A sun-bathed Trafford played host to a 5k walk to mark Nurses’ Day 2025. The walk was organised by St Ann’s Hospice.
Click through the gallery below to see some of the pictures and videos from the day.
St Ann’s supporter Lisa Hillyard and a group of five others will be taking on a 24-hour AMRAP CrossFit marathon to raise funds for the hospice.
The marathon will be taking place on Saturday, June 21.
The marathon is a worldwide event with different teams competing. Every hour the team will be given an exercise and they will have 60 minutes to complete 500 reps.
“We won’t even know what exercises will be doing until the beginning of each hour,” Lisa said.
“So, to be able to stay in the competition we will have to persevere through every challenge.
It’ll be 24 hours of non-stop as we push through every rep, every lap. We are hoping to raise as much as we can for the families and patients who rely on the amazing compassionate care that St Ann’s provides
Lisa Hillyard, St Ann’s Hospice supporter
Lisa’s team will be seeing themselves complete workouts such as pull ups, box jumps, kettlebell swings, burpees, and much more.
St Ann’s Hospice relies heavily on donations from the public and needs to raise approximately £20,000 a day to keep the two hospice sites operational.
To learn more about Lisa’s challenge or to donate to her cause you can visit her JustGiving page, here.
A Manchester based band are raising funds for St Ann’s through the purchase of a single dedicated to a friend who was cared for at the hospice.
Band member Ben said that Peter had been a supporter of the band since they started around 18 months ago.
“Pete was our drummer’s father-in-law. He was diagnosed with cancer, and it progressed really quickly,” Ben said.
“He was only 54 years old when he died, he was very effusive about the care he had received at St Ann’s.”
According to Ben, ‘Among Friends’ was Peter’s favourite song by the band. It has never been officially recorded and has only ever been played at live shows. The band decided to release a live recording in his honour and use it to raise funds for the hospice.
“We wanted to raise awareness and raise a bit of money for other people who are going to go into care,” he said.
St Ann’s has a great reputation and has cared for so many people in our area. We’ve all heard stories of what people experience when they go there
Ben, By The Waves
“The family had a comforting experience with all of the staff at St Ann’s Hospice in Cheadle,” Ben added.
By The Waves have just released their new single ‘Grey Car’ which is available to stream on Spotify. You can purchase the live recording of ‘Among Friends’ here.
All proceeds from ‘Among Friends’ will be donated to St Ann’s Hospice.
St Ann’s Hospice is launching a “brand new” fundraising initiative in partnership with Ford.
Ford will be conducting a community test drive, using St Ann’s Hospice in Heald Green as a base on Saturday, May 10 from 9am to 5pm.
The community test drive will see Ford bring a number of electric vehicles to the Heald Green site. For every unique household that drives a vehicle, St Ann’s will receive £30 from Ford.
Head of Fundraising and Capital Campaign at St Ann’s Hospice, Anne-Marie Wynne said that the community test drive is an exciting opportunity to raise money for St Ann’s.
“We are looking for 200 unique households to come and test drive an electric vehicle out of St Ann’s. It will be a short test drive around the area, and there are no strings attached. It’s just a great opportunity for people who are perhaps on the fence a little bit about an electric vehicle and don’t want the commitment of going to a showroom. It is also a great way of supporting St Ann’s Hospice,” Anne-Marie said.
We are so grateful to Ford for providing us with the opportunity and we look forward to welcoming them and all of our supporters on the day
Anne-Marie Wynne, Head of Fundraising and Capital Campaign at St Ann’s Hospice
The event will be completely free to the public, and St Ann’s will receive a £30 donation from each unique household who test drives a car whether or not people commit to purchase a vehicle.
Ian Cookson, General Manager of TrustFord Wilmslow expressed excitement about the event.
“We are delighted to partner with Ford on this community initiative. St. Ann’s Hospice makes such a significant impact on our local area, and we’re excited to support them.
We invite everyone in the local community to join us on Saturday, 10th May, take a test drive, and help us make a lasting difference
Ian Cookson, General Manager, TrustFord Wilmslow
There will also be a tombola on the day and it will also provide the opportunity for the public to come and see the St Ann’s site and see the progress of development at the new build next door which is nearing completion.
A valid driving license is required on the day. To register your interest in a test drive please visit our website here where you will find a link to Ford’s Drive4URCommunity page.
St Ann’s Hospice is delighted to announce that their annual Golf Day will be returning to Dunham Forest Golf & Country Club in 2025.
The St Ann’s Hospice Golf Day is a fantastic golf event that raises money for the Build it Together appeal which is run by the hospice.
The Build it Together appeal aims to raise £2m for the continued construction of a new hospice building in Heald Green.
Events Coordinator at St Ann’s Hospice, Laura Hindley commented.
“Dunham Golf Club is one of the most beautiful golf courses in the UK and we are delighted to be returning here for the 2025 event. Our Golf Day is a perfect day out for avid golfers, experienced or amateurs to enjoy a wonderful round of golf while also raising vital funds for St Ann’s.
We are delighted with the interest and sign up already and we look forward to seeing everyone on the day. Places are limited for this event so be sure to book as soon as you can
Laura Hindley, Events Coordinator at St Ann’s Hospice
St Ann’s Hospice Golf Day will be made up of teams of four. There will be on course prizes on the day, an on arrival meet your team and guests for a light lunch, followed by a shotgun start at 1.30pm.
Complimentary refreshments will be available at the Halfway House. Following play, enjoy a delicious dinner together with the other teams, and there will be a presentation to competition winners and a further chance to win with our quality raffle and auction.
Non-players are welcome to attend the day and join the meal and presentations.
St Ann’s supporter George Hadden enters a team into the Golf Day each year.
“I always enjoy being part of the St Ann’s Golf Day. It really is a lovely event, very well organised and for a very good cause. I encourage you to sign up a team today to be part of this special event,” he said.
There are three packages to choose from, starting with the Bronze Package, costing £695 and includes entry for one team.
The Silver Package costs £1,200 and includes entry for one team, the option to sponsor a hole, nearest pin or longest drive, a banner displayed at chosen sponsorship option, funds towards prize table, and a listing in the event programme.
The Gold Package costs £1,600 and includes complimentary team entry, goody bag sponsorship, including branded company merchandise, the option to sponsor 1st prize, lunch or dinner, a formal thank you from St Ann’s speaker on the day, funds towards prize table, a vinyl banner displayed at lunch, dinner, registration or the putting green, a mention in the press release following the event, and a listing on social media and included in the event programme.
The St Ann’s Hospice Golf Day 2025 will take place on Thursday, June 26 from midday to 8pm with a 1.30pm shotgun start at Dunham Forest Golf & Country Club, Altrincham.
For registration, please visit the St Ann’s Hospice website, here.
St Ann’s staff, volunteers and supporters are gearing up for one of the hospice’s more adventurous challenges of the year.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge taking place on Saturday, June 7 will see a number of experienced and amateur hikers take on a picturesque challenge while also raising funds for St Ann’s Hospice.
Volunteer in the Being You Centre at St Ann’s Hospice, Joan Hargreaves is taking on the challenge because she is “aware of how important it is to raise much needed funds for the hospice in these very difficult financial times”.
I also foolishly thought it would be a challenge for me, and maybe my last as I am 70! I have never done anything like this before. I am doing it with my friend who has done many midnight walks with me in memory of my lovely best friend who died in the hospice
Joan Hargreaves, Volunteer – Being You Centre at St Ann’s Hospice
Assistant Practitioner at St Ann’s Hospice, Rachel Bridge is also taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge along with a number of other members of the Rehab Team at the hospice.
“I am always up for a challenge especially seeing day to day how St Ann’s support and cares for patients with life limiting conditions,” Rachel said.
“I value the importance of fundraising for St Ann’s and I try and find ways to be as supportive and available as I can be. I love walking but I’ve not climbed any peaks, in preparation I have been trying to go on as many walks as I can in between working.
This is my way of being ‘Bold and Brave’, wish me luck!” she added.
Joan and Rachel will be trekking through the stunning Yorkshire Dales, conquering the peaks of Pen-y-ghent (684m), Whernside (736m), and Ingleborough (723m), all while proudly wearing their #TeamStAnns gear.
Events Co-Ordinator for St Ann’s Hospice, Laura Hindley said the Yorkshire Three Peaks is an exciting day out for supporters of St Ann’s Hospice.
“Join us for the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge this summer. Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough feature some of the most beautiful scenery in all of England. We cannot wait to welcome those taking part on the day to raise much needed funds for St Ann’s Hospice!” Laura said.
The three peaks hike is a professionally guided tour with Qualified Mountain Leader(s) certified in mountain first aid.
This challenge is over 24 miles (38.6km) round trip route including over 1500m (5,000 feet) of elevation.
St Ann’s Hospice has been named the official charity partner of the 2025 Stockport Business Awards.
The Stockport Business Awards was founded and organised by CN Chartered Accountants, with the aim of celebrating business excellence within the Stockport Borough and continuing to grow the business community in the area.
It was announced that St Ann’s Hospice would be the charity partner for 2025 during the official launch evening of the awards.
Capital Partnership Fundraiser at St Ann’s Hospice, Liz Greenwood commented:
“We are so proud that St Ann’s Hospice has been named at the Charity Partner for this year’s awards. St Ann’s has been part of the Stockport community for more than 50 years and has cared for thousands of people from the area impacted by life limiting illnesses. It is really special for us that the Stockport business community are coming together to raise money for our new hospice.
The new hospice at Heald Green is under construction now and will be an incredible new purpose-built hospice. All of the money raised at the Stockport Business Awards will go towards making this hospice a reality and get us another step closer to opening the doors later this year. This building will ensure we can care for people in our community for generations to come
Liz Greenwood, Capital Partnership Fundraiser at St Ann’s Hospice
Louise Lamaris, Marketing Manager at CN Chartered Accountants – Organisers & Founders of The Stockport Business Awards commented.
“CN Chartered Accountants is delighted to choose St Ann’s as this year’s Stockport Business Awards charity partner. The dedication to the Stockport community over the 50+ years through the amazing work from the charity has touched the lives of so many in the area (and beyond) including myself and many client’s and businesses we work with at CN Group. We are proud to share our support for the work of St Ann’s and contribute to the ‘Build it Together’ new build project to enable enhanced care and facilities for the hospice and supporting services.
“I recently visited the site of the new hospice – to see the difference the new project is going to make, it is clear the patients and their families are very much central to the exciting new plans.
“If you are a Business within the Stockport area, join us in celebrating the success of local businesses, enter the awards, showcase your business and help support St Ann’s – contact me on louiselamaris@cngrp.co.uk.,” she said.
To learn more about the 2025 Stockport Business Awards, click here.
Isabel Maccabee from South Manchester is competing in the 2025 Manchester Marathon in memory of her dad, Paul.
Paul spent his last few days at St Ann’s Hospice in Heald Green in what Isabel has described as an “incredibly important week in her life”. Isabel is now raising funds for the hospice in the lead up to the marathon.
The Manchester Marathon is one of the largest sporting events in the United Kingdom with over 36,000 runners expected to take part this year.
“Running has always been a part of my life. This is an ultimate challenge for me. My dad ran a marathon at one point in his life and I think knowing that, I’ve always had it in my mind that I was going to run a marathon at some point in my life,” Isabel said.
Isabel is proud to be from Manchester and says competing in the marathon on home soil is a brilliant experience.
I’m looking forward to running in the marathon. With my training, I’ve been seeing the city in a different light. I’m going to so many different places that I’ve never thought to go to before.
Isabel Maccabee, St Ann’s Hospice Supporter
In a cathartic turn of events, the Manchester Marathon ends in a place that holds great meaning to both Isabel and her dad.
“The last leg of the race is down Oxford Road, by the University of Manchester, which is where dad worked for years before he died. He project managed the creation of Brunswick Park where the finish line is at. It’s a great reminder on the day of what I’m running towards and for.”
Paul was diagnosed with cancer a week before the first lockdown of the Covid-19 epidemic in March of 2020, he spent the next few months in and out of hospital during Covid and died at St Ann’s Hospice in September 2020.
“For us, as a family, that week that he was here was so important because during those months, my mum, sister, and I were very much carers. We had a lot of special moments with him, of course, but it felt that we were nurses and every other role under the sun to meet his needs, and make him as comfortable as possible,” she said.
“Particularly towards the end, we just couldn’t manage it anymore. We couldn’t have kept him home any longer, although we wanted to. Being in St Ann’s was such a relief because as soon as we got here, you could tell he was more relaxed as he was being treated in ways we weren’t able to.
“I remember he was given a proper shave and looked after; he was a very ill man but he looked so much fresher and happier in that time,” she added.
Isabel continued. “For us it took such a load off our backs with the thoughts of remembering medication, and everything else we needed to do for him because St Ann’s dealt with it all for us.
“We were able to be there and talk to him or read stories to him when he couldn’t communicate back. That felt to us, as the best way it could have been in his final week, a horrific week in so many ways, but St Ann’s made it so much easier.
“I think it is possible to have a good death, and I feel like that is what we managed to have here in this hospice, because they allowed us to take a step back and just be people,” Isabel said.
In memory of her father, Isabel has set up a Just Giving page to fundraise for St Ann’s Hospice, if you would like to donate to Isabel’s cause, or to learn more about the reasons she is running the marathon, you can visit her page, here.
