Hartlepool & District Hospice

Make a Will Month Returns For 2009

PEOPLE are being urged to book early or risk missing out on an opportunity to update their will for a simple donation to their local Hospice.

Selected solicitors from around Hartlepool and east Durham are gearing up to take part in Hartlepool and District Hospice’s Make a Will Month, this October, which encourages local people to update or make their will for a donation to the charity.
And today Hospice chiefs urged residents to grab this unique opportunity to make sure their loved ones are cared for in the future.

Tracy Woodall, Chief Executive of Hartlepool and District Hospice, said: “If anything major has happened in your life recently such as moving house, becoming a parent or grandparent or maybe you have finalised a divorce. Then you may need to update your will. This campaign gives you the perfect opportunity to do so whist also helping your local Hospice.”

Individuals can make a straightforward family will for a suggested donation of £100 for a single or £120 for a mirror will.
Participating solicitors are also able to advise on the tax benefits of remembering Hartlepool and District Hospice, in this important document.

Make a Will Month has been a regular feature in the Hartlepool and District Hospice calendar for a number of years and successfully raised over £8,000 towards services in the last 12 months.

Tracy added “Your entire donation to this scheme goes directly towards boosting the vital range of services we provide. These give local people living with a life limiting illnesses, such as cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease the opportunity to get expert help with the medical, psychological, spiritual and social challenges they face.

This is possible because each participating solicitor is donating their time and expertise completely free of charge. We can’t thank them enough for ensuring Make a Will continues to be a success.”

Individuals wishing to take part in this campaign can do so simply by contacting one of the participating solicitors and making an appointment.

This year these are:

• Tilly Bailey & Irvine, York Road, Hartlepool. Tel: (01429) 264 101
• Malcolm Smith & Partners, 24 Victoria Road, Hartlepool. Tel: (01429) 232 204
• TMJ Legal Services, 99 Raby Road, Hartlepool. Tel: (01429) 235616

For further information about Make a Will Month, please contact the participating solicitors direct or Hartlepool and District Hospice itself, on (01429) 855536.

HARTLEPOOL MAYOR IN 180FT FUNDRAISING WALK

HARTLEPOOL MAYOR, Stuart Drummond, is set to walk across the top of the Transporter bridge to raise funds for local hospice care.

Stuart is one of the forty participants making the journey across the iconic bridge 180 feet above the ground in aid of Hartlepool and District Hospice.

The exhilarating event takes place on Sunday September 27 at 9:30am at the Middlesbrough shore of the Transporter Bridge.

Mayor Drummond said “Nearly every person in and around Hartlepool has known someone or is related to someone who has experienced the fantastic care at the Hospice. As the vast majority of their funding comes from donations I think it is vital to show support for this worthy cause.”

It will cost the Hospice £2.8million this year to provide their current range of services with only twenty percent of these funds coming from the government.

“I’m not feeling too worried about the walk at this point as long as it’s not too windy on the day. I want to raise as much money as I can for the Hospice so if people want to sponsor me they can email me directly.”

Thirty three people have already signed up for this challenge with seven places still available. There is no registration fee but participants are required to raise a minimum sponsorship of £50.

All money that is raised from this event will go towards providing inpatient, outpatient and bereavement support services to people in the Hartlepool and east Durham area.

If you want to take part in this exhilirating event you can register online here.

STARS OUT IN FORCE FOR MIDNIGHT WALK

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE turned out on Saturday 5 September for the third annual Midnight Walk to raise money for local hospice care.

Seven hundred and twenty women joined together to share the feeling as they walked seven miles from Hartlepool Maritime Experience along the promenade to Seaton Carew Golf Club and back at Midnight.

Tracy Woodall Chief Executive of Hartlepool and District Hospice took part in the walk in memory of her cousin, Carl Schneider, with her mother Brenda Schneider, daughter Penny Woodall and granddaughter Jade Woodall.

Tracy said “It was a lovely evening and everyone was so high spirited it was fantastic. As we walked along it was great to hear different people’s reasons for being part of this special event. Each person who came out tonight is a star and their contribution will make a vital difference to people in their local area accessing our specialist care and support.”

Many of the women who took part in the sponsored night walk were remembering loved ones. Seven women from the same family stepped out in memory of their mother Teresa Lowery dressed as fairies to thank the Hospice for the care she had received before she died in May 2007.

Teresa’s daughter Ann Laverick, 51, from Horden said “It was a fabulous evening, we all did really well and finished in an hour and a half. We think we’ve raised around £700 for such a great cause and our Mam would have been so proud.”

Ann was joined by Teresa’s other daughters Angela Burdett, 47, and Marie Bentley, 46, daughter-in-law Kelly Lowery, 30, grand-daughter Pamela Lowery, 29, and partners of her grandsons Louise Temple, 25 and Nicola Matthews, 20.

The first walkers back were Anna Jorgeson, 37, daughter Haleigh Jorgeson, 12 and nieces Jamila Bennett, 11, Ebony Elliot, 11 and Yasmine Elliot, 12 who completed the walk by 1:10am. They arrived back with lead walkers Jean Walsh, who got the crowd ready for the walk with a keep-fit warm up, and Kath Rowe.

As well as remembering loved ones some of the participants were celebrating life and achievements of their own.

One of the walkers talking part, Edith Ward, 71 from Hartlepool, was celebrating being free from Breast Cancer after receiving the all clear in June this year. Edith was wearing a tabard with ‘I’m one of the lucky ones’ written on to show people that the disease can be beaten.

“I think it’s a miracle that I’m free of breast cancer, I feel so lucky. I was diagnosed in December 2008 and had an operation to remove the lump in January this year. In June doctors gave me a gold star saying they expect me to be clear for 10 years.

"I wanted to come along and support the Hospice to help those who are not so lucky get the care they deserve. Tonight was fantastic and worth every step. It was great to see so many young people getting involved and supporting the Hospice.”

All walkers had returned to the Maritime Experience by 2:30am and were presented with a medal before enjoying a hot breakfast roll and drink in celebration.

Early estimates show the event looks set to raise over £50,000 for Hartlepool and District Hospice.

Tracy Woodall, Chief Executive said “I would like to thank everyone who was part of this fantastic evening, the walkers and their sponsors, our volunteers and staff, the Maritime Experience and Seaton Carew Golf Club along with the Marshalls and Emergency services for helping make the event such a success.

“All the money that is raised from this event will ensure that local people affected by life limiting illness or the death of a loved one can access the specialist care and bereavement support they need. Thank you and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year.”

Walkers are asked to collect and return their sponsorship money before November 2009.

GORDONS GIRLS GET SET FOR A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

A GRANDFATHER is being remembered by family and friends in a sponsored night walk this Saturday.

Gordon Purdy, who was 69 when he died in 2008, will be honoured at Hartlepool and District Hospice’s Midnight Walk on Saturday September 5 by ‘Gordon’s Girls’ a group of participants which includes his wife Linda Purdy.

Linda, 55 from Sheraton, Hartlepool said “I have always supported the Hospice and I wanted to take part in the Midnight Walk in memory of my husband.

“My friends wanted to join me on the walk and they suggested we name our group Gordon’s Girls in his memory.”

Amongst the fifteen taking part are friends Linda has made at the Blackhall Community Drama Group which she attends once a week. "I’ve been coming along to the drama group for 43 years so we’re like a family. Everyone at the group knew Gordon; he was quite popular with my friends and they supported me during his illness and when he died so it’s a really nice gesture for us all to walk in his memory.”

Linda will be joined by Lynn Clark, Ellen Pattison, Allison Pearce, Milly Tempest, Sandra Stevens, Carole Scott, Barbara Old, Margaret Stephenson, Angela Race, Margaret Shurthwaite, Lynne Hutchinson, Wendy Porter, Janet Graham and Anne Lincoln.

Participants will walk the seven mile round trip from Hartlepool Historic Quay to Seaton Carew Golf Club and back at the stroke of midnight.

"Although Gordon didn’t use Hospice services I know just how important their care is to people who are living with life limiting illnesses. So we want to raise as much as we can for them. We’re looking forward to the night; I’m not sure how long it will take us but I’m sure we can do it for Gordon."

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

On the night registration will begin at 10:00pm with a fun aerobic warm-up taking place at 11:45pm before the final countdown to the start at midnight.

Parking is available for participants at the Historic Quay and surrounding car parks which stewards will direct walkers to.
Flashing bunny ears will be on sale from the Hospice stall at the Historic Quay on Saturday priced at £2.50 each.

Entry 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 and glowstick.

Walkers will also be able to celebrate their success with a free breakfast at Hartlepool Historic Quay at the conclusion of the event.

Registration is still open on (01429) 855528 or people sign up on the night of the walk at the Historic Quay in the William Grey Suite.

FAMILY UNITE TO REMEMBER LOVED ONES IN MAGICAL MIDNIGHT WALK

FOUR GENERATIONS are stepping out in memory of loved ones to help people with life limiting illnesses get the care and support they need.

Tracy Woodall, Chief Executive of Hartlepool and District Hospice, is taking part in this year’s Midnight Walk along with her Mum, Brenda Schneider 70, Daughter, Penny Woodall 19, and Granddaughter Jade Woodall 8.

They will be walking in memory of loved ones including Tracy’s cousin Carl Schneider who died of liver failure earlier this year aged just 45.

Tracy said “I believe passionately in Hospice care and we are taking part in the Midnight Walk to help people receive the best possible care at what can be a very difficult time in their lives and that of their families. The care we provide here at the Hospice is very patient and family focused unlike the care Carl received during the last days of his life.

"This event will allow us to remember him in a positive way while helping other families who need access to specialist care and support.”

As the clock strikes 12 on Saturday September 5 women of all ages will be taking part in the Hartlepool and District Hospice Midnight Walk.

Tracy and her family will join over 700 women who are also remembering loved ones along with women walking in celebration of the bonds of family or friendship and those who just walking the route is a real personal challenge.

“We’re really looking forward to it. My Mum will leave us three lagging as she walks several miles each day to keep fit and is a fantastic example to us. We’ll try our best to keep up with her. It is set to be a magical night with everyone united to share the feeling and help each other finish the walk while also raising as much money for Hospice care as possible.”

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

On the night registration will begin at 10:00pm with a fun aerobic warm-up taking place at 11:45pm before the final countdown to the start at midnight.

Participants will walk the seven mile round trip from Hartlepool Historic Quay to Seaton Carew Golf Club and back.

Participants will be able to celebrate their success with a free breakfast at Hartlepool Historic Quay at the conclusion of the event.

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 and glowstick.

If you would like to join Tracy and her family on the night you can still register by calling (01429) 855528 or sign up on the night of the walk at the Historic Quay.