Theme: Fundraising

Our annual St Ann’s Christmas Fairs are a highlight in our fundraising calendar and we know that lots of families in the community also look forward to them and see them as the perfect way to start the festive season. We only receive around a third of our funding from the NHS so we have to fundraise about £20,000 a day to keep our services and our three hospice sites as well as our community and outreach care provision going for local patients. As well as being a great festive afternoon out for families our annual Christmas Fairs enable us to raise valuable funds to help us care for our patients and their families, so it’s wonderful that so many local people come along and support us. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate this support, the people of Manchester never cease to amaze us with their warmth and generosity. Thank you so much to everyone who joined us at the fairs and Merry Christmas from all of us at St Ann’s Hospice.


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

We are so grateful to John and his amazing Festival Choir for their support over the last 27 years. The time that they dedicate to supporting St Ann’s and the amount that they have raised for us over the years is truly incredible and we can’t thank them enough.


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

There will be around 100 of us performing along with 60 children from the Loreto Preparatory School Choir and the most wonderful brass ensemble, Corus Brass who play the most beautiful and uplifting music. John Pomphrey is a superb and well-respected musical director, with a great sense of humour. He is accompanied by concert pianist Chris Ellis, whose incredible talent combines to make us proud to be part of this annual fundraiser on behalf of the hospice. John likes to engage the audience and encourages audience participation, it’s a true family event.

I joined the choir in 2004, not long after my husband died. Going to practice on Friday evenings after a stressful day in my practice helped me so much at that time. As a doctor I can appreciate the therapeutic benefits of singing with a group of people with a common purpose. This year’s concert is on the anniversary of my husband’s death, so it’s going to be especially poignant for me and I’ll be thinking of him throughout what I’m sure is going to be a wonderful evening.

Dr Barbara Murray , Volunteer Doctor at St Ann’s

Thanks so much to Nice Work for choosing the hospice as their local charity to benefit from the race this year. Who doesn’t love a Christmas themed family day out? I’m sure it will be a cracker.
The money raised in sponsorship by those taking part for the hospice really will make a difference to the lives of the patients we care for and their loved ones. This is a particularly special time of year at St Ann’s, and we try and do everything we can to make memories for the families we support.
Thanks so much to everyone thinking of signing up. Please do – we’d love to see you there, and it promises to be lots of fun too.

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

Tina loves going to her local church. She has a heart of gold and a big personality. Spending quality time with her family gives her the strength to keep going.

Thinking of Tina and my late dad Derek Timblin gave me the strength to finish the Manchester half marathon in 2 hours 11 minutes. I’ve always loved running and it’s still my dream to run a full marathon.

My motivation came when I saw the wonderful work and care of the nurses at St Ann’s. They’ve been absolutely amazing and have lifted Tina’s spirits.

Marie Forster

It was an easy decision to donate the money, as we always strive to give back to the community in any way we can. St Ann’s Hospice was the obvious choice because of the incredible work they do providing a completely free service to people with life-limiting illnesses.

Some residents are big fans of Coronation Street, so we were excited when we were picked to be a location. The day of filming was fantastic, the team and residents got to meet some of the stars of the show, including Rob Mallard, who plays Daniel, and Katie McGlynn, who plays Sinead. It was an incredibly memorable day for all!

Helen Parry, Home Manager at Abney Court

Huge thanks to Abney Court for this extremely kind donation. We really appreciate it and are grateful for their support.

Sinead’s story on Coronation Street was extremely powerful, and so moving to watch. We’re privileged that many actors from Coronation Street have supported St Ann’s over our 50 year history, and continue to do so too. At St Ann’s we’re always keen to dispel myths around end of life care, and show what hospices are really like. They’re not scary places, and even though we support people through incredibly vulnerable times in their life, the overwhelming feedback from patients and families who come to the hospice is that it’s a happy, friendly place. We can only keep providing that personalised, warm, holistic care thanks to kind donations like this one – thanks to everyone involved, as it will make a real difference to the lives of local patients.

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

Anne didn’t want to stay in hospital and wasn’t well enough to go home. She wanted to go to St Ann’s at Little Hulton and died soon after she got there. Anne had been diagnosed with bowel cancer five years earlier and the hospice had always been fantastic so that’s why I started making donations.

Geoff Brophy, Husband of Anne

I’ve had bad chest infections after the last two rides and almost gave up last time because of my asthma but was determined to finish. I’d like to thank my daughter Hannah, son Joseph and his wife Kaleigh and grandchildren Finley, Luchan and Ralphie for their support.

Geoff Brophy

I can’t explain the feeling when you look at our Christmas trees glowing and know that each of the lights is shining for someone very special. It’s so incredibly moving, and everyone at the hospice loves to take time at the Light up a Life services to think about all the patients and families we’ve cared for. It’s a real privilege to play a part in someone’s life, and to hear feedback on how we have improved the lives of our patients is something that never fails to warm the heart.
We know Christmas can be a difficult time for those who have lost loved ones, and the appeal gives people a way to honour their friends and family members, whist enabling us to continue providing care to others.
Not everyone who takes part has an association with the hospice – some join the appeal to remember someone they love, or perhaps to honour someone that they simply can’t be with at this special time of year. We’re enormously grateful to everyone who makes a dedication, whatever their reason, and I’m really looking forward to seeing all of the fabulous lights shining on our trees, and the touching dedications in our online winter forest.

Eamon O’Neal , Chief Executive from St Ann’s