Vintage Bikes take part in the Dougie Mac Bike Ride 2009

23 June 2009 - written by Faye Johnson

Cycling enthusiast, Tilly Eastwood, believes that the old bikes are still the best.

Her interest in cycling began when she was given a 1974 Raleigh bike as a gift from a friend.  Over time, the back wheel of the bike began to buckle, so Tilly looked on eBay for a replacement, but discovered that it would be cheaper to purchase another old bike. 

Tilly placed bids on three bikes in the hope of winning one of them, but ended up winning all of them for the bargain price of £12.  She then set to work on sprucing them up.

She said: “I repaired my original bike then saw what a beautiful bike the very rusty one was.  I got it new inner tubes, and removed some of the rust, not too much as that would take away from its character.”

Her fondness of cycling is still thriving, as she recently took part in the Dougie Mac Bike Ride with a work colleague and they both rode on more mature bikes.

Tilly admits: “We did spend the whole ride being overtaken by fancy modern bikes.”

Great idea by local company to support Douglas Macmillan Hospice and other Cancer charities

16 April 2009 - written by Faye Johnson

The Douglas Macmillan Hospice is being tickled pink by donations from hygiene company B Hygienic. 

The new campaign, which is the brainchild of the company’s Managing Director, Vicki Allen, gives five pounds to cancer hospices and charities each time a pink bin is requested.  The inspiration for the pink bins came from when Vicki’s close friend, who was also hr boss, died of ovarian cancer in 2007.

So far, the campaign has had positive feedback including support from celebrities such as Katie Price, Anthea Turner and Paula Radcliffe.

Vicki said: “I think it is such a different idea that whereas in the past people have been concerned with the aesthetics in a washroom, this is now giving them a new perspective and also creates a caring image.”

It is a health and safety requirement that sanitary disposal units are provided in washrooms. If your company is interested in joining the campaign, call B Hygienic on 01782 644788.

Author pledges support from sales of the 'Crooked Sea'

24 April 2009 - written by Faye Johnson

Debut author, Trevor Raistrick, is donating the proceeds from the launch of his new book, The Crooked Sea, to The Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

The inspiration for the book came from Trevor’s Aunt, Mary. She wanted to find out more about her Grandfather, who mysteriously disappeared from Morcambe Bay and was feared dead. Despite this, she, along with other family members, always believed that he was alive.

Although Mary provided a lot of information, Trevor researched further into this part of his family history and was so intrigued that became inspired to write his own story based loosely on these events. Trevor said: “Suddenly I thought here is the plot for a book and I’ve always wanted to write a book.”

Set in 1899, The Crooked Sea tells the story of Walter Clough, a travelling salesman who is thought to have died after walking far out onto Morcambe Bay. The book delves into Walter’s early life, and progresses to the quandary that he faces at present.

It took Trevor almost a year to put the book together, and after struggling to sell it the first time around, he joined writing groups and met an ex-lecturer from Keele University who helped him to approach a smaller publisher, Bank House Books. 

As well as this venture, Trevor has also embarked on other Douglas Macmillan related projects. These include a walk across Morcambe Bay in July 2008, which raised £288 and a collaboration with a Leek based writers group, which involved making a book of short stories. This project raised over £300.

The book launch will be taking place on the 7th May at 6.30pm at Holcroft Mazda, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent. Those invited to attend the launch have been asked to make a donation to the Douglas Macmillan in exchange for a copy of The Crooked Sea. Along with the raffle and the donation from Holdcroft Mazda, it is hoped that the launch will raise £200.

Trevor added “If it can help Douglas Macmillan along the way that for me is very important. Perhaps I can raise £1,000 in the next year.”

For more information about Trevor’s book and his future releases, visit his website at: www.thecrookedsea.com. To find out how you could help the Douglas Macmillan Hospice, go to their website at www.dmhospice.org.uk or phone the fundraising team on 01782 344304.

The Robert Bickerton Foundation Pledge support during 2009

16 April 2009 - written by Faye Johnson

The Robert Bickerton Foundation is the latest organisation  to pledge its support to the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

The foundation was set up in 2006 in memory of Robert Bickerton, who died in a road accident in 1999. Members of the Bickerton family, who volunteer their services, as their main aim is to keep Robert’s memory alive, run it.

Since January 2007, the foundation has been supporting various charities by donating the proceeds from their events. These charities include the Donna Louise Trust and the County Air Ambulance. They also raised money for Ellie Mae Mellor, who suffers from severe meningitis, this helped he to get much-needed equipment  and hospital treatment.

This year, the Foundation is donating the proceeds from its events to the Douglas Macmillan. These events will include a charity cricket match at Moddershall Cricket Club, the Stone 10k and 5k fun run which takes place at St Michael’s School on June 21st. 

Alan Bickerton, Roberts father told us why they chose to support Douglas Macmillan: “It’s local and it’s done a good job for a lot of local people and most people are very aware of the work that’s done. Whatever we raise during 2009, the proceeds of that will go to the Douglas Macmillan.”

For more information about the events being run by the Robert Bickerton Foundation, go to their website www.robertbickerton.com. To find out more about the Douglas Macmillan Hospice, visit their website at www.dmhospice.org.uk.