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Theme: Fundraising

Bee-Friend at the Manchester Midnight Walk!

February 25, 2020 | 11:26am
Lady at the Manchester Midnight Walk

We’re inviting those walking on their own at our Manchester Midnight Walk to Bee-Friend each other and complete the 10km route around some of the city’s most iconic landmarks together.


We’ve launched the Bee-Friend scheme this year to give people doing the Midnight Walk on their own the opportunity to find someone else to walk with if they’d like to. In the past when the St Ann’s team have introduced solo walkers to each other on the night the result has often been a new friendship that’s lasted well beyond the event.

There’ll be a Bee-Friend stand at the entrance to Manchester Cathedral and anyone who would like to be introduced to other walkers can just pop over for a coffee and a chat with the St Ann’s staff. We know that some people prefer to walk on their own but for anyone who doesn’t, this initiative will make it much easier to Bee-Friend someone to complete the walk with



Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive of St Ann’s Hospice

Our Manchester Midnight Walk has raised more than £2million since it began thirteen years ago, and the money raised helps the hospice to continue providing specialist care to local patients and their families. St Ann’s is asking participants to support it by pledging to raise £100 in Midnight Walk sponsorship this year. This amount could fund its ambulance for a day or provide a two-hour specialist rehabilitation session for one of its patients.

Are you interested in taking part in our Midnight Walk?

click here




St Ann’s Will Month 2020

February 18, 2020 | 3:55pm

Our Will Month campaign enables people 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.

This is the third year that the campaign has run, and due to its popularity and the level of support received from generous solicitors, the hospice has extended it from a week to a whole month this year to give more local people the chance to take part.

Manchester local, Fechin McCormick, participated in the campaign last year.


I’d been thinking about making a Will for years but just never seemed to get around to it. St Ann’s Hospice’s Will campaign was perfect for me really, as I could sort out my Will with the added incentive of being able to help a good cause.


Fechin McCormick

Anne Tinnion, a receptionist at St Ann’s , also took part in last year’s Will campaign. As well as making a donation she left a gift to the hospice in her Will.


St Ann’s is such a wonderful place, and in my role as receptionist I see so many people coming to the hospice either as a patient or with their loved ones. I’m so pleased that the donation I made both when I made my will and the lasting gift that it contains, enables patients to receive specialist care, and allows them to talk to the amazing hospice doctors and nurses when they need it most. Being able to leave a lasting legacy is a real honour too. I know that every penny will be spent wisely and make a huge difference to people’s lives.


Anne Tinnion , Receptionist at St Ann’s Hospice

Anne Tinnion - Volunteer

Our Will Month will run from 1st to 31st March.

Does your Will need updating or creating?

Find out more information about our Will Month.

Click here




Mr Motivator to warm up the Midnight Walk 2020!

February 18, 2020 | 3:48pm

Mr Motivator, real name Derrick Evans, has been a regular supporter of our charity fundraiser in recent years and has once again kindly agreed to help participants prepare for the 10km walk around Manchester with one of his high octane warm-up routines.

The Manchester Midnight Walk, which takes place on 24th April, has raised more than £2million since it began thirteen years ago.  The money raised helps us to continue providing our specialist care to local patients and their families.


I can’t wait to visit Manchester again and help all of those doing the Midnight Walk get ready to set off with a spring in their step. The response from the crowd is always amazing, there’s such a positive and uplifting atmosphere. The event is a fantastic way for people to have fun and also help a great cause.


Mr Motivator

The evening will start at 9pm at Manchester Cathedral and there will also be music, a disco and refreshments available before the walk begins at midnight.


Mr Motivator’s warm-up will be a huge highlight of the evening for our walkers. He really is an absolute legend and we can’t thank him enough for taking time out of his busy schedule to support St Ann’s and make the night even more memorable.


Eamonn O’Neal , Chief Executive of St Ann’s

Eamonn O'Neal

Interested walkers can sign up to take part in the 10km moonlit stroll now, by visiting the website www.mmwalk.org.uk or calling 0161 498 3631. A special early bird rate is available for keen walkers who book their place by 29th February 2020.

Fancy participating in our Manchester Midnight Walk 2020?

Sign up and find out more information

Click here




Rifhat treks in memory of her father, Naseer Bhatti

February 18, 2020 | 3:38pm

They were touched by the story of retired bus driver Naseer Bhatti, from Levenshulme, Manchester, who died three weeks after he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

His daughter Rifhat Jangir has raised £2,100 after completing the 7 Bridges Walk, a 28-mile loop around Sydney harbour close to where she lives.

She undertakes the charity trek each year and this time walked in memory of her father, raising funds for St Ann’s where he spent his final days in August.

Family, friends and work colleagues rallied round after learning about the care Naseer (72) received at the hospice in Heald Green, Cheshire.

Rifhat’s employers Advanced Buildings, commercial and insurance building and restoration specialists based in Australia, match-funded her appeal.


I can’t thank St Ann’s enough for the way they looked after us all. I’m from a big family and we were all made to feel welcome. Not once did they say there were too many people at my father’s bedside.
From the moment you walk through the door to be met by the volunteers on reception, to the specialist nursing and medical specialists, the care and consideration in that limited time was amazing.
When my father was diagnosed with bile duct cancer, which affects one in 50,000 people, it came as a big shock.
He loved swimming and travelling each year to Pakistan. My mum Tahira and the rest of our family want to thank everyone for their wonderful support. People who’ve never heard of St Ann’s have been kindly donating, including my generous employers.



Rifhat Jangir , Daughter of Naseer

Could you take on a challenge to raise funds for St Ann’s?

Find out more information on what you could do

click here




Donate your Day 2020

February 18, 2020 | 2:39pm

St Ann’s Hospice has come up with a novel way to raise the £20,000 it will need to cover its costs on February 29th – it is asking its generous supporters to donate a day’s salary to help it to pay for this extra day of care.


We work very hard 365 days a year to not only care for patients with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses and their families, but also to raise the £20,000 we need every day to be able to do so.

While a leap year might not seem a big deal to many people, for charities that extra day can make a big difference. We’re hoping that lots of people across Greater Manchester will decide to mark the rarely seen 29th February by helping local patients and pledging their salary from the day to Manchester’s hospice.



Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive of St Ann’s


I’d done some overtime and decided to donate what I’d earned back to the hospice. It was such a simple idea but I’ve seen first-hand what a huge difference gestures like that can make to our patients. Without raising £20,000 every single day we just could not continue to provide the best standards of care to the patients on our wards, in our Being You Centres or out in the community.


Alison Phippen , Associate Specialist at St Ann’s and who the campaign was inspired by

Martin Kemp from Wodehouse, who produce graphic design, branding, direct mail and fundraising campaigns, have partnered St Ann’s Hospice for a number of years and love both the cause and the creative challenges.


We are delighted to get involved by donating creative studio time for this exciting ‘leap’ year initiative! Our happy little alarm clock can be seen dashing across print and social media, we had great fun putting the campaign together, sharing our time and we hope that lots of other people will too.


Martin Kemp, Wodehouse

St Ann’s Hospice, which operates from three sites in Little Hulton, Heald Green and the Neil Cliffe Centre in Wythenshawe Hospital cares for thousands of patients every year with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses – managing their symptoms, providing support, caring for people at the hospice or at home, and providing end of life care.

For further information call the St Ann’s Hospice Fundraising Team on 0161 498 3631, email supporter@sah.org.uk or visit www.sah.org.uk

Could you donate your day??

To pledge a day of your salary to help fund a day of care at St Ann’s

Click Here!!




Emmerdale’s Chris Bisson on why he’s part of #TeamStAnns

February 14, 2020 | 11:27am

Wythenshawe born actor Chris Bisson is a proud supporter of St Ann’s, having taken part in many different activities for the hospice over the years – from running through a 4ft high wall of foam with his family in our Bubble Rush, to taking on the Great Manchester Run, or surprising patients on our wards.

Here, he talks about why he’s a proud member of #TeamStAnns and why he’s hoping you’ll join too by taking on a challenge in 2020.


I’ve met so many fantastic people from across Greater Manchester who have been supported by St Ann’s, and they always talk about the amazing care they received. When you walk into the hospice, there’s a wonderful feeling of calm and warmth, and it’s a very happy place too.  You can tell the patients and their families feel really at home there, and they’re confident in the care they’re receiving.  That’s so important, especially at such a hard time for families, and I’m proud to be able to raise money to help that care to continue.



When I was asked if I’d like to join #TeamStAnns for last year’s Great Manchester Run, I jumped at the chance to pull on my trainers and be part of the 141-strong team who took part. The atmosphere was amazing, and it was incredible to see so many people taking part to raise money for the hospice’s patients.



This year there are lots of challenges that members of #TeamStAnns can take part in, and there is something for any level of fitness, so even if you’re not used to walking or running or if you don’t have much time to train, please do still consider joining in next year. 
Whatever the challenge, it’s such a rewarding feeling crossing that line, for many reasons – the sense of achievement of course, but also the feeling of knowing that every step has helped hospice patients and their families.  That’s such a great feeling.”


Join #TeamStAnns to take on a sporting challenge in 2020 and you’ll get:

  • A #TeamStAnns running vest
  • A fundraising pack with fun ideas and tips
  • Training and nutrition advice
  • A cheer point along the route
  • Regular meet-ups and a post-race reception
  • A friendly events team to support you, every step of the way

Do you want to join #TeamStAnns and take on your own challenge for 2020?

Please get in touch with the fundraising team on 0161 498 3631, email events@sah.org.uk, or click the link below to see some of the challenges coming up this year.

Click here




Coronation Street star is encouraging people to hot foot it for St Ann’s!

February 5, 2020 | 11:39am

Andy Whyment, who plays Kirk in Coronation Street and recently took part in I’m a Celebrity, is throwing down the gauntlet and asking people from across Greater Manchester to take on their very own daring challenge in aid of local hospice patients

People from across the region are being challenged to hot foot it over 20ft of wood embers burning at 1236 degrees Fahrenheit, to raise money to help our patients with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

The Firewalk will be held on Saturday 4th April at our hospice in Little Hulton, and we’re challenging those brave enough to face their fears and walk the talk – with help from Firewalking experts Blaze – to join them. Participants will have a two-hour motivational training session before the walk, to help them leap into the challenge feet first.

By taking part in the Firewalk and raising the minimum amount of sponsorship, people could provide a two-hour specialist rehabilitation session to a patient, or fund St Ann’s ambulance for a day.


My approach to challenges, including when I was on I’m a Celebrity, was just to throw myself into them and make the most of the experience. Not everyone is lucky enough to get the chance to test themselves the way that I did, but a Firewalk definitely comes close. Please sign up to help raise lots of money for an amazing cause – they have supported my family in the past and I’ll always be grateful to everyone at St Ann’s Hospice.  Good luck to everyone taking part, and remember, you can do it!


Andy Whyment, Coronation Street actor


Blaze provides the longest firewalk in the UK, so it really is the ultimate challenge for anyone wanting to test their metal. I can imagine the walk will be a life-changing event for those who take part, so please do sign up to help us raise lots of money for local patients and their families. Our Firewalk is the perfect challenge for all fitness levels and groups and corporate teams are welcome to take part. The organisers are very experienced, so people can expect to go away from the event feeling empowered and ready to tackle any challenge.


Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive of St Ann’s

Fancy hot footing it for St Ann’s?

To register for the Firewalk or for further information click the link below or call the events team on 0161 498 3646 or email events@sah.org.uk.

Click here




Craige takes on Great Manchester run in the name of love

February 4, 2020 | 4:44pm

Debbie Barker (right) in a Diana Ross and the Supremes tribute group.

Now that her showbiz days are over, she is facing another supreme challenge.

Debbie, from Cheadle Hulme, has multiple sclerosis and her condition has deteriorated so much since she was diagnosed 15 years ago that she is now unable to walk and struggles to eat.

Debbie undergoes therapy at St Ann’s in Heald Green where she is treated for secondary progressive MS at its Being You Centre.

Husband, Craige, is so thankful for the support that he is fundraising for us, including taking part in the Great Manchester Run.


Debbie is fairly weak and cries with pain some days, but she enjoys going to St Ann’s. The staff and volunteers are lovely people and the care is so personal and compassionate.


Craige – Debbie’s husband

Debbie inherited her musical interest from her father Bill, a big band saxophonist who died at the hospice in 2008.


Debbie had her own band and was a successful jazz and blues singer. She was one of the Supremes in a Diana Ross tribute group and used the stage name Glasgow.


Craige

Craige, who has already raised more than £500, is a photographer. His images appeared on Peter Hook’s last album cover and the Hacienda Classics album.

Musical friends include Tim Burgess, singer with The Charlatans, who has supported his charity efforts.

Craige had skin cancer this year after pneumonia and sciatica, so the 10km run in May will be his most challenging sporting test.

To sponsor him go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/debbie2020

Do you want to join Team St Ann’s at the Great Manchester Run?

Join Craige and other runners to take part in the run for St Ann’s!

Find out more