News story Archives - Page 24 of 83

Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester visits St Ann’s Hospice

April 18, 2023 | 12:55pm

During her visit, Diane had a tour of our inpatient and outpatient units and got the chance to speak to some of our patients about the care they receive at St Ann’s.

The visit was an opportunity for Diane to hear first-hand from our patients about the amazing care they receive from the clinical staff at the hospice. But it was also an opportunity to see the realities of running the hospice in its current building.

The tour of the hospice finished with an opportunity to meet with the Executive team at St Ann’s and Chair of the Board, Jackie Oldham, to discuss the plans for the new hospice and our campaign to raise the last £2m in our ambitious £21m project.

The current hospice at Heald Green is in an old Victorian building that has served St Ann’s well, but which is now showing its age and costing the charity many thousands each year in expensive repairs and maintenance. Unlike the more modern hospice in Little Hulton, it has very few private bedrooms for patients and very limited outdoor space.

The plans for our new hospice on the land next to our current building, will transform the environment for patients. There will be more individual rooms to give patients the privacy they deserve with their loved ones, as well as access to private terraces.

It has been wonderful to see the incredible work that is being done here and I have been very keen to hear about the plans for the new hospice. As one of the oldest hospices in the country, it is so important that St Ann’s is able to continue to thrive in a modern building.
I hope to help in any way that I can to help bring the plans for the new hospice to life.

Diane Hawkins, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester

We are delighted to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant to our Heald Green hospice. I am always so proud when I hear patients talking about the care they are receiving from our team and the difference they are making to their lives.
It was also so important that we showed Diane ‘behind the scenes’ of running a hospice in such an old building. We struggle for storage and our shared wards are not the ideal space for patients who on the whole would prefer a private bedroom.
The whole team at St Ann’s is so excited about our plans for the new Heald Green hospice and it has been great to share our vision with Diane. We are so grateful for her support and for getting behind our Build It Together Campaign to make our new hospice a reality.

Rachel McMillan, Cheif Executive at St Ann’s Hospice

You can find out more about the plans for the new hospice and how you can support our Build It Together Appeal at www.sah.org.uk/newhospice

St Ann’s Hospice supporter has phoned home after cycling from Manchester to Abersoch on an extraordinary (and extra-terrestrial) fundraising mission

April 5, 2023 | 4:09pm

Ben Griffiths set off at 5am on Friday 31 st March from Urmston and cycled all the way to Abersoch in an extraordinary challenge raising money for St Ann’s Hospice.

The famous film character ET took on the challenge with Ben who was dressed as Elliot. ET was strapped into the basket of the bike and went along for the ride!

Ben took on a 117-mile bike ride from Manchester to Abersoch and completed an incredible 102 miles, before his friends cycling with him agreed Ben had pushed himself to the limit.

Ben says: “I’m gutted that I didn’t make the full distance but by the time I got home I realised the importance of the groups decision to call time on my effort.”

After Ben completed the ride, he says: “My official ride stats are 165km cycled, 1920 metres of elevation, and an average speed of 13.8kmh.”

“I took on this challenge in memory of my grandad Len, and to show my support to the staff and patients at the hospice – you were always in my thoughts.”

Ben Griffiths, Fundraiser

Ben’s Grandad, Len Morris, was at the hospice earlier this year for a few weeks and died on Monday 30 th January at our Heald Green site after celebrating his 84th birthday in the hospice.

He was at our hospice for end-of-life treatment due to being ill from T-cell lymphoma that had developed into skin cancer.

“My grandad has a bungalow near to Abersoch in Llanbedrog, a small town on the coast. This has been the holiday home for our family since I was about 2 years old – my entire family has so many memories there. I have been so fortunate to spend my childhood there with family and even friends as I’ve got older.”

“I just wanted to pay tribute to my grandad as I wouldn’t have any memories there if it wasn’t for him. We will also be scattering his ashes there this summer.”

Ben rode a £20, 1970’s, 3 speed Raleigh shopper bike for 12 hours – an incredible amount of effort and physical endurance all done for our hospice.

“With your help we have raised £4060, doubling my original target!”

Ben Griffiths, Fundraiser

Ben’s target was to raise £2000 and promised that if he reached this in 2024 he will do the everesting challenge.

“Everesting is where you choose a hill of your choice and ride up and down repetitively until your elevation gain equals the same amount as Mount Everest. One of the main rules is that riders aren’t allowed to sleep so it would be my greatest challenge!”

To donate to Ben and support him with his challenge, his JustGiving page can be found here.

“The dress was a dream to wear, I felt like a million dollars!” St Ann’s Hospice’s Bridal Shop flaunts incredible dress selection

March 28, 2023 | 12:21pm

Credit: @vivienneeegeweddings on Instagram.

Our Bridal and Vintage Store in Stockport boasts many wedding dresses donated to us by wedding boutiques and local people who want their wedding dress make someone else’s special day.

Alexandra Hodges got married on 18th February and wore a dress she’d bought from the shop last year.

Alexandra says: “I tried on lots of dresses in different boutiques across the country, but I hadn’t found the exact one I was looking for. I didn’t have a specific dress design in mind, I just wanted to see what dress was right for me.

I had a few dresses that I was considering when trying them on at the shop, but then at the last minute a beautiful Justin Alexander dress was pulled out, specifically for me to try, and I remember so vividly how I couldn’t stop looking at myself in it! It was the one!

Alexandra Hodges, Bride

We run our Stockport shop with a dedicated specialist bridal department on the second floor which has the latest styles on offer for great value for money.

All of our dresses at the shop are for sale, with hundreds of dresses available that have only been worn once or are brand new. Many are donated by bridal boutiques at the end of the season, so they are all great value for a fraction of the price you’d pay elsewhere.

My dress was in such brilliant condition; it had never been worn before and was only £300 – a tenth of the price I was looking at paying elsewhere.

Alexandra Hodges, Bride

“I didn’t originally have a budget for my dress, but with so many styles I was completely spoilt for choice at the Stockport shop and made it even better that the dress I fell in love with was a bargain!”

Jules Lamb, Acting Manager at our Bridal and Vintage store, says: “We know people love to recycle and be more environmentally conscious, so we love to support this to make sure our brides get dresses that are in excellent condition and are second hand.

The money paid for each dress is so important in supporting St Ann’s Hospice which helps many people in Greater Manchester with end-of-life care.”

Jules Lamb, Acting Manager at the Bridal & Vintage store

There are appointments for fittings all day from Tuesday to Saturday, with the shop also catering for mother of the bride and bridesmaids, accessories to match and a recommended seamstress just down the road.

Alexandra says: “I’m honestly so grateful and feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to wear such an amazing dress from this lovely shop. My experience was nothing short of brilliant!”

Credit: @vivienneeegeweddings on Instagram.

To see more updates about the dresses and accessories in store, please visit our Facebook page SAH Bridal Stockport.

Barbara’s running onto the big screen

March 23, 2023 | 1:44pm

Our supporter Barbara Thackray is one of the stars of adidas’ running campaign after she was scouted by the brand for her incredible running achievements.

Barbara is an 85-year-old grandmother who has been supporting St Ann’s Hospice for over 10 years. She has been fundraising for us as her late sister Audrey was a patient at our hospice and wanted to give something back after the excellent care her sister received.

Barbara features in the new adidas Running campaign because of her positivity and dedication towards running. She also appeared on BBC North West Tonight and BBC Online in September 2022. Barbara ran her local Altrincham 10k and was the fastest in her age category, completing the race in one hour and 30 minutes.

Barbara raised nearly £20,000 across all the fundraising she has done and has raised an incredible amount of awareness for our hospice.

“My sister’s death was much better due to St Ann’s Hospice, they’ll do whatever they can for their patient to have the best quality death they possibly can have – and that’s worth supporting.”

Barbara took on her latest race on her 85th birthday on Sunday 5th March at her local Trafford 10k. She achieved a new personal best of 85 minutes as she crossed the finish line with two of her family members. Over 20 family members came to support Barbara and run with her at the road race.

Our Fundraising Team are beyond grateful for the support and dedication Barbara has given to our hospice over the years.

The awareness Barbara has raised across Greater Manchester for the importance and vitality of St Ann’s Hospice has undeniably helped raise funds and awareness for our charity. Her passion and dedication towards our charity shines through in everything she does for us, we’re so grateful to have her support.

Lucy Leeming, Fundraising Manager

Barbara says she is glad she found running as “something that is keeping me fit as I’ve walked all my life.” After starting to run aged 77, Barbara says: “My message to anyone of a similar age considering starting running is to begin gently and listen to your body.”

To support Barbara with her fundraising for St Ann’s Hospice, you can see her JustGiving page here.

You can see Barbara in the adidas Running campaign here.

Celebrating Dr Moya Cole on International Women’s Day

March 8, 2023 | 4:38pm

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating one of our founders for the incredible work she pioneered in Greater Manchester and the legacy she’s left for this to continue.

Yet, almost unbelievably, not many people know her name and her founding role in the hospice’s history.

Dr Moya Cole OBE was one of the founders of the Heald Green hospice in Stockport in 1971, and was also instrumental in the decision for St Ann’s to open a second hospice in Little Hulton in Salford in 1979.

Moya was a monumental trailblazer for women as well as a huge intellect – graduating with a BSc degree in physics from Queen’s University in Belfast in 1939 and earning an even more impressive MSc a year later. In 1950 she moved to Manchester and what was then the Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute.

Among her many achievements, she was the first person to give Tamoxifen to patients as part of a clinical trial in the early 1960s, publishing many papers on breast cancer.

According to Professor John Crown writing in The Irish Times: “Dr Cole is the great unsung heroine of Irish cancer research. She carried out the most influential piece of work ever done by an Irish cancer researcher, which has probably saved more than a million lives worldwide.”

Aside from her ground-breaking work on breast cancer, it is also fair to say that without Moya Cole’s vision and determination there would be no St Ann’s Hospice.

In 1967, Moya and the then Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Dr William Greer, had the idea for a hospice for the people of Greater Manchester. Together, they worked for 18 months to win over businesses and the public; they were consequently successful in founding St Ann’s Hospice in 1969.

The hospice in Heald Green was officially opened by the Queen Mother in 1971. Within a few years it was so successful that a second site was set up in Little Hulton in 1979.

Moya worked hard to secure enough funding to keep the hospice going when she became deputy chairman of St Ann’s in 1977, and finally chairman in 1983. After retiring from the Christie hospital, Moya continued working as medical director and chair of the management committee. She was awarded an OBE in 1990.

Without Moya’s pivotal role in Greater Manchester’s history there would not be a hospice that helps and supports thousands of people each year.

Over the last 50 years, St Ann’s Hospice has consistently provided support to the people of Greater Manchester. Raising awareness of the incredible work Moya instigated is the least that can be done in celebrating her success as a medical pioneer.

Junior doctors strike update

March 8, 2023 | 3:13pm

The junior doctor members of the British Medical Association (BMA) are expected to participate in a national 72-hour strike on Monday 13th, Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th March.

We want to assure you that we have made every effort to ensure that patient safety and wellbeing will be maintained throughout this period. Our dedicated team of medical staff, including consultants and senior doctors, will be working closely together to provide the highest quality medical care to our patients.

We will do everything in our power to minimise any disruption and encourage you to contact your hospice team if you have any concerns or questions.

We are committed to maintaining open communication with our patients, their families, and our staff during this time, and we will update you with any more news.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time.

Tom glad to be back on solid ground

February 20, 2023 | 4:54pm

“I really enjoyed it, it was incredible – but I’m so glad to be back on solid ground!”

Tom Lowery jumped 11,000 feet from a plane yesterday in memory of his partner to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice.

Joan Lyons, Tom’s partner of 24 years, was a patient at St Ann’s Hospice in Little Hulton and was cared for there until she died in March last year.

Joan had been ill for three months with a brain tumour. Tom says “Joan received excellent care from St Ann’s Hospice despite being in the throes of the latter months of the pandemic.”

Tom, a retired HGV driver and Royal Signals veteran – who himself is going through health issues following his own cancer diagnosis – is 76 years old, but was more than ready for his parachute jump in aid of St Ann’s.

Speaking before the jump, Tom said: “I think I’m looking forward to it, not long to go now! Thank you very much to everyone who has donated to St Ann’s Hospice, I hope they get lots of money to support them.”

Tom, who had to get the all clear from his doctor for the jump following his diagnosis, said: “I have prostate cancer so the drugs that I’m on have made me too weak to take on a 24-hour walk or a marathon. This is the next best thing I can do; I’ve never done a parachute jump before so I’m very excited.”

Tom had lots of his family and friends supporting him yesterday at the Black Knights Parachute Centre in Cockerham, Lancashire.

After jumping 11,000 feet through the air, Tom said: “I loved it, but if I do anything else for charity it’ll be marathons, not another jump!”

He has already surpassed his target of raising £500 and has currently raised over £1000.

“We all want to raise as much money as possible for such a great cause that supported Joan. Her last days were spent peacefully at the hospice and their incredible staff provided our family with kindness, support and a much-needed sense of peace at the end of her life.”

Tom Lowery

Anne-Marie Wynne, Head of Fundraising and Capital Campaign, says: “We are so delighted that Tom completed his amazing challenge to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice – he’s braver than all of us!

“Every single donation makes a difference and helps us to continue providing the vital care and support to all those who visit our hospice.”

To donate to Tom for his parachute jump, his JustGiving page can be found here.

Ready, set, jump! 76-year-old taking on skydive in memory of his partner

February 7, 2023 | 11:13am

Tom Lowery is all set for his parachute jump which he is doing in memory of his partner to raise vital funds for our hospice.

Joan Lyons, Tom’s partner of 24 years, was a patient at our Little Hulton hospice and was cared for there until she died in March last year.

Joan had been ill for three months with a brain tumour. Tom says “Joan received excellent care from St Ann’s Hospice despite being in the throws of the latter months of the pandemic.”

Tom, a retired HGV driver and Royal Signals veteran, who himself is going through health issues following his own cancer diagnosis, is 76 years old but is more than prepared for his parachute jump this month in aid of our hospice.

It’s quite simple really, I’m just going to get in the plane and jump out!

Tom Lowery

Tom has chosen to embark on the skydive as he says this has been on his bucket list for a long time. “I want to raise money and awareness for St Ann’s Hospice because of the brilliant support they give to their patients.

Tom, who had to get the all clear from his doctor for the jump following his diagnosis, said; “I have prostate cancer so the drugs that I’m on have made me too weak to take on a 24 hour walk or a marathon. This is the next best thing I can do; I’ve never done a parachute jump before so I’m very excited.”

Tom will be doing the parachute jump later this month in Lancashire, with Joan’s daughters and grandchildren watching and supporting him. He has already surpassed his target of raising £500 but is asking for more donations in memory of Joan.

“All the family are very excited and can’t believe I’m doing a skydive. We all want to raise as much money as possible for such a great cause that supported Joan. Her last days were spent peacefully at the hospice and their incredible staff provided our family with kindness, support and a much-needed sense of peace at the end of her life.

So far I’ve raised over £800, and we’d love for this number to keep rising so the hospice can continue helping their patients and provide them with the care they need.

Tom Lowery

Our Head of Fundraising and Capital Campaign, Anne Marie-Wynne says: “We are delighted that Tom is doing this amazing challenge to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice – he’s braver than all of us!