Trust us, we’re on your side

IN the past year the Macclesfield Express has published several agenda-setting reports to remind us all of the importance of local journalism:

We’re here to represent the community. When we heard that wheelchair users and pushchairs were being turned away from the Grosvenor Centre due to fire regulations, we demanded answers and successfully campaigned to get the bosses to overturn the decision.

We lobbied for a petition when we discovered a report that suggested Macclesfield Hospital’s A&E should be closed. We launched a campaign ‘Hands off our hospital’ to save the unit and a petition against its closure attracted 6,000 signatures.

When we heard about Cheshire East Council’s plans to withdraw respite care at Hollins View Care Centre we worked hard with the community to keep it open. While we were unable to overturn the decision, we supported a hard-fought campaign with residents.

We are also here to bring the community together and our Christmas toy appeal, launched in conjunction with the Community and Voluntary Service, saw 3,000 gifts donated to disadvantaged children who might otherwise have received nothing on Christmas Day.

We also helped raised £155,000 for 17 new beds at East Cheshire Hospice by partnering their campaign.