Category: Blog

19 February 2019

Local Cidermaker supports Weston Hospicecare’s Men’s March

Leading Somerset cidermaker Thatchers has thrown its support behind Weston Hospicecare’s newest fundraising event.

The Men’s March will take place on 9th March and will see hundreds of men walking 10 miles along the Somerset coast before united to watch England’s Six Nations match against Italy on the big screens at Weston’s iconic Grand Pier.
Everyone who takes part will get to enjoy a free pasty and pint of Somerset’s favourite tipple, Thatchers Gold.

The drinks will be served courtesy of Thatchers Cider, after the family-run firm agreed to sponsor the event, not only by providing the drinks but also by making a financial contribution which covers the event’s costs and ensures the money raised by participants can go direct to Weston Hospicecare’s work supporting people with life-limiting illnesses.

Managing director Martin Thatcher said: “Weston Hospicecare captures the hearts and minds of the community, and we’re looking forward to being a part of this exciting and exceptionally worthwhile Men’s March, that will raise valuable funds for the hospice.

“What could be better than enjoying a walk through the beautiful Somerset countryside, watching the rugby with a pasty and a pint of Thatchers Gold, whilst knowing you’re helping contribute much-needed funds for the work of Weston Hospicecare. We wish everyone a fantastic event and we are delighted to be involved.”

Hospice events manager Simon Angear says Thatchers’ support can only have a positive effect on the day.

He said: “We’re really excited about hosting our first ever Men’s March, which promises to be a lot of fun – and we’re thrilled too to have Thatchers on board. Their generosity means a lot to everyone involved in Weston Hospicecare and will be key to making sure the Men’s March is a success.

“The other good news is that there is still time for people to sign up for the event. So come on gents, get involved… what better way is there to spend a spring afternoon than strolling along the gorgeous Somerset coast with your friends and family, before kicking back with a pint of delicious Thatchers and watching England win the Six Nations? Plus, of course, you’ll be doing all of this safe in the knowledge that you’re also helping to support a charity which plays such a vital role in your community.”

The Men’s March will start and finish at the Grand Pier and walkers will follow a 10-mile route via Weston Woods to Sand Point before returning to the pier to refuel before watching the rugby.

This will be the first time Weston Hospicecare has organised a men-only event, and it comes in response to calls for a male event after years of successfully running the women-only Midnight Beach Walk on Weston’s sands in the autumn.

Participation in the Men’s March costs just £15, which includes entry to the walk and the pier, a pint of Thatchers Gold and a pasty, and a souvenir event pint glass. Walkers are, however, encouraged to raise sponsorship on behalf of the hospice too.

The deadline to sign up is Sunday 3 March, six days prior to the event on the following Saturday. A limited number of places may be available on the day, but cannot be guaranteed.

For more information about the Men’s March, visit www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/mensmarch/ or to sign up, search for register.primoevents.com/ps/event/MensMarch2019%20.

14 February 2019

Burglars strike overnight at Weston Hospicecare shop

Weston Hospicecare staff are today picking up the pieces after an overnight break-in at one of the charity’s popular Weston-super-Mare shops.

Raiders struck at the Milton Road store by forcing their way in through a fire door, before ransacking a staff area and helping themselves to a small amount of cash.

They also rifled through drawers and stole a hospice collecting tin, before needlessly smashing a glass door at the front of the shop.

It is thought the thieves may have secured entry by tampering with a fire door while posing as customers during the day, and then forcing the vulnerable door with a crowbar that night.

Witnesses have since reported seeing two people exiting an alley running alongside the premises at around 12.40am this morning (Thursday, February 14) – around the same time as a neighbour heard a noise which he had assumed to be customers dropping off a stock donation.

Weston Hospicecare’s retail director Gemma Turner condemned the criminals for depriving the hospice of money which would have been used to help care for patients.

She said: “It’s terribly upsetting for the whole team to arrive this morning and find the shop in such a state.

“We will now have to go to the expense of installing expensive security equipment and cameras, and it will cost us money to have the doors repaired and re-glazed and to clean up too.

“This will have a direct impact on the care we are able to give to our patients, which is of course the main purpose behind our shops.

“I would, however, like to say a big thank you to the Milton Road shop team for their calm and professional response to the incident, and to the police for getting investigators onsite so quickly.

“We will now turn our attention to cleaning up the damage, and look to get the shop open again. We’ve been enormously grateful to the Milton Road community for supporting this shop since it opened in summer 2017, and look forward to resuming normal service as soon as possible.”

Police have been carrying out a forensic examination of the scene this morning, and plan to follow that up with door-to-door witness inquiries later on.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101. Meanwhile, the Milton Road shop – which is supported by a team of more than 20 volunteers and sells fashion items, books, games and bric-a-brac – is expected to reopen tomorrow (Friday).

8 February 2019

Charity places available through Weston Hospicecare for RideLondon 2019

Keen cyclists are invited to apply for coveted places in one of the nation’s biggest cycling challenges in support of Weston Hospicecare.

The charity has a limited number of places for the RideLondon 100 for riders wishing to take part in 2019 in aid of the charity.

RideLondon is the UK’s biggest cycling event of the calendar year and its flagship 100-mile race attracted more than 26,000 riders in 2018, including the hospice’s chief executive Paul Winspear.

This year the 100-mile race will take place on Sunday 4 August and the festival will span across the weekend.

The hospice has a limited number of places to fill for the main event as part of the ‘ride for a charity’ option offered by the organisers.

After the race last year Paul described the experience as a ‘test of determination’ as a result of challenging weather conditions on the day.

Describing the finish, he said: “The red road stretched out in front of us like a welcoming red carpet.

“I’d been hoping for a time of under six hours but in the context of the event, as it unfolded in 2018, it’s meaningless.

“You don’t take part in RideLondon to see how quick you can go, there are other events for that, especially not in the rain. It was not a test of fitness in the end, but it was definitely a test of determination.

“Would I recommend the event? Definitely! Go for it, and remember to ride for the hospice.”

The organisers of the event are inundated with entry requests each year which means they have to adopt a ballot system for cyclists wanting to take part. If successful, riders are charged £69 to take part.

The hospice, along with charities across the nation, receives a limited number of additional entries for people wishing to take part.

Those selected to ride on behalf of the hospice will need to secure their place with a £50 deposit shortly after agreeing to take part and must pledge at least £450 in donations.

Those eager to take part need to email simon.angear@westonhospicecare.org.uk as soon as possible to express their interest. To read Paul’s full blog visit www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/paulsride100/.

8 February 2019

Graham starts his latest fundraising challenge in aid of Weston Hospicecare

Hospice supporter Graham Hunt set off on his 30-hour walkathon from Weston Hospicecare’s Jackson-Barstow House at 9.30am today (Friday).

Graham is taking part in a year-long series of fundraising challenges in aid of Weston Hospicecare which includes climbing Kilimanjaro, running 30 marathons in 30 days and spending 30 hours in a bath full of slime.

He has already completed his January challenge which was swimming 30 laps of the Nuffield Health pool in 30 consecutive days.

Graham said he will be heading towards Burnham-on-Sea first before deciding where the rest of his walk will take him. Although, he aims to be at Sand Bay for sunrise on Saturday morning.

He said: “I’d love to make it to Sand Point for sunrise just to see the colours at the first light of day before returning to the hospice later on in the day.”

Graham will finish the walkathon at 3.30pm on Saturday, 30 hours after he started from hospice HQ.

He arrived, dressed in plenty of layers in preparation for the wet and windy conditions outside, for a coffee and a slice of cake at 9am to fuel up for the 9.30am departure.

He said: “This gives me an opportunity to test my gear for Kilimanjaro later in the year.”

This is the second challenge Graham has set himself in a gruelling series of physical and mental challenges to raise funds for Weston Hospicecare in the 30th anniversary of caring for people in Weston-super-Mare and much of Northern Somerset with life-limiting conditions.

To reward Graham for his amazing fundraising efforts, click here to visit his JustGiving page to leave a donation.

The hospice relies on fundraising, donations and retail avenues to support 80% of its £4.2million running costs every year, with the remaining 20% funded by the NHS.

8 February 2019

PE teacher calls on men to join him at Weston Hospicecare’s Men’s March

A physical education teacher from Somerset has signed up to take part in Weston Hospicecare’s first-ever Men’s March on Saturday 9 March.

David Hallam, aged 47 and from Burnham-on-Sea, says it is really important for people to join forces to support Weston Hospicecare and the opportunity of taking part in an outdoor event inspired him to sign up.

The Men’s March is the first men-only fundraising event the hospice has organised and will start and finish at the Grand Pier on Weston seafront.

A shared love of the outdoors inspired David and four friends to sign up for the challenge to support the hospice.

David said: “I work as a PE teacher at a secondary school in Shepton Mallet and I thoroughly enjoy being in the great outdoors.

“I decided to take part in the challenge to help support a local charity and in doing help make a difference to somebody’s life, be that a patient in the hospice or their family member.

“There are four of us taking part in the Men’s March. We are all friends who decided to do take part in the challenge for the same sorts of reasons. Our group is made up of Chris, Lead Cancer Research Nurse at Musgrove Park Hospital, Rob, CEO of Age UK Gloucester, Rob’s teenage son Joe and myself.

“I am planning to undertake a couple of fundraisers for the hospice this year, the first being the Men’s March and then hopefully we will all be taking on the Mendip Challenge together later in the summer.

“Last year, my wife and a group of friends completed the 20-mile Mendip Challenge and so this year I decided that it was my turn to help support our local hospice.”

David says it is vital people living in the area support the hospice, which offers its services free of charge to those in need.

He continued: “I feel that it is really important that local people like myself raise money for charity’s like Weston Hospicecare so that patients and families can get the support that they need at very difficult times in their lives.

“I want to raise money for Weston Hospicecare because I strongly support the notion that all the money raised through the fundraising events are an integral part of keeping the hospice open supporting patient and their families.

“The hospice is invaluable, the support that the charity provides to patients in the inpatient unit, through the day hospice and in the community outreach service gives patients choices about living well with a terminal illness.”

As part of the event, participants will be rewarded for their fundraising efforts with a free pint of Thatchers Gold and a pasty before being offered the opportunity to watch England’s Six Nations match against Italy.

To join David at the Men’s March, you can sign up by clicking here.

5 February 2019

Hospice supporter set for skydive in memory of father-in-law

A hospice supporter will jump from 15,000ft to perform a skydive in support of Weston Hospicecare.

Clair Satchwell will take to the skies before embracing an adrenaline-filled freefall in aid of the hospice on Saturday 9 March.

She said: “My father-in-law, John, was cared for at Weston Hospicecare before he died last year.

“Myself and his son nursed him in his final days at home, as this was his last wish.

“I am doing a skydive as I want more families to be able to have the amazing care we received.”

Clair’s fundraising effort is not the first time her family has supported the hospice.

Before Christmas, Clair’s son Finlay performed a Michael Jackson-inspired dance routine outside Costa Coffee in Locking Castle, raising £62.37 in memory of his granddad.

The hospice has to raise £4.2million every year in order to support the free expert, and compassionate, care given to those with life-limiting conditions in Weston and the surrounding area.

Only 20% of this is provided by the NHS meaning along with retail avenues, donations and major fundraising events, fundraising by those in the community is vital.

To support Clair, you can click here to leave a donation.

5 February 2019

Worle school head boy shaves off hair for hospice

A student from Priory Learning Trust’s Worle Community School has raised £155 by shaving his hair off in aid of Weston Hospicecare.

The hospice is the trust’s charity of the year and head boy Toby Lythgoe decided to sacrifice his hair to raise funds for the hospice as part of the wider fundraising initiative by the schools within the trust.

Principal Jacqui Scott said the schools are proud to be supporting the hospice this year and heaped praise onto Toby for his dedication and fundraising efforts.

She said: “WCSA is proud to be supporting our local hospice in its charity fundraising this year as it is such a worthy, local cause.

“Every year our students come up with new and inventive ways to raise money for school charity of the year.

“Toby was brave to shave his head, particularly during the winter months.”

The hospice has to raise £4.2million every year, meaning fundraising efforts like Toby’s are not only admirable but vital to the charity.

Hospice spokesman Simon Angear said: “We are all very grateful to Toby for his fundraising efforts and to the Priory Learning Trust for recognising the hospice as their charity of the year in 2019.

“The hospice relies on the support from the community it serves in order to support the free expert care it offers to those with life-limiting conditions.”

Only 20% of the hospice’s funding is provided by the NHS, meaning more than £3.3million must be raised through event fundraising, shops, donations, corporate opportunities and dedicated community fundraising activities such as Toby’s.

If you would like to support Weston Hospicecare but you are stuck for ideas, visit https://www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/support-us/ for inspiration, or alternatively call the fundraising team on 01934 423900.

1 February 2019

Supporters thanked after phenomenal appeal funds new equipment for Weston Hospicecare

A host of vital new equipment has arrived at Weston Hospicecare’s inpatient unit (IPU) at Jackson-Barstow House after the charity’s successful Comfort and Care appeal in the summer of 2018.

Hospice supporters were called upon to support the appeal and responded in style by raising more than £55,000 in a matter of months to make the appeal a resounding success.

Money raised has enabled the hospice to replace a range of outdated items with modern new equipment designed to boost patient comfort.

The new purchases include easily-adjustable beds costing £2,682 each, pressure-relieving mattresses at £2,850 each and reclining chairs priced at £2,130 each.

As part of the appeal the IPU has also acquired an infusion pump, which cost £3,206 and will support nurses in delivering medication and treatment more safely and accurately.

The new equipment’s arrival represents a much-needed update, with some of the old equipment showing signs of age after being in use since the charity moved to its Uphill base in 1997.

IPU Manager Jill Nash said: “On behalf of the hospice, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported the Comfort and Care appeal.

“Our goal is to help people with life-limiting illnesses live well, with dignity and independence, for as long as they can. And for families to be able to spend quality, fulfilling time with their loved one, making the most of each day they have together.

“It’s vital that the people we care for feel safe, secure, and of course comforted at what is often an incredibly difficult time in their life.

“The success of this appeal, through your generosity, has allowed us to buy all the new equipment we desperately needed.

“The beds, mattresses and chairs will ensure our patients are comfortable to further enhance relief from symptoms and pain. The infusion pump will ensure safe and effective delivery of medication and treatments.

“Once again, a huge thank you very much for all of your support.”

A regular day hospice patient, who has recently transferred to the inpatient unit for further expert care, was one of the charity’s supporters who contributed to the appeal, and is now benefitting from the equipment as a result of the appeal’s success.

Jenny Hobbs, who is being treated for respiratory limitations, says the new purchases help to make her feel at ease.

She said: “The equipment is so good, particularly with all the adjustable buttons within easy reach. All the equipment feels light yet sturdy and really comfortable.

“The care offered here is absolutely marvellous. I know myself, having been through the day hospice and now here in the IPU. It is just amazing.

“During a recent visit from my daughter was so impressed with the room and the equipment. She said to me ‘wow what a place mum’.”

People in Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset with life-limiting illnesses have been cared for by the hospice since 1989, meaning the charity is now marking its 30th anniversary year.

31 January 2019

Winscombe rugby team to take part in Weston Hospicecare’s Men’s March

A rugby player from North Somerset has signed up to take part in the upcoming Men’s March for Weston Hospicecare after his dad received care from community nurses before he died.

Simon Rees from Winscombe will take part in the 10-mile fundraiser on 9 March in aid of the hospice and has called on his teammates to join him.

The event has space for 300 participants but more than a third of those places have already been filled.

Simon said: “I am trying to put together a group formed from Winscombe 3rd XV, of which I am a part. The mighty thirds don’t have a game that day so I’m fairly confident of getting a few of us together.

“My dad wanted to stay at home, and our community nurse from the hospice was Gwen.

“It was a trying time – my brother and I took turns at staying over to support my mum but none of us really knew what to expect or how to react. Gwen was able to answer questions, was always there on the phone and in person when she could, and then at the very end was able to provide palliative care.”

Simon continued to describe how valuable the hospice’s specialist care was to his family.

He said: “It was reassuring to know that in her we had some sort of specialist to support us with what was happening. She was always clear without being blunt.

“As well as the emotional support, which in retrospect was perhaps the most important bit, there was also very practical help with arranging the bed and other equipment that allowed Dad to stay at home. Gwen seemed to know how to make things happen.

“Weston Hospicecare provides an essential service for the area. Eventually, we will all need to call upon the skills and the compassion that you give freely to everyone – and most importantly the time and the understanding to give emotional support to families as well as patients.”

The Men’s March will start and finish at the Grand Pier and will follow a route to Sand Point via Weston Woods and Sand Bay before returning to the Pier to refuel with a pint of Thatchers Gold and a pasty before having the chance to watch England’s penultimate Six Nations match against Italy on a big screen.

Weston Hospicecare has to raise £4.2million every year with only 20% of that funding being provided by the government. This mean fundraising events such as the Men’s March are critical to the charities fundraising efforts.

To join Simon and his teammates on 9 March, gentlemen can sign up to the fundraiser by visiting www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/mensmarch/.

29 January 2019

Weston Hospicecare invites people to attend monthly coffee morning

Weston Hospicecare is looking for people to join us at a monthly coffee morning.

It takes place on the second Friday of each month between 10:30am –12.30pm at Jackson-Barstow House in Uphill, the next meeting will be 8 February.

The meetings offer a chance for people to have a catch-up while supporting the hospice.

Community fundraiser Sue Harding says: “We would love to see some new faces at our monthly coffee mornings.

“It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, have a chat and support the hospice which means so much to Weston and the surrounding areas.”

Those wishing to attend are advised while car parking is available, it is limited. Alternative on-street parking can be found near to the hospice on Thornbury Road. The hospice can also be easily reached by bus via route 5 towards Uphill.

For any questions, call Sue on 01934 423926 or email sue.harding@westonhospicecare.org.uk.