Pupils show they care
A MACCLESFIELD School, whose motto is ‘making our best, better,’ have made a big difference in helping to provide care for patients at East Cheshire Hospice.
Macclesfield Academy has raised just over £11,000 since the school opened in 2011 with a range of imaginative fundraising endeavours involving pupils and staff.
Headteacher Richard Hedge says supporting the hospice is all part of the school ethos, which aims to embed the world of learning within the wider community.
“We are strongly of the view that an enriched education comes not only from within the classroom but also by locating that learning within the community itself,” he said.
“I’m delighted that the pupils have shown themselves to be fundraisers of proven imagination and success, showing real invention in their different events.”
A personal event favourite for the headteacher was the Elf Run at Christmas where pupils raised £700.
“I just happened to be passing the sports hall and glanced in to see dozens of pupils all taking part in activities with the elf hats on,” he said. “There was so much lively energy in the room, it was a delight to see.”
And the staff at the school also contribute to the cause by donating monies at Christmas instead of buying festive cards.
Hospice community fundraiser Lisa Ball, who recently thanked the school at a recent assembly, said the school had shown great commitment to look outwards into the community and the hospice was extremely grateful for their support.
She said: “To have this ongoing, continued support from the young people in our community is fantastic.
“Every penny they have raised will make a big difference in helping us to provide hospice care for so many people.
“We need to raise more than £7,500 each and every day to maintain the levels of care we provide and that wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of all our supporters, such as all those at Macclesfield Academy.”
The next fundraising session at the Academy will be a collection for the hospice at their annual show which this year is Little Shop of Horrors on July 5 and July 6.
GUESS the year – Margaret Thatcher becomes the UK’s longest continuous serving PM of the 20th century, Rick Astley was Never Gonna Give You Up, the £1 note ceases to be legal tender and East Cheshire Hospice opens its doors.
The year is 1988 and in the February of that year, the first patient was treated in the hospice before its formal launch three months later.
And proving to be hugely popular among the list of 30th birthday celebrations is a one-off 80s music night taking place in the grounds of Gawsworth Hall in Cheshire. Featuring the 80s tribute band, The Wild Boys, the evening will be a party occasion with a cordoned off space for hospice guests and a dedicated marquee area for everyone to enjoy birthday celebrations, including a cake.
Picnic hampers for the event are now on sale online at £20 for two people and there’ll be plenty of time to eat and enjoy the grounds with gates opening from 2pm.
Tickets for the Friday, August 10, event are now on sale, priced £22.50 each, along with VIP tickets priced at £30, which includes a glass of prosecco and an 80s goody bag on arrival.
“This is a really important year for us and I reckon this is going to be one of our highlight occasions,” said events manager, Joanna Boyd.
“The Wild Boys have performed with some of the pop greats so it’s sure to be great fun.”
There’s more information on the East Cheshire Hospice Facebook site or online at www.eastcheshire hospice.org.uk/backto80s.