Category: Fundraisers

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Charity ball in Ashley’s memory raises over £19k

More than 200 guests dressed to impress for an emotional and uplifting evening at The Premier Suite & Lounge in Audenshaw, as family, friends and supporters came together to honour the memory of Ashley Butterworth.

The Ashley B Charity Ball, organised by Bryan Butterworth, John Havern and the team at Premier Events and Memorabilia, raised an incredible £19,542.65 for Willow Wood Hospice – with the final total still expected to rise.

The glittering event, held on 24th January at the Corporation Road venue, was in honour of Ashley, who received end-of-life care at the Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne. For his dad Bryan, the evening was both a tribute and a thank you.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved, as well as those who donated and attended, the Ball. With the help and generosity of so many people, we raised £19,542.65.

“Our aim was to thank Willow Wood Hospice for the care they gave to my son Ashley in his final days with us. They are amazing in the way they cared for him and us as a family, so we decided we were going to raise awareness and as much money as we could to help the Hospice.

“I want to thank all of our sponsors for the event. A massive thank you to Peter Harrop, whose donation of the Lake District weekend raised us an incredible amount, to Lee at Millers Flooring who after winning the weekend put it back in for auction, and to Gerald and Judith Thompson who bought it for £3,700 and then gave it back so we could raffle it again. I could never thank you all enough. A massive thank you to John Havern – without him, none of this could have happened.”

The entertainment ensured the night was filled with energy as well as emotion. Guests enjoyed performances from R&B soulman Kevon Bennett, Simply Red tribute act Andy Lee, and magician Rob Bardsley, who kept tables captivated throughout the evening.

A raffle and auction featuring bespoke framed memorabilia from footballers, boxing stars, rugby players and iconic bands including Oasis and The Stone Roses proved hugely popular. One standout prize – a three-night stay at a luxury house in the Lake District – alone generated more than £7,700 thanks to an extraordinary chain of generosity from supporters determined to boost the fundraising total.

Staff from Willow Wood Hospice were in attendance on the night and were met with a standing ovation from the packed venue – a poignant moment that reflected the deep gratitude felt by Ashley’s family and the wider community.

Tara Farren, Community and Events Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “It was a really moving evening and a true testament to the love people have for Ashley and the appreciation they have for the Hospice. The atmosphere in the room was amazing, and to see over 200 people come together to raise such a fantastic amount was truly incredible. We are so grateful to Bryan, John and everyone involved.

“We rely on the generosity of our community to raise around three quarters of our annual running costs, so support like this really does make a huge difference to ensure we are here to provide specialist, compassionate and dignified care to anyone in Tameside and Glossop who needs it – now and for generations to come.”

Bryan now hopes the Ashley B Charity Ball can become an annual fixture, continuing to raise both funds and awareness for the vital work carried out by the Hospice.

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Eggs-traordinary donation in Maisie’s memory

A huge thank you to local charity Maisie Moo’s Missions for donating an incredible 1,600 Cadbury’s Crème Eggs to support our Bunny Hop appeal.

The donation was made in honour of what would have been Maisie’s 16th birthday last month. Maisie Almond, from Stalybridge, died in hospital aged 14 in October 2024 from acute liver failure, just 17 days after first complaining of a stomach ache, before she was able to undergo a liver transplant.

Her parents, Kathryn and Stuart, founded the charity in her name to support projects that empower disadvantaged young people, while also raising awareness of organ donation and the importance of donating blood.

Maisie had a special connection to Willow Wood Hospice, volunteering in our Hyde charity shop – where she still has her own corner in tribute. Trustee Ian McClure, whose mum Mary was cared for at the Hospice, also volunteers at our Coffee Mornings.

Kathryn said: “When we saw the Crème Egg Appeal, we wanted to help as it aligns with our strategy to support other charitable initiatives and the eggs are supporting children who are fundraising.

“Maisie enjoyed working in the Willow Wood shop and always wanted to help others in need. We have found strength in wanting to make a difference to others in Maisie’s name.”

We are so grateful for this thoughtful and generous support.

To reward the amazing youngsters taking part in our Bunny Hop, we still need more Creme Eggs before the closing date of Friday 6th March.

Any donations to the Hospice or any of our shops would be greatly appreciated.

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Stalybridge couple’s devotion to Willow Wood Hospice inspires legacy giving

A Stalybridge couple who have volunteered at Willow Wood Hospice for over 15 years are helping to secure its future for generations to come by leaving a gift in their Will.

Joanne and Chris Hinds, both 62 and married for 27 years, first walked through the Hospice’s doors in 2006 when Joanne’s auntie Beryl received care there. It was during that time they met Beryl’s driver, Cyril, who ran the Hospice’s Coffee Mornings with his wife Barbara.

Joanne and Chris attended one of the events and were instantly inspired to support.

“If we can’t give up two hours a month to help, we need speaking to!” Joanne and Chris chuckled.

What began as helping out soon turned into something much bigger. Joanne and Chris became part of a team of volunteers who run the Coffee Mornings, who have become a community of friends, and the couple have since supported the Hospice in other ways.

Joanne served as a Receptionist for many years, while Chris is now a trustee. Together, they organise regular quizzes and two much-loved annual fundraising events – The Last Night of the Proms and the Festival of Christmas Music – which have raised thousands of pounds in vital funds for patient care.

Over the years, they have seen first-hand the impact of hospice care on patients and families from Tameside and Glossop.

Having known many people who have needed the Hospice’s services, Joanne and Chris wanted to do their bit to help ensure its essential care remains available long into the future.

“A few years ago, we were discussing Wills and we thought about leaving something for Willow Wood,” Jo explained. “Starting to think about life after death is an emotive subject and it can be difficult. The hardest part about making a Will is deciding what you want to do, particularly as a couple without children.”

Chris added: “We’re leaving a gift as a percentage of our estate. Even just one per cent can make a massive difference and leaves the bulk of someone’s Will to their loved ones. Today is always the right time to think about making your Will.”

Gifts in Wills fund the care of one in five patients at Willow Wood and are vital in providing compassionate, specialist and dignified care now and for future generations.

“Unfortunately the Hospice’s services aren’t fully funded so it’s reassuring to know that by leaving a gift in our Wills will help care for others – it’s our legacy to our community,” said Chris.

‘Anyone can leave a legacy’

Willow Wood Hospice has joined forces with 127 hospices across England, Scotland and Wales as part of the This Is Hospice Care campaign, encouraging local people to consider leaving a gift in their Will.

New data from Hospice UK reveals that gifts in Wills are the lifeline keeping the country’s hospices open, funding the equivalent of 400,000 nights of hospice care every year. However, 59% of the public are unaware that hospices like Willow Wood provide services free of charge.

It costs around £10,000 a day to keep the Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne running. As a charity independent of the NHS, Willow Wood receives just 24 per cent of its annual funding from the government. The remainder comes from the generosity of the community – through gifts in Wills, donations, fundraising events, charity shop purchases, the weekly lottery, and volunteering.

Sam Duncan, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “At Willow Wood Hospice, we’re here for our community, whether it’s supporting a partner to provide care at home, helping a loved-one process grief, or providing dignified and compassionate end-of-life care.

“Gifts in Wills make all of this possible, helping to fund the care of one in five of our patients. These legacy gifts ensure that vital support is there, not just for the person who is receiving hospice care, but for those closest to them.”

Catherine Bosworth, Director of Income Generation and Grants at Hospice UK, added: “Our ageing population means demand for hospice care will only continue to grow, so it’s vital that we do what we can to secure hospice care now. A gift in your will to a hospice doesn’t require parting with your money today, anyone can leave a legacy.”

For Joanne and Chris, the decision simply felt right.

After 15 years of unwavering dedication, their legacy will ensure Willow Wood Hospice can continue to care for local families when they need it most.

For more information about leaving a gift in your Will to Willow Wood Hospice, visit willowwood.org.uk/giftsinwills

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Janet was a winner and you could be too!

Janet Valentine, who lives in Oldham, had a great start to 2026 when she discovered that she’d won £3,250 from our lottery.

“It was such a lovely surprise,” Janet told us. “I was in the car with my husband when I got the call. I thought I might have won £100 or £500, so when Wendy said it was £3,250, I was over the moon!”

Janet hasn’t decided exactly how she’ll spend her winnings yet, but she’s already planning to give back a little to the Hospice.

“It’s come at a good time after Christmas and New Year. We’ll take our time deciding, but I want to donate some of it back to the Hospice.”

Janet first came across our Lottery team at a local supermarket and signed up in September 2018. She’s been a regular player ever since.

“I heard about the great work the Hospice does and it was a nice way to support it. I don’t notice it coming out of my bank account. It’s the price of a couple of cups of coffee – it’s a small sacrifice to make for supporting Willow Wood, and you could win big like me!

“It’s important to me. I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve had any friends come into a hospice but you never know when someone you know or love could be in that position.”

Janet’s long-standing connections with education in Tameside, including time at Tameside College and Ashton Sixth Form College, where she’s currently a governor, mean she’s known Willow Wood for years.

“I’ve been aware of the hospice for many years,” she said. “I’ve visited before and met some of the staff to get a feel for what they do. People feel hospices might be places that are not pleasant to visit but this place is nothing like that – it’s just so lovely, positive and friendly.”

Her advice to anyone thinking about joining the Lottery?

“If you can spare a pound or two every week, definitely give it a go. You’ll be doing something really good, and you never know – you could be the next winner!”

Join Janet and support local patients

By playing the Willow Wood Hospice Lottery, you’re not only in with a shot at our exciting rollover prize and our weekly £1,000 jackpot, you’re helping fund the vital care our teams provide to local people with life-limiting illnesses.

For just £1 a week, you could win up to £25,000 and make a real difference in your community.

Become a lottery member today by going to https://willowwood.org.uk/lottery/

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Fabulous fashion and fantastic fundraising

Our sixth Fashion Show was a night to remember, bringing together glamour, generosity and community spirit.
Held once again at The Lock on Castle Street in Stalybridge, the stylish venue welcomed over 140 people last Friday (7th November).
The evening sparkled from start to finish, raising a fantastic £4,000 in support of patient care at the Hospice.
Guests enjoyed a glass of fizz on arrival before settling in to watch the runway show, featuring our fabulous volunteer models showcasing winter collections.
After the show, the downstairs was transformed into a boutique-style pop-up shop, full of stylish clothes, shoes and accessories – all at a fraction of retail prices.
There was hot and cold food, plus a wide range of drinks from the bar, to keep everyone refreshed throughout the evening.
Guests could also enter a raffle, with some fantastic prizes on offer.
Pauline Lunt, Head of Retail at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who came along and made it another fantastic night.
“A huge thank you goes to Wendy and all of the team at The Lock for their incredible support and kind donation; to the students from Tameside College for all of their help; to our wonderful models; and to our amazing retail teams whom we couldn’t do it without.
“Our six Fashion Shows combined have raised £20,000, which has really made a difference to patients with a life-limiting illness in our care.”
Our Fashion Show will return next year – keep your eyes peeled for more details!
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Glamour and generosity shine at 1920s Glitz Gala Ball

More than 200 guests stepped back in time to the roaring 1920s for Willow Wood Hospice’s Glitz Gala Ball.

Held at The Village Hotel in Ashton-under-Lyne, the glittering event has helped to raise over £30,000 in support of patient care at the Hospice.

The venue was transformed into a dazzling 1920s scene, thanks to the creative vision of Denton-based agency Visual Architects, who provided the stunning themed décor.

Guests embraced the glamour of the era, donning tuxedos and flapper dresses as they enjoyed a night of vintage style on Friday 17th October.

Attendees were treated to welcome drinks and a three-course meal, before dancing the night away to live music from the band Schwing. The compere for the evening was Tameside Radio DJ Cameron Kennedy.

The night began with a light-hearted Stand Up for Willow Wood fundraiser, where guests could purchase a fan or trilby for the chance to win a selection of celebrity wines and champagne.

In her welcome speech, Willow Wood Hospice CEO Tracy Minshull spoke passionately about the importance of community support.

“Much like the 1920s, we’re making every penny count,” she told the audience. “But truth be told, it’s our community – not the coffers – that keeps us going. Times are tough, costs are rising, but thanks to your fundraising and generosity, we’re still here, delivering care with dignity and you are the heartbeat of the Hospice.”

A raffle, auction and silent auction – featuring an array of fabulous prizes – boosted the funds even further.

GALLERY: Click on the image below to browse through our photo album. Image credit: David Hirst.

Headline sponsors for the event for the second consecutive year by Scientific Sanitation Solutions, an Ashton-under-Lyne business developing innovations in sanitation and agriculture. Other sponsors included Gerard McDermott KC, Sofology, Manchester City Football Club, Bamford Print, FGH Security and Vivienne Westwood Limited.

Students from Tameside College lent a helping hand on the night, assisting guests in the cloakroom.

Tracey Schofield, Events Lead at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “The Ball is always a highlight of our fundraising calendar, and this year’s 1920s theme brought so much sparkle and energy. Keep an eye out for details of the exciting events we have planned in the run-up to Christmas.”

Sam Duncan, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Willow Wood Hospice, added: “It was a wonderful night but the moment that stood out for me was when we showed a video sharing the story of a family we’ve supported – which perfectly and poignantly captured why supporting hospice care is so important. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, donated, or contributed in any way to the event, to help raise vital funds towards patient care.”

Willow Wood Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, is a local charity providing specialist, compassionate and dignified care for patients across Tameside and Glossop living with life-limiting illnesses, as well as supporting those closest to them.

The Hospice is not part of the NHS and receives only a quarter of its annual funding from the Government, meaning it relies heavily on the community’s generosity – through donations, fundraising, volunteering, shopping in its eight charity shops, playing the weekly lottery, or leaving a Gift in a Will.

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Football Night nets record amount for hospice care

The sixth annual Football Night fundraiser has raised over £9,000 to support local patients and families at the Hospice.

The record-breaking amount – almost double last year’s total – was made possible thanks to the generosity of footballing legends, supporters, and dedicated volunteers.

More than 200 football fans from across Tameside gathered on Friday 26th September for an evening of laughter, memories and behind-the-scenes stories from Manchester City greats Joe Corrigan MBE, David White and Brian Horton.

Hosted by former top-flight referee Roger Dilkes, the event – held at Dukinfield Masonic Hall for the third successive year – proved to be a huge hit, with the audience enjoying candid and entertaining insights from the trio of City stars.

Over the years, a host of football favourites – including Martyn Buchan, Peter Barnes, Eamon O’Keefe, Trevor Ross, Ella Toone, Alex Williams MBE and Tommy Booth – have appeared free of charge to help raise vital funds for the Hospice. This year was no different, with the three City legends ensuring the night was one to remember.

Former professional goalkeeper and Manchester FA ambassador Allan Grafton MBE once again played a crucial role in securing the support of the footballing guests.

Around 200 people enjoyed a trip down football memory lane at Dukinfield Masonic Hall

The Football Night is organised each year by long-time Hospice supporters Brian Wild and Chris Smith, who have together raised more than £40,000 for Willow Wood since Chris’s wife was cared for at the Hospice in 2013.

Former Tameside Civic Mayor and Hospice patron Brian Wild said: “We’re all volunteers and even the pie and peas for 200 guests are made at home by Cllr Denise Ward, at her own expense. We aimed to raise £7,000 but this result is just astonishing. Chris and I are so pleased this money will go straight towards providing compassionate and dignified care for people across Tameside and Glossop.”

“The Football Night always sells out, and the tickets get snapped up quickly. I take my hat off to the sportspeople who give up their time to entertain and support the Hospice. Many people here have a personal connection to Willow Wood, and this event shows how deeply the Hospice touches local lives.”

Much of the fundraising success also came from the wider community, with sponsorship and donations from local businesses including Cosmo Bingo (Stalybridge), Bay Freight, Manchester Credit Union, APEX Joinery, Lo-Cost Windows and Hyde Accessible Transport Ltd, among others.

Lucy Ta’ati, Community Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “Without people like Brian and Chris organising these events, Willow Wood would not be able to continue offering the care and support our community needs. We are truly grateful for their incredible dedication and for the generosity of everyone who supported this year’s Football Night.”

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A wonderfully Wicked day at the Willow Wood Hospice Walk

Stamford Park and Chadwick Dam were filled with colour, sparkle, and a dusting of community spirit as hundreds of supporters took on Willow Wood Hospice’s brand-new 5km walk with a difference.

Basking in the autumn sunshine, 275 walkers of all ages came together last Sunday (21st September) with friends and family to create lasting memories while raising vital funds to support patient care.

Over £15,000 has been raised so far and there’s still time to boost the total further by making an online donation at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/willowwalk

This year’s Wicked theme brought magic and colour to every step – with costumes ranging from gravity-defying witches and sparkling Glindas to those simply enjoying the day in their own style.

A real highlight was the dazzling Wicked-inspired performances from The Drama Department, who brought the worlds of Glinda and Elphaba to life with showstopping songs and dance numbers that had the walkers and onlookers singing and clapping along.

The Hospice also continued its collaboration with local colleges as students from Ashton Sixth Form College made fabulous Wicked-themed paper costumes and students from Tameside College added to the fun by providing colourful face painting.

The 5km challenge offered fun for all ages, including a Trail Tracker quiz, sticker trail, finishing-line treat, and of course, every participant received a well-deserved medal and certificate.

Willow Wood’s mascot Woody the Bear was there to cheer everyone on and Tracy Minshull, CEO of the Hospice, cut the ribbon to set the walkers on their way.

Browse through our photo album from the day by clicking on the image below:

Tracey Schofield, Events Lead at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “It was a fantastic day and the weather was kind to us! It was lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves and walking to support patients with life-limiting illnesses and those closest to them.

“A massive thank you to everyone who took part and embraced the Wicked theme; The Drama Department; our Hospice staff and volunteers; Robertson, HN Nuttall and Set Produce; and Tameside Council for use of the park.”

Keep an eye out for next year’s Willow Wood Hospice 5km Walk – the theme for 2026 will be announced very soon.

It costs £3.6 million a year for Willow Wood Hospice to continue providing its essential services to deliver compassionate care to patients from Tameside and Glossop with a life-limiting illness.

With only around 24 per cent of that total coming from the Government, the Hospice relies on the generosity of the community by making donations; organising or supporting fundraising events; donating or buying goods to its charity shops; leaving gifts in Wills; joining the weekly lottery or volunteering.

If you would like to organise your own fundraiser for Willow Wood, the Hospice’s Fundraising team can support you – contact fundraising@willowwood.org.uk or call 0161 330 7788.

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Rotary hits fundraising hole-in-one for Willow Wood

Charity was the real winner at Werneth Low Golf Club as Tameside Rotary’s annual golf day for Willow Wood Hospice raised more than £5,100. 

A bumper 24 teams took part in the competition, which has become a fixture on the local fundraising calendar. 

Thanks to sponsorship from Malbern Windows and support from other local businesses, this year’s event topped previous totals. 

Among the winners on the course were Elly’s Heroes, who took the overall team prize, while WGAF 4 finished runners-up. 

Special mentions also went to Steve Cooper Clarke (nearest the pin, 9th hole), Chris Ventress (nearest the line) and Matt Foster (nearest the pin, 11th hole). 

In the hotly contested “Yellow Ball Competition”, sponsored by FTDS, M60 Scaffolding came out on top.

The 23rd edition of the golf day had a new feature this year – a silent auction for six rounds of golf at courses across the region, donated by supporters.

Lucy Ta’ati, Events and Community Fundraiser at Willow Wood, said: “Tameside Rotary have been steadfast supporters of Willow Wood since the very beginning, and we are so grateful for their dedication in organising this wonderful Golf Day for over 20 years. 

“This year’s event was the biggest and best yet and we want to thank the kind-hearted Rotarians, everyone who joined in, all the sponsors and in particular Malbern Windows and Werneth Low Golf Club for hosting. 

“It costs around £10,000 each day to keep the Hospice open, and without supporters like Tameside Rotary, we simply couldn’t continue providing our vital care for local people.” 

Werneth Low’s Club Captain Lou Arrowsmith added that Willow Wood is also his nominated charity this year, with members already raising another £1,000.

Tameside Rotary’s President Mike Glover paid tribute to the volunteers who made the event possible, before looking ahead to their next big community fundraiser: the Tameside Beer Festival, taking place at Stalybridge Civic Hall on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th September – which is also supporting the Hospice.