Volunteer Angela Roberts is still doing what her late mum requested when she was a patient at East Cheshire Hospice.
It was back in 1990 that Phyllis Moran asked her daughter to continue to help the Hospice once she was no longer here.
Angela has stayed true to her word, clocking up 35 years of loyal service as a volunteer.
Since 2016 she has led the charity’s Macclesfield support group.
Volunteers from the Macclesfield support group. Back (from left), Betty Malkin, Angela Roberts and Gillian Belt. Front, Jennifer Watkin, Beryl Bailey and Elsie Knight.
They organise coffee mornings, bingo and quizzes and, as importantly, provide back up for other fundraisers needing assistance with events.
It might involve making teas and coffees, washing up or any other tasks.
The Hospice also has support groups in Buxton, Goostrey, Knutsford, Poynton and Wilmslow and they are always looking for new members.
The groups raised more than £43,000 between them in the last financial year to April.
Angela’s love of arts and crafts has seen her raise more than £61,000 over the years by recycling cards and creating thousands of ‘humpties’ which are knitted characters with a cream egg inside.
Great granddaughter Lottie (10) helps at events while grandson Declan Fletcher collects raffle prizes.
Incredibly, the nine-strong Macc group have 158 years of service between them, many having held other voluntary roles.
Like Jennifer Watkin and sister-in-law Beryl Bailey, both former helpers at the Chestergate shop. The pair worked there for 17 years until Covid.
Jennifer’s father William Bailey was one of the first Hospice patients, passing away in 1988.
His great granddaughters Sophie and Abi have helped at coffee mornings and bingo.
Elsie Knight enjoys flower arranging, a skill utilised at the Hospice where she helped for 24 years.
She said: “I started off on reception before doing the flowers until Covid.
“I loved flower arranging. It meant I could go on the ward and have a chat with people.
“It also helped me. I felt I was doing something good for my mental health and it made me realise how lucky I am.”
Joan Nadin has 18 years’ service, while Margaret Hogg has helped for a similar duration. Newer member Jacqueline Mackenzie, who bakes cakes, joined in 2019.
* If this story has inspired you to join or form a Hospice fundraising support group, then reach out to its community team at events@ehospice.org.uk
To contact Angela directly about the Macclesfield group email angela.jroberts@btconnect.co