Join the pyjama army and boost hospice bed appeal
TODAY the Macclesfield Express joins a fundraising campaign to buy new beds for patients at East Cheshire Hospice.
The charity has launched the Bed Appeal to raise £155,000 to replace 17 beds which are more than 10 years old and are now starting to show their age.
To help give the appeal a boost we are urging the community to wear pyjamas to work or school on Friday, October 9, for a massive Pyjama Party.
For a £1 donation you are encouraged to wear your pyjamas with pride and show your support for the East Cheshire Hospice.
Camilla Crockett, corporate and community relationships manager at the hospice, said: “We’re encouraging schools, businesses and groups to either hold a PJ party or wear your pyjamas to work or school.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun and hopefully everyone will join in and raise funds for our special appeal.
“We’d also like to thank the Macclesfield Express for supporting this fundraising initiative.”
The hospice is leading the way by inviting its staff to wear pyjamas to work.
Then from 6.30pm a pyjama party will be held in the Sunflower Centre with everyone welcome to attend.
Bubbly and nibbles, relaxing therapies and make-up demos are available, and local boutiques will be on site with a chance to purchase latest trends. Tickets are £15. The new beds - which cost £9,135 each - will be more comfortable than the existing ones with two variations of mattress – memory foam and airfilled.
Helen Knight, clinical and operations director, said: “It’s so important for our patients to be comfortable so they can make the most of their time with their loved ones.
“Our current beds are costing more to repair when the mechanisms fail, which is happening more frequently with constant use.
“Most patients come to our inpatient unit when all hope of a cure for their illness is lost and they’re in the final stages of life.
“For most sadly, this means lying in bed 24-hours-a-day for up to 15 days or more.”
To register for a free PJ party fundraising pack contact the hospice fundraising team on 01625 433477 or email fundraising@echospice.org.uk, or visit www.eastcheshirehospice. org. uk/ pyjamaparty.
To make a donation go to eastcheshirehospice. org.uk/bedappeal.