RUNNERS, joggers and walkers are expected to take to the streets this weekend as the popular Tameside 10k returns for a fifth year.
The community event, founded by former English super middleweight boxing champion Charlie Schofield, will take place on Sunday, June 7.
This year it will be raising money for Willow Wood Hospice and the Royal British Legion.
Open to people of all ages, fitness levels and abilities, participants can choose to run, jog or walk the 10-kilometre route, which starts at Ultimate Fitness in Stalybridge and finishes at The Rising Moon pub in Hyde.
The Tameside 10k is back on Sunday.
The event gets under way at 10am, with entrants asked to arrive from 9.30am. The route is relatively flat, featuring only a slight incline, and will be fully marshalled and signposted. Official timings will also be recorded.
Since retiring from professional boxing, Charlie has focused on encouraging people across Tameside to become more active, which is why he has established the annual 10k.
Charlie said: “Join us for the Tameside 10k and make a difference for a cause close to your heart. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned runner, this community event is for everyone. Walk, jog or run your way to the finish line, then celebrate your achievement with us afterwards.”
Tara Farren, Community and Events Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “We’re delighted to be a beneficiary of this year’s run, which is always a fantastic community event.
“Whether you’re an experienced runner aiming for a new personal best or taking on your very first 10k challenge, this is a brilliant opportunity to achieve something special while helping us continue to provide vital care and support to local patients and families.
“Good luck to everyone taking part – we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!”
Artist Emma Evans has been brightening Hyde’s high street with vibrant shopfront murals in partnership with Tameside Council.
Her latest project transformed the window of our Market Place shop, framing it with Willow Wood Hospice’s familiar trees in a colourful, welcoming design.
The artwork has sparked conversations among shoppers, volunteers, and passers-by, raising awareness of the Hospice’s vital work.
Emma said: “It was such an honour to create the window artwork for Willow Wood. The team are incredibly friendly and the work they do is truly inspiring. The words they chose flow beautifully with the values of the wider Hyde project.”
Gemma Wharmby, manager of our Hyde shop, commented: “I think it really brightens up the window and fits in with our logo perfectly. Emma was lovely and is a regular visitor to our shop so it was really nice to see her work.
“We have had lots of customer feedback saying it looks lovely and bright and really grabs your attention. Lots of customers have asked about the reason behind it and said she’s done a fab job.”
Thank you to Emma and Tameside Council for combining creativity with community pride.
Our Hyde shop manager Gemma next to the finished shop window
Michelle Knight’s journey with Willow Wood Hospice is a testament to how a fulfilling career can emerge from unexpected beginnings.
Describing her role as Relief Retail Manager as her “favourite job out of everything I’ve ever done”, Michelle found joy and purpose in a position that allowed her to explore the unique character of each of our now eight charity shops across Tameside and Glossop.
Michelle, who lives in Dukinfield, loves the variety the role brings. “All of the shops have their own identity,” she explains. “Although they are variations of the same offer, they are so different from each other. I’ve built such lovely connections with the people I’ve worked with in all of the shops and made so many friends.”
The role involves stepping in whenever a shop manager is unavailable, which means every day is different. “One day you can be cleaning windows, pricing items, and steaming clothes. Another day, you’re serving customers on the till, wiping shelves, and doing some admin. It’s also about making the shop look clean and presentable for our customers.”
What she particularly enjoyed is the opportunity to bring ideas from one shop to another, helping to improve operations across the board. “When covering all of the shops, I would see something that is working in one shop that maybe the other shops aren’t doing and mention it to the other shops, which can help improve things, which we all want to do.”
Michelle loves the variety of the Relief Retail Manager role
Michelle’s journey with Willow Wood began in 2021 when she started volunteering at our Stalybridge shop after seeing a poster about vacancies. She was already aware of the Hospice’s vital work, after a close friend received end-of-life care at Willow Wood. Volunteering twice a week, Michelle quickly became an invaluable part of the team and was encouraged by the shop manager to apply for the Relief Retail Manager position.
Since then, Michelle hasn’t looked back, working for the Hospice for nearly two years. “Willow Wood looks after its employees, and the organisation means so much to everyone involved in it,” she says. “It also means a lot to the wider public. So many people bring donations in because they have lost a loved one at Willow Wood, and they want to help us raise money by gifting their loved one’s belongings.”
The sense of community and support at Willow Wood is strong, with shop managers, volunteers and Head of Retail, Pauline Lunt, forming a close-knit team. “Pauline is brilliant. You can email her, ring her, WhatsApp her, and she is always happy to help. Because she has been a shop manager herself, there is nothing that she cannot answer.”
Michelle emphasises that you don’t need extensive retail experience to thrive as a charity shop manager. “There are no specialised skills required. You don’t have to be a computer whizz. Training can be given if you’ve not used a till before – it’s really easy to learn. What’s important is that you are ready to learn and you are a friendly face that represents the Hospice.”
Michelle has recently taken on the managerial role at our Hyde shop while manager Gemma is on maternity leave, demonstrating the opportunities for growth and development within Willow Wood. “I started as a volunteer, then became a Relief Retail Manager, and now I’m a shop manager, albeit temporarily. Pauline was a shop manager and now she’s Head of Retail, so there are definitely opportunities for development.”
Michelle currently manages our Hyde shop
The Hospice also offers regular training opportunities to help staff to continually develop their skills. “Two of my colleagues, Pauline and Julie, recently went to a retail conference, which was a great experience,” stated Michelle. “We also have regular training that’s hospice-wide, which helps connect us with colleagues in other teams and is an opportunity to develop skills we perhaps otherwise wouldn’t learn.”
With our shop takings surpassing £1 million in the last financial year, it’s an exciting time to join Willow Wood as we expand our operations. “We are giving people more than just a jumble sale experience; we want them to have a nice shopping experience even in this current financial climate,” Michelle says. “The new Glossop shop looks fantastic and almost nothing like a charity shop as we know it. The direction we want to move in is that all of our shops have that same look and feel about them.”
For Michelle, the role of a charity shop manager is more than just a job – it’s about making a difference. “Every day is different in every shop, and I have met so many different people. You feel like you are making a difference to the bigger picture of supporting the Hospice. There’s quite a buzz in the shops, and they can be a hive of activity, but there is a really nice atmosphere.”
If you’re looking for a rewarding role with a strong sense of community, Michelle highly recommends applying to become a charity shop manager at Willow Wood. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to be part of something special.”
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