Category: Events

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Football Night Fundraiser scores big for hospice

Almost 200 people enjoyed a fantastic evening of funny stories, memories and fun in Dukinfield, which raised a massive £3,740 for the Hospice.   

Former professional footballers Peter Barnes, Tommy Booth and Trevor Ross engaged in a fascinating trip down football memory lane, sharing stories and anecdotes about their lives and funny events in the world of football in the last century.

They certainly kept the packed audience at the Masonic Hall entertained on Friday night (10th November).

Trevor, who was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, where the Hospice is based, said: “I’m so pleased to have been able to help Willow Wood Hospice and meet so many old friends in Tameside.”

Long-time supporters of the Hospice, Chris Smith and Brian Wild, who organised the event for the fourth year running, had aimed to raise £2,500 and, such was the demand, tickets had sold out weeks prior to the night.

“We’re astonished at the generosity of the crowds that attended,” said Brian, a former Trustee of the Hospice and Civic Mayor of Tameside.

“The audience had a great night and we sent them home happy – which is down to the kindness of the football legends Peter, Trevor and Tommy, who gave their time free of charge and really entertained us all.

“Master of ceremonies and former Premiership referee Roger Dilkes held the night together with professional skill, without a single yellow or red card issued – and VAR wasn’t used once!”

Chris commented: “Everyone involved gave their time as volunteers but I must single out Councillor Denise Ward, who singlehandedly produced pie and peas for 200 people, donating all the ingredients herself.

“That sort of volunteering and commitment is vital and wonderful in our determination to support our local hospice.

“Plans are already under way for the 2024 event but we have headaches already – how do you top this amazing result?”

Lisa Buckley, Community Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, hailed the success of the event.

She said: “We hope that everyone who attended had a great night and we are thrilled that a magnificent amount of money has been raised which will make a huge difference to patients in our local community who need our care.

“We are immensely grateful to Brian and Chris for organising the popular event once again, to Dukinfield Masonic Hall for hosting and to all of the volunteers who supported what was a fabulous night.”

Pictured: (left to right) Arsenal and Everton legend Trevor Ross, fundraiser Brian Wild and former Premiership referee Roger Dilkes.

By Adam Higgins

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Willow Wood Ball raises grand total for hospice

Hundreds of people attended the Willow Wood Grand Ball, which has raised thousands of pounds in vital funds for the Hospice.

The glittering charity event was held at The Village Hotel in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, where the Hospice is based.

After stepping off the red carpet with a complimentary drink, attendees enjoyed a three-course meal before dancing the night away. Live entertainment was also provided by swing band Schwing.

The Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Tafheen Sharif, was among the special guests lending their support.

A silent auction, auction and grand raffle with some fantastically donated prizes all helped boost funds on the evening. This included a glove signed by Ederson, which was kindly donated by Manchester City Football Club and raised £600 alone.

In total, Willow Wood is delighted to report that the Grand Ball has raised over £25,000, with more money still coming in.

Karen Houlston, CEO of Willow Wood Hospice, said: “It was a fantastic night and has been a welcome and overdue event. It felt a special occasion to have the Willow Wood Ball back on the calendar.

“After everything that has gone on over the last few years with the pandemic, it was just so nice to see everyone back together and dancing and enjoying themselves.

“A big thank you as well to all of our sponsors, particularly our main event sponsor Gerard McDermott KC, but also the many others who have donated some wonderful raffle and auction prizes.”

Those prizes included everything from weekend breaks away to amazing hampers of food and drink, plus beauty products and many more.

Sam Duncan, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Willow Wood Hospice, commented: “It’s been fantastic and quite moving to see everyone arriving on the red carpet and the dance floor was full, so thank you to the wonderful band Schwing.

“I also have to say a huge thank you to the fundraising team and all the volunteers for helping to make the event happen and all of the local businesses too who have given us so much support, and our main sponsor Gerard McDermott KC.”

Sam added that it was a proud and emotional evening, saying: “It’s a unique privilege working at a hospice as you build connections with family and friends of people who we have cared for and those connections last a lifetime and those family and friends were with us at the ball. It was a very moving but rewarding event.”

Cllr Sharif, Tameside’s civic mayor who also represents the Mossley ward, said she wanted to support the Grand Ball because the hospice is so close to her heart.

She said: “I visited officially to meet the staff and volunteers recently and you are just so taken aback by how peaceful everything is and I wanted to give the ball my full support.”

By Adam Higgins 

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Hikers take on Great Ridge Walk for Willow Wood

A group of determined fundraisers laced up their boots to embark on a challenging walk in the Peak District and raise vital funds for Willow Wood Hospice.

Around 20 people took part in the Great Ridge Walk last Saturday (23 September) and have raised around £4,500 in total to support patient care.

The seven-mile walk, organised by the hospice based in Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester, started from Castleton Visitors Centre in the morning and took in some stunning scenery along the way.

On what was a nice sunny day, the group took in Lose Hill and Back Tor along the great ridge to Mam Tor and came down with beautiful views of the Dark Peak, White Peak and Peveril Castle.

The hike, led by three experienced guides from Dark Peak Guides, finished at The Bulls Head pub in Castleton in the afternoon where walkers enjoyed some well-earned refreshments.

Team Willow Wood, including the hospice’s CEO Karen Houlston, raised over £1,000 alone.

Laura Marinelli, Events Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, who organised the walk, said: “There was a good team spirit amongst the group and everyone who took part enjoyed the experience. It was a tough challenge but everyone did very well.

“We are grateful to everybody who got involved and sponsored our walkers to raise an amazing amount to support patient care at our hospice.”

Sam Duncan, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Willow Wood Hospice, commented: “I was delighted to be one of our Team Willow Wood walkers. It was physically hard as most of the route was uphill and some of us picked up a few blisters but it was all worth it. The weather was kind to us and there was a lovely atmosphere as we were walking.

“We had a fantastic time in a beautiful part of the world and the money we’ve raised will be hugely beneficial to supporting patients at Willow Wood who need our care.”

By Adam Higgins

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Take a trip down football memory lane for Willow Wood

Chris Smith, Lisa Buckley and Brian Wild outside the hospice

An evening of funny stories, memories and fun with three former professional footballers will be held in Tameside in aid of Willow Wood Hospice.

It’s the fourth time the nostalgic event called ‘A trip down football memory lane’ is taking place, organised by Brian Wild and Chris Smith, who are long-time supporters of the hospice.

Brian, a former Civic Mayor of Tameside, was once a Trustee at Willow Wood and has even dressed up as Woody, the hospice’s mascot, on occasion.

The line-up for the nostalgic night is former Manchester City, Manchester United and England winger Peter Barnes, ex-Manchester City and Preston North End defender Tommy Booth, and former Everton and Arsenal midfielder Trevor Ross, who was born in Ashton-under-Lyne and now works in Oldham.

They will be in conversation with former top-flight referee Roger Dilkes, who will be the Master of Ceremonies for the night.

It’s on Friday 10 November at Dukinfield Masonic Hall, starting at 8pm.

Chris said: “We love doing it for Willow Wood, the hospice is so supportive and a great organisation. Everybody in the area has had their hearts touched by Willow Wood at some time.

“My wife passed away in Willow Wood and I’ve always had a longing desire to help fund it because hospices only get very limited funding from the NHS and have to find the rest of the money needed to keep going.

“We put this together, which usually raises between £1,500 and £2,000 each year, and everyone gets to have a good night. We would love to see you there.”

Brian added: “Willow Wood is a place we hope we never need but the hospice gives first-class care to everybody so I will always do what I can to support it.

“We love putting on the Football Night Fundraiser. We raise a lot of money on the raffle alone so, if there’s anyone who has any raffle prizes – however small – that they are willing to donate, we would gratefully accept them and happily pick them up from you.”

Lisa Buckley, Community Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, commented: “Without people like Brian and Chris organising these events, Willow Wood would not continue to operate so we cannot thank them enough.

“Unfortunately, this year we are facing a deficit of over £600,000 so when people step up to put on these events, they make a massive difference. If you’re a football fan, or just want a good night out, please get a ticket if you can and help support the hospice.”

Tickets cost £10 including pie and mushy peas – which are generously donated by a volunteer, Denton councillor Denise Ward.

To get your tickets, call 0161 308 2685 or email Chris at smithowls@gmail.com

By Adam Higgins

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Golf Day gives boost to hospice funds

Twenty teams enjoyed a tee-rific experience at this year’s Martin Wild Golf Day in support of their local hospice.

In total, the annual fundraiser at Ashton-under-Lyne Golf Club made £6,500 to help boost care for patients at Willow Wood Hospice.

The event on 19 August was kindly sponsored by Coolair Services, Marshall Peters and Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary.

The winning team was Walsh’s Angels, who stood out not only as this year’s champions but also for having the sole female player of the tournament.

Players were well looked after with plenty of refreshments and there was a team prize table for the teams finishing first to sixth.

Laura Marinelli, Events Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “It was the fourth time that I have organised this event and it raised more money than last year for our hospice so I’m truly thrilled with the outcome.

“Thank you to all of the volunteers on the day, the players for taking part and our generous corporate sponsors who contributed to the prizes.”

The event is promoted by Martin Wild, a former Lancashire amateur golf champion and a long-time supporter of the hospice.

If you’re interested in taking part in the next Golf Day, look out for details about next year’s event in due course.

By Adam Higgins

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Walkers invited to exciting hike for hospice

Team Willow Wood on the hospice’s most recent trek up Snowdon, Wales, in May 2022

Walkers of all levels of experience are being invited to lace up their hiking boots and embark on an epic walk whilst helping to raise vital funds for Willow Wood Hospice.

The hospice has organised ‘The Great Ridge Walk’ on Saturday 23 September.

Starting in Castleton via Cave Dale in the beautiful Peak District, there will be a gradual ascent via Windy Knoll, where the group will reach the summit of Mam Tor and then keep their height whilst walking along the ridge of Hollins Cross, Back Tor and on to Lose Hill.

The gradual descent will then bring the walkers back to Castleton to enjoy some well-earned refreshments.

The seven-mile hike will be led by an experienced guide from Dark Peak Guides.

The cost of registration is £20 and participants are asked to seek sponsorship for at least £200, but the hospice can help with support for your fundraising efforts.

Dogs are welcome and walkers must be over the age of 16 unless they hold an AALA License.

To sign up, visit https://willowwood.org.uk/events/greatridge

The hospice is also assembling a Team Willow Wood to take part in this adventure.

CEO Karen Houlston, Clinical Director Nicola Cheetham, Director of Fundraising and Communications Sam Duncan, Events Fundraiser Laura Marinelli, and Donations and Administration Assistant Lisa Knowles have signed up so far.

Laura, who has organised the walk, said: “Participants will walk along one of the best ridge walks in the country, with breath-taking views of the Edale and Hope Valleys, as well as the outskirts of Kinder Scout.

“We would love to see as many people take part as possible for what will be a difficult but extremely rewarding challenge, all to raise money for our beloved hospice.

“Alternatively, for those who may be unable to take part but still want to support the event, you can sponsor Team Willow Wood via our JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/page/team-willow-wood.”

By Adam Higgins

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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