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Our 50th Anniversary Range

March 9, 2021 | 10:38am
St Ann's 50th Range

Our new 50th anniversary range has landed in our online shop, featuring limited edition St Ann’s products, embossed with our 50th golden logo. 

The range has been launched as part of our 50th birthday celebrations, that’s 50 years of care provided to the Greater Manchester community since 1971 when we first opened our doors to the community.  

We’ve got a selection of products on sale, with prices starting from just £2.50, with all proceeds going to our hospice. By purchasing any of our memorabilia, you’ll be helping to raise vital funds that will enable our teams to continue to provide care for our patients and their loved ones for the next 50 years and beyond.  

View our full range below.  

St Ann's 50th Pin Badge

Pin Badge 

Our gold pin bag, styled with our brand new 50th logo, featuring our signature forget me not. 

This stylish pin is 3.2cm x 1.75cm, sitting perfectly on your shirt, jacket or bag etc. and made exclusively for our anniversary year.  

Order yours today for just £2.50 plus P&P.  

St Anns 50th Ball Point Pen

Ball Point Pen 

Make a note of all the ways to support St Ann’s with our new ball point pen, wrapped in our golden logo.  

The pen, which writes in black ink, sits comfortably in your hand and can easily be stored in your bag or pocket.  

Each pen costs £2.99 plus P&P.  

St Anns Travel Mug

Travel Mug 

Keep your coffee, tea or chocolate hot with our double walled travel mug, featuring a curved silicon handle and thumb rest.  

The black travel mug proudly shows off our 50th birthday logo, which you can easily show off to your family, friends and colleagues. 

Our travel mug can hold up to 400ml of liquid and is 17cm x 8.7cm. Order yours today for just £7.99 plus P&P and start enjoying a stylish cuppa!  

Shopping Bag 

Shop in style with our 50th tote bag, featuring a built–in pouch that allows the bag to be folded away and stored in your handbag or pocket.  

This stylish accessory is a perfect for carrying your essentials, plus the lightweight material makes it easy to fold and carry.  

The bag is 43.5cm x 39cm and costs just £4.99 plus P&P. 

Drinks Coaster 

Rest your cups on our limited-edition drinks coasters that come with a black silicon edge, holding them firmly in place.  

Our coasters have a white front with a large print of our golden logo. Now available with a diameter of 9.5mm for just £3.99 plus P&P.  

Token Keyring 

Grab yourself a golden trolley token, featuring our stylish 50th logo, and never have to worry about grabbing a trolley for your weekly shop.  

These handy tokens are shaped like the standard pound and can be clipped to your keys or purse for ease.  

Make your life easier whilst supporting St Ann’s by getting your token today for just £2.50 plus P&P.   

Drinks Bottle 

Stay hydrated with our 500ml aluminum drinks bottle, featuring a secure clip and screw top seal.  

Whether you’re at home, going for a walk or taking on a challenge in aid of St Ann’s, you can use our drinks bottle to stay refreshed throughout your activities.  

Get your durable drinks bottle, sized at 19cm x 7.3cm, for just £7.99 plus P&P.    

Our new range will only be available throughout 2021 to mark this special year in our history. Will you please join us in wearing a pin or showcasing any of our products throughout the year, helping us celebrate our big birthday whilst raising vital funds for your local hospice?  

Click the link below to view our full range and don’t forget to browse our large collection of new and pre-loved goods available online all year round too.  

Shop our 50th range

Support St Anns by purchasing any of our 50th products or new and pre-loved items today.

Shop online




Happy thoughts from supporter Dehrne

March 8, 2021 | 7:17am
Dehrne Hancock Abseiling

The 50th anniversary of St Ann’s Hospice brings back lots of happy memories for Dehrne Hancock who even threw herself off Manchester Town Hall for the sake of the charity.

Her head for heights also saw an abseil down the CIS Tower, the Co-op headquarters in the city centre and at one time the tallest building in the country.

Such bravery was all in a day’s work for Dehrne in her role as the hospice’s corporate fundraiser, a post she took up after organising a charity fun weekend at Grove Park sports ground in Cheadle Hulme.

That was on behalf of Manchester Rugby Club and Cheadle Hulme Cricket Club, both of which her husband David captained.

The occasion, in May 1995, marked the 25th birthday of the clubs’ home. The couple have been proud members for 50 years.

That event was also used to launch a Silver Jubilee Appeal for St Ann’s to count down to its same anniversary at the Heald Green site the following year.

Dehrne did so well as organiser that William Stewart, Appeals Director at the hospice at the time, persuaded her to work for the charity soon after.


It wasn’t as terrifying as jumping off the town hall at my first fundraising event! The fun weekend was a joint effort and cemented a great friendship with the hospice, raising £7,000 for the two organisations.


Dehrne Hancock

The Bramhall grandmother recalled: “We had a fabulous weekend and although it took a lot of planning, it wasn’t as terrifying as jumping off the town hall at my first fundraising event!

“The fun weekend was a joint effort and cemented a great friendship with the hospice, raising £7,000 for the two organisations.

“I remember we had over 250 members at a quiz in a marquee on the cricket pitch on the Friday night before an Antiques road show the next morning.

“World renowned jazz musician Humphrey Lyttelton entertained a 450-strong audience at a black tie dinner the same night, while the next day we staged a celebrity cricket match between soap stars and United and City players.

“We used the marquee for a Sunday soul night and ended the Bank Holiday weekend with a family fun day.” said Dehrne.

Grand Ball Invitation

Highlights while working at St Ann’s included helping organise the BBC’s Songs of Praise, the first televised event from the newly-opened Bridgewater Hall in 1996.

Dehrne’s duties involved driving TV news presenter Martyn Lewis there in her Mini. She said: “We pulled up at the traffic lights near the hospice and a passer-by was amazed when they spotted who was in the car. Martyn was hosting the programme.”

Another abiding memory was helping organise ‘2,000 in 2000,’ a millennium choir concert at the Manchester Arena featuring 2,000 male voices.

Dehrne still supports the hospice and her team from Bramhall Golf Club have entered the next St Ann’s Golf Day at Dunham Forest Golf and Country Club.

Join our birthday celebrations

Support St Ann’s during our 50th year by taking on any of our 50 unique fundraisers in 2021.

Click here




Take part in Will Month this March

March 4, 2021 | 7:17am

People across Greater Manchester will have an extra incentive to get their affairs in order this March, as making their Will could also raise vital funds to help care for those in the region with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

By taking part in Will Month, our supporters with be able to make a Will or update an existing one with help and advice from a solicitor. The solicitors who take part all give their time for free; instead of charging their usual fee, they invite people to make a donation to the hospice.

Supporters can do so all year round, but the hospice hopes its Will Month in March will help to highlight the importance of preparing a Will and raise awareness with local people.

Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive of St Ann’s, said:


Nearly a third of our costs to provide our care to patients and their loved ones is covered by the kind donations we receive from gifts people leave to us in their Will. It’s incredibly humbling to know people have thought of us in such a way, and we are always really proud to ensure their legacy is a lasting one as they help people who need support from the hospice.

We’re hoping our Will Month will highlight the importance of getting your affairs in order, and also how simple it is for most people to actually make their Will. People taking part don’t need to be leaving a gift to St Ann’s, and we are incredibly grateful to the local solicitors who are supporting us by getting involved.


Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive

Take part in Will Month

Create or update your Will today and help support your local hospice.

Find out more




Spotlight on… our Lymphoedema Team

March 3, 2021 | 10:01am

Lymphoedema is a swelling which can occur in any part of the body. Lymphoedema occurs when the lymphatic system does not drain properly. This can be for various reasons such as genetic conditions, traumas, vascular problems and cancer and it’s treatments. 

Lymphoedema is a chronic condition, which means that unfortunately currently there is no cure. But our Lymphoedema Team help patients to manage their symptoms, reduce swellings and reduce the risk of the condition getting worse. 

We’re proud to have a dedicated team of specialists who work hard to support people living with lymphoedema.

This Lymphoedema Week (1st – 6th March), we wanted to celebrate Fiona, Lucie and Lisa in our Lymphoedema Team by sharing some of the brilliant feedback we’ve received from patients and other organisations we work with…  

A card to the Lymphoedema Team which is handwritten and reads: I would especially like to thank Fiona, Lucy & Lisa the Lymphoedema Team for the work they have done with me all through the pandemic. Their proficiency, kindness and cheerfulness has and continues to help me get through it all. My donation is my way of thanking them. Please pass on my thanks to them. Best wishes.

“I’ve got my mobility back and am much more active now. I don’t have as many leg appointments any more, so I’ve got more time to do things I enjoy. Me and my wife are even thinking about going away on holiday for the first time in years. I feel like I’ve got my life back.”

Dennis
Retired taxi driver and patient  

 You can read Dennis’ full story online on the Legs Matter website.


Fiona, Lisa and the team have made a massive difference to my life. Things are looking good. I had never heard of the Lymphoedema service, until I needed to use it. However, I now KNOW it is an essential service that should be available in every area. I can’t speak highly enough of the people who carry out this service.


Lymphoedema patient

“As the Macmillan programme manager for Greater Manchester Cancer’s Lymphoedema programme during 2019 -2020, I worked extremely closely with St Ann’s Hospice Lymphoedema service.

“I worked particularly closely with Fiona Sanderson, Lymphoedema Specialist. Fiona has driven forward the patient’s voice, and shown the results of how she can turn someone’s life around by treating their condition with her expertise in intensive treatment. Fiona has also driven forward education for the palliative care and end of life workforce that will be implemented across Greater Manchester and I cannot wait to see the long-term outcomes of this piece of work.

“Fiona wouldn’t have been able to drive this transformation without the rest of her team, so I also thank Lucie and Lisa for all their hard work and commitment to lymphoedema. St Ann’s Hospice was an integral part of the two-year programme and will also continue to drive forward change for people affected by lymphoedema.” 

Debra Allcock, 
Facilitator for the GM Lymphoedema Transformation Network 


The lymphoedema team receives referrals from 7 CCG’s for people with both cancer and non-cancer related lymphoedema. Lymphoedema services are not easy to access and our patients are so grateful that the Hospice supports the team and continues to help it develop. We with other services across Greater Manchester and Lucie is on the British lymphology Society committee. We hope we can continue to learn and develop so we can continue to offer this support to more people. We love what we do and we love it more when we can see how it benefits people.


Fiona and the Lymphoedema Team

Our services

We don’t just care for people with cancer, we also support people with conditions like Lymphoedema, at all stages of their illness. All our services are free of charge, and the sooner we’re involved, the more we can help.

Find out more about our services




Schoolboy takes on 50 laps for St Ann’s

March 3, 2021 | 7:17am
Adam Collis - schoolboy fundraiser

Schoolboy Adam Collis copied his hero Captain Tom by pushing himself to the limit to help others.

Adam spent his half-term holiday cycling 50 laps of his local park raising funds for St Ann’s where his late grandmother was a patient.

The challenge in East Avenue Park, near his home in Heald Green, was a test of endurance for 11-year-old Adam, who has cerebral palsy and was once told he would never cycle.

Mum Sue said: “From day one medical experts said he’d never be able to ride a bike. We even went for an assessment two weeks ago and they couldn’t believe he could balance himself enough to ride without stabilisers.

“He’s quite determined and a couple of years ago said he wanted to ride a bike like everyone else. At first, I had to push him, then he took off and did it himself.

“He loved Captain Sir Tom Moore who was much like Adam in his determination to do something. He thinks that if someone that old could walk 100 lengths of his garden, then he can do this.”

Adam, who attends Etchells Primary School, has raised £1,000 for St Ann’s so far where Rita Gallagher, 73, spent six weeks before she died of cancer in August.

Sue said: “The care was amazing and it wasn’t just about my mum, but all of us. It was so personal and nurses worried about us, as well as mum. Unfortunately, Adam couldn’t visit his nana on the ward because of Covid so they met in the hospice gardens.

“Last year the focus was all on NHS and we got a leaflet from St Ann’s saying it was the 50th birthday, so Adam said he’d like to do something for nana and raise funds to help others.”

Adam said:


I love being on my bike which is my favourite thing, along with my scooter. I don’t play video games or anything like that because I prefer to be outside. The challenge was hard but I enjoyed it and want to thank everyone who has donated.


Adam Collis

Our Chief Executive, Rachel McMillan, said:


Huge thanks to Adam for taking on this amazing challenge, we’re so grateful for all of his hard work and support – what an inspirational way to spend the school holidays. The support of our local community is arguably more important than ever as we continue to provide services during the pandemic, so we can’t thank Adam and everyone who has made a donation enough. The money raised will help us provide specialist care to patients and their loved ones too.


Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive

To sponsor Adam please visit his Go Fund Me page or alternatively you can make a donation to St Ann’s below.

Make a donation today

If you can, please help support St Anns by making a donation today.

Click here




Rachel McMillan on Our Birthday Year!

February 26, 2021 | 7:13am

“2021 has certainly felt long-awaited, as people look forward to a year which will hopefully bring us nearer to a more normal life again. 

“At St Ann’s Hospice, we’ve been thinking the same too of course. Our staff have worked hard on the front line during the pandemic, and throughout last year we’ve had to adapt and change to ensure patients and their loved ones got the care they needed.  

“But, at the hospice, 2021 is actually a huge milestone we’ve been looking forward to for an even longer time too.  It’s the year we are celebrating our 50th birthday, and as one of the oldest hospices in the UK, we’re really proud and excited to be marking this significant moment in our history. 

“A lot has changed since we first opened our doors on 17th May 1971, but the ethos of the hospice, to ensure that our patients and those closest to them can be supported to live the best possible quality of life they can, remains the same.  

“St Ann’s is only still here after half a century thanks to the support of our amazing community. The hospice family reaches far and wide, including our fantastic donors, army of more than 700 volunteers, staff, health and social care professionals locally, and of course the patients and families we care for.”

Celebrate our 50th year

Get involved in our big birthday celebrations by taking on any of our 50th fundraisers.

Click here




Crafty Fundraising from St Ann’s Employees

February 17, 2021 | 7:58am
A selection of hanging felt flowers, hearts and butterflies in light blues, yellows and purple colours.

Employees from St Ann’s have individually been crafting away in the last few months to create handmade gifts and keepsakes to sell at our Heald Green hospice.  

Receptionist, Margaret Pike who has worked at St Ann’s for 13 years, has been using online crafting sites to create gift tags and felt hanging decorations, with each one taking one to two hours to complete from start to finish.  

At first Margaret started creating the pieces in March as a way to keep busy and quickly made the decision to sell her handmade creations and raise vital funds for St Ann’s. 

Margaret said: 


I was looking for something new to do to keep my mind and fingers active and to help me relax with everything going on last year. I also thought it would be a good way to bring in some much-needed funds into the hospice, thus benefitting us both.


Margaret Pike, Receptionist at Heald Green

Felt Hanging Hearts

During this time, Margaret wasn’t the only St Ann’s employee who has been using her creative skills to raise funds for St Ann’s. Yvonne Rogers, Clinical Services Admin Co-Ordinator, Shelley Wood in IPU and Sandra Rycroft a volunteer has also been hard at work, making pocket tissue holders, face coverings and chocolate orange holders, among other items. 

We’ve even had family members of employee’s stitch and knit items with the mother and auntie of Denise Rowbothan our Medical Secretary, creating felt hearts and flowers.  

Prices for items range from £1 to £5.00, depending on the designs and styling of the item. Each handmade item can be purchased at the reception desk at Heald Green, with all the money going to St Ann’s.  

Christmas Tree Gift Tags

If you want to create a handmade token and fundraise for St Ann’s, why not take on our 50th birthday Knit or Crochet 50 Forget Me Nots for St Ann’s?

You can put your knitting and crochet skills to the test and help raise funds for St Ann’s in 2021. We’ve even got free patterns that you can download and follow. Simply click the link below and don’t forget to share your progress by tagging St Ann’s on our social media channels.

Knit or Crochet for St Ann’s

Download your free knitting or crochet pattern today.

Click here




Caring for our community for 50 years! 

February 12, 2021 | 7:13am
Jean Gibbs Archive Snippet from her memories.

Emotional support

Jean Gibbs was appointed our first Matron at our site in Little Hulton in 1979. She was passionate about creating the same warm and loving environment at our new site as she had felt in Heald Green. Hospice care was also growing and evolving at the time to meet the emotional needs of patients, relatives, friends and carers too.

In 1999, Jean shared her memories of working at St Ann’s for the 20th birthday of our Little Hulton Hospice. She went on to say:

Jean Gibbs article snippet describing the development of services that supported the emotional and social care for patients.

Jean was instrumental in developing care for the whole person at our Little Hulton Hospice, ensuring that patients across our hospice sites received the same personalised care.

Creative Art therapy leaflet from St Ann's archives, detailing who it is for and what a person will gain from attending Creative Therapy sessions.

Creating community

Just like our leaflet above, from our archive explains, creative therapies like art and music bring our patients together to try new things and have fun.

In our 50th year, we now have creative therapists as part of our teams, and we even have an online social group for our Being You Centre patients. Our virtual group is led by some amazing volunteers, who help to bring people together who might be shielding or living alone and create a community where everyone can be themselves.

Our Being You Centre offers a range of services, which have since adapted to include virtual programmes, led by specialist therapists and nurses over a five to six week course.

A member of The Myriad Foundation sits with an inpatient at St Ann's.

Care for the whole person

Although our roots were as a Christian organisation, we’ve always been proud to support people from different
communities. Our first chaplaincy team included Rabbi E.S Rabinowitz and over the years, we’ve built relationships with local faith leaders to make sure that people from all faiths and none can feel at home at the hospice.

In the last decade, St Ann’s partnered with The Myriad Foundation, an Islamic charity in Manchester. Patients at the hospice could request a buddy to spend time with them, chatting, playing board games or watching TV together at times when they might not have as many visitors.

 

My Hospice Buddy leaflet detailing the services from the charity, The Myriad Foundation.

Find out more about our care

Take a look at the range of emotional, social, psychological and spiritual care we offer to our patients and their loved ones.

Click here