Theme: Fundraising

Janet O’Keefe says she took on the Walk 100 Miles in September challenge as she wanted to support St Ann’s Hospice. 

Janet completed her 100 miles within three weeks and luckily enough she did as she came down with COVID the day after she reached the milestone and was not able to walk much for some time afterwards. 

“My mum who had cancer and lived with me got a great deal of enjoyment out of going to St Ann’s because they used to pick her up on a weekly basis to do activities,” Janet said. 

According to Janet, she felt great doing the challenge as it encouraged her to go out on days when she didn’t even want to go out. 

“I felt that I couldn’t let the charity down and I had to stick to what I promised, it was a great way of keeping active,” she said. 

Janet raised over £1,250 for St Ann’s from sponsorship of her 100 Mile challenge. 

“I got a lot of financial support from friends, family, and work. My employers even put in a big chunk,” Janet said. 

“I didn’t have to prod anybody as I’ve a wide network of friends, and support in work. It wasn’t difficult.  

“St Ann’s gives support to people with life-limiting illnesses, but it also helps the families as well. I remember when my mum went there, she was so buoyant when she got home because of everything they provided for her, and the companionship. It also helped me. It benefits everybody, not just the person who is sick,” Janet added. 

This year’s Walk 100 Miles in September is only a few weeks away but there is still plenty of time to sign up. Do you think you are up for the challenge of walking 100 miles in a month? 

Signing up is easy, click here to learn more. 

The St Ann’s Hospice Build it Together appeal is now only £100k from hitting is monumental £2m goal. 

The Build it Together appeal was launched in June 2022 and is a public appeal to raise funds for the new hospice building located in Heald Green. 

St Ann’s are encouraging those who can to rally round and help them across the finish line.

Head of Fundraising and Captial Campaign at St Ann’s Hospice, Anne-Marie Wynne says she has been overwhelmed by the support of the public. 

“We knew the goal we set of £2m in June 2022 was a huge ask but the way in which local communities have gotten behind the Build it Together appeal from the very beginning has been amazing.  

“We are so close to the finish line, and now all that’s left to do is raise the final £100k!” Anne-Marie said. 

There have been hundreds of fundraisers towards the Build it Together appeal over the last three years. From Quiz Nights, Golf Days, Theatre Shows, Discos, Summer Fairs, Open Gardens, giving up alcohol and giving up coffee, walking, running, dancing and singing, as well as hundreds of cash donations – the support of the community has been humbling.

If you would like to donate to the St Ann’s Hospice Build it Together appeal then please follow this link to do so. 

St Ann’s Hospice thanks you all for the tremendous and continuous support. 

Michael Hunt took on the Walk 100 Miles in September challenge last year in memory of two friends who died at St Ann’s Hospice. 

Michael raised over £1,000 during the challenge through sponsorship. He also saw the 100 Miles as a way to challenge himself. 

“I had been through a rough patch myself and had spent 6 weeks in hospital and I wanted to prove to myself that I am still here, and that I am still able,” Michael said. 

“I was given a second chance and I wanted to push myself.” 

Michael said that ever since he retired, he has been an active walker. 

“When I achieved the target I just felt great that I was able to do it.”

Michael said it was joy as time went on, seeing the figure raised on his Just Giving page increase. 

“That was sort of an incentive in itself to complete the challenge. I was well pleased with what I raised.” 

This year’s Walk 100 Miles in September is only a few weeks away but there is still plenty of time to sign up. Do you think you are up for the challenge of walking 100 miles in a month? 

Signing up is easy, click here to learn more. 

As we enter the final summer month, St Ann’s Hospice is celebrating the success of one of our Christmas fundraisers from the beginning of the year! 

Just Helping recently shared the total amount raised through our partnership on the Manchester Christmas Tree Recycling scheme, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. 

The annual initiative involves collecting and recycling Christmas trees following the festive season for an optional donation. 

We are delighted to announce that our collaboration with Just Helping raised an incredible £67,528.75 for St Ann’s Hospice during the 2024/25 campaign. 

These funds were raised by collecting Christmas trees from across Greater Manchester in January for recycling. Generous supporters made donations in exchange for this excellent service, which not only raised vital money for our hospice but also benefited the environment: We are thrilled that we have helped prevent 84,944 kg of CO₂ emissions from being released into the atmosphere.

The Manchester collection is a team effort between Just Helping, St Ann’s Hospice, and Francis House Children’s Hospice, with all three charities working together from planning through to the collection itself. 

Together, and with the incredible support of volunteers and local businesses, the team collected and recycled an amazing 5,309 Christmas trees. We are delighted that the Manchester appeal raised an incredible £117,675.20 for charities across Greater Manchester. Of this, £67,528.75 was donated directly to St Ann’s Hospice. 

The 2024/25 collection was sponsored by Caddick Construction, helping to ensure that more funds directly benefit local patients and their families. 

Corporate Fundraiser for St Ann’s Hospice, Gayle Shaw was over the moon with the donation.

Georgia Vacher, Partnership and Development Manager at Just Helping, added: “It’s a privilege to be part of Just Helping’s Christmas Tree Cycle Appeal and to help raise vital funds for incredible hospices and charities like St Ann’s and Francis House Children’s Hospice.”

Ged Reddy is a self-proclaimed “huge Oasis fan” and secured two tickets to one of their Manchester gigs thanks to the St Ann’s Hospice ticket draw. 

St Ann’s ran a competition where entrants were in with a chance for two Oasis tickets to their Manchester concert on Wednesday, July 16. 

The fundraiser raised over £1,500 for the Build it Together appeal at the hospice. 

“I’ve been an Oasis fan since I was about 16. I’ve seen them about four times,” Ged said. 

Ged has a personal connection with St Ann’s as his mum was cared for by the hospice before she died nearly ten years ago. The July 16th concert that Ged attended also marks the day she passed. 

Speaking prior to the concert Ged said: “I asked my cousin from Ireland to come with me, so he’s booked his flights. He’s a huge Oasis fan, even a bigger one than me, so there was no better choice.” 

Oasis finished their final Manchester concert at Heaton Park in Manchester on Sunday 20th July, having played for a total of five nights. 

Reds and Blues from a football family put aside rivalries to honour the memory of their famous grandad.  

The eight youngsters ran 7.5k from Old Trafford to the Etihad Stadium, raising more than £2,000 for St Ann’s Hospice. 

Their grandfather Ian Mellor, who played for Manchester City in the early Seventies, died in the hospice last year.  

The family have so far raised more than £35,000 for an inpatient consultation room at a new St Ann’s Hospice opening in Heald Green, Stockport, early next year.  

After the run, they enjoyed the new VR experience at City. The futuristic football journey is the first of its kind in the country.   

Eliot, Theo and Albie are City fans; Noah, Zach and Molly follow United, while cousins Nicole and Harry are Liverpool fans.  

Hardly surprising since their father Neil played for Liverpool, some 30 years after his dad was a professional footballer.  

Ian’s wife Sue said: “The grandkids had a great time and wanted to do their bit to raise funds for St Ann’s Hospice where Ian received such great care.” 

The new £26 million hospice will replace the current building in Heald Green and will offer a new and modern facility for the hospice to care for people impacted by life limiting illnesses. The new building will include a 27-bed inpatient unit including individual en-suite rooms and access to private outdoor terraces. The development will also feature modern outpatient services, dedicated bereavement and family support spaces, all surrounded by beautiful, landscaped gardens.* To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/themellorgrandchildren 

A charity football match has raised over £8,200 for St Ann’s Hospice and the Christie Hospital. 

Alan Davies and his friends used to play football together in the 80s and 90s and were sadly reunited a number of years ago at their friend’s funeral, where they decided to meet up to play five-a-side again. 

Alan’s son Jack joined the group one day when they were low on numbers and has been a member ever since. 

All changed once again when the founder of the group was diagnosed with cancer. The founder, being a huge inspiration to Jack, has been in and out of the Christie Hospital for the last number of years and according to Jack, still turns up every Wednesday to be a part of the squad. 

“He was the main reason why we wanted to put this charity match together,” Jack said. 

The match was facilitated by Monton Sports Club in Eccles, with the match kicking off at 10.30am on Saturday, June 28. 

“My mum and girlfriend were selling match day programmes, which included some information about the day and the two charities we were raising money for,” Jack said. 

The match was between the Little Hulton Legends and the Rest of Walkden with the Rest of Walkden team winning 2-1. 

After the match, a trophy was presented to the winners, which now sits in the pub that the group go to after their weekly game. 

Also hosted at the pub was an auction that included some signed Manchester United, Bolton Wanderers, and Liverpool memorabilia. Auction prizes were donated by people in the community. Ella Toone also kindly donated an England Lionesses shirt. 

After that, the group hosted a mini raffle, which included vouchers from local businesses. 

“We also had a bit of a speech at the end of the auction to make sure everyone was aware who the event was for and that he was everyone’s inspiration for the day,” Jack added. 

Calling all Sir David Jason fans!

We are delighted to have been donated two pairs of tickets for An Evening with Sir David Jason, a brand-new live show at The Lowry Theatre.

Sir David Jason will be joined by a special guest host live on stage, promising an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, fun, and never-before-heard stories.

From Only Fools and Horses, Open All Hours, The Darling Buds of May, A Touch of Frost, Porterhouse Blue, Danger Mouse, The Top Secret Life of Edgar Briggs, and many more, David will share rare footage, behind-the-scenes insights, and the defining moments of his remarkable career.

Prize details

Prize 1
Friday 22nd August, 7:30pm
The Lowry Theatre, Salford
Seats: Stalls Left – Row W, seats 13 & 14
Ticket value: £78 each

Prize 2
Saturday 23rd August, 7:30pm
The Lowry Theatre, Salford
Seats: Circle Centre – Row H, seats 22 & 23
Ticket value: £93 each

How to enter

Simply text DAVIDJASON to 70215.

You’ll receive a free bounce-back message with instructions to complete your entry and the option to donate to St Ann’s Hospice. Every donation helps us continue our vital work.

The draw closes at 1pm on Friday 15^thAugust.

Texts cost the chosen donation amount plus one standard network rate message.

Terms and Conditions

Texts cost your standard network rate, plus optional donation. This prize draw is not affiliated with The Lowry or By Parallel Events. Full Terms and Conditions are below.

Good luck!

This article and the Terms & Conditions for this prize draw were both updated on Thursday 24th July to reflect an additional donation of a second pair of tickets.