Month: June 2024

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Receptionist retires after almost 23 years of service

After more than two decades of dedicated service, our much-loved receptionist Sheila Mochan is retiring from her role.

Sheila first volunteered for the Hospice in 2001 as a Ward Clerk, a position she fulfilled for around 10 months before she switched to manning the reception desk.

The 77-year-old, from Waterloo in Ashton-under-Lyne, has spent the last 22 years welcoming visitors to Willow Wood and responding to enquiries.

Explaining how she first became a volunteer, Sheila said: “My sister-in-law had cancer in her 40s and sadly passed away before she could come to the Hospice. As I was finishing work, I wanted to volunteer at the Hospice as it supports people like my sister-in-law.”

She added: “I have loved greeting people and I’ve had a good team of people around me. I have seen lots of changes over the years. I am sad but I am ready to do other things, particularly as my husband turns 80 years old later this year. I will still keep in touch with everyone and support the Hospice in other ways.”

Sheila has manned the front desk at the Hospice with Stella Bennett for the last 11-and-a-half years on Tuesday afternoons.

Stella said: “We get on so well and have worked together as a team. I am going to miss Sheila hugely and wish her all the best for the future.”

Sheila received a card and flowers on behalf of all staff and volunteers, who gathered to say thank you and farewell on her final day on Tuesday (25th June).

Lisa Pye, Volunteer Services Manager at Willow Wood Hospice, commented: “Sheila has been an amazing supporter of the Hospice and we are deeply grateful for her incredible service.

“We will miss seeing her every week and wish her all the very best for a well-deserved retirement.”

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Anniversary Ball raises vital Hospice funds

More than 200 guests enjoyed Willow Wood’s 25th Anniversary Ball, helping to raise over £26,000 for the Hospice.

Held at The Village Hotel in Ashton-under-Lyne last Friday (14th June), guests enjoyed welcome drinks, a sumptuous three-course meal and a live band before dancing the night away with a disco at the glittering event.

A raffle and silent auction with some fabulous prizes on offer, donated courtesy of businesses and supporters, helped to boost vital funds further.

CEO Tracy Minshull welcomed everyone to the ball and shared the experiences of her first 60 days in the role.

“It’s been fantastic and a real pleasure and honour to work for such a community organisation,” she declared.

She did not shy away from the challenges facing hospice funding nationally, explaining that collectively the sector faces a £77m deficit.

“We are a critical partner in the NHS. Hospices are part of the solution and everyone has a right to live and die with respect and dignity in a place of their choosing and hospices provide that opportunity and that unique service.”

Tracy praised the many other associated services the Hospice provides, adding it was one reason she wanted to come to Willow Wood so much.

She also highlighted the work of the bereavement, wellbeing and dementia services the Hospice provides.

In attendance at the ball was Greater Manchester Vice Lord-Lieutenant Sharman Birtles MBE, who has been a proud patron of the Hospice for many years.

She said: “I spend as much time as I possibly can telling the world about the good work that goes on at Willow Wood. It never ceases to amaze me about the work and the atmosphere there. It is a magical place that does wonderful work with wonderful people.”

She encouraged others to volunteer and help the Hospice, whether it be one hour, a week or one day.

“I have spent a good part of my life giving my time and there is nothing more rewarding and giving to something like Willow Wood can only enrich your life,” she added.

This year’s anniversary ball was sponsored by Ashton-based Scientific Sanitation Solutions.

Managing Director Wahid Ali said the company was committed to supporting the work of Willow Wood once they had visited the Hospice and found out more about the remarkable work undertaken.

“We saw the work that people are doing at Willow Wood and it resonates with us as a group and we are so proud to be aligned with Willow Wood.

“We are a humanitarian-based business and what we see Willow Wood doing is aligned with our own humanitarian work. It’s a very special, special thing for us.”

The business develops solutions in sanitation and agriculture.

Sales director Neale Samways, who has already undertaken a bungee jump for the Hospice, added: “It’s the little things that Willow Wood do that makes such a difference to people, and it’s the little things that we have implemented as a business that helps change lives, like the sanitation of water for instance.

“Our ethos completely mirrors the ethos of Willow Wood. They are a local organisation like us that are doing great things.”

The event has raised over £26,000, a fantastic total which will support patients from the local community in the Hospice’s care.

Sam Duncan, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who attended this year’s very special anniversary ball.

“The hospice and all its services couldn’t continue without the community’s support and we would especially like to thank Scientific Sanitation Solutions for their support and sponsorship of the ball this year.”

An especially busy year for the Hospice continues with many more special events planned, including next month’s Butterfly Memory Release, Martin Wild Golf Day and Willow Wood Does Strictly to name just a few.

To find out more, visit https://willowwood.org.uk/events/

You can see more photos from our 25th Anniversary Ball in our Facebook album here.

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Teenager riding high after mammoth challenge for Willow Wood

A Dukinfield teenager has raised a fantastic £1,735 for Willow Wood Hospice by swimming the equivalent of five marathons AND cycling 73 miles.

Leila McClure combined two of her passions for the mammoth eight-month challenge, which she completed before the 20th anniversary of her grandma’s death.

Mary McClure died peacefully in the Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, on 5th May 2003 from breast cancer.

Although Leila didn’t get to meet her grandma, the memories shared with her throughout her life made it feel that she had a deep understanding and connection with her.

The 13-year-old, who goes to All Saints Catholic College and is a member of Dukinfield Marlins Swimming Club, has made her family very proud.

Leila’s family have been supporting the Hospice for many years

Her dad Ian told us: “She has smashed her challenge out of the park, eight months of solid hard work that involved a 73-mile bike ride and 131 miles in the pool. The pool swims equated to a humongous 8,384 lengths!

“For a 13-year-old girl, her focus and dedication are inspirational. As well as raising funds for her grandma, halfway through the challenge, her grandad passed away and whilst it had an obvious impact on her, she did not allow this to throw her and she kept focussed on raising as much money as she could for Willow Wood.

“Big thanks to everyone who sponsored her and helped motivate her along the way, including Leila’s amazing friends, as well as Active Tameside for donating free swims at their pools for her.

“What a fantastic achievement, we are very, very proud.”

Leila swam most days in order to complete her epic challenge

Leila set an initial target to raise £500 but quickly smashed it and the money she has raised will make a difference to patients from the local community in our care.

Samantha Kitch, Fundraising Manager at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “We are truly grateful for the incredible determination and heart that Leila has shown to support the Hospice.

“She really is an inspiration to us all and we cannot thank her enough for her amazing efforts, which will help us to provide compassionate care to other families across Tameside and Glossop.

“We need to raise at least £3.3 million every year and, with only around 20 per cent of our funding coming by way of central government, the generosity of our community is crucial.”

If you would like to take on a challenge for Willow Wood, please get in touch with our Fundraising team by emailing fundraising@willowwood.org.uk or calling 0161 330 7788 so the Hospice’s team can support you along the way.

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A heartfelt thank you to our valued volunteers

Willow Wood’s dedicated band of volunteers give the gift of their time to make a huge difference to every aspect of hospice life.

To say thank you for their valuable contributions, our Volunteer Services Manager Lisa Pye organised a range of free activities based around the theme of ‘wellbeing’ to celebrate this year’s Volunteers’ Week.

Our Catering team’s very own star baker Lynn Valentine put on a cake decorating workshop which went down a treat.

There was an opportunity to discover jewellery-making techniques with Denise Royle, the manager of our Ashton shop.

A crafty group of volunteers had a creative afternoon painting pots at the 4C Community Centre in Ashton.

To look after their physical wellbeing too, volunteers took in some fresh air with a gentle stroll through nearby Stamford Park.

The week culminated with a lively and competitive session of bingo games and a quiz, led by volunteer Chris Hinds in The Hive.

There were some great prizes thanks to generous donations from local businesses including The Village Hotel, Lilly’s Patisserie & Bistro, Hobsons Hair & Beauty, Magpie’s Nest and Flip Out.

The activities were also funded with help from a £500 grant from local charity Action Together.

Every department in the Hospice received fruit hampers for their volunteers, which were put together primarily with supplies donated by Alimentari Di Alberti Greengrocers in Uppermill and 5 A Day in Stalybridge.

Our retail team also marked the occasion by showing their appreciation to the much-valued volunteers who provide help and support in our charity shops.

Shop managers bought cakes, brownies and keyrings for their volunteers and displayed banners in their windows to celebrate the occasion.

Louise Beeden, our Reddish Lane shop manager, also invited her volunteers to her house for an afternoon tea and a fun quiz.

Lisa Pye, Volunteer Services Manager at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “Volunteers’ Week is always a special time of the year as we celebrate our amazing volunteers across every department of the Hospice.

“We simply could not provide the vital services we do without their help and support – they make a profound difference.

“Everyone who took part in the activities had a great time. We cannot thank our volunteers enough for their selfless contributions.”

If you would like to join our team of volunteers and make a positive impact on our community, you can express your interest by filling out a simple form on our website at https://willowwood.org.uk/hospice-volunteering/interest/

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Hospice celebrates milestone and end of an era

Willow Wood Hospice has been celebrating 25 years of providing compassionate care to patients from the local community.

On Friday 24th May, long-serving staff and volunteers past and present gathered in the Hospice gardens for a special tree-planting ceremony.

Hospice Patron Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant, delivered a moving speech reflecting on our journey and growth before planting a commemorative tree with the very same spade that cut the first sod in 1997.

CEO Tracy Minshull (centre) with Willow Wood Hospice’s trustees at the tree planting ceremony

Chairman Philip Millson also spoke about the Hospice, inspiring everyone to share cherished memories, reminiscing about the early days and how far the organisation has come.

The celebrations continued the following Friday, 31st May, which was Karen Houlston’s last working day before she retired after 24 years of service to Willow Wood.

Karen with her celebratory retirement balloon display at the Hospice

Karen first joined the Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, in January 2000 as a part-time bookkeeper.

With a finance background, she fulfilled a number of roles – including Admin Manager, Finance & Services Lead and Hospice Exec Manager. After completing a Master’s Degree at Lancaster University in ‘Hospice Leadership’ in October 2013, Karen went on to become CEO.

Staff and volunteers who have worked with Karen came together for a wonderful BBQ, prepared by Willow Wood’s Catering team, in the Hospice gardens – where the Willow Wood Hospice Choir also sang for the occasion.

With some of her family also in attendance, Karen received a myriad of lovely gifts, a card and a beautiful retirement cake made by Lynn Valentine from the Hospice’s Catering team.

Karen cutting her retirement cake on her final working day at Willow Wood

Chair Philip Millson, Director of Finance Ian Wicks and Karen’s successor as CEO, Tracy Minshull, reflected on Karen’s achievements and wished her well for the future.

In an emotional speech, Karen shared: “I can honestly say that I have looked forward to every single day at Willow Wood Hospice and enjoyed every moment.”

As a surprise, a video montage of staff and volunteers holding up their personal retirement messages was played out to Karen on a screen during the BBQ.

Since 1999, the Hospice has been a centre of care and compassion, providing dedicated support to patients from across Tameside and Glossop with a life-limiting illness and those closest to them.

The significant milestone will also be commemorated at the 25th Anniversary Ball at The Village Hotel in Ashton-under-Lyne on Friday (14th June).

Limited tickets are available at https://willowwood.org.uk/events/the-ball/