Tag: Schools

Posted on by

Young fundraisers turn bright ideas into big impact for hospice care

Young people across Tameside and Glossop have turned creativity and teamwork into vital funds for Willow Wood Hospice as part of an innovative initiative.

The Hospice’s Enterprise Challenge, taking place for the second successive year, encourages pupils to develop business skills by forming teams and using £25 of seed funding to create and run their own fundraising projects.

Activities included hot chocolate pop-up stalls, film fundraisers, darts tournaments, sweet cone sales and even a Christmas Fair.

The achievements of participating schools and colleges were recognised at a special awards ceremony held on Thursday 12th March at St Thomas More RC College in Denton.

The event brought together more than 100 attendees, including pupils, teachers, sponsors and distinguished guests.

Taking part this year were pupils from All Saints Catholic College; Ashlea House School; Ashton Sixth Form College; Corrie Primary School; Fairfield High School for Girls; Laurus Ryecroft; Micklehurst All Saints CE Primary School; St Andrew’s CE Junior School; Samuel Laycock School; St Damian’s RC Science College; St Thomas More RC College, and Tameside College.

Hosted by local business leader and entrepreneur Tom Armstrong, the event was attended by the Civic Mayor of Tameside Councillor Shibley Alam, and her Consort Mohammed Khairul Alam.

Awards were presented by the Civic Mayor alongside main sponsors Energy & Carbon Reduction Solutions; Emma Alexander and Dean Kleban from Tameside Council; Hospice patron Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester; Hospice trustees Timothy Jackson, Chris Hinds, Stephen Giblin and Phill Brown MBE; and Business Innovation Advisor Pam Mistry.

Alongside main sponsors Energy & Carbon Reduction Solutions, the initiative was also kindly sponsored by Ashton United in the Community, Bennett Staff, Brother UK, Brother International, Casey Group, Denton & Audenshaw Rotary Club, Droylsden Glass, Foams 4 Sports Ltd, Inology IT, Millson Group, and Pilgrim’s.

St Thomas More RC College was named overall winner after pupils organised activities including a carol concert and a sponsored run.

Tameside College and All Saints Catholic College received the Most Creative Fundraising Idea Award, Corrie Primary School was awarded the Team Excellence Award, and St Andrew’s CE Junior School received both the Community and Inspire Award and the Sponsor’s Choice Award.

St Damian’s RC Science College picked up the Innovative Action Award, with Class 8JTS also securing the Top Branding Award. Micklehurst All Saints CE Primary School received the Positive Impact Award, Fairfield High School for Girls was honoured with the Opportunity Award, and Ashlea House School was recognised with the Outstanding Achievement Award.

The ceremony also featured an inspiring speech from Niamh O’Hare, a Business Administration Apprentice at Tameside Council, who shared insights from her own journey, while Carl Shaw, Assistant Principal at Tameside College, provided valuable guidance on future education pathways available to students.

Tara Farren, Community and Events Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “We are incredibly proud of every single pupil who took part in this year’s Enterprise Challenge.

“The creativity, enthusiasm and teamwork they have shown has been truly inspiring, and to raise over £14,000 is a fantastic achievement.

“Not only have they helped to fund one-and-a-half days of care for our patients and their families, they’ve also gained valuable skills and confidence that will benefit them in the future. We are so grateful to the schools, teachers and sponsors who have supported this year’s initiative.”

All funds raised will go towards providing compassionate, specialist care for patients from Tameside and Glossop with any life-limiting illness, and those closest to them.

Following this year’s success, the Hospice’s Enterprise Challenge will return for the 2026/27 academic year. Teachers, youth leaders and businesses interested in taking part or supporting the initiative can express their interest by visiting: https://willowwood.org.uk/echal-2026-27/

See more photos from the awards ceremony on our Facebook page here

Posted on by

Children from Stalybridge school make pilgrimage to Willow Wood

Pupils and staff from St Peter’s Catholic Primary School with staff from Willow Wood in the Hospice gardens.

Pupils from St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in Stalybridge have embarked on a ‘pilgrimage’ from the school to Willow Wood Hospice.

Twenty-eight children from Year Four walked from the school on Hough Hill Road to the Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne, which took around 40 minutes, on Wednesday 7th May.

They were warmly greeted by Willow Wood’s staff and volunteers and, after having refreshments, pupils Keeva Gallagher and Evelyn McGrath presented the Hospice’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Sam Duncan, with a special candle.

The youngsters also had a look at the Hospice’s beautiful gardens before walking back to school.

Every 25 years, the Catholic Church holds a Jubilee year and all members of the Church family participate in the holy year.

To mark the occasion, every class at St Peter’s has chosen somewhere to make a pilgrimage to and Year Four decided to choose Willow Wood Hospice – which provides free specialist, compassionate and dignified care to patients living with any life-limiting illness in Tameside and Glossop.

Sam Duncan, Director of Fundraising and Communications, receives the candle from Keeva and Evelyn at Willow Wood Hospice.
Sam Duncan, Director of Fundraising and Communications, receives the candle from Keeva and Evelyn at Willow Wood Hospice.

Sinead Barber, class teacher and Deputy Headteacher, explained: “This year is the Catholic year of the Jubilee and the theme is Pilgrims of Hope, that we become Pilgrims of Hope and during this sacred year everybody is encouraged to make a pilgrimage to a sacred place to reaffirm their faith.

“So our Year 4 class have walked to Willow Wood. It was a lovely walk on a sunny day and we had lots of volunteer helpers. Lots of the parents came along to support us as well which is really nice.

“As a school, we want to bring the community into school and go out into the community as well.

“The candle we have presented symbolises that Jesus is the light of the world. The candle and the light is a symbol of hope.”

The school has supported the Hospice previously – their Choir have sung at our Garden of Lights celebration evenings in the lead-up to Christmas and, more recently, at our Dementia Café.

Pupils have taken part in our Bunny Hop campaign at Easter – hopping around the school playground to raise funds for the Hospice.

They have also supported Willow Wood through their Christmas productions when they sell programmes and other items.

Lucy Ta’ati, Community Events and Engagement Fundraiser, said: “We were truly touched by the children’s visit and their thoughtful gesture.

“It’s incredibly heartwarming to see young people actively supporting their community and taking an interest in what we do at the Hospice.

“Their candle gift was a beautiful symbol, and we’re so grateful to St Peter’s for their continued support.”

Posted on by

Hospice needs Creme Eggs for cracking Easter fundraiser

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 6,000 bunnies took a leap of love, raising a jaw-dropping £45,000 by donning bunny ears to hop, skip and jump around playgrounds, halls and parks across Tameside and Glossop.

In the year Willow Wood celebrates 25 years of patient care, the Hospice based in Ashton-under-Lyne wants Easter 2024 to be Top of the Hops.

It’s looking for individuals, groups and companies who can donate Creme Eggs which will be given to youngsters participating in the Bunny Hop.

Don’t worry if you cannot get hold of Creme Eggs, as donations of other small wrapped Easter treats would be gratefully received too.

Some of the small wrapped Easter treats we would gratefully receive for our Bunny Hop

People can drop off treats 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 ideally needs the eggs by 5th April.

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: “It’s an egg-citing year at Willow Wood as we recognise 25 years of delivering patient care and the Bunny Hop showcases the incredible power of our community coming together for a cause that truly hops straight to your heart.

“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 which they can take home and use throughout Easter.

“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.

By Adam Higgins