Moya Cole Hospice hosts garden party to mark official opening
The new hospice in Heald Green was officially opened by members of Moya Cole's family
Moya Cole's nieces Sarah Dallman and Sheelagh McKimm with Chief Executive of Moya Cole Hospice, Rachel McMillan officially opening the new Heald Green hospice
On Saturday, the gardens of our new hospice in Heald Green were filled with friendly faces, all joining together to celebrate the official opening of our new site.
The afternoon was filled with live music, delicious food and drink, and an artisan market of local businesses. The guest list included staff, volunteers, supporters, neighbours and friends, all happy to mark this milestone in the history of our hospice.
We were delighted that our special guests of honour were 11 members of Moya Cole’s family – our inspirational founder, after whom the hospice is named.
Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive of Moya Cole Hospice, said: “The Garden Party was the perfect way to celebrate our new hospice, and also all the people that made this incredible place a reality. It gave us the chance to come together and enjoy the wonderful building and to recognise the collective effort behind this achievement.”
Sarah Dallman and Sheelagh McKimm, who are nieces of Moya Cole, said a few words and also helped cut the ribbon to officially open the hospice.
“I don’t know how many people here today knew Moya as she died over 20 years ago, but she was a small woman, barely 5 foot tall, and unassuming as many people have said. She was fortunate to have parents who supported her to go to university and to complete not one, but three degrees at a time when far fewer women went on to higher education, and when she had three brothers, all of whom also went to university,” Sarah said.
Indeed, it was almost certainly the fact that having to cope with three brothers that taught her how to deal with what was predominantly a male-dominated profession in the early days. She may have been demure and at first glance unassuming, but when the chips were down, she knew how to get the right answers Sarah Dallman, Moya Cole's Niece
Sheelagh said: “Given her unassuming nature, I rather suspect that Moya might have “tut-tutted at the naming of the hospice after her, but we, her family, are very proud of her and her outstanding achievements in her professional life. Without a doubt we can assure you that she would be absolutely delighted that the hospice goes from strength-to-strength.
Scroll through our Flickr album of the garden party, below!
We could say a lot more about Dr Moya Cole, but her work here says more than we ever could. And we as a family can still proudly boast, ‘Dr Moya Cole OBE, she was our lovely aunt!' Sheelagh McKimm, Moya Cole's Niece
The Garden Party was the perfect way to celebrate our new hospice, and also all the people that made this incredible place a reality. It gave us the chance to come together and enjoy the wonderful building and to recognise the collective effort behind this achievement.