Hospice fundraisers prepare for muddy challenge

‘The Mangle’, the ‘Tunnel of Mud’ Triple by pass’, this weekend a team of fundraisers from Penrith Building Society will take on the ultimate test of fitness and stamina as they raise money for Eden Valley Hospice.

On Saturday 17 October, the team of fundraisers will tackle more than 35 gruelling obstacles at the annual No Ego Challenge event held at Greystoke Castle, Penrith. This year’s No Ego Challenge will be special for the team as they raise money in aid of the local charity.

Team member, Fiona Askins, explains “We are supporting Eden Valley Hospice as Penrith Building Society’s Charity of the Year. The hospice was selected through a vote by our customers.

“The No Ego Challenge is a good local event which brings income into the community and is definitely a fun challenge for us all to do. It also provides a good opportunity to raise the profile of Eden Valley Hospice and is a great team-building event for the staff of Penrith Building Society who taking part in this challenge.”

Everyone taking part in the No Ego Challenge will have their own reasons, memory and purpose for participating in the endurance challenge, whether it is to complete the course in a personal best time or to raise money for charity they will all create memories which will last a life time.

Fiona continues, “I am definitely looking forward to the end and being able to look back and think we have achieved it. However, I am not looking forward to the unknown, how testing the obstacles will be and how big the challenge is. The support and sponsorship from friends and customers has been tremendous and this is definitely me out of my comfort zone! The whole team wants to give it their all and we want to raise as much as we can.”

Joining Fiona taking on the No Ego Challenge will be Michelle Cole, Anna Hobson, Heather Ripley, Hannah Coulthard, Wendy Bird and Kate Cunningham, all from the Penrith Building Society. The kindness, generosity and support of the group’s family, friends, customers and work colleagues has already raised over £500 in aid of the hospice. If you would like to sponsor the group please visit www.justgiving.com/Fiona-Askins-Prev-Harrington/

All of the money raised by the Penrith Building Society team will help Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice to provide the highest standards of care, support and activities to local adults and children with life limiting illnesses. This care and compassion is extended to all of the patients’ family and friends.

If you would like to undertake your very own fundraising challenge in aid of Eden Valle Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice please contact the Fundraising Team on 01228 817613 or visitwww.edenalleyhospice.org

Picture Left to Right: Fiona Askins, Michelle Cole, Wendy Bird, Anna Hobson, Kate Cunningham, Heather Ripley and Hannah Coulthard

Mayor and Mayoress of Carlisle visit local hospice

The Mayor and Mayoress of Carlisle, Steve and Maureen Layden, have visited a local hospice to see the care and support provided to local adults and children with life limiting illnesses.

On Tuesday 22 September, the Mayor and Mayoress shared stories with patients, staff and volunteers as they visited Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice. During the visit they were able to see firsthand the care, support and activities provided at the local charity.

Steve explained, “Our visit to Eden Valley Hospice was a most rewarding experience. The dedication, skill and care of the staff is of outstanding quality and the volunteers are really special people. Our visit to Jigsaw was extremely positive, with staff giving a great sense of hope to the young patients.”

Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw’s home from home environment creates a place where patients and families are able to receive the highest standards of care and support in a calm and relaxing environment. The annual cost of providing our services is over £3million, with only 27% received from the NHS. The kindness and generosity helps the local community raise over £2million each year through fundraising events, collections boxes, legacies and much more.

If you, your place of work, school or community group would like to find out more about Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice please contact the Fundraising Team on 01228 817613 or visitwww.edenvalleyhospice.org

Picture: (Left to Right) Bill Mumford (Eden Valley Hospice Chief Executive), Maureen Layden, Steve Layden and Gill Ward (Head of Care)

Connecting with patients and carers is at the heart of a local hospice

During October Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice will be celebrating Hospice Care week by promoting the range of ways the children’s hospice connects with the local community.

From Monday 5 to Sunday 11 October the Carlisle based charity will be joining hospices around the UK during the annual awareness-raising week to raise the profile of hospice care. Caring for a loved one can be one of the most satisfying and special things we do, but without support, caring can have an overwhelming effect on people’s lives.

Over eight weeks the local charity’s Sunflower Group for Carers helps to provide care, support and compassion to many carers. Along with providing professionally developed help the group provides carers with the opportunity to meet people in a similar situation to them.

Becky Chaddock, Social Worker, said “Coming to the Sunflower Group may not change the difficulties, but talking to others, hearing about some of the options out there and having time out can help us to feel more confident as we face them.

“The sessions are led by staff from the Family Support Team and Day Hospice. They aim to address a wide range of issues and offer an informal layer of support. The course covers some of the practical, social and emotional aspects of caring, as well as providing the opportunity to ask questions.

“Caring for someone who is in a palliative stage of their illness can bring added pressure and stress, and carers in this situation find they often need different kinds of support and information. One of things we know can help is having a good grounding and knowledge about what is out there and who can be called on as things become more difficult,”

During the eight week programme the support sessions and speakers provide advice on a range of topics, including money and benefits, making plans in advance, therapeutic crafts and activities, and nutrition.

The Sunflower Group for Carers is just one of the ways in which Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw connect with the local community as they provide care support and activities to local adults and children with life limiting illnesses. Each year it costs in excess of £3million to provide the services with over £2milllion raised by the local community through fundraising events, collection boxes, legacies and much more.

Becky continued, “If you are caring for someone who has a palliative condition, the Sunflower Group may well be for you. If you’re not sure, give us a ring, ask one of your health or social care professionals about the group. We would love to hear from you.

“The group meet several times a year and the best way to find out when the next one starts is to get in touch. We can help to answer any questions and tell you a bit more about how we work.

If you would like to find out more information about the Sunflower Group for Carers please contact the Day Hospice or Family Support Team by calling 01228 810801.

Connecting with families important for local children’s hospice

During October Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice will be celebrating Hospice Care Week by promoting the range of ways the children’s hospice connects with families and the local community.

From Monday 5 to Sunday 11 October the Cumbrian charity will be joining hospices around the UK during the annual awareness-raising week to raise the profile of hospice care.  Caring for a loved one can be one of the most satisfying and special things people do, but without support, caring can have an overwhelming effect on people’s lives.

The nurses and activity coordinators at Jigsaw recognise this and extend the care, support and activities to all of the parents, siblings and carers at the children’s hospice. From the colourful and action packed annual Family Fun Day to the Family and Sibling Support Days, the local charity extends its care in a variety of different ways.

Janet McGreevy, Jigsaw Clinical Sister, explains “Throughout the year we provide families with the opportunity to meet up with other families and carers in similar situations. Each session is different, however we provide people with the opportunity to share experiences and take part in different activities during the day.

“The Siblings Days are busy, our recent outing had 20 children who enjoyed a day of activities at Happy Hooves. The event was sponsored by DRS, who paid for the activities and provided the children with goody bags. Their generosity over the years has provided a great deal of enjoyment for children and families as they sponsor both our Christmas festive and summer outing for siblings.”

Earlier this year warm smiles, laughter and music filled the Jigsaw gardens as families, volunteers and staff enjoyed the good weather and a variety of wonderful entertainment at the annual Family Fun Day. The action packed day included a variety of staff and entertainment, including a ‘Flash Mob’ performance by the children’s hospice nurses.

Janet added, “Families, staff and volunteers had such a good day. We were well supported by local businesses from Cumbria who donated raffle and tombola prizes. A grand total of £813.54 was raised during the day. Thank you everyone who helped to make the day so successful.”

Jigsaw provides the highest standards of care, support and activities to children and young adults with life limiting illnesses. Every year the kindness and generosity of the local community helps the charity to provide these services by raising over £800,000.

To find out more about Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice during Hospice Care Week 2015 please visitwww.jigsawhospice.org.uk

Notes to editor:

Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, formerly Eden House Children’s Hospice, was developed following the Jigsaw Appeal, an initiative of Eden Valley Hospice to develop the children’s day care unit at the Hospice into a four bedded residential unit.

Jigsaw provides care for children and young people with life limiting or life threatening conditions.

Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, also offers day care allowing up to six children and/or young people to attend on a daily basis.

All services are provided by highly qualified staff and a large team of committed volunteers.  We recognise that it is only through the generosity of local people that we are able to continue to provide the highest standard of care, free of charge to our patients and their families.

For further information on Hospice services visit our website www.jigsawhospice.org.uk

Connecting with the local community is important for local hospice

During October Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice will be celebrating Hospice Care Week by promoting the range of ways the hospice connects with the local community.

From Monday 5 to Sunday 11 October the Carlisle based charity will be joining hospices around the UK during the annual awareness-raising week to raise the profile of hospice care.

Over the last 2 years Cumbrian hospices have been developing a programme of work to assist health and social care professionals talk about our right to make decisions about our future care now. Deciding Right is the way Cumbria has decided to approach advance care planning, with the aim of equipping health and social care professionals with the appropriate skills and knowledge.

Becky Chaddock, Deciding Right Facilitator, said “Deciding Right encourages health and social care professionals to talk to all of us about the options available to help us to make decisions in advance. None of us find it particularly easy to talk about ourselves or someone we love becoming really ill, but by talking and having support to think through our options and choices, when the worst happens we have something to fall back on.

“The aim is to encourage all health and social care professionals to tell us that we have a right to make decisions about our future care it we want to; helping us to think about what we want, what we don’t want and who we would want to be involved. Deciding Right provides documentation to make sure our choices and preferences will be known and respected by the people looking after us.”

Death and dying continues to be considered a taboo and a subject to be avoided, even by some health and social care professionals, but Deciding Right is allowing progress to be made. The program, which began in North East England, has allowed Eden Valley Hospice, Hospice at Home West Cumbria,, St Mary’s Hospice and the Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group to work closely with the local community and health and social care workers.

If you would like to find out more information about Deciding Right please contact your local facilitator Rebecca Chaddock (Eden Valley Hospice) rebecca.chaddock@edenvalleyhospice.co.uk, Melvyn Laycock (Hospice at Home West Cumbria) Melvyn.Laycock@cumbria.nhs.uk, or Carol Bradley (St Mary’s Hospice)Carol.Bradley@stmaryshospice.org.uk

Notes to editor:

 

Eden Valley Hospice provides:

• 12 bedded adult in-patient unit
• Adult Day Hospice
• Out-Patient Clinics
• Complementary Therapies
• Carers Support
• Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice offering day care, overnight stays, family and sibling support

Jigsaw provides care for children and young people with life limiting or life threatening conditions.

All services are provided by highly qualified staff and a large team of committed volunteers.  We recognise that it is only through the generosity of local people that we are able to continue to provide the highest standard of care, free of charge to our patients and their families.

For further information on Hospice services visit our website www.evhospice.org.uk

Fundraiser prepares to run in aid of local hospice

A local woman, who moved to Lancaster, will be racing around the streets of Carlisle on Sunday 4 October to help the care, support and activities provided at Eden Valley Hospice.

This year’s Great Cumbrian Run will be special for Michelle Whitton as she runs in aid of the local charity. Michelle will join over 30 Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw fundraisers on the start line as they support the local hospice’s team of nurses and specialist doctors.

Michelle explains, “Carlisle is my home town and it’s always a massive honour to run for Eden Valley Hospice. I’m looking forward to the excitement of the start gun when we literally escape the castle and are greeted by the crowd. The worst moment is just before the gun goes when I always think ‘can I really do it?’

“I have run for the Hospice twice before in the Great Cumbrian Run and also the Great North Run in 2013. I always run for Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw because they so kindly looked after my mum in 2000. Being a speech therapist for children with disabilities I know how important Jigsaw is to our special children and their families. This year I pledged to run in memory of my Aunt Patricia Robinson who the Hospice cared for last November.”

Since 2011 Michelle has raised over £900 for Eden Valley Hospice by completing the Great Cumbrian Run and the Great North Run and this year she will return to her home town for the half marathon challenge.

Michelle continued, “It’s a fantastic race and I love every moment of the 13.1 mile course. The support from everyone all the way is always inspirational, along with the incredible generosity of all my family and friends who never fail to sponsor me. This year Mallinson Fabrications in Dalston continue to pledge their support which I am hugely grateful.”

Every runner taking part in this year’s Great Cumbrian Run will have their own memory, reason and purpose for completing the 13.1 mile course. Whether it is to set a personal best or raise money in aid of charity they will all create memories which will last a lifetime. This year Michelle is hoping to encourage members of her running club and family to take part in the run.

Michelle added, “I live in Lancaster so I am currently training for the big day with Lancaster and Morecambe Athletics Club. This year I hope that some of my fellow club mates will come and run with me and my husband Dr Andy Whitton, who I met many years ago at the Cumberland Infirmary, which would be fantastic. Our son William runs for the Lancaster Royal Grammar School so I am completing a preparation race with him in their own charity run on 16 September.”

The money raised by Michelle and the Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw fundraisers will help the local charity to provide care, support and activities to local adults and children with life limiting illnesses. This care and compassion is extended to all of the patients’ family, friends and carers.

If you would like to undertake your own 13.1 mile challenge in aid of the local charity, Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice are currently encouraging fundraisers to sign up for the Great North Run and the Great Cumbria Run this September and October. For more information please contact the Fundraising Team on 01228 817613 or visit www.evhospice.org.uk/Support-Us

Picture: Please find attached a picture of Michelle Whitton

1,000 mile cycling challenge in aid of two charities

A group of friends are preparing to cycle almost 1,000 miles in just 14 days to support two charities close to their hearts.

On Saturday 12 September, Dan Kendall, Nick Carter, Michael Carter, Kristina Gash and Paul Bell, all from Carlisle, will tackle the ride from Lands End to John O’Groats in aid of Eden Valley Hospice and Cancer Research UK. Over the course of two weeks the group of fundraising cyclist will average 70 miles a day as they travel from the bottom to the top of the Great Britain.

Dan explained, “The idea of cycling a major cycle ride was mentioned to me in a pub and was to be a personal challenge to use, as well as the opportunity to raise some money for two great charities. Most people know of someone who have been affected by cancer, or been affected themselves, and Cancer Research UK aims to find a cure for all types of cancer. While Eden Valley Hospice provides care for both adults and children in the local community.

“We hope we are able to make a difference with this charity challenge.”

The Lands End to John O’Groats cycling challenge will provide the group of fundraisers with lots of memories and challenges as they raise money in aid of the two charities.

Dan continued, “The challenge will provide us with a great chance to see the best of the country at a slower pace than in a care and also have a laugh along the way. However, we are not looking forward to the Great British weather.

“We have had every generous support from two local businesses and would like to thank Bryan Fell Motor Engineers for their sponsorship and providing the support vehicle and Eden Woodland Consultants for their sponsorship.”

In preparation for the Lands End to John O’Groats cycle ride Dan cycled the elevation of Mount Everest on Saturday 29 August. Dan cycled up and down Hartside 22 times as he cycled 225 miles with over 30,000 feet of climbing.

If you would like to sponsor the group of fundraisers as undertake the Lands End to John O’Groats cycling challenge in aid of Eden Valley Hospice and Cancer Research UK please visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/michaelcarter2, to donate to Eden Valley Hospice, or https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/michaelcarter1, for Cancer Research UK.

If you would like to find out how you can support Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice please visit www.evhospice.org.uk/Support-Us or call 01228 817613.

 

Picture: Please find attached a picture of the cyclists who will be undertaking the challenge.

150 mile cycling challenge for Hospice fundraisers

Earlier this year a group of fundraisers embarked on a 150 mile cycling challenge to help the care, support and activities provided at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice.

On Friday 29 May, Stephanie Bird, Kevin Rumney, Rick Hallard, Bill Hocking, Nick Venables and Emma Hennessy embarked on their Coast to Coast cycle ride from Whitehaven to Tynemouth. Over the course of three days the lecturing staff from Gen2’s Department of Engineering and Energy Technology (DEET) passed through Penrith, Lazonby, Stanhope, as well as crossing the Pennines.

Stephanie Bird explained, “Over three days we cycled approximately 150 miles, taking in infamous climbs such as Hartside and Garrigill. We knew this was going to be difficult, but our motivation to support a force that is highly valued in our community helped us through, together with the opportunity to fulfil a personal feat.

“We were joined by colleagues across the route, including Paul Fairclough, John Robertson and Lisa Moore, together with Karen Fairclough and Doreen Robertson. The support team kept our spirits high with their kind words of encouragement and terrible jokes.”

The Coast to Coast cycling challenge provided the group of fundraisers with lots of memories and challenges as they raised money in aid of the local charity.

Stephanie continued, “The tough bits were the hills which certainly put us through our paces, particularly Garrigill. There was also a bleak period on the morning of the third day where we had a very windy journey through a barren landscape we nicknamed Mordor. Despite the trials, we tried to take the best from every difficulty, as every battle brought us closer to the team achieving our goal.

“The best and most memorable part was meeting the top of Hartside; this was a fantastic moment for us all. The hill didn’t end up being as tough as we’d expected and the cakes were simply fantastic.”

In July the team of fundraisers from Gen2 visited Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw to present the £2,500 raised from the Coast to Coast cycling challenge. The money raised will help the local charity to provide the highest standards of care, support and activities to children and adults with life limiting illnesses. This care and compassion is extended to all of the patients’ family, friends and carers.

If you would like to find out how you can support Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice please visit www.evhospice.org.uk/Support-Us or call 01228 817613.

Picture: (Back Row, Left to Right) Paul Fairclough, Bill Hocking, Kevin Rumney and Neil Venables. (Front Row, Left to Right) Sue Muller (Day Hospice Nurse), Karen Fairclough, Stephanie Bird, Emma Hennessey and Dorothy Haskins (Day Hospice Nurse)

10km run raises money in aid of children’s hospice @jigsawhospice

The kindness and generosity of the runners at this year’s Lazonby 10km has helped to raise £450 to help the care, support and activities provided at Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice.

On Sunday 7 June a host of runners competed in the second Lazonby 10km, which started at Lazonby Auction Mart and took in the surrounding countryside. The money raised from the event has been shared between the Cumbrian charity and the Lazonby C of E School.

The funds donated to the children’s hospice will help Jigsaw to provide the highest standards of care, support and activities to children and young adults with life limiting illnesses. This care and compassion is extended to the patients’ family, friends and carers.

For more information about how you can support Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice please contact the Fundraising Team on 01228 817613 or visit www.jigsawhospice.org.uk/Support-Us

Picture: (Left to Right) Andy Poland, Event Organiser, Steven Story, Top Fundraisers and Allaster Dunlop, Jigsaw Fundraiser.

Open Garden Trail raises thousands in aid of children’s hospice @jigsawhospice

Beautifully maintained gardens have helped to raise almost £5,000 to help the care, support and activities provided at Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice.

On Sunday 28 June eleven gardens in Great Corby opened their doors for the public to enjoy during the open garden trail, including Corby Castle which was opened by Lady Ballyedmond. The kindness and generosity of everybody who visited the gardens helped to raise £4,858 in aid of the local charity.

Along with the 11 colourful gardens, visitors were able to enjoy an art and photographic exhibition, tours of the local Cumberland Breweries and raffle, which included a wide range of prizes.

The money raised from the Great Corby Open Garden Trail will help Jigsaw to provide the highest standards of care, support and activities to children and young adults with life limiting illnesses. This care and compassion is extended to all of the patients’ family, friends and carers.

For more information about how you can support Eden Valley Hospice please contact the Fundraising Team on 01228 817613 or visit www.evhospice.org.uk/Support-Us

Picture: (Left to Right) Anne Graham, Jigsaw Patron, Chris Bray, Head of Marketing and Income Generation at Jigsaw, Pauline Hudson and Charlotte Dymond

Notes to editor:

Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, formerly Eden House Children’s Hospice, was developed following the Jigsaw Appeal, an initiative of Eden Valley Hospice to develop the children’s day care unit at the Hospice into a four bedded residential unit.

Jigsaw provides care for children and young people with life limiting or life threatening conditions.

Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, also offers day care allowing up to six children and/or young people to attend on a daily basis.

All services are provided by highly qualified staff and a large team of committed volunteers.  We recognise that it is only through the generosity of local people that we are able to continue to provide the highest standard of care, free of charge to our patients and their families.

For further information on Hospice services visit our website www.jigsawhospice.org.uk