Author: Adam Higgins

Posted on by

Butterfly Memory Release was “a really moving day”

The beautiful and poignant Willow Wood Hospice annual Butterfly Memory Release was held last Saturday.

There were three staged releases of butterflies throughout the day to enable the large numbers who wished to attend to remember a loved one and release a butterfly.

The sun shone on each with all three releases dodging the showers and much heavier downpours that arrived later in the day.

The release is an opportunity for those who have lost someone close to remember a loved one, each life represented by a butterfly.

Ten minutes before each release Andrew Price played violin, with one of the hospice’s chaplains saying a few words during the release and the Willow Wood Choir singing following each release.

Hospice fundraising director Sam Duncan said: “It was a fantastic event and so well supported by members of the community and a really moving day. I was really proud to be a member of the Willow Wood team and I would like to thank everyone who supported the day and all the volunteers who made it such a success.”

If you’ve ever wondered why butterflies are used, it is because, in folklore and myths throughout the world, they are seen as a symbol for the soul. Indeed, the ancient Greek word for butterfly was the same as their word for the soul. It’s not just in European myths, but in many cultures across the world butterflies are revered in the same way.

As an alternative to live butterflies, supporters could purchase a metal bespoke butterfly to place in the gardens in memory of a loved one.

For more pictures go to our Butterfly page

From Tameside Reporter on  13 July 2023

Posted on by

Chaplain Eddy Inglis retires after 14 years

It’s the end of an era for both Willow Wood Hospice and for Eddy Inglis as he retires after 14 years of dedication in his role of Hospice Chaplin.

Staff and volunteers gathered at the hospice to pay tribute to Eddy and thank him for his service and friendship and presented him with cards and gifts.

In a moving tribute to Eddy, Karen Houlston, Hospice CEO, said: “Eddy was more than a Chaplin, he supported patients, their families and hospice staff and volunteers. He had the ability of putting people at ease with his kindness, compassion and wonderful sense of humour. It has been my privilege to work with him all these years.”
Eddy has led hospice remembrance services including Light up a Life and most recently the beautiful Butterfly Memory Release, which took place on 8 July in the hospice gardens.

There was laughter as well as tears when Eddy responded with an entertaining speech, thanking the staff and volunteers for their friendship over the years and praising the vital work of Willow Wood Hospice.

Posted on by

Dunelm store in Ashton helps to furnish hospice

Dunelm in Ashton-under-Lyne has donated a generous amount of homewares and furniture to Willow Wood Hospice, who provide high quality care and support across the Tameside and Glossop community.

The donation of comfy chairs, cushions, lamps, bookshelves and accessories have been used to furnish the hospice’s bereavement rooms, meaning loved ones can spend quality time in a homely and comfortable space.

The store members at Ashton-under-Lyne chose to donate to Willow Wood Hospice as their staff have supported many of Dunelm’s store colleague’s friends and family, while the hospice also provided incredible care for two previous Dunelm employees during an extremely hard time.

Summer Law, Community Champion at Dunelm Ashton-under-Lyne, said: “The team at Willow Wood Hospice do such an important job caring for local people and we wanted to do our bit to make sure they continue to be cared for in a space that feels like a home away from home.”

Lisa Buckley, from Willow Wood Hospice, added: “We are delighted with the makeover the team from Dunelm Ashton-under-Lyne, it has provided in an extremely important space within the Hospice. We’ve received lovely feedback on how relaxing and peaceful the room is, we can’t thank the Dunelm team enough.”

The donation is part of the homeware retailer’s series of initiatives in the North West, which sees its network of stores support members of their local community in a variety of different ways, during what is a challenging time for so many.

The initiatives include the store’s new Home to Home homeware donation scheme, part of Dunelm’s wider commitment to a circular economy.

The Home to Home scheme, which is available at the Ashton-under-Lyne store, as well as Dunelm’s 17 other North West stores, allows customers to donate pre-loved homeware items from any retailer, to be redistributed to local charities and community groups in the region.

It enables people to reduce household clutter without sending items to landfill, while benefiting those in their local communities who may otherwise go without essential homewares.

From Tameside Reporter on Monday, 3 July 2023

Posted on by

Friends of terminally ill Tameside mum raise hospice funds

Kind-hearted friends who rallied round to support a terminally ill Tameside mum have raised £1,360 for Willow Wood Hospice.

Kristina Hunt, from Droylsden, wanted to say thank you for the care she has received while battling cancer for a second time.

Her friend and childminder Sarah Haldane, along with Angela Bailey and Clare Tiplady, came up with the idea of a ladies night at One-Adventure, the adventure sports centre at Greenside Mill, Greenside Lane in Droylsden.

With 160 tickets up for grabs, the event advertised on Facebook and by word of mouth sold out in less than a week.

One-Adventure owner Chris Quinn pulled out all the stops to create a memorable fun-filled evening with a DJ, quiz and raffle as well as more energetic activities from crazy golf and ping-pong to archery and axe throwing.

HEARTFELT GRATITUDE: Kristina at the fundraiser. Image credit: K.C.Moore Photo.

Sarah and her husband Craig are godparents to Kristina’s five year old daughter Amina, a pupil at St Mary’s CE Primary School.

“Kristina is only 43, a single mum who has really been through the mill,” said Sarah.

“She had breast cancer and managed to beat it but now has liver cancer. She’s really given it a good fight but sadly it’s terminal.

“The staff at Willow Wood have been amazing with Kristina in the way they’ve helped her process what has happened and also so supportive to those of us who are close to Sarah, helping us to help her.”

From Tameside Reporter on Wednesday, 7 June 2023