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.
An inspirational seven-year-old from Hattersley who helped collect over 2,000 Crème Eggs for Willow Wood Hospice, where his mum died, has been shortlisted for a special award.
Frankie Chadwick was nominated by the Hospice’s Fundraising team for the BBC’s Make a Difference Awards, which celebrate the achievements of community heroes.
The Year 2 pupil is one of four finalists in a new category introduced this year – the Young Hero Award, which will be awarded to someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional.
The brave youngster helped Willow Wood collect an abundance of sweet treats for the Hospice’s annual Bunny Hop appeal – which this year raised a record amount of over £50,000, as over 7,000 people across Tameside and Glossop took part from 24 schools, 19 nurseries and two community groups.
He wanted to support the Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne, where his mum Gemma received end-of-life care in February this year. She spent 10 days in the Inpatient Unit before she died from brain cancer, aged 46.
Frankie with his mum Gemma
Frankie said: “We had collection baskets in shops like Tesco and when the baskets got full of Crème Eggs, they were put behind customer service for us to pick up.
“Willow Wood were really good at looking after my mummy. She was really nice and she used to buy me lots of things like toys. I miss her cuddles and going on holiday with her.
“I am very happy and excited to be going to the awards.”
Frankie is looked after by his uncle and legal guardian Gavin Chadwick, who could not be prouder of his nephew and grateful for the care his family received from Willow Wood during a tough time.
“Frankie is a very unique and special boy with lots of character – he’s just a superstar and absolutely deserves to be a finalist,” said Gavin, 42.
“I cried on the phone when I found out he was up for the award. I feel so proud of Frankie and Gemma would be so proud of him too – it’s a shame she is not here to celebrate this moment with us.
Frankie speaking to Holly from BBC Radio Manchester in his classroom at school
“Frankie is one of the calmest people in the world, considering what he’s been through. He still goes to school with a smile on his face and plays with his friends, never mentioning all the horrible things he’s going through.
“Gemma’s cancer had spread throughout the years – she had cancer when Frankie was born so his mummy being poorly has been the norm for him. He visited her at Christie’s and at Tameside Hospital – their relationship could not have been any stronger. Gemma was an amazing sister and a tough cookie with a powerful personality but also very private.
“Willow Wood was absolutely amazing and their team looked after us all. Frankie had no fear of lying on the bed with her and taking the dog to see her – he played on the Xbox in the family lounge and became a friend of the nurses.
“It was Gemma’s idea to collect the eggs and Frankie was the ambassador of our own appeal. It was a focus for us all and we wanted to help the Hospice.”
Tracey Schofield, Events Lead who organises the Hospice’s Bunny Hop campaign, put Frankie forward for the award and gave him his own Bunny Hop pack as a reward for his magnificent efforts.
“I nominated Frankie for the award because, despite everything he was going through, he thought of others and wanted to help the Hospice,” she said.
“On behalf of everyone at Willow Wood, we are incredibly grateful for his support and we really hope he wins the Young Hero Award.”
Gemma with Frankie and Gavin
For the first time this year, the Make a Difference Awards span the entire UK. Frankie will be attending BBC Radio Manchester’s awards ceremony at Rochdale Town Hall on 12th September.
Frankie’s nomination was recently revealed at his school, St James’s Primary in Hattersley, where his teachers and classmates were overjoyed for him.
Mark Woolley, head teacher at St James’s, said: “It’s been a very difficult time for Frankie and his family, so we’ve been supporting him here in school and supporting Gavin, his uncle, as well.
“We’re very proud of Frankie – he truly does deserve it. He’s really courageous and a young hero. He’s very kind and very thoughtful. It’s lovely that he has given something back to Willow Wood.”
LISTEN: Click on the play button below to listen to Frankie and Gavin speaking to BBC Radio Manchester. You will need a tissue handy.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to the team behind Waterloo News, who have once again shown amazing community spirit by supporting our Bunny Hop fundraiser.
Established in 2019 to provide residents in the Waterloo area of Ashton-under-Lyne with local updates, Waterloo News is a Facebook page run by dedicated locals Dave Howarth and Lee Woods.
Before Covid, they took over the page with a mission to not only share local news but also support good causes in the community.
Their efforts are further strengthened by Emma Jones from Perry Jones Funeral Services, located just a stone’s throw from our Clearance Outlet and Donation Centre, and close to our Waterloo shop.
Together, this dedicated team has been key in gathering Creme Egg donations for our Bunny Hop fundraiser for three consecutive years.
This year, they collected an impressive 445 eggs, bringing their overall total to over 1,400 eggs – which is also testament to the generosity of the wider Waterloo community.
The sweet treats are given to every child taking part as a reward for hopping for the Hospice.
“The Hospice’s Waterloo shop is local to us and we want to support local businesses and organisations as best we can,” said Dave.
Emma added: “I’m very aware of the donations the Hospice relies on to keep going and it’s great that we can support an organisation that’s very local to us.”
We are grateful for their ongoing support, which makes a difference to our fundraising efforts. Thank you to Dave, Lee and Emma – you truly embody the spirit of community!
To learn more about our Bunny Hop fundraiser and how you can get involved, click here.
EGG-CELLENT: Pictured are Emma Jones (left) from Perry Jones Funeral Services and Dave Howarth from Waterloo News (centre) delivering some Creme Eggs to Kellie Moulton, our Waterloo shop manager.
Willow Wood Hospice is appealing for donations of Creme Eggs to reward local children taking part in its Bunny Hop Easter fundraiser.
Last year, a w-hopping 7,000 bunnies took a leap of love, raising nearly £49,000 by donning bunny ears to hop, skip and jump around playgrounds, halls and parks across Tameside and Glossop.
The Hospice is looking for individuals, groups and companies who can donate as many Creme Eggs as they can, to help reach the target of 8,000.
The chocolate treats can be dropped off at the Hospice reception on Willow Wood Close, off Mellor Road in Ashton-under-Lyne (postcode OL6 6SL), or at any of the Hospice’s charity shops. A full list of locations can be found at https://willowwood.org.uk/shop-locations/
There is also the option of purchasing Creme Eggs online, such as via Amazon, and having them delivered directly to the Hospice, via the address above, for the attention of Tracey Schofield.
To ensure they reach the children once they have completed the challenge, the Hospice needs the eggs by Friday 14th March 2025.
Anyone who is unable to physically donate items but still wants to get involved can make a cash donation, which will sponsor the children taking part in the Bunny Hop, through a simple online form at https://willowwood.org.uk/events/bunny-hop/
The Hospice’s very own Easter Bunny, Tracey Schofield, said: “Last year, we raised a record amount for our Bunny Hop since it first launched in 2021 and we would love to top that this year.
“If you have not signed up yet, there’s still time and it’s free to join in. Every child taking part will receive an Easter activity pack, a cute snap wristband, a sweet treat and, of course, the all-important bunny ears. All we ask in return is that every bunny hops to raise funds for Willow Wood Hospice.
“We need as many Creme Eggs as possible and every contribution, however small, will make a difference to children who are raising funds to support patients from the local community with a life-limiting illness. We appreciate your generosity.”
Any school, nursery or children’s group that wishes to take part in the Willow Wood Bunny Hop can still sign up, by emailing tracey.schofield@willowwood.org.uk or calling 0161 330 7788.
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