brac and furniture. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday (9 am – 5 pm).

Shop manager Emma Lloyd said: “This will be a charity shop like no other, selling good quality clothing and furniture at affordable prices.

“Value for money is even more important at the moment with the retail sector facing such a difficult time because of Covid-19.

“We wanted a presence in Poynton and believe the timing is right to open and in an ideal location in the centre of the village.

“We’re confident we’ll attract lots of customers whose support will benefit our patients. All profits go directly to fund patient care.

“Poynton is in our catchment area, although some people mistakenly believe it’s served by our friends from St Ann’s Hospice.”

ECHO shop manager Emma Lloyd (left) and volunteer Dee Waters.

The shop is the charity’s fourth, with others at Thornton Square and Chestergate, Macclesfield, and Handforth.

ECHO, which prides itself on its eco-friendly approach, will be plastic-free. Hangers will be wooden and reclaimed timber boards have been used as part of this recycling project.

Emma said: “Our customers will be saving money and saving the environment by buying our second-hand goods, some of which are designer items.

“The feedback from the public as we’ve been preparing the shop and receiving donated items has been extremely positive. We want to thank our donors.”

Staff and volunteers have been recruited and the Hospice is asking for any unwanted items to be delivered to the back of the premises where parking is available. Items will be quarantined for 72 hours.

Furniture collections can be arranged by calling furniture co-ordinator and assistant manager Michele Slack on 01625 409647 or visit the Hospice website eastcheshirehospice.org.uk.

Income from its charity shops provides a vital source of regular income for the Hospice, especially as fundraising revenue has dropped significantly because of the pandemic.

Local Businesses Back New Hospice Shop

Posted on 26th August 2020 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.”

Charity Shops Reopen

Posted on 15th July 2020 by Luke Brightmore

Charity shops run by East Cheshire Hospice are back in business with a new-style operation.

Their long-awaited return after being closed for more than three months has brought an amazing response from both donors and customers.

The Hospice is using its premises on Chestergate as a distribution centre and is the only shop where donations of clothes, bric a brac and electrical goods can be taken.

An advance booking system means items are donated in a safe and controlled manner.

Goods are quarantined for 72 hours before delivery to shops at Thornton Square and Handforth, both of which reopened for sales to the public early last week.

Strict social distancing guidelines are followed at both shops and only card payments accepted. Opening hours are reduced from 10 am to 4 pm and fitting rooms closed.

Stock will not be sold at the Chestergate shop until further notice.

Commercial manager Louise Delany said: “It’s good to be back and we’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during Covid-19. It’s been a tough few months but hopefully with the support of our customers, we can start clawing back the revenue lost when the shops were closed.

“We’ve got some great bargains in our shops and our donation system is working extremely well with donors cooperating brilliantly. We’re opening our Thornton Square shop on Sundays on a trial basis.”

The Hospice can only accept a maximum of four bags for each allocated slot and cannot receive books, CDs, DVDs, toys and soft toys.

Bookings via 01625 511997 can be made between 10 am and 3 pm and use of Gift Aid will further support the charity.

The same telephone number can be used to arrange collection of unwanted furniture. Michele Slack has started her new role as furniture co-ordinator/assistant manager.

She said: “We’re on the lookout for good quality furniture. We were desperate to get the shops up and running again and huge numbers have donated items since we began accepting them late last month. Many donors said they held on to stuff because they wanted to give it to the Hospice.”

Lindsay McDonald, Thornton Square assistant manager, said: “Trade has been booming since we opened our doors and customers were so happy to see us back. We’ve had a lot of new customers as well.”

A new Hospice shop is expected to open in Poynton in September.

Shop Volunteers Begin to Return

Posted on 15th July 2020 by Luke Brightmore

Volunteers are relieved to back in familiar surroundings helping at East Cheshire Hospice charity shops.

Retired hospital sister Margaret Turner has returned to the Chestergate shop which is distributing donated items.

Margaret, a volunteer for 16 years including a decade at the Chestergate shop, said: “I’ve missed the company and when I met our customers in the town centre they asked when we were opening up again.

“The first month of lockdown was okay and I managed to get a lot of things done but then it became frustrating, especially as my social life had stopped.

“I couldn’t go to see the Halle Orchestra, the theatre, or Macclesfield Ladies Probus club where I’m a member. I also go to a luncheon club in Wilmslow and all those activities ended.”

Margaret Turner, an East Cheshire Hospice volunteer for 16 years.

Valerie Roscoe, also from Macclesfield, is a volunteer at the Thornton Square shop where she helps out twice a week.

Valerie said: “It’s been terrible during lockdown to be honest and I struggled to get up in a morning. It’s good to back and I missed chatting to all the customers who’re all very friendly.”

Part of her time during lockdown was spent providing home schooling for 12-year-old grandson Bobby.

Valerie Roscoe, volunteer at the Hospice shop at Thornton Square.

Staff involved in the retail operation on which the Hospice relies heavily for its income are also glad to be back serving customers again.

M&S Flowers add colour to East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on 12th February 202010th February 2020 by Luke Brightmore

From left, Hospice volunteer Mary Hindle with Marks & Spencer staff Ellie Holley, Helen Ross and Chris Birkenhead.

Floral gifts from Marks & Spencer are adding colour to East Cheshire Hospice and helping fund the cost of patient care.

Twice a week volunteers from the charity collect beautiful arrangements from the Handforth Dean store which have reached their sell-by date.

The flowers decorate the inpatient ward, Sunflower Centre and reception area while some are sold to visitors and staff in return for a donation.

Donations have raised £4,000 since the store started giving flowers to the Hospice a year ago.

Volunteer Mary Hindle, from Prestbury, said: “It’s a generous gesture by M & S and when I deliver the flowers to the Hospice, they bring great pleasure to patients, staff, visitors and volunteers.”

Hospice Volunteer Co-ordinator Helena Smith said: “We can’t thank M & S enough for their kind support. The flowers are of an amazing quality and bring so much cheer to the Hospice.

“One inpatient wanted to give her daughter flowers for her birthday and was so happy when she realised they were available here.

“It was a lovely moment and meant so much to her. Flowers are precious and bring colour and care, raising funds so we can look after our patients.”

Ellie Holley, Food Section Manager at M & S, Handforth, said: “We’re delighted to help East Cheshire Hospice as part of our on-going support for local charities. We value our role within the community and are glad flowers we can no longer sell to our customers make such a difference to Hospice patients.”

Review of the Year 2019

Posted on 16th January 2020 by Amy Chatwood

Fun and fundraising brought lots of smiles for East Cheshire Hospice supporters over the last 12 months.

Another packed colourful calendar of events meant the charity benefitted in many different ways.

Music, art, sport, fashion, travel, leisure and business were all thrown into the mix by generous donors.

Families were out in force at Light Up The Night at Capesthorne Hall, a poignant occasion which saw many walkers remember loved ones.

Community events included Splash Out! when young and old faced a series of water challenges, while dogs and owners tackled a testing obstacle course at Tough Woofer.

Taking a dip at Splash Out.

Mayor Janet Jackson in her charity shop outfit which she wore at Buckingham Palace.

Mayor of Macclesfield Coun Janet Jackson is a regular customer at the Hospice charity shop at Thornton Square where she picked up a bargain for a Royal appointment.

When she received the MBE from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, she wore a dress and matching jacket she had bought from there for £25. Her hat cost £10.

Nick Robinson gives his speech at the Hospice’s Business Briefing

BBC journalist Nick Robinson gave a keynote speech at the Hospice’s annual Business Briefing at Alderley Park. Nick’s late father Robbie was cared for by the Hospice.

Round-the-world sailor Heather Broadbent.

Hospice supporter Heather Broadbent starts 2020 sailing off the coast of Australia.

She is aboard GoToBermuda competing in the Clipper 2019-20 Round the World Yacht Race.

Heather is going from Freemantle to the Whitsunday Islands on the latest leg of her 11-month voyage.

She is raising £40,000 for the Hospice where her late husband Adam was a patient. To donate go to dreamitnowdoit.com

Heather said: “I’m loving every minute and wouldn’t change it for the world. At sea I’m making memories and friends for life.”

Mother and daughter Kim and Nina Bennett with cockapoo Elsie at Tough Woofer.

Dressing the Mayor!

Posted on 18th October 2019 by Amy Chatwood

Looking smart is vital for Coun Janet Jackson, especially with a full diary of engagements as Mayor of Macclesfield.

That is where the East Cheshire Hospice charity shop at Thornton Square helps out, supplying most of Janet’s outfits.

A navy and grey dress and matching jacket bought from there for only £25 was worn when she received her MBE from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in January.

The hat for that proud day at Buckingham Palace was another bargain at £10. The Mayor is a regular customer at the Hospice shop and a new winter coat is next on her list.

Coun Jackson said: “I’m always getting compliments on what I wear and delight in telling people that my clothes are from the charity shop.

“It’s a win-win situation as far as I’m concerned. You can find fantastic clothes at a really good price and are supporting a wonderful charity.

“East Cheshire Hospice need a tremendous amount of money every day to keep their service going, so anything anyone can do by going along to the shop and buying an item or two is all to the good.

“I attend an average of five functions a week and try to have a different outfit for almost every occasion.

“With the attention on climate change, I’m also a sustainable Mayor and helping the environment.

I’m helping the charities and my pocket too.”

Coun Jackson, Labour member for Macclesfield Central, recalls fondly her royal honour rewarding her long-standing service to the community.

The grandmother-of-three has been involved in politics for almost 30 years and has sat on numerous council and charity committees.

She is chair of the Friends of Macclesfield Silk Heritage and generations of her family have worked in the town’s silk industry.

“The Palace visit with my family was a memorable day. I couldn’t believe it when I found out I’d got the MBE because it doesn’t happen to people like me.”

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

Manager Nicolla Burgess said: “We’re delighted the Mayor is one of our loyal customers. We sell good quality items and our shop does extremely well in terms of donations and purchases. We’re looking for good quality furniture and do need help on the vans with collections.”

Furniture is a big deal!

Posted on 17th July 2019 by Amy Chatwood

East Cheshire Hospice is looking for volunteers to collect furniture for sale at two of its shops.

The charity wants volunteers willing to drive on Fridays (9 am-4.30 pm) and Saturday mornings and therefore play an integral role within its commercial team.

The Hospice is also asking the public to donate furniture which provides a vital source of revenue to help fund the cost of patient care.

Commercial Manager Louise Delany said: “If enough volunteers come forward, we can draw up a rota therefore it might be someone only helps out once a month. Any time they can spare will be much appreciated.”

“It’s a two-person operation and full training will be given, so we need volunteers who are fit and healthy and able to lift furniture.

“They’ll collect goods from a donor’s property and deliver to our warehouse in Pott Shrigley or our shops at Thornton Square and Handforth where we have furniture for sale and on display.”

The Hospice accepts any good quality furniture that can be sold on, so providing it is not ripped or stained they will accept most items including retro, antique furniture, or items that can be restored.

It will collect sofas, table and chairs, bedroom furniture, side boards and any other miscellaneous items. It also collects good quality electrical items.

Louise added: “I don’t think many people are aware we collect furniture and other national charities benefit from receiving furniture due to heavy advertisement. We need to make the public aware we are also in the market for furniture and can arrange free collections.

“Our furniture range is hugely popular with our customers. Therefore, as soon as it arrives in our shops it’s sold within days.

“Our donors are extremely generous, providing us with good quality furniture to sell on to our loyal customers.

“We’re desperate for furniture and volunteers to help us collect the items.”

* To find out more email Louise Delany on ldelany@echospice.org.uk.

To donate furniture, call 01625 408992 (Thornton Square shop); 01625 404104 (Handforth shop).

Co-Op Local Community Fund

Posted on 17th July 2019 by Amy Chatwood

Your weekly shopping trip could be helping to support a unique service for young people in East Cheshire.

The Childhood Bereavement Service, run by East Cheshire Hospice, supports young people coping with loss and now it’s been chosen to benefit from the Co-Op Local Community Fund with 1% of every Co-Op own brand product bought by shoppers potentially going to support the service.

Shoppers will need to be Co-Op members and should sign up to support the Hospice here www.coop.co.uk/membership. Once the card is scanned after a shop, 1% will be donated to the Hospice.

The Bereavement Service delivers counselling, peer support groups and awareness raising activity such as training courses for teachers, youth workers and relatives. During 2017/18 it supported 226 children and young people and over 1000 family members.

Initially developed with funding from the Big Lottery Fund in 2013, the service now has no external funding so support from Co-Op shoppers will be hugely beneficial.

Corporate Fundraiser for the Hospice, Kate Bowmar, says research shows that support through bereavement is important for children and young people.

“The best way to safeguard a bereaved child’s emotional and physical well-being is to involve and inform them in an age appropriate way throughout the dying process and beyond,” she says.

“We’ve already received a mid-year payment of £830 donated by the local community and would love to continue this for the rest of the year,” adds Kate.

Shoppers have until the end of October to donate to the Hospice.