Theme: News story

Fancy getting your hands on a £50 prize, whilst also supporting St Ann’s? 

When Covid-19 restrictions limited many of the fundraising events and activities that we had planned for our 50th birthday year, our teams had to think creatively to come up with solutions to help raise the £20,000 a day needed to care for patients. 

Knitting challenges, plant growing, duck races, and prize-winning scratch cards are just some of the ways that local people can get involved in our half a century celebrations throughout 2021. 

Special limited edition anniversary scratch cards offer you the chance to sell word squares for £2.50 to their family and friends, before revealing the winning word hidden behind the scratch-off panel.  The person who has chosen the winning slot will receive £50, with the remaining £50 being donated to St Ann’s. 

To mark our 50th year, we’ve created a special ‘50 ways to support St Ann’s’ guide which features a range of fundraising ideas, as well as other ways people can get involved such as in our shops, by playing our lottery or helping to spread the word on social media.  

Rachel added: “We know it’s been a strange time for everyone, and even though lots of our birthday events and activities sadly can’t go ahead as planned due to the current restrictions and guidance, we’re really excited that there are still lots of ways people can be part of the celebrations.  

“Please join us in whatever way you can – any support, whether big or small is hugely appreciated and will mean a lot to our patients and their loved ones.  It will also be fun to be part of it too, I promise!”  

We’re inviting supporters to end their  summer term on a high by joining our eco-friendly, virtual balloon race. 

St Ann’s is asking families, schools and community groups to mark the end of the summer term by buying a balloon to set off flying in a virtual race. Participants will be able to track how far they fly over the week-long race and be in with the chance of winning £500 for the balloon that travels the furthest. 

Balloons cost £3 and participants can personalise the online balloons with a name, colour and a message of  good luck or dedication to someone.  

Balloons from charities across the UK will be entered into the race and the lucky balloon that travels the furthest will win £500, with the second place balloon winning an Apple iPad. Ten runners up will also win a £10 book token, and there will also be a prize specifically for the St Ann’s balloon which travels the furthest.   

You can enter balloons into the race until 11.30am on Saturday 17th  July with the balloons being released on the same day. You can track them as they travel virtually through the skies until the race ends at 12 noon on Saturday 24th July. 

Thousands of people across Greater Manchester could be in with a chance of winning big this summer in the St Ann’s annual raffle.  

We’re giving away £5,000 to one lucky winner, alongside five runner up prizes of £50 and ten early bird prizes of a £10 gift card for M&S.  

Entries start at £1 per ticket with the £5,000 prize winner announced on Monday 12th July. The raffle will raise vital funds for the local hospice which celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking the moment we first opened our doors to patients in 1971.  

Last year, we sold 28,477 tickets, raising £16,951 after prizes were given to the lucky winners. Final entries for the raffle close on Sunday 4th July, giving you plenty of time to be in the draw. 

Participants in the St Ann’s sponsored Firewalk event hot-footed it over 20ft of wood embers, burning at 1236 degrees Fahrenheit – all to raise money to help patients with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.  

Run in accordance with government Covid-19 guidance, the event took place at our Little Hulton site, with those brave enough to try the challenge supported by expert Firewalk organisers Blaze. 

Sponsorship raised so far by the sixteen walkers who took part exceeds £5,000, a sum which will help our teams to continue providing care for local people.