Delight at winter ball
School children’s carols add warm glow to annual service
EAST Cheshire Hospice is celebrating a recordbreaking event. The ever-popular Winter Wonderland Ball raised an amazing £85,000 – that’s £15,000 more than last year’s event.
“We are absolutely delighted to have broken another fundraising record,” said events manager, Jessica Ruth.
“It costs £7,500 to provide each day of care and our annual ball is a hugely important fundraising event, so we are thrilled that we’ve raised more money than ever before.”
More than 450 people attended the glittering annual event, including Pat Drury who paid a moving tribute to his father, 65-year-old Charlie, who spent time in the hospice earlier this year.
Pat, 42, told guests of the wonderful care his father received during his seven-week stay at the hospice and spoke of his resolution to help by fundraising in the future. “Until you’ve been there, you don’t fully appreciate how amazing the hospice is,” said Pat.
“I will always be grateful to the staff and volunteers at the hospice and it’s now my target in life to raise money every year.”
Pat is now on the quest to continue his support for the hospice and aims to raise £7,500 annually.
Main sponsors, Alderley Park, provided the drinks reception at the Ball and guests were welcomed by Sarah Dale, an advanced nurse practitioner at the hospice. There was huge excitement during the raffle, with one winner claiming the sparkling prize of the evening – a one carat diamond worth £10,000 donated by PR Jones Jewellers.
Also popular was the tombola which raised £5,000 and a framed memento of the 1966 World Cup final raised £3,000 in the auction.
Once again guests were well looked after during the evening by 14 volunteers from Macclesfield College who were on hand to ensure the event ran smoothly. PUPILS from Wilmslow High School brought a warm Christmas glow to East Cheshire Hospice at the weekend.
The school choir sang Christmas carols at the annual Light Up A Life service, which was held in a tepee for the first time.
More than 90 people attended, many of whom where there to remember loved ones, and more attended a second service held last night (Tuesday).
The service was led by hospice chaplain, Margaret Lillis, who spoke about the importance of light and how, even in the darkest of times, there is light in others and she urged us all to share our light with everyone. For those donating to the Light Up A Life Appeal, a dedicated bauble will hang on the tree in the hospice chapel until Twelfth Night.
Hospice events manager Jessica Ruth says they are beautiful symbols of remembrance. “At this time of the year, our thoughts often turn to our loved ones who may be a long way away or no longer with us.
“The Light Up A Life Appeal is a lovely way of doing this and it will help to raise money for people who will be cared for at the hospice in the coming months,” says Jessica.
Donations for the appeal can be made at eastcheshirehospice.org. uk/lightupalifedonation