​NEW PATRON FOR WILLOW WOOD

Willow Wood are delighted to announce that John Fellowes has agreed to become a patron of the Hospice. For many years the public face of Willow Wood, John, who was appointed as fundraising manager in 1997, not only spearheaded fundraising activities to build the Hospice, but continued raising funds to ensure specialist palliative care for the people of Tameside and Glossop.

From welcoming the first day patient in May 1999 Willow Wood has been an integral part of the community, caring for many thousands of local people and their families. Although all care is free of charge, it does come at a cost. This year the Hospice is looking at £3million to maintain and develop services, and costs are continuing to rise. Karen Houlston, chief executive said “John came up with many fundraising initiatives until he retired in 2017, and we are absolutely thrilled to have him back on board. For many people he was ‘Mr Willow Wood’ and we are looking forward to having the benefit of his experience once more.”

Mark Llewellin, vice-chair of the Board of Trustees and acting head of fundraising agreed. “I am delighted that John has agreed to become a patron and renew his association with Willow Wood. So many people in Tameside and Glossop know him and know of his years of fundraising work for the Hospice. In fact there will be thousands of local people I’m sure who John ‘talked’ into doing things to support us down the years – I am one of them! His passion for the hospice’s work is undimmed and it was a joy to welcome him back this week.”

John will be in very good company as a patron, joining both Julie Goodyear MBE and Julie Hesmondhalgh from Coronation Street, Sharman Birtles who is currently serving as the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Tony Husband the celebrated cartoonist, comedian Justin Moorhouse, well known amateur golfer Martin Wild and retired businessman Phil Cowper, formerly a Trustee at the Hospice.

Mark concluded: “Phillip Millson, chair of the Board of Trustees, Karen and myself were extremely happy to welcome John back into the fold and detail some of the developments made over the past few years.We are looking forward to a long and happy association, and thank him so much for lending his support once more to Willow Wood.”