Staying silent for Steph
John Ardern of Prestwich sadly lost his daughter Steph Jenkins to cancer ten years ago, when she was just 36 years old.
John Ardern of Prestwich sadly lost his daughter Steph Jenkins to cancer ten years ago, when she was just 36 years old.
Steph was cared for at St Ann’s Little Hulton hospice before she died, and John and his family supported the hospice by donating £5,000 last year.
Tomorrow John is undertaking a challenge of silence in an attempt to raise a further £5,000 for St Ann’s, whilst highlighting the benefits of peace and quiet which so many people find comforting at times of loss.
The Millstone pub in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, renowned for its chatty atmosphere and fun karaoke, will host John’s 10-hour sponsored silence on Wednesday 10th April (11am-9pm). The Millstone was a favourite place of Steph’s, so was the natural choice for John to fundraise in memory of his daughter.
I’m not the quietest of people myself, and there will be a lot of temptation to join in with the banter on the day, but I am determined to sit and keep schtum for the whole 10 hours and raise enough money to meet our £5,000 target. Many of my friends already think it’s an impossible task for me. John Ardern, Supporter
Of course, it will only be John staying silent. Onlookers and regulars can still make some noise. Ged Ford, landlord of The Millstone, said: “There will be karaoke and lots of drinking and socialising as usual. Please come along and support the event. You can join in if you want to”.
There will be a number of celebrity drop ins throughout the day and lots of information around why silence can be so important for our mental health and creativity, as well as information on how to support St Ann’s.
Monday 8th April marked ten years since Steph died, and the combined fundraising enabled John to Pay for a Day at the Little Hulton hospice in her memory on this date. Pay for a Day is a way supporters can celebrate a symbolic date by covering the cost of 24 hours of care of St Ann’s and visiting the hospice to see first-hand the difference these generous donations make to the people we support every day.
The family visited the hospice on the day for a tour and refreshments, and remembered Steph with a leaf on the hospice’s celebration tree. Steph’s sister, Venessa, is also raising money by taking part in a skydive this year.
I see the effect that coming into St Ann’s still has on John, 10 years on from when he was visiting Steph here. We are so grateful to him and his family for remembering Steph by helping the hospice to raise much-needed funds and awareness too. I am, however, looking forward to seeing if he manages to actually keep quiet for the entire 10 hours! Clare Henderson, Major Gifts, Trusts & Foundations Fundraiser at St Ann’s