We’re honouring two of our longest serving supporters and former trustees with a special accolade
Anne Mack, from Wilmslow, and Ann Hughes, from Knutsford, whose combined years of supporting us total more than 80 years, have played active roles in both fundraising and providing specialist expertise to St Ann's.
Photo shows members of the Starkie Committee, including Ann Hughes, wearing pink on the back row, and Anne Mack to her right.
Our Board has decided to honour their achievements by naming them Honorary Vice Presidents of St Ann’s.
We’re incredibly grateful for all of the support and time that Ann and Anne have given the hospice over the many years they’ve been involved. From bridge drives and coffee mornings, to golf days and fairs, the fundraising activity they have carried out has been phenomenal, and they have worked tirelessly to help us to raise awareness of the work our teams at the hospice do. They’ve also both played an important part in supporting us with their specialist knowledge and expertise during their time as trustees, and beyond, and we’re pleased to be able to recognise their contribution by making them Honorary Vice Presidents of the hospice. Christine Gibbons, Chair of the Board at St Ann’s
Both women were integral in the early days of fundraising at the hospice, with Ann Hughes rallying her friends to raise money following an approach in 1967 to her husband Dick from the Bishop of Manchester, the Right Reverend Dr William Greer. The Bishop needed help to raise the funds to open a hospice in Manchester, and Ann and her friends rallied round, forming a group known as the Starkie Committee.
Ann worked as Chair of the committee, continuing to grow and develop its fundraising activities and was followed as Chair by Dorothy Stewart, and then Anne Mack.
Anne Mack began supporting the Starkie Committee with her mother in 1971, and the group has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for us over the years. They began holding lunches, coffee mornings, suppers and a ball at Adlington Hall, which became an annual event.
They also held a Gift Fair in Tatton Park, which developed into a key two-day event they held every two years. Organising the event was a huge task, and a new committee was formed to manage it, known as The Gift Fair Committee, and it consistently raised between £23,000 and £25,000 each time.
Ann Hughes’ husband Dick was involved in fundraising too, running an annual golf competition at Prestbury Golf Club, which has been run by Harry and Laura Ross in recent years.
The Starkie Committee was actually named after my family home, and I enjoyed chairing the committee for 25 years, before we closed fundraising last year. As a trustee of the hospice, I met many fantastic people, and I remain involved with the Trading Company, as I have a keen interest in the performance of the hospice shops. Anne Mack
I have always had a very warm affection for all who work for St Ann’s, and continue our long friendships at an annual luncheon. My life has been enriched by my association with the hospice and I am forever grateful for that. Ann Hughes
The pair were recognised with their Honorary Vice President titles at St Ann’s AGM meeting last month.
We need to raise £16,000 every day to keep the hospice doors open
We’re more than just a charity to our patients. Every single penny donated makes a huge difference to their lives.
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