Tag: Sharman Birtles

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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

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Young people dress up to walk for Willow Wood

Members of Hyde Fire Station’s Prince’s Trust programme have raised over £1,000 for Willow Wood Hospice after embarking on a sponsored walk in fancy dress. 

The group of 12 young people spent two days at the Hospice helping with preparations for the Celebration Garden events leading up to the walk.

They also picked up some weird and wacky costumes to wear from the Hospice’s Distribution Centre in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Vice Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and Willow Wood patron, Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL, met the group at the fire station – the starting point for their walk on Thursday 18th July.

As they ventured on the walk, accompanied by the Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Betty Affleck, The Grafton Centre in Hyde and The Together Centre in Dukinfield – where they stopped for refreshments – both gave them donations.

After completing the 3.5 mile walk at the Hospice, the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and Willow Wood CEO Tracy Minshull – who were joined by Hospice staff and volunteers – greeted the group and thanked them for their support.

Sharman said: “They are young people, they are not practised in raising funds but they have really put their heart and soul into it. I love the fact that they have seen a need and decided to do something towards it.

“Part of their course is to be community minded and they have really taken it to heart. We are grateful they chose to support Willow Wood, which is a wonderful place in Tameside.”

Sarah Quinn, Team Manager at the Prince’s Trust at Hyde Fire Station, commented: “I couldn’t have asked for better from the young people. We picked the hottest day of the year so far for the walk! We had to change a few of the costumes so nobody passed out along the way.

“Everybody pushed themselves – we started with 12 young people and finished with 12 young people. I am so proud of the team and we are all grateful to everyone who has donated.

“We are thrilled to have had the support of Willow Wood throughout and the Civic Mayor, who really sees the true value in what we’re doing for the young people of Tameside.”

The Civic Mayor, Hyde Godley councillor Affleck, was delighted to lend her support.

She told us: “It went really well, it was a good opportunity to speak to the young adults and listen to their stories. I have always supported the Prince’s Trust at Hyde Fire Station since becoming a councillor, I think they do an amazing job.

“It’s great that they chose to support the Hospice, which means a lot to so many people in our area.”

The Prince’s Trust charity, in conjunction with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, runs a 12-week programme for unemployed young people aged 16 to 25 which helps them to achieve their potential and re-enter education, training or employment.

To mark the end of the group’s programme, a presentation ceremony was held at Dukinfield Town Hall on Wednesday evening (24th July) which the Civic Mayor and other local councillors attended.

The young people presented a cheque to the Hospice for a fantastic £1,443.81 and delivered inspiring speeches on how the programme has boosted their confidence and developed their employability skills.

They chose to support Willow Wood after Joanna Griffiths – a friend of Sarah’s since childhood – received end-of-life care at the Hospice recently at the age of 51.

Sarah added: “Joanna was a fabulous fighter, she was given two years to live 10 years ago and has fought the whole way.

“The young people came into the team programme 10 minutes after I found out Joanna had died and they showed so much empathy for me, which is one of the skills they learn on the programme.

“I talked to them about the work Willow Wood does and it so happened that three of the young people have had grandparents who received care at the Hospice too. They wanted to raise money and came up with the idea of a sponsored walk – one of the young people suggested to do it in fancy dress so we did!”

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Hospice celebrates milestone and end of an era

Willow Wood Hospice has been celebrating 25 years of providing compassionate care to patients from the local community.

On Friday 24th May, long-serving staff and volunteers past and present gathered in the Hospice gardens for a special tree-planting ceremony.

Hospice Patron Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant, delivered a moving speech reflecting on our journey and growth before planting a commemorative tree with the very same spade that cut the first sod in 1997.

CEO Tracy Minshull (centre) with Willow Wood Hospice’s trustees at the tree planting ceremony

Chairman Philip Millson also spoke about the Hospice, inspiring everyone to share cherished memories, reminiscing about the early days and how far the organisation has come.

The celebrations continued the following Friday, 31st May, which was Karen Houlston’s last working day before she retired after 24 years of service to Willow Wood.

Karen with her celebratory retirement balloon display at the Hospice

Karen first joined the Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, in January 2000 as a part-time bookkeeper.

With a finance background, she fulfilled a number of roles – including Admin Manager, Finance & Services Lead and Hospice Exec Manager. After completing a Master’s Degree at Lancaster University in ‘Hospice Leadership’ in October 2013, Karen went on to become CEO.

Staff and volunteers who have worked with Karen came together for a wonderful BBQ, prepared by Willow Wood’s Catering team, in the Hospice gardens – where the Willow Wood Hospice Choir also sang for the occasion.

With some of her family also in attendance, Karen received a myriad of lovely gifts, a card and a beautiful retirement cake made by Lynn Valentine from the Hospice’s Catering team.

Karen cutting her retirement cake on her final working day at Willow Wood

Chair Philip Millson, Director of Finance Ian Wicks and Karen’s successor as CEO, Tracy Minshull, reflected on Karen’s achievements and wished her well for the future.

In an emotional speech, Karen shared: “I can honestly say that I have looked forward to every single day at Willow Wood Hospice and enjoyed every moment.”

As a surprise, a video montage of staff and volunteers holding up their personal retirement messages was played out to Karen on a screen during the BBQ.

Since 1999, the Hospice has been a centre of care and compassion, providing dedicated support to patients from across Tameside and Glossop with a life-limiting illness and those closest to them.

The significant milestone will also be commemorated at the 25th Anniversary Ball at The Village Hotel in Ashton-under-Lyne on Friday (14th June).

Limited tickets are available at https://willowwood.org.uk/events/the-ball/