Tag: Events

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Hospice to hold heartwarming festive fundraisers

The holiday season is a time of joy, togetherness and giving, and this year Willow Wood Hospice is holding a series of festive fundraisers that will warm your heart and bring hope to those in need.

As we approach the most wonderful time of the year, the Hospice is committed to spreading love, compassion and support to our community through events that will brighten the festive season and make a significant difference in the lives of Willow Wood’s patients and their families.

This is encapsulated through our Garden of Lights celebration evenings, where you can join us at the Hospice, on Willow Wood Close in Ashton-under-Lyne, to create magical memories with family and friends in our stunning gardens.

Stroll amongst the glowing trees, twinkling with thousands of lights, enjoy a seasonal tipple and festive fayre, and browse stalls stacked high with Christmas crafts, gifts, cards and more. You will also be able to buy refreshments and explore our Gift Shop in reception.

Join us on any of these dates: Tuesday 28th November, Thursday 30th November, Tuesday 5th December, Thursday 7th December, Saturday 9th December, Tuesday 12th December and Thursday 14th December.

Entry is free and you can just turn up on any of the evenings between 5pm and 8pm.

You will also receive a warm Willow Wood welcome at our Christmas Market, taking place at the Hospice on Sunday 26th November from midday until 3pm.

Enjoy a seasonal drink or two whilst having a look around our selection of stalls filled with Christmas goodies and gift ideas.

Admission is £3 per person, while Under-12s are free. There is no need to book as you can pay on the door on the day.

Only Blue Badge permit holders will be able to park at the Hospice but external parking has been secured, so you will be able to park in the car park at West Hill School on Stamford Street and there will be a shuttle bus service running to and from the Hospice to help reduce traffic.

If you are unable to attend any of these events but still want to support the Hospice, you can visit our online shop at www.willowwood.org.uk/shop where you will find an array of bespoke items to buy – from beautifully designed Christmas cards and notepads to 2024 calendars and diaries which will make for perfect presents.

On that very note, there’s a £2,000 jackpot and 39 other fantastic cash prizes up for grabs in the Winter Super Draw, which you can enter for just £1 per ticket at www.willowwood.org.uk/superdraw

Alternatively, the Hospice would be incredibly grateful for any donations of items which could be used as raffle prizes – whether it be a chocolate selection box or a scented candle – that can be dropped off at our main reception or any of our charity shops.

Attending any of Willow Wood’s festive events or making a purchase in our online shop will directly support the care of patients from the local community in Tameside and Glossop at the Hospice, which needs at least £3.3 million every year to continue its vital work.

As well as celebrating the season, the Hospice also recognises that the festive period can be a difficult time for many who dearly miss loved ones and remembering friends and family who are no longer with us is precious.

Light up a Life is an opportunity to dedicate a light on a beautiful willow tree in the Hospice gardens for your loved ones, and light a star for them in our virtual night’s sky.

The community is also invited to three Light up a Life events, where you, your family and friends can share the heart-warming experience as you watch the tree lit and see your loved one’s light shining bright.

The services, which are free to attend, will take place as follows:

Saturday 25th November at 4pm at Willow Wood Hospice, Willow Wood Close, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6SL.

Saturday 2nd December at 2pm at Old Glossop Parish Church, Church Street South, SK13 7RU.

Sunday 10th December at 2pm at Albion Church, Stamford Street East, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6QQ.

To dedicate a light and find out more, go to https://willowwood.org.uk/events/lual.

On 25th November, only Blue Badge permit holders will be able to park at the Hospice but you will also be able to park at Ashton Sixth Form College, which can be accessed via Montague Road, and there will be a shuttle bus service running to and from the Hospice.

The closest pay and display car park is on Darnton Road, where you can park for a small fee of £1.50 for an hour, £2.50 for two hours, £3.50 for three hours or £4 for all day.

Pictured: The Hospice gardens lit up spectacularly at night ahead of our Garden of Lights celebration evenings

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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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