Latest News & Events

Set against the back drop of Willow Wood's Day Hospice the annual Flower Festival is set to take place on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October.

Once again the Hospice will be a mass of vibrant colour and full of exotic plants which will be making up the individual arrangements depicting this year's theme "Events in the Yearly Calendar".

As with previous Festivals this year's event promises to be a truly amazing display of local talent as the arrangements are the inspiration of the ladies from Stalybridge Flower Club and friends of the Hospice.

The Festival opens from 10.00am until 5.00pm on both days and at the close on Sunday people who have purchased the displays will be able to collect them.

Barbara McCallum who is once again the driving force behind the Festival said: "I hope that as many people as possible from all over Tameside and Glossop will take this opportunity to visit the Hospice and admire the displays and the hours of preparation that have gone into the floral arrangements."

Dot Birchfield, Willow Wood's Promotion and Events Manager, said: "The Festival has become a major part of our fundraising calendar and has raised many thousands of pounds over the years. The Hospice would like to thank Barbara and her "Flower Ladies" for their continued support."

Dot continued: "The Day Hospice has recently undergone a major refurbishment and the Festival is a wonderful opportunity to come and view the stunning arrangements and at the same time see the tremendous refurbishment work that will benefit our patients for years to come."

Friday 29th April sees the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton and to mark this happy occasion (if not the extra Bank Holiday!) the Hospice has launched an exclusive opportunity for people wishing to make a gift using the very latest methods.

Just by texting the word:

WEDDING TO 70700

people can donate a gift of £5 to the Hospice (the amount will be added to your next mobile phone bill).

As a local charity directly benefitting local people we rely almost entirely on the continued support of the local community in order to provide our specialist services. If we can attract 1095 people each donating £5 then we would raise enough to pay for all of Willow Wood's service for just one day.

So if you are "keen" on Kate, "wild" on William or just "Mad" about the Monarchy then this is your opportunity to celebrate their wedding while helping your local Hospice care for those in need of their specialist services.

If you're going to your own street party or barbeque, attending a family gathering or just off down to the local please ask all your family, friends and neighbours to pick up their phone and text "WEDDING" to 70700 and make a small gift to Willow Wood Hospice.

Even if the biggest Royal wedding for 30 years doesn't ring your bell you could always celebrate having an extra bank holiday by sending the Hospice a donation via your mobile!

If you are one of the many taking an extended break then you can still donate via your mobile after the wedding, as the opportunity will be available well into May!

Many thanks in advance for your support — it is, as always, very much appreciated.

Mobile compliance : Text Costs £5 plus network charge. Willow Wood Hospice receives at least £4.45 (although this will rise as all major UK networks have now agreed to forward 100% of the donation). Please obtain the bill payer's permission. Customer care 08448479800.

Local amateur photographers are invited to enter their photos for the Willow Wood Hospice 2012 Calendar. The Hospice is looking for thirteen colour photographs (one of which must be portrait) of local scenes from throughout Tameside & Glossop.

There is some fabulous scenery around the region and we would love people to send in their pictures. You don't have to be a professional photographer or gifted amateur to enter. You could just be that one lucky person who was in the right place at the right time. So this is your chance to have your pictures seen by thousands across the region - if not the world!

The annual Hospice calendar is always eagerly awaited but as we are producing the 17th edition we are running a bit short of photographic ideas. There are only so many times you can use pictures of Hartshead Pike! The picture competition is a great way for local people to get involved with the Hospice and help raise some much-needed funds. The photographs we are looking for could include the four seasons, a local activity or event. The only stipulation is that the photograph must have a connection with either Tameside or Glossop, if not both.

People wishing to enter are asked to ensure that full details are attached with each set of pictures, complete with the scene, location, name and address of the entrant and must be received by 1st April 2011. Entries must measure 150mm wide x 105mm deep (landscape), in order to fit in with the calendar's format. We also require one portrait image for use on the front cover. Images can be sent as hard copy, on a disc or via email. We ask that the image is of high resolution to assist with reproduction.

Please send your images to: Dot Birchfield, Promotions Events Manager, Willow Wood Hospice

On Sunday 4th July a number of the parents of Glossop Judo Club children ran the City of Manchester 10K in aid of Willow Wood.

The team were extremely proud to hand over a cheque for £519 to John Fellowes, the Head of Fundraising at Willow Wood.

Staff Willow Wood thought the annual Christmas Tree recycling programme was destined to be cancelled as a result of the big freeze until Tameside Council stepped in.

John Fellowes, Head of Fundraising explained: "Hundreds of local people booked for their Christmas Tree to be collected from their doorsteps last week so that it could be recycled and to help the Hospice raise vital funds at the same time. Unfortunately the snow put paid to the collection and everything was put back by a week".

John continued: "Although things looked slightly better at the start of the week there were severe doubts, even for later in the week, as to whether the collection vehicles could actually reach a majority of households as most were located on the still hazardous side roads. With the adverse weather expected to continue I spoke to our recycling partners, the Waste Services department at the Council, really to postpone the collection yet again".

However Garry Parker, Waste Services Manager, came up with an alternative plan. "Tameside Council's Waste Service department have supported the annual Christmas tree collection for the last 5 years by supplying vehicles and manpower and we were happy to continue to provide that support. Obviously this year the weather has been a major factor but we still wanted to support this very worthwhile local charity, especially as these problems are beyond their control. The Hospice has provided a list of all the trees that need collecting throughout Tameside and we will collect all these trees when we have cleared the backlog of excess waste which is the priority. I cannot give any precise dates when these trees will be collected but if your tree is on the Hospice list then it will be collected". "All we ask is for people using this service to leave their tree safely at the edge of their property. I offer my thanks to the service users for their understanding, support and patience" said Garry.

"John finished by saying: "This is typical of the help the Hospice receives from the Council and we are extremely grateful to Garry and his team for this further example of their support. If anyone has any queries regarding these collections please ring the Hospice Appeals Office on 0161 3300 7788 and not the Council".

The Young At Heart Club from the Village Hotel in Hyde recently organised an evening of song and dance at Dukinfield Community Centre.

This event raised £1,184 on the night and there is probably more to come.

Pictured are members of the Young at Heart Club presenting a cheque to the Hospice's Dot Birchfield.

One lucky person has just won a brand new car for just £1.

Hospice Chairman, Pat McCloskey drew the winning ticket for the 10th anniversary car draw just after 3:00pm on Sunday 27th September. A large crowd gathered in front in front of Ashton Town Hall in the hope that their ticket was drawn. The lucky ticket, number 005719, was bought on August 16th, by Nigel Smith who won the Colin Appleyard sponsored Suzuki Alto.

With over 21,000 tickets sold for the draw Head of Fundraising, John Fellowes was delighted with the response. He said: "We are extremely grateful to everyone who took the time to buy a ticket. The car has been out and about over the last few months and to those people who weren't lucky enough to win, we can assure them that their pound has gone to help Willow Wood provide the very best care and specialist services to our patients."

The Hospice recently welcomed two esteemed guests to help celebrate its 10th birthday. The Mayor of Tameside, Councillor John Sullivan, and the Deputy Mayor of High Peak, Councillor Peter Kaye, visited the Hospice on September 28. The visit coincided with the actual day ten years ago when the Hospice opened its In-Patient Unit and gave the Mayors the opportunity to meet with staff, patients and volunteers as they toured the Hospice.

Willow Wood's Head of Fundraising, John Fellowes, said: "The Hospice was delighted to welcome the Mayor of Tameside and the Deputy Mayor of High Peak to mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of the In-Patient Unit. The visit gave us a chance to reflect on how the Hospice began, what we have achieved and our plans for the future."

The Mayor of Tameside, Councillor John Sullivan, said: "It was a superb visit to mark the 10th anniversary of Willow Wood Hospice. It is an absolutely wonderful place and they do a fantastic job. I met staff and patients and learned more about fundraising efforts."

Reception Volunteer Cynthia Hopkinson demonstrates the ropes under the watchful eye of Finances & Services Manager, Karen Houlston

Matron Karen Vallantine said: "Willow Wood has a long history of providing the best possible end of life care for our patients. Up until now we have been able to juggle with our accommodation to provide the very highest level of care and treatments for patients but have now found this no longer practical. Our newly launched Blood Transfusion Clinic, Lymphoedema Service and the Out-Patient Clinics will all benefit from existing facilities being upgraded. These new developments will enable the Hospice to maintain its place as a leader in palliative care services in Tameside and Glossop".

Mr Peter Wood, Finance Director, stated: "I am delighted that through capital grants and a specific condition attached to a recent legacy that we already have the funding in place for these developments. We will not be asking our supporters to contribute to this project".

Numerous internal changes and alterations are proposed but there are four main areas for which consent has been requested, including extensions to the Day Hospice and a necessary extension to the car park. Smaller extensions involving improvements to the catering and nursing areas are also planned.

The new development will improve the quality of facilities available to patients who need the Hospice's help and support. With the planned increase in the number of purpose-built consulting rooms, Out-Patient services will be further developed. The Day Hospice will benefit from upgraded and expanded facilities which will support the introduction of additional services for patients including a brand new complementary therapy room to enable patients to take advantage of a range of therapies designed to improve their physical and emotional well-being.

Dr Ian Maclellan-Smith, Medical Director, said: "People are living longer and advances in medicine mean that our remit is wider, we need these new facilities to ensure that we are able to provide exactly the right facilities to support our patients and their families - delivering the right treatment at the right time and in the right place".

If required, further information can be obtained from John Fellowes, Head of Fundraising/PR on 0161 330 7788.

The Willow Wood Hospice shop in Clarendon Place, Hyde recently celebrated ten years of raising vital funds with a visit from Hospice Chairman, Pat McCloskey.

Pat took time from his busy schedule to help mark the occasion by helping to cut the celebratory birthday cake and to thank all the volunteers on their hard work and dedication. While thanking everyone for their unfailing support over the years, this milestone in the shop's history also gave Pat the opportunity to meet with two of the longest serving Hospice volunteers. Dot Procter and Joan Hamer were among the very first Hospice volunteers who were actively involved in the very early days of fundraising to build the Hospice and who now work at the shop.

If you would like to donate any unwanted items to the shop please contact them on 0161 368 7005.

Hospice Chairman Pat McCloskey looks on as Dot Procter and Joan Hamer cut the cake watched by Janet Mutch the Hospice's Retail Manager and shop volunteers

Midnight Wanderer Rachel Horrocks thought she had walked into the wrong house when she went through her front door recently and saw her living room totally transformed.

Rachels's Mum and fellow Wanderer, Linda Ellis of Dukinfield, had secretly been talking to ITV's "60 Minute Makeover" programme and while Rachel was whisked off to a luxury health farm for an overnight break the TV crew moved in.

Out came the furniture, lights fittings and carpets and in moved the show's designer, a crew of 30 or so makeover experts and presenters Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan. Between them they transformed the living room, kitchen and an upstairs bedroom, all in the one hour target. But what happened to the furniture once it went out through the front door? Well on this occasion that's where Willow Wood fitted in - ardent Hospice supporter Linda contacted the Willow Wood Appeals Office and told us what was happening but we were sworn to secrecy. In a script that mirrored a Bond film all the arrangements were made and we awaited in anticipation for the day to arrive.

At the designated hour the Hospice van arrived outside Rachel's house and with the help of Colin, Justin and Mum Linda, our furniture shop volunteers soon had the van loaded up. Settees, tables, chairs, bookcases, cupboards, all destined to raise vital funds for the Hospice. After a few photos, messages of good luck and a lot of thanks-yous, the van left to take its valuable cargo to the Hospice's furniture shop on Old Street, Ashton.

Janet Mutch, the Hospice's Retail Manager, said: "We are very grateful to Linda for thinking of the Hospice and I am sure that Rachel, once she has recovered , will be delighted to know that Willow Wood has benefited from the makeover". Janet continued by saying: "Our furniture shop relies entirely on the continued generosity of the local communities for donations. If you have any furniture that you would like to donate to the Hospice please contact the furniture shop directly on 0161 330 7445 - they would love to hear from you".

And what did Rachel think of Mum's skullduggery? Although not known for being stuck for words she was on this occasion. Through misty eyes she told us that she was overjoyed and delighted with the end result and was amazed how Colin and Justin had been able to create exactly what she would have done herself.

And Mum? We understand that Mum was soon let off the hook and they are the best of friends again!

The Hospice is delighted to announce that Tameside based actress, Julie Hesmondhalgh, has agreed to become a Patron of Willow Wood.

Julie, who is best known for her role as Hayley Cropper in the popular TV soap, Coronation Street, officially began her new role at the beginning of September. It wasn't long before Julie confirmed the level of her patronage as she soon put her best foot forward and signed up to take part in the Hospice's Firewalk in October.

More information on the Firewalk (along with an Entry Form) can be found on our Events Diary page.

Photo courtesy of Tameside Reporter

On 19th July 2009 Richard Allen undertook a cycle ride from Blackpool to Willow Wood Hospice.

The ride was in memory of Richard's mum - Gladys Holdship - who was cared for by the Hospice last year.

A total of £835 was raised via traditional sponshorship and the JustGiving site, including a generous donation from "Mazars Charitable Trust".

Thank you Richard for all your efforts on behalf of Willow Wood - it is very much appreciated.

Stalybridge & Hyde MP James Purnell (pictured left) is set to raise funds for Willow Wood Hospice, by taking part in the Great North Run in September.

"Willow Wood is an extraordinary place that has made a significant difference to people across Tameside" said Mr Purnell, who visited the Hospice recently as part of celebrations to mark its 10th anniversary.

"The staff provide vital care to patients with life-threatening and terminal illnesses and their work is supported by hundreds of volunteers, who give up their time to work at the Hospice or to raise funds."

"In September I'm planning to take part in the Great North Run and I'm happy to be able to use this as an opportunity to raise funds for Willow Wood."

Mr Purnell has already started training for the 13.1 mile event, which is the biggest race of its kind in the country.

"The Great North Run is quite hilly, so running around the hills around Longdendale has been good preparation" said James, who ran the London Marathon in 2006.

"I've been enjoying the training, but I'm not looking to finish in a particular time - just finishing will be great."

Head of Fundraising John Fellowes said: "Willow Wood Hospice relies almost entirely on the continued support from everyone in our communities in order that our dedicated team of staff and volunteers can continue to provide the very highest levels of specialist care to those in need of our services."

"This is not the first time James has put his best foot forward for the Hospice. James raised a significant sum a few years ago when he completed the Windermere half marathon on our behalf and I am delighted that he has again chosen the Hospice to benefit from his physical endeavours."

"Although the 13.1 mile Great North Run is arguably one of the world's most popular half marathon road running events it is also a huge personal and physical challenge and we wish James well in his efforts."

"Obviously we would like to encourage everyone to support James and help him reach his fundraising target."

In addition to Willow Wood Hospice Mr Purnell will also be raising funds for the Tony Blair Sports Foundation.

To help James Purnell raise fund for Willow Wood Hospice go to www.justgiving.com/jamespurnell/