Hartlepool & District Hospice

TAXI DRIVERS REV UP FOR CHARITY DRIVE

TAXI DRIVERS in Hartlepool are revving up for a charity drive in aid of a local Hospice this August.

On Monday August 10 taxi drivers from the Hartlepool Train Station Rank will be donation all fairs taken during a busy evening slot.

Bryan Tanner and John Osborne, Hackney Carriage drivers are organising the fundraiser in aid of Hartlepool and District Hospice after reading Peter Revell-Rands story in the Hartlepool Mail earlier this month.

Bryan Tanner said “My Mum, Irene Tanner had lung cancer and was looked after at the Hospice.

“She came along to the Day Hospice each week and benefitted from respite care and end of life care in the Inpatient Unit so I know just how important the Hospice is.

“I could never repay the Hospice for the care she received but this is my way of giving a little back.”

Bryan and John hope to be joined by eight other taxi drivers on the night who will donate all fairs taken between 5:00pm and 11:30pm to the Hospice.

John Osborne said “It is important that Hartlepool supports its own Hospice.

“Everyone in the town will know someone who has or will need to use their services at some point.

“And when we mentioned it on the rank it didn’t take much persuasion to get four other drivers on board.”

Other drivers already signed up to the fundraiser are Edward Thompson, Alan Ward, Brian Royal and Joe McGarry all from the train station rank.

“If you’re heading out to the bingo or the club on Monday August 10, give us a ring a book your taxi now.

“Every fair we take will be going straight to the Hospice so it’s a good enough reason to have a night out!” added John.

If you would like to book your taxi please contact Bryan Tanner on 07939244245 or John Osborne on 07892692922.

Hospice CEO steps up to fundraising challenge

A HOSPICE CHIEF EXECUTIVE is the first to step up to a new fundraising challenge to raise vital funds for the palliative charity.

Tracy Woodall, Chief Executive of Hartlepool and District Hospice, has signed up to take part in a sponsored walk over the top of the Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough this September.

Tracy Woodall, Chief Executive of Hartlepool and District Hospice said “I’m really looking forward to this new event, although I have to admit I’m a little nervous!

“It’s a chance to have one of those once in a lifetime experiences and by raising funds Hartlepool and District Hospice at the same time it makes the challenge even more meaningful.”

Tracy hopes to be joined by 39 other participants who will join her in walking the 180 meter distance across the bridge between the two towers at the height of 49 meters above the road. The new event at one of the North East’s most famous landmarks takes place on Sunday September 27 at 9:30am at the Middlesbrough shore.

Tracy added “If you’ve got a head for heights then this could be the event for you.

“The Transporter Bridge Walk is brand new for 2009 and we hope it will attract some new supporters for us.

“We’ve had quite a bit of interest already so people should be quick to book their place if they want to be part of this challenge.

“All the money that is raised from this event will be spent here at the Hospice helping people receive high quality specialist care and bereavement support at a difficult time in their lives.

“Each person that takes part in this event will be making a difference to those people who are accessing Hospice services in the Hartlepool and east Durham area.”

There is no registration fee but participants are required to raise a minimum sponsorship of £50.

Join Tracy on the Transporter Bridge Walk by registering your place now.

FAMILY JOIN MIDNIGHT WALKERS IN TRIBUTE OF WONDER WOMAN

THE FAMILY of a former Hospice patient dubbed ‘Wonder Woman’ have signed up for a Midnight Walk to raised funds for the charity that cared for her.

Carole Aspinall, 62, has registered for this year’s Midnight Walk on Saturday September 5, organised by Hartlepool and District Hospice in memory of her daughter Andrea Peart, who died in February this year.

Carole will be joined on the sponsored walk by friends and family including two of Andrea’s children Jackson Jowsey, 8 and Eve Jowsey, 6.

"We wanted to take part in memory of Andrea to raise as much money as we can. The Hospice is such a lovely place but people always think it’s about death and dying but if they came here they’d see it’s not like that.

“The care Andrea received at the Hospice was wonderful and we’re all still receiving support from the bereavement team so we wanted to give something back.”

Andrea, who was 43 when she died was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and started accessing hospice services in January 2008, attending the Day Hospice once a week and accessing the planned respite service in the inpatient unit.

“The doctors started to call Andrea ‘Wonder Woman’ during her illness because she was such a fighter. She surprised everyone by battling on longer than we expected,” said Carole.

Carole, who lives in the Foggy Fuzze area of Hartlepool, said they were all looking forward to the walk saying “The atmosphere on the night will be wonderful and the kids are excited about staying up all night. We might even walk in our pyjama’s with T-shirts with Andrea’s photo on to show that we’re walking for her.”

The Midnight Walk starts and finished at Hartlepool Historic Quay taking the route along the promenade to Seaton Carew Golf Club and back.

Entry fee is £10 with every participant receiving a T-shirt, glowstick and breakfast at the end of the walk.
The Midnight Walk is not a race and participants are required to raise sponsorship.

Register your place now here.

Hospice Volunteer lines up for Midnight Walk

A Hospice volunteer is preparing to share the feeling in her third midnight walk to vital raise funds for the charity she gives up her time for.

Ann Murray, 67, from Hartlepool, is taking part in Hartlepool and District Hospice’s Midnight Walk on Saturday September 5 for the third year running with daughter Judith Chambers.

Ann, who has been a volunteer at the charity for five years, works alongside the chaplaincy team and bereavement team to support patients and families, seeing firsthand how events like this help people using hospice services.

Ann said “Meeting patients who come to the Hospice I can see the difference the care and support they get here makes to them and their family.

“The care people get is fantastic, the team are so dedicated and by taking part in the midnight walk I feel I’m helping keep that going.”

As part of her role at the Hospice, Ann chats with patients and their visitors in the Day Hospice and Inpatient Unit helping them talk about their illness and any anxieties they may have.

“Sometimes it helps people to talk to a stranger, they can open up more and I’m there to offer a listening ear.

“I really enjoy my time here it’s like one big family which makes it nice for patients helping them relax more.”

The mother of five married children who lives with her husband Joe in Greatham has completed the sponsored walk in fancy dress for the past two years dressing as a pink cowboy and one of The Three Amigos.

“We dress up every year for a bit of fun and I will be doing the same this year.

“I’ve got an idea about the costume but you’ll have to wait until the night to see it!

“The atmosphere on the night is always excellent and everyone has a good time so it’s a great event to be part of.

“Not only are we having fun but we’re also supporting our local hospice continue the brilliant care they offer.

“I want to thank everyone who has sponsored me in the past and hope they will continue to support me this year,” added Ann.

The sponsored night walk follows the route of the promenade from Hartlepool Historic Quay to Seaton Carew Golf Club and back.

With no registration at the half way point and more on-site parking at the Historic Quay organisers hope to attract over 1000 walkers this year raising more than the £69,811 raised by 780 walkers who took part in 2008.

The sponsorship event is not a race and is designed for women of all ages and abilities.

Entry fee is £10 and in return for a pledge to raise as much money as possible for the Hospice every participant will receive a T-shirt, glowstick and breakfast at the conclusion of the event.

Hospice supporters get 70's fever

SEVENTIES FEVER is sweeping Hartlepool in a bid to raise vital funds for local people affected by life limiting illnesses.

Disco Inferno, a fundraising event is taking place at the Mayfair Centre on Friday July 31 to support Hartlepool and District Hospice.

The 1970’s party night is being organised by the Hospice following the success of their Back to the Sixties event earlier this year.

Tracy Woodall, Chief Executive of Hartlepool and District Hospice said “We had lots of positive comments following the 60’s night in March, so we wanted to follow it up with another party night and 70’s events are always popular.

“People can come along on the night and enjoy reliving the disco era by strutting their stuff on the dance floor.

“It is set to be a great night with a disco, quiz and pie and pea supper for only £5.”

Organisers hope the retro event will raise over £2000 for the hospice like the £2874 raised by the Back to the Sixties event held at The Mayfair Centre in March which was attended by 300 people.

“All the money that is raised through events like this goes directly towards patient care services, helping people in our local area who are affected by life limiting illnesses or the death of a loved one.

“With only 20 percent of our running costs coming from the government, people attending events like Disco Inferno are helping us continue this vital service in the local community,” added Tracy.

There will be a raffle held on the night and prizes will be given for best fancy dress outfits.

Tickets for the event are available from the hospice reception or by calling (01429) 855529 or the Mayfair Centre on (01429) 861230.