The Douglas Macmillan Hospice Invites Businesses to Breakfast
5 March 2010, Faye Johnson
The Douglas Macmillan Hospice is inviting local businesses from across North Staffordshire to join them and their business associates at their breakfast event on Friday 19th March.
The Hospice is part of a national coalition, which is campaigning to transform the public’s attitudes towards death, dying and bereavement in the UK. Events and activities, like the Hospice’s business breakfast, are being planned across the country as part of a national awareness week to get people talking more openly about ‘dying matters’.
The Douglas Macmillan is holding their own event to promote this as well as the work that the Hospice does. The breakfast will be held at the Hospice and start at 7.45am until 9.00am. During this time, guests will be given information about the coalition, the care that the Hospice provides and be told why we should care about ‘dying matters’.
It is felt that local businesses are an important link to the society that the Hospice provides End of Life Care for, and are therefore key to transforming attitudes and raising awareness of the Douglas Macmillan and the role that it plays in the life cycle.
Places at the breakfast are limited, so any businesses that are interested in attending this event and finding out more about this very current issue are urged to contact Karen Rose, Director of Fundraising, on karenrose@dmhospice.org.uk or call 01782 344304
Dougie Mac’s Shops Bag £1million!
5 March 2010, Faye Johnson
In just 11 months, the Douglas Macmillan Hospice’s shops have reached £1million in turnover. Last year, the Hospice’s shops had an income of just over £850,000, so now hitting the £1million milestone is a major achievement.
Karen Rose, Director of Fundraising said: “Thank you to all local people for donating goods and shopping in our shops, helping us to reach £1million in 11 months, without your help and support this would not have been possible.
“We must not forget the 250 volunteers who have worked tirelessly to help raise this magical figure. To get such support must really mean local people want our shops as part of the face of the High Street.”
The success of the Douglas Macmillan’s shops shows that charity shopping can be beneficial to local towns and is not as damaging as it is sometimes thought to be.
Karen added: “It is true we do pay reduced business rates and at times no rates at all. But this means that even more money goes towards providing care at the Hospice, for local people facing terminal illnesses. Most charity shops would still trade in North Staffordshire even if full business rates were charged – it would just mean that less of the profits would go to help local people.
“As we are recognised as a not for profit business, gifting our surplus to the Hospice, the less rates we pay, the more care we can give for more local people. Our patients and their families benefit from reduced business. We would like to thank the local councils for recognising the worth of our organisation to the local community.”
Help to Provide Precious Care by Giving Gold to the DMH
26 February 2010, Faye Johnson
On Monday 1st March, the Douglas Macmillan Hospice will launch its ‘Give Gold...Provide Precious Care’ promotion.
The Hospice is asking people to donate any unwanted or scrap gold so that this can then be turned into valuable funds. This will mean that the Hospice can continue to provide care to people suffering from life-limiting illnesses, such as cancer, across North Staffordshire.
Yvonne Colclough, Hospice Retail Shops Manager said: “We do thank all our supporters for their donations to date and hope that they will support us yet again in this ‘Give Gold’ promotion.”
Donations of unwanted or scrap gold can be taken to any of the Douglas Macmillan’s 14 shops or to the Hospice itself.
Start off 2010 in style with the DMH New Year Draw
21 December 2009, Faye Johnson
There is still time to enter the 2010 Douglas Macmillan New Year Lottery Draw. The top prize is £2,010 – just imagine what a great start to the new year that would be.
Don’t fret if you’re not the lucky winner, there is a second prize of £1,000 and third prize of £200 up for grabs. Tickets cost £1 each and are available from any of the Hospice’s shops or the Lottery Department.
Donna Adams, Lottery Promotions and Development Manager, said: “Our special prize draw is a great way of supporting the Hospice, which is renowned for the care it gives to around 1,700 people suffering from cancer and other life limiting illness.
“Last year, the New Year Draw raised over £70,000 for patient care and we do hope that we can beat this figure this year.”
Please contact the Lottery Department on 01782 344321 if you require tickets. All tickets for the draw must be returned by 8th January 2010 and the winning numbers will be drawn on 27th January. Good luck!
End of an era for Hanley Hospice Charity Shop
4 December 2009, Faye Johnson
The first Douglas Macmillan Hospice Charity Shop, situated in Piccadilly, Hanley, opened back in 1993. However, its lease ends this month and the shop has now closed its doors to the public.
Since 1993, 14 more Hospice shops have opened in various locations across North Staffordshire. These include Alsager, Biddulph, Cheadle, Chesterton, Kidsgrove, Leek, Longton, Meir, Newcastle, Silverdale, Stoke and Tunstall.
Yvonne Colclough, Retail Operations Manager, said: “We would like to thank all our customers and supporters who donated goods and shopped with us over the last 15 years.
“We have also been fortunate to have the support of many volunteers, who have worked in the shop over this time too. We have raised a lot of money over the years for the Hospice – thank you to everyone - together we have made the shop a great success.”
‘Saunter into Christmas with the Dougie Mac’
2 December 2009, Faye Johnson
The Douglas Macmillan Hospice has already had hundreds of people register for this year’s sponsored Santa Saunter.
The event, which will take place on Saturday 19th December at 11am, at Trentham Estate, in Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent. It is a great opportunity for everyone to get together with family and friends and let the festive spirit takeover.
The entry fee is £10, which covers a team of four Santas. We look forward to seeing all participants in full Santa gear!
The Saunter, which begins at the Visitors Centre in the heart of Trentham’s Retail Village, has two routes. The first of these goes to the Lakeside Cafe and back, and is suitable for anyone travelling by pushchair or wheelchair. The second route is more of a challenge as it goes around the lake and may require some specialist footwear – wellies!
At the end of the walk, Prancer’s Playground awaits all of the boys and girls who took part. There will be lots of things to do here, such as face painting, carol singing, model making and colouring in. Santa Claus will also be popping in to give them all a present as a way of saying thank you for fundraising for the Hospice.
Zoe Hollingsworth, Senior Fundraising Development Manager for the Douglas Macmillan, said: “Last year’s event raised £10,000 for the Hospice, and judging by the entries already received, we hope that we can beat this figure this year.”
It isn’t too late to enter. Contact the Fundraising Team on: 01782 344304 or go online to www.dmhospice.org.uk for further details.
Tin Can Man's Cracker of a Christmas
25 November 2009, Faye Johnson
We recently announced that the much-loved ‘Tin Can Man’, John Leese, was coming out of retirement in order to help the Douglas Macmillan Hospice to boost their desperately needed funds.
John began his Christmas Appeal at the Potteries Shopping Centre last week. During those first three days, he amazingly managed to raise over £1,000 for the Hospice.
He said: “I am delighted that I have managed to raise this amount of money in my first week back in the Shopping Centre. People have been so pleased to see me again, and of course, they have been very generous with their donations.”
John will be at the Potteries Centre during the run up to Christmas on the following dates: 26th, 27th and 28th November, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd December.
However, if you would like to make a donation to his Christmas Appeal online, go to:
The Douglas Macmillan Hospice is thrilled to announce that Trentham Gardens will be playing host to a special VIP guest once again this year.
Father Christmas will be taking up residence in the delightful Christmas Cottage, which is situated in the grounds of Trentham Gardens, from Saturday 21st November. Here, as well as hearing what youngsters would like for Christmas, he will be able to do some last minute wrapping before the big day.
If you know of any boys and girls who have been good this year, let them experience the magic of Christmas by coming to the cottage between 11am and 4pm each weekend until 20th December.
Each child who visits will receive a free gift from Father Christmas and also get the chance to have a photograph taken with him. Pictures, which will be taken by Eventers Photography, will be available at an additional cost and be ready to take away in minutes. From each photograph ordered, the company will make a donation to the Hospice.
Tickets cost £5 each and can be purchased on the day of your visit from the Customer Services Desk at Trentham Gardens. All the proceeds from these ticket sales are being donated to the Douglas Macmillan.
Tin Can Man is back
28th October 2009, Faye Johnson
John Leese, better known as the ‘Tin Can Man’, is coming out of retirement in order to help raise some desperately needed funds for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.
He first started fundraising for the Hospice in memory of his wife, Olwyn, and then began collecting in the Hanley area 17 years ago, and became a well-known face amongst locals. John retired back in February, after raising an amazing £350,000.
Now however, he has decided to make a welcome return to his usual spot in the Potteries Shopping Centre from 12th November.
John said: “I have thought long and hard about whether I should comeback to help. I have read that the Hospice, like many other charities, is experiencing a shortfall in donations and I am sure that my dear wife Olwyn would have wanted me to help in any way that I could at this time.”
Karen Rose, the Douglas Macmillan’s Director of Fundraising, added: “It is absolutely magnificent that John has decided to help us again.
“As we keep saying we are working our way through this recession only thanks to the generosity of our supporters. John is a shining example of why we are coping. Without his willingness to help along with the many thousands of people across North Staffordshire who assist too, we would not be able to maintain our care services.”
On Friday 9th October, the Douglas Macmillan Hospice is inviting their supporters to hold a Coffee Morning in order to raise some much-needed funds.
The Coffee Morning can take place anywhere – at home, school or work. Wherever you choose to sup on your cuppa, rest assured that every penny you raise will help support people who face terminal illnesses, such as cancer, and their families.
One local business is turning the Dougie Mac’s Coffee Morning into a week-long event. Duncan Cowans Hairdressers, based in Cheadle Shopping Centre, are inviting customers and residents into the salon for a coffee in return for a donation to the Hospice.
Duncan said: “Supporting the Hospice is always something we have done – it has been my charity for the past 34 years.” He has also been personally involved with the Hospice, as his mum, Sheila, died of cancer three years ago whist in the care of Douglas Macmillan Nurses.
Duncan added: “They were wonderful with my mum before she died and I do hope that as many people as possible will be able to pop in and make a donation to what is a fantastic local charity.”
If you would like to organise a Coffee Morning for the Hospice, you can register your support by emailing fundraising@dmhospice.org.uk or call 01782 344304.
Dougie Mac not recession proof – ‘Please Give Now’
Summer 2009 - Douglas Macmillan Hospice
Dougie Mac not recession proof – ‘Please Give Now’
Local adult Hospice, Douglas Macmillan, are feeling the pinch of the recession. Donations for the first quarter of this financial year are down more than £100.000. It costs just under £20,000 a day to run all care services either in patients own homes or at the Hospice in Blurton. We want to make sure we are back on track so are looking to raise £100k
Karen Rose Director of Fundraising said “We are working our way through the recession thanks in the main to the wonderful support of donors, fundraisers, lottery players and all those who shop with us. But we are seeing a drop in donations in some areas. We are doing all we can to ensure the care services that local people have come to depend on are maintained we are being as cost conscious as ever – our priority is, as always, to ensure our patients and their families receive the very best of care as they face the realities of a terminal illness such as cancer”
“We are not recession proof and we do need to let people know that we need their support and donations more than ever. Our month long Summer Campaign is asking people to please give now. Either by going on line www.dmhospice.org.uk or ringing our hot line 01782 344304. “
The Hospice are also asking companies across the area to FILL AND FUND! Simply as a boss or an employee get a container and circulate it around everyone in the business making helping the Hospice a team effort – a little from a lot of people will make all the difference.
Rudyard Lake Walk for Debbie Chandler
5 August 2009 - written by Faye Johnson
Former hospital worker, Debbie Chandler, passed away at the Douglas Macmillan Hospice in February this year. The 38-year-old mother of one died due to having rare malignant tumours known as Sarcoma.
Debbie’s husband, Eric, and sister-in-law, Lyn, decided to organise a sponsored walk around Rudyard Lake as a way of thanking the Hospice for the care that she received. The event took place back in March and was well supported.
At present, the pair have raised an amazing £9,762, for the Douglas Macmillan. However it is hoped that, with the outstanding monies, the final amount will be in excess of £11,000.
Peter Keller, PR and Media Officer for the Hospice, said: “We would like to thank Eric, Lyn and their friends for raising such a fantastic amount of money for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice. The money will go to ensure that the care we currently give to around 1,700 patients who suffer from terminal illness such as cancer is maintained.”
“The Hospice has experienced a drop in donations in the first quarter of the financial year of about £100,000, so the money raised from this walk will certainly help us to make up the deficit.”
If, like Eric and Lyn, you would like to organise an event or make a donation to the Hospice, you can do this either by contacting the Fundraising Team on: 01782 344304 or by going online at: www.dmhospice.org.uk.
Former nurse and social worker, Anne Gater, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1997.
30 July 2009 - written by Faye Johnson
After this diagnosis, the mother of one from Bradeley, Stoke-on-Trent, received Radio and Chemotherapy at North Staffs Hospital. She felt fine following this, but took a turn for the worst again in 2007.
Anne underwent various tests and scans; these indicated that she had cancer once again, only now it was in her spine, liver and right lung. Her health deteriorated further last August when it was discovered that she also had Lymphoedema in both of her legs. It was at this point that Palliative Care Nurse Specialist, Kathy Nicholl, suggested that Anne was referred to the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.
Anne said: “I was very upset about this, because I always thought that by coming to the Hospice, people never come out alive.”
On her first day in the In-Patient Unit (IPU) at the Hospice, Anne was rushed into hospital due to having fluid in her lung. It was thought that the fluid might have accumulated around her heart and she remained in hospital for a further 10 days.
Anne continues: “I was lucky enough to come back to the Douglas Macmillan Hospice and I was looked after wonderfully by the staff on the Red Team in the IPU.”
Staff Nurse, Margaret Roberts, adds: “When Anne first came to the Hospice, she was extremely anxious and frightened. A great deal of psychological and emotional as well as physical support was necessary.”
After a brief stay on the IPU, Anne returned home and continued to receive support from the Occupational Therapist, as well as other members of the Hospice’s multi-disciplinary team. In November 2008, Anne received a call inviting her to attend the Day Hospice once a week.
Anne says: “From day one, despite my diagnosis, I have received so much love and support from so many people here at the Douglas Macmillan. I certainly would not be alive today without such wonderful care.”
“My first fears of never coming out of the Hospice alive were quickly dispelled and it does show that despite being very poorly, I am able to maintain a good quality of life with the continuing support of the staff at Douglas Macmillan Hospice.”
Without donations from local individuals and businesses, the Hospice cannot provide the kind of care that Anne received. We are launching our month long campaign - ‘Please Give Now’, in which we are asking people to donate as much as they can during these difficult times.
If you would like to make a donation to the Hospice, you can do this either by contacting the Fundraising Team on: 01782 344304 or by going online at: www.dmhospice.org.uk.
Ladies Night
30 July 2009 - written by Faye Johnson
Ladies, this Thursday put on your best outfit and head over to Ikon Café Bar for a night of girly fun.
The team at Ikon, in Hassell Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, are donating the door cost from their Ladies Night, which is £5 per person, to the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.
The event, which is taking place on Thursday 6th August at 7.30pm and will go on until midnight, has a variety of girly activities on offer. These include an Ann Summers party, complementary wine tasting and treatments from professional beauticians. Entertainment will also be provided by local dance group, Pole Fit.
The Douglas Macmillan recently launched its ‘Please Give Now’ campaign, asking local individuals and businesses to donate as much as they can afford during the onslaught of the credit crunch.
Organiser of the event, Dan Maddox, said: “We saw the Douglas Macmillan’s appeal in The Sentinel for fundraising and also, on a personal level, my girlfriend’s Grandma gets palliative care from the Hospice, so the money is going to a good cause in that respect as well.”
PR and Media Officer for the Douglas Macmillan, Peter Keller, added: “We are extremely grateful to Dan for organising this event for the Hospice. Donations are down for the first quarter of this financial year and we do need support such as this from supporters who wish to help in this way.”
If, like Dan, you would like to organise an event or make a donation to the Hospice, you can do this either by contacting the Fundraising Team on: 01782 344304 or by going online at: www.dmhospice.org.uk.
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
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.
The Douglas Macmillan Hospice has already had hundreds of people register for this year’s sponsored Santa Saunter.
