Tag: News

Posted on by

Runners encouraged to lace up for Tameside 10k in support of Willow Wood

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!”

Charlie Schofield

Entry costs £20 which must be booked in advance online at https://www.schofieldboxingfitness.co.uk/tameside10k 

More information about the event is available on the Tameside 10k Instagram page.

Posted on by

Curzon Ashton teams up with Willow Wood Hospice for season of support

A new partnership between Curzon Ashton FC and Willow Wood Hospice is set to make a big impact both on and off the pitch.

The Tameside football club has chosen the hospice as its Charity of Choice for the 2026/27 season.

The partnership will see The Nash support Willow Wood through a series of fundraising events and awareness campaigns across the season to bring fans, players, staff and the wider community together for a cause close to home.

Both organisations are based in Ashton-under-Lyne and play an important role in the local community.

Curzon Ashton is preparing for life in the Northern Premier League Premier Division next term, while the hospice continues to provide specialist palliative and end-of-life care for patients with any life-limiting illness across Tameside and Glossop.

Supporters can expect plenty of activity both on and off the pitch throughout the season.

Plans already include a 10k sponsored walk in July involving club directors, players, staff and fans, as well as a dedicated charity matchday where players will wear Willow Wood Hospice t-shirts during the warm-up. The fixture will also feature a hospice information stall and a signed shirt raffle.

Other fundraising ideas include a Charity Quiz Night at the stadium and a sponsored ‘Stop Out to Help Out’, where participants will camp overnight on the pitch to raise money for the hospice.

Mike Smith, the Foundation Manager at Curzon Ashton FC, said the club hopes to make a real difference through the partnership.

“We’re pleased to partner with the hospice to help raise awareness and valuable funds. We hope that we can enhance the great work already being done by everyone at Willow Wood and look forward to working with them,” he said.

For Willow Wood Hospice, the partnership is another example of how local organisations can support the charity.

Joanne Lees, Partnership Development Lead, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Curzon Ashton FC has chosen us as its Charity of Choice for the 2026/27 season. As two organisations rooted in Tameside and committed to supporting our local community, this partnership feels like a perfect match.

“The support from Curzon Ashton will not only help raise vital funds but also increase awareness of the care and support we provide to patients and families across Tameside and Glossop. Partnerships like this truly make a huge difference.”

It currently costs around £11,200 a day to run Willow Wood, with only 22 per cent of the hospice’s annual funding coming from the government. The remaining income must be raised through donations, fundraising and community support.

With football fans known for backing their teams through thick and thin, both the club and the hospice hope the local community can get firmly behind the partnership in the months ahead.

Posted on by

Student’s seven marathons in seven days for Willow Wood

A final-year undergraduate student is pushing his physical and mental limits this summer in an inspiring fundraising challenge for Willow Wood Hospice.

Travis Taylor, 21, who is studying English and Creative Writing at the University of Leeds and has ambitions to become an English Professor, is preparing to run seven marathons in seven consecutive days as part of his self-created ‘Week at the Knees’ challenge.

Starting on 1 July, Travis will take on the remarkable feat of running a total of 295 kilometres across the week, all in aid of the Hospice based in Ashton-under-Lyne. Supporters can follow his journey as he shares his training and documents the entire challenge on Instagram via @trav.tayl.

Travis, who lives in the Lake District, has strong personal connections to the Hospice. His girlfriend Hannah has volunteered there, while her mum Caroline is the Hospice’s Glossop shop manager and her aunty Pauline is Head of Retail.

He said: “I’ve had this idea for a long while but thought that fundraising for the Hospice will motivate me and do some good in the process.

“I know Hannah’s family all speak very highly of the Hospice, it’s close to their hearts and I know it means a lot to the community too. The impact of supporting a local charity is great and I know the amount Willow Wood must raise every year is significant.”

Despite only taking up running during lockdown in 2020, Travis has quickly built up an impressive track record, having already completed several marathons and ultra-marathons. Always seeking his next challenge, he is also planning to take on a 180km ultra marathon in Chamonix, France next year.

“I don’t really have a particular time in mind to complete the marathons but I want to finish them as quickly as possible. I am still planning the routes I’ll take and hopefully the weather that week will be kind.”

His preparation has required dedication and careful planning, balancing training with his university studies.

“I did a half marathon in Manchester in February and following that it was nutritional preparation whilst working on my dissertation, but I have started training every day now and I’m looking forward to it.”

A keen swimmer growing up, Travis admits he doesn’t like sitting still and thrives on pushing himself both physically and mentally.

He is looking to raise as much money as possible to support patients from Tameside and Glossop with a life-limiting illness in Willow Wood’s care.

To support Travis and his ‘Week at the Knees’ challenge, you can make a donation at https://www.justgiving.com/page/week-at-the-knees

Posted on by

Hospice named official charity partner of StalyFest

StalyFest is excited to announce Willow Wood Hospice as its official charity partner for this year’s event on Saturday 9th May.

Taking place at the home of Stalybridge Celtic Football Club, StalyFest is already a highlight of the local calendar, bringing together music lovers, families, and the wider community for a day of live entertainment and celebration. This year’s headliners The Lightning Seeds are sure to entertain the crowd, at an iconic football ground, with their classic 3 Lions in a World Cup Year. It will definitely be Coming Home to Tameside!

This year, the festival is set to make a greater local impact by supporting the vital work of Willow Wood Hospice.

Willow Wood Hospice provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care to patients with any life-limiting illness from anywhere in Tameside and Glossop, offering compassion, dignity and comfort when it is needed most.

As part of the partnership, StalyFest will host a range of fundraising activities throughout the festival, including donation points, charity-led initiatives, and awareness campaigns to highlight the essential work carried out by Willow Wood Hospice. Members of the public will be able to buy tickets for the festival directly from posts on the Hospice’s social media channels at a reduced rate and 10 per cent of the cost will be donated to Willow Wood.

Paul Bowden, Chief Financial Officer at Stalybridge Celtic, said: “We are delighted to welcome Willow Wood Hospice as our official charity partner. Their work touches so many lives in our community, and we are proud to support them through StalyFest. Our main aim is to increase awareness of the essential services they provide, but we have also created a fantastic opportunity for Willow Wood to fundraise on the day and through tickets sold via their digital platforms.”

Joanne Lees, Partnership Development Lead at Willow Wood Hospice, added: “We are incredibly grateful to be chosen as StalyFest’s charity partner. Support from our community, like this from Stalybridge Celtic, is vital so that we can continue to be here when patients, and those closest to them, need our services. It costs around £11,200 a day to run the Hospice, so every penny raised really does make a difference. We’re looking forward to being part of such a fantastic local event.”

Attendees are encouraged to get involved, support the cause, and help make this year’s festival one to remember – not just for the music, but for the positive impact it will have across the community.

The Festival Line-up Is Almost Complete

Along with the Lightning Seeds, the supporting line-up is sure to excite. With bands like Republica and the Virginmarys appearing alongside well-known solo acts Huey Morgan (Fun Luvin’ Criminals) and Ben Ottewell (Gomez).

And to keep things local, we’ve asked Cobain Jones to return after his brilliant set last year and we introduce our “Battle of the Bands” winners the Ventrelles.

With a few final touches to put to the line-up, it should be an even bigger day than the 2025 inaugural festival.

For more information about StalyFest, including event details and tickets, please visit www.stalyfest.co.uk.

Posted on by

Step into the world of Beatrix Potter at 10th Flower Festival

The much-loved Flower Festival at Willow Wood Hospice is marking its 10th edition with an enchanting theme. 

Taking place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May 2026, the popular event will this year be inspired by the magical world of Beatrix Potter.

The author’s recognisable characters such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle will be brought to life by local individuals and community groups through creative floral displays.

The festival, based at the Hospice on Willow Wood Close in Ashton-under-Lyne, offers visitors a chance to explore the exhibits at your leisure, while supporting the compassionate care of patients from Tameside and Glossop with any life-limiting illness.

Many of the floral displays will also be available to purchase at the end of the festival, helping to generate even more funds for the Hospice.

On Saturday 9th May at 11am, the event will be officially opened by former Willow Wood patron and trustee, and long-time supporter of the Hospice, Mark Llewellin DL, the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, who will cut the ribbon.

The cherished annual fundraiser – organised by a dedicated committee of volunteers – has raised around £70,000 over the years. This has funded the care of all services at the Hospice and in the community for a whole week.

Eileen Smith, on behalf of the Flower Festival committee, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be celebrating the 10th Flower Festival this year, and the Beatrix Potter theme has given everyone so much inspiration. It’s wonderful to see our local community coming together to create such imaginative and beautiful displays, all in support of the Hospice.

“The festival is always a special weekend for us, not only because of the creativity on show, but because of the difference it makes. Every visit helps us to continue supporting Willow Wood Hospice and the essential care it provides to patients and those closest to them.”

The event will run from 10am to 4pm on the Saturday and 11am to 4pm on the Sunday.

Entry is £3.50 per person with all proceeds going to the Hospice, while children aged 12 and under can attend for free.

Light refreshments will be available to buy throughout the weekend.

Before the Flower Festival takes place, the committee has also organised a Coffee Morning at the Hospice on Saturday 18th April from 10am to midday – which includes a talk by Hospice Lead Gardener, Sophie Cordingley, on preparing your garden for spring and summer.

Admission is £3 per person, which includes tea/coffee and biscuits. All proceeds will go towards the Flower Festival.

Posted on by

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.

Posted on by

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.

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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/