Wirral Hospice Spring Edition

We’rebringingyouourSpring newsletter, FromtheHeart, alittleearlierthisyearaswe lookforwardtoourlandmark 40thanniversaryinJune2023.

Ourhospicehas,ofcourse,beenmorethan40yearsinthemaking.

Inspiredbytheacclaimedfounderofthemodernhospice movement,DameCicelySaunders,ourownfoundinggroupspent anumberofyears,fromthemid1970’s,planning,engaging volunteersandsupporterstofundraiseand,wheneverythingwasin place,recruitedanexperiencedandmotivatedteamofnurses, doctorsandotheralliedhealthprofessionalstobeinastrong positionforourofficialopeningon24thJune,1983.

Everythingwasbuiltonprovidingahavenwherepeoplewith,in thosedays,predominantly,cancer,couldbegiventhemost compassionatecareandsupporttoliveouttheirfinaldaysascomfortablyandpain-freeaspossible.

Nowadays,withthecontinuingsupportofourwholeWirralcommunity,wehaveexpandedourcareandsupporttohelp peoplewithawholerangeoflife-limitingconditions,includingcancer,COPD,motorneuronedisease,liver,heartandkidney diseasesandmore,toliveaswellaspossiblewithincurableillnesses.

Inthefollowingpageswe’llupdateyouonsomeoftheseexpandedservicesandalsooneortwoofthepeoplewhoprovide them.Readtoo,abouttheexpansionofourHospiceatHomeservice. Weweredelightedthatwecouldinvitepeopletojoinusinthehospicegardensatthe LightupaLife lightsswitch-on eveningbeforeChristmas.Ifyouwereabletobethere,orifyouvieweditonlineafterwards,wearesohonouredbythelove andsupportsomanypeopleshowforoursharedannualcommemorations.

OnFriday14thApril,we’llbebringingyouourhospicelotterydoublemoneyspringdraw.Aweeklymember,orevenanextra ticketbuyer,isgoingtowinthefirstprizeofa fantastic£4,000. Moredetailsonpage4,goodluckeveryone!

Lookingforward,there’sanoutlineofsomeupcomingeventswherewecanmarkour40thanniversaryand/orifyou’dliketo putonyourownspecialeventtohelpuscelebrate,allthecontactinformationisonpage15.

Noneofitcanhappenwithoutthekindsupportofallofyouso,pleaseacceptmygratefulthanksandverybestwishesaswe alllookforwardtothespringandsummermonthsahead.

Helen

HelenBrown

ChiefExecutive | WirralHospiceStJohn’s

RyanMcGuinness isGOODFORYOU!

Ourdeputycommunityservicesmanager,andWellbeingCentre teamleader, RyanMcGuiness,thinksthatWirralHospice StJohn’sissogoodthathe’sactuallyworkedheretwice!

Yes,Ryan,camebacktoworkatthehospiceinJuly2022, afterhisprevious12years,2004-2016,andisnow relishingbeingapartofthehospiceteamonceagain.

It’snotthewholestorybecausehe’sactuallyonhis third stint!Youseehewashereonaplacementasastudent nurseinthethirdyearofhisstudiesin2003/04before joiningusfulltimeaftergraduating.

Hereallylovesworkinghereashesays, Forme,thisreallyisthebestplacetoworkasa nurse.Ireallyloveit.Everyone,allaroundthe hospice,makessurethatourpatientsgetthebest qualityoflifepossiblegiventheirchallenging illnesses.AsourWellbeingCentreteamleaderI gettoknowthemall,aswellastheirfamiliesand friends.

Oftenwe’relaughingasweengageinourgroup activities,butwe’realsothereifpeopleneeda confidential,hearttoheart,chat.

Weareheretohelppeoplefindtheirnatural resilience.We’llmakesurethatpeoplecanaccess arangeofservices;counselling,spiritualsupport, physiotherapy,socialwork,occupationaltherapy, relaxationandbreathingexercisesandother complementarytherapiestohelpthemcopewith potentialanxiety.

TheverybestprofessionalsarehereandIknowI cancallonanyandallofthemtosupportour patientsandtheirfamiliestolivewellgiventheir individualchallenges.

Backin2004Ryanstartedfulltimeworkonourinpatient ward,helpingtheteamtodeliverthehandson specialisedcareandsupportthatsomanypeopleinour Wirralcommunityhaveexperienced,andwhichtheir families,friendsandothercarershavecometocherish.

Twelveyears,fiveofwhichwereonpermanentnights, madeRyantheall-roundprofessionalpalliativecare nurseheistoday.However,in2016,hedecidedto broadenhisexperienceandwenttoworkasa communitynursearoundWirralfornearlysixyears. Itwasagreatwaytoexpandmynursing knowledgeandskills.Imetandcaredforalotof great peoplearoundWirralandnow,coupled withmypreviousinpatientsexperience,ithas reallysetmeupforthejobInowdohere,backin hospicecare,whichIjustlove.

Ryan’senthusiasmreallyshinesout. Oneofourpatients,Norman,toldus, Ryanisagreatguy,abreathof freshair.He’shelpedmeso much.AreadysmilewhenI’m tellinghimaboutmylife,but alsoaconcernedairifheneeds tolinkmeupwithotherofhis colleaguesforfurthersupport. He’sbeenarealfriendtome. It’sacharacteristic,andpersonally heartfelt,endorsement.

Thehospiceconnectiongoes deepasRyan’swife,Sandie,isan inpatientswardbanknurse, workingpredominantlynights. They’vebeentogetherfortwenty yearsandtheircareersoverlapped foralongtimeontheward.

Ryanbroughthisdaughter,Alex, now28,tothefamily,whenhe marriedSandiein2009andson, Joe,camealong2yearslater. Soonafter,Sandiesteppeddown fromherfulltimeroletoworkasa banknurse.

Downtheyearshe’ssupported hospicecampaignsandoccasions, speakingat LightupaLife,taking partinthe WirralCoastalWalk andotherfundraisingevents. IfyoumentionRyantoanyone whoworkswithhim,includingour fantasticvolunteersandhis patients,you’llgetabigsmile

“Oh,he’sjustlovely,”isatypical response.

He’dseriouslyplaythatdownif youtoldhimbut,honestly,he reallyisagreatguy.

£4,000(andmore)upforgrabs…

It’sthattimeofyearagainwhenwegiveallofourregularlotterymembers, andsomeotherswhomaywantto have-a-go,achancetowindouble-bubble on33ofour34weeklyhospicelotteryprizes.

Yes,onFriday14thApril,the willtakeplaceandeveryprize,otherthanthe2ndprize,whichmaybe rollingoverinmultiplesof£500toaniceamountanyway,willbedoubled. It’salwayslovelytomakethatFridaycalltoaluckyjackpotwinnerbutit willbedoublysoonthedaysomeonewinsafantastic £4,000

£2,000 becomes £4,000 £50 becomesa TON £20 becomes £40

£100 becomes £200

WILLITBEYOU?

Well,ifyou’reamembernow,you’ve alreadygotachance(ormaybemore thanone)andyoucanalsopurchase moretickets,orsellsometoyour familyandfriends,aslongasthey’re over18.

You’llbegettingabookoftwenty extraticketsinthepostwithdetails onhowtoenterthedrawforonly £1pergo.

WirralHospiceStJohn’sweekly lotteryisachancetowinAND awaytocare.

tenner becomesa score

Ifyou’dlikemore detailsabouttheSpringDraw orjusthowtobuyone,ormore, membership(s)ofthehospicelottery, forachancetowinthetopprize of£2,000EVERYWEEK,pleasegoto wirralhospice.org/lottery or,callourfriendlylotteryteam on 01513340348

Lotteryplayersmustbeaged18orolder Pleasegambleresponsibly WirralHospiceislicensedandregulatedbytheGamblingCommissionunder accountnumber4098I registers.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/4098 Findmoreinformationat www.wirralhospice.org/lottery

Wherethere’sawhisk, there’saway!

Thefreshbakedaromaisirresistible,soyou mayfindyourselfinadvertently (ornot!) glidingtowardsthebakingroominour WellbeingCentreeachFridaymorning.

Ifyoutimeitexactlyrightyoumayevenbeableto samplethegoodies,althoughafriendlyraptowards yourknuckleswithawoodenspoon(they’dnever reallyhityou),willalsoremindyouthatthemajority ofcakesareforthepatientswhobakethemand otherpatientswhovisitour‘checkinandchat’Friday coffeemornings.

Volunteers Fiona,Maggie,MurielandSue arethe hospice MaryBerry’s whofacilitatepatientsfromour WellbeingCentregroups,orevensomewardpatientswho arefeelingupforit,tocreateand, whiskinhand,stirupamix forawholevarietyofdelicioustreats.

wellbeing group baking

Invariousweekstherewillbescones, fruit,plainorcheese,millionaire shortbreads,cupcakes,muffins, blueberry,chocolateorbanana,fairycakes,red velvets,Victoriasponges,lemondrizzlesandmore!Areyousalivatingyet?

It’salovelygroupandexcellenttherapyforpatients.Oftenthey’llbringtheirown ideas,tipsandskillsforbakingtotheforeandit’salwaysalivelyforumfor socialising,chatting,laughingandsharingexperiences.

It’ssopopularnowthattheTrusteeshaveagreedtothefittingofanewdoubleovenso,maybe,when you’repassingthisgroupinthenearfuturetherewillbeanevenbetterchanceofbeinggiftedayummy Fridaycaketreat!

LotteryWeddingFavours

TREATYOURGUESTSONTHEBIGDAY

Areyouorafamilymember,ormaybesomefriends,gettingmarriedin2023?

Ifso,asa‘favour’,pleaseconsidergivingalloftheguestsanumberinour weeklylotterythefollowingweek.

Lotsoflovelynewly-wedshaveaddedthistreattotheirspecialdayand,on occasion,we’vealsohadsomewinnersfromtheweddingparties.Onedayit mightbethe£2,000!

Wecanprovidethe happycouplewithsome lovely,personalised,table cardsasanother‘favour’ foryourguestsontheday AND,formuchyounger guests,asyoumustbe over18toplay,an appropriatekidsactivity packtokeepthemamused.

Getintouchwith Kateinourlotteryteam on 01513340348 and she’llbedelightedtowork throughsomeideaswith you.Findoutalittlemoreat wirralhospice.org/ lotteryweddingfavours

APRILIS MakeaWill

WirralHospiceStJohn’sprovidesitsnursingcareandspecialist supportservices,freeofcharge,topatientswhoseillnesseshave progressedbeyondacure,alongsideappropriatesupportfor theirlovedonestoo.

Itcostsmorethan£5millioneachyeartorunthehospiceandthisis onlypossiblethroughtheongoingsupportofourwholeWirral community,individuals,businessesandotherorganisations,who continuetosupportthehospiceinsomanyways.

Howmuchdoesitcost?

ThelegalfirmswhopartnerthehospiceinMakeaWillMonthoffer theirvaluabletimeandwaivenormalfeesfortheirWillwritingservices.Atasignificantdiscounttothenormalcost,they askpeopleforasuggested,andkind,donationofjust £90fora singleWill or £150foradoubleWill whichgoesdirectlytoyour localadulthospice.

MakeaWillMonth

EachApril,ahostofWirralsolicitorspartnerwithWirralHospiceSt John’stoofferpeoplethechancetomakeanewWill,orrevisetheir oldone.

MakeaWillMonth offerspeoplethesecurityofknowingthatallof theirassetswillgoexactlywheretheywishthemtowhenthey’reno longeraround.

Appointmentsfillupreallyquickly,soanearlybookingisstrongly advised.Supportersareencouragedtocontactthesolicitorsin MarchtomaketheirbookingforAprilandtoquote WirralHospice StJohn’sMakeaWillMonthwhenbookingaconsultation.

Whenmakingabooking,thesolicitorwilltake someoutlinedetailsandthensendoutaninitial formtofillinsothatthemainissuestobe addressedintheWillarecovered.

It’snaturalforpeopletobelievethere’splentyof timebeforetheyhavetotakethisimportantstep, butexperiencetellsusthatit’snevertooearly.Ifa Willisnotofficiallydrawnupthenassetsmaybe subjecttoprocessesunderthelawwhichmay havepotentiallynegativerepercussionsforloved onesformanyyears.

TheremayalreadybeaWillinplacebutmajor changescanhappeninlife,includingmarriage, divorce,havingchildrenoreventhedeathofa lovedone,whichcanpotentiallyinvalidatesome, orall,ofacurrentWill.

Unmarriedpartnersorthosewhohavenot registeredacivilpartnershipcannotinheritfrom eachotherunlessthereisaWillinplace. Homeownersandpeoplewithdependent childrenareespeciallyencouragedtohaveanupto-dateWill.

Legacies

Legacieshavebecomeasignificantpartofhospiceincome and,althoughamountsgreatlyvaryaccordingtopeople’s circumstances,WirralHospiceStJohn’sisextremely gratefulwhenpeoplechoosetoleaveagiftofanysize. Anythingthatislefttocharityisnotcountedtowardsthe totaltaxablevalueofyourestateandifyouleaveatleast 10%ofyour‘netestate’toacharityitcancutinheritance taxfrom40%to36%wherethatmaybeapplicable.

Therearedifferentwaysof leavingagiftinyourWill;

Residuallegacy: Agiftofthe remainderorshareofyourestate,afterall othergiftsaregivenanddebtscleared

Pecuniarylegacy: Agiftofafixedsum ofmoney

Specificlegacy: Agiftofaparticularnamed itemsuchasjewellery,apainting,acarorsuchlike

Pleasedonotethatifyou furtherchoosetoleave somethingtothehospice,or anyothercharity,inyourWill itistotallyatyourdiscretion andcompletelyconfidential betweenyouandyour solicitor,thereisabsolutelyno obligationtoleaveagiftin yourWilltothehospice.

JuliaEvanswhooverseesMakeaWillMonthforthe hospicesays, MakingaWillisreallyeasytodoeventhoughitis somethingthatpeoplesometimesputoffdoing. Meandmyhusbandmadeoursacoupleofyears agoandtheprocesswasreallysimple.Thesolicitor sentoutalloftheinformationincludingaformto fillinathome.Themostdifficultpartishaving thoseconversationswithyourlovedonesbutonce youhavesortedoutyourWillyoucanreally relaxknowingthatyourwishesare takencareof.

Tofindoutmore informationplease contactJuliaEvansat WirralHospiceStJohn's inthefollowingways; Call: 01513430778 orEmail: juliae@wirralhospice.org

Or,toseealist ofthelegalorganisations offeringtheservicethis April,inpartnershipwith thehospice,visit www.wirralhospice.org/ makeawillmonth

UPTHE ROVERS!

JOSHHAWKES

PAULLEWIS RHYSHUGHES

Itwasreallyheartwarmingtowelcome Josh,RhysandPaulintothehospice.The playerswerearealcredittotheirclub.We can’tthankthemenoughforthegiftof thirtyshirtsdonatedtopatientsandtheir families,aswellasthoseamongour volunteersandstaffwhoareseasonticket holdersatRovers.Itputamassivesmileon somanyfaces.Thehospicereliesonthe generosityofourwholeWirralcommunityand, ofcourse,TranmereRoversareabigpartofthat. Wearesogratefultothem.

Hurrayfor

TherearecurrentlyeightshopsintheWirralHospiceSt John’sestateat Birkenhead,Bromborough,Claughton, Heswall,Liscard,Moreton,NewBrightonandWestKirby Ineachofthesebrightandwellorderedshopsyouwillfind anarrayofgoodsrangingfromclothes,accessories,bric-abrac,jewellery,books,picturesandtoys,tolargerfurniture, tables,chairs,3-piecesuites,bedsandotherhousehold fixturesandfittings.

Inthese Aladdin’sCavestherearesomanypieceswhich couldbehiddentreasurefortherightbuyerand,sometime ago,werealisedthattherewerethingsbeingdonatedwhich arepotentiallyworthalotmoretothehospice.

So,underthestewardshipofourretailfundraisingofficer, Christina,withalotofhelpfromtheindividualshop managersandvolunteers,westartedtoearmarkanumber ofthesevaluableformerpossessionsforlistingon TheEbayofficenowtakesupafairamountofspaceat fundraisingHQandisahiveofactivityofsorting, cataloguing,pricingandpackaging,whereChristinaworks withherregularvolunteers,Clare,Kath,Nora,RoseandSue tolendtheirhands,timeandexpertisetotheeffort.

Shealsocallsonthesageadviceoffriendofthehospice, PeterHarvey,whenanitemispossiblymorerareortrickyto priceup.

Brandedclothingandshoes,sometimeshardlyornever worn,valuablecollectionsofbooksandsouvenir programmes,sometimesoriginalartorinterestingantique furniture,designerhandbags,andmuch,muchmorearenow listedforusat,

Formanyyearsnowhospice supportershavebeen donatingtheirgoodquality, pre-loved,itemsintoour hospicecharityshopsso thatwecanturnthem intoessentialfunds forthehospice. www.ebay.co.uk/str/wirralhospice

Lastyearonemetaldecanter,in theshapeofaMercedesBenz radiatorgrill,soldfor£800and theoldhospiceminibuswassold viaebayforseveralthousandpounds.

Goandhavealookifyoufancyabrowsefortop qualitymerchandisestillatfairprices,which,most ofthetime,aresetbythepeoplewhobidforthem.

Ifyou’reaUKTaxpayer,justlikeifyougivearegular cashgifttothehospice,allitemsdonatedtoour CharityShopsand/orEbayareeligibleforGiftAid. Thismeansyourdonationcouldbeworthuptoan extra25%tothehospice.

Ourhelpfulteammayaskyoutofillinareallyquick formtoconfirmyou’rehappytoGiftAid. ManyThankstoallofourfantastichospice supporters.

Findoutmoreaboutallofourretailservicesat wirralhospice.org/shopping

CHARITYOFTHEYEAR

MaxwellHodgeSolicitors, WestKirbybranch,makeustheir… 223

WestKirbybranchofMaxwellHodgeSolicitorsaredelightedtoannounce partnershipwithWirralHospiceStJohn’sastheirCharityoftheYearfor2023.

AndreaAshtonandClaireBanks[DirectorsatMaxwellHodge]recentlymetwithJamie-LeighBurgessatWirralHospiceStJohn’s totakealookaroundthehospiceandtopresentachequefor £500,kindlydonatedbythefourcompanydirectors,tokickstart thepartnership.

Jamie-LeighBurgess,SeniorFundraiserattheHospicesaid

We’resodelightedtobechosenbyMaxwellHodge Solicitors,WestKirbyoffice,astheircharityofthe year.AsacommittedpartnerinourannualMakea Willmonthwe’vebuiltastrongrelationshipwith Andreaandtheteamandwe’rereallylookingforward toworkingwiththemonfundraisingactivitiesand welcomingthemtovariousvolunteerdaysat thehospiceinour40thanniversaryyear.

MaxwellHodgearelookingforwardtotheirpartnership withWirralHospiceStJohn’s.AndreaAshtonsaid Itisaprivilegeforustobeworkingwithsucha worthyCharity.AllofthestaffattheWestKirby brancharelookingforwardtoparticipatinginvarious fundraisingactivitiesandalsopromotingthesupport andservicesofferedtoindividualsandtheirfamilies byWirralHospiceStJohn’s.

Formore informationabout MaxwellHodgeSolicitors pleasevisittheirwebsite www.maxwellhodge.co.uk

Ifyou’dliketo investigatecorporate partnershipswithWirral HospiceStJohn’spleasecheck wirralhospice.org/companies orcallJamie-Leighon 01513430778

-‘Phil’YerBoots

BelowisMrPhilMcGraa,ourhospice volunteerservicesmanagersince lateAugust2022.

Hejoinedusafteracareerspanning34yearsatAirbuswhere hebecametheirwellregardedcommunityliaisonmanager, buildingrelationshipsbetweenAirbusstaffandtheirlocal communities.(Yes,heishappytodressasanairplaneif necessary!)

Philhadvolunteeredforanumberofyearsforvariousevents atthehospiceand,mostimportantlymaybe,hadledthe efforttomakecarparkingassmoothaspossibleforallthe visitorstoourannualLightupaLifelightsswitchonevent.

Now,he’sonlybeenaroundasafulltimememberofstafffor afewmonthsbuthe’salreadyestablishinghimselfasoneof thefacesofthehospice.He’shere,thereandeverywhere, hearingthedailyneedsofaround500valuablevolunteers, eitheratthehospiceitselforaroundourcharityshops. He’salsoconstantlyinvolvedinrecruitingnewvolunteersto joinusfromaroundourWirralcommunity.

Itreallyisatremendouschallenge,butPhilhasendless enthusiasmfortheroleandrighteousregardforeveryone whogivestheirtimeforthehospice.Heisthevolunteers’ champion ineverysenseofthatwordandtoldus, Thetimeourvolunteerskindlygivetothehospice, eitheron-siteatClatterbridge,inthewider communityatevents,orinourcharityshops,isso vital.TheoverwhelmingmessageIgetfromthe hospicecareteamandmanagersineachareaishow appreciativetheyareforsuchcleardedicationand thatIshouldalwayspassontheirgratefulthanks. OurvolunteersreallyaremagnificentandIwillnever beabletosayTHANKYOUenoughtoeachandevery oneofthem.

Young Volunteers

Intheshorttimehe’sbeenhere, Philhasengagedwithhisold AlmaMater,WirralGrammar SchoolforBoys,and encouragedthemtoallow someofthesixthform students,aimingforcareersin healthcaremaybe,toenhance theirlearningintheappropriate environmentthatisthe hospice.

SpendingtimeinourWellbeingCentreandalso ontheInpatientsward,supervisedbyexperienced staffandothervolunteers,theladsarereally enjoyingtheirhospicevolunteeringduties.

Wecaughtaglimpseofthekindofactivitiesthe boysengageinontheirvolunteeringdays.

TrulyMrAscroft(theboys’headteacher)having acompetitivegameofquoitsorPlayYourCards RightwithourWellbeingCentrepatientsreally ISpartoflearningforlife!

DriverVolunteers

It’ssometimesdifficultforpatientswhodon’t havetheirownformoftransporttoattend hospiceoutpatientsappointmentsorWellbeing Centresessions.Philhas,veryrapidly,recruited ateamofvolunteerdriverstohelpthem.

Here’s(l-r) Kevin,Martin,Gary,GeoffandErnie withhospicecommunityservicesmanager JoanneGuerrero allreadytogetbehindthe wheelinsupportofourpatients.

Ifyou’dliketo volunteeratthehospice youcancallPhilandtheteam on 01513340778 andaskfor volunteerservices,orsendanemail to volunteering@wirralhospice.org orcheckout wirralhospice.org/volunteering forthelatestvolunteer vacancies

MetricMarathonrunner, DavidSmith andhisboss,Ironman competitor, AntonHanley,raised

Lynda

LyndaSmithhadrecoveredfromcancerofthekidneyasfar backas2002.She’dthenspentnearlytwentymorehappyyears withhusbandTrevor,sonsMichaelandDavid,David’swife Racheland,toddlergrandson,Zach,alongsidealloftheir widerfamilyandfriends.

However,inSeptember2021,Lyndawasdiagnosed withanewcancerinherliverandpancreasandthis timethediseasehadprogressedbeyondacure.

OnChristmasdaythatyear,althoughshewasvery illatthetime,Davidremembershismumhelping withthefamilydinnerandbeingascheerfulas couldbeforeveryone,but,sadly,fromBoxingDay onwards,herillnessprogressedandshepassed awayon4thJanuary,2022.

Inthelastfewdaysofherlife,Lynda’swishwastobeat homewhenshediedandwassupportedbyourHospiceat Hometeam.Daviddescribestheircare,

Itwasanabsolutegodsendtobehonest.Mainlynight sitssomyDad,andallofusreally,hadpeaceofmind and,asdifficultasitwas,wecouldgetalittlesleep knowingmumwasinsafehands.

Now,theSmithfamilyhavebeensupportersofthehospicefor manyyears(grandmotherBettywasalsowithusinInpatients someyearsago).They’remembersofourlotteryandregularly donatetoandshopinourcharityshopshowever,alittlewhile afterhismum’spassing,Davidresolvedtofindanotherwayto say ThankYou tothehospicebyraisingfundsthroughtaking onapersonalchallenge.

Inspiredbyhisboss,AntonHanley,(anultra-triathlete),David enteredthe ChesterMetricMarathon,alongsideAnton,on October8th,2022.

So,withaslightlydodgyknee(whichactuallysoundslikeit needssomemicrosurgery),David,encouragedbyAnton,began trainingtotryandcompletethe26.6kilometres(justover16.5 miles)inarespectabletime.

Anton,seeminglypassingthetimeofday,stayedwithDavidall thewayandgothimovertheline,stillrunningatthefinish, whichDavidonlyconsidereda goodeffort (wethinkitwasa greatachievement,David).

However,it’sfairtosay,forAntonit wasatrainingrun.

Aroundtwoweekslater,October 21st,Antonwascompletingthe Ironman Portugal takingplaceinCaiscais,westof Lisbon.(Swim3.6km,Bike360kmandRun126kmwith 197melevation… wait,what?)

InsupportofDavid’sfundraisingforhisownMetricMarathon challenge,AntonalsonominatedWirralHospiceStJohn’sfor hisIronmanevent,allinmemoryofLynda.

And,just,WOW! BetweenDavid andAntonthey’veraiseda magnificent £6,565,todate.

(Inaddition,David’swifeRachelwasabletomakeasuccessful applicationtotheStJames’PlaceFoundationforagrantfor £4,376tohelpthehospicerunaspecialistadviceclinicaspart ofpatientandfamilyservices).

Amagnificenteffortfrom David,Rachel,Anton andeverybodyelse involved.

Thankyouso muchandyou canallbeassured thatmum,Lynda, wouldbeso proud!

Thinkingof completingachallenge tohelpthehospiceraise

Home Hospiceat

–Acompletelypersonalcareservice

You’llhaveheardhowour HospiceatHome healthcareassistants(HCAs) supportfamiliestotryandgetarestbystayingwithourpatients overnightandalsotohavesometimetomanagelife’spracticalities,by visitingfor3hoursessionsinthedaytime.

Thistimecanenablefamiliestodothingslike shopping,gettingahairdoorhaircut,ormaybeeven meetingafriendforacoffeeandsomesupportor takingchildrenorgrandchildrentothepark.During thesehours,ourHCAsmayspendtimewithour patientschatting,listeningtotheirworries,andhelping withtheirimmediateneeds.

Now,inadditiontothatfriendlycompanionship,Wirral HospiceStJohn’sisdevelopingourHospiceatHome servicetoprovideall-roundpersonalcaresupportto peoplewhohaveexpressedtheirwishtoremainat homeinthelastweeksoftheirlife.

Patients,assessedbyourownHospiceatHomeor theircommunitynurses,cangettheextrasupportto helpthemfeelmorecomfortableandrelaxed.Thismay includewashing,shaving,toileting,deliveredinthe hospicewaywithtime,care,compassion,and wheneverappropriate,atouchofhumour.

Gainingthefundingtodeliverthisexpandedserviceisa recognitionofthehospice’scompetenceinsupporting patientslivingwithincurableillnessesathomeandwill enableustohelpmanymorepeopleacrossourWirral communitygoingforward.

Likeallhospiceservicesit’scoordinatedwithpatients’ GPsandcommunitynurses,withreferralscomingfrom hospitalorcommunityteams.Nighttimecareisstill providedinpartnershipwithMarieCurie.

Here’ssomeofthepeople(photo)whodeliverour expandedHospiceatHomeservice,somebeforethey headoutontheirday’sworkandsomewhohavejust returnedfromtheirnightshift.

They’reafriendly,enthusiastic,committedand professionalteamandareheldinthehighestesteem. (Youmayhavereadthestoryonthepageoppositeof DavidSmithwhowasinspiredtoraisemoneyforthe hospiceafterhisMum,Lynda,wassupportedbyour HospiceatHometeam).

Theexpandedservicemeans weareveryinterestedin meetinghealthcare assistantswhoare interestedintomoving into,orgrowingtheir experiencein,caring forpatients’intheir ownhome environments.

Wouldyoulike tojoinourHospiceat Homeservice?Check www.wirralhospice.org/ job-vacancies orpleasefeel freetocontactusfora confidentialinitialdiscussion on 01513342778 ext155

THEBIG FOUR0

Somanypeople,somanylives,somany familiesandsomanyorganisationsfromour Wirralcommunity,andfurtherafield,have experiencedand/ormadeasignificant contributiontotheworkofourhospice,in timeand/ormoney(oftenboth),overthe pastfortyyears,thatitissimplyimpossible tocreditorthankthemallindividually.

Itwasinthemid1970’sthattwodoctor’swives, independently,startedtheballrolling.Thestoryofthevery earlyconversations,investigationsandfundraisingappeals canbereadatourwebsiteat…

www.wirralhospice.org/history takenfromabookletwhichwasproducedtocelebratethe firsttwentyfiveyears.

It’sacomprehensivereadabouttheearlydaysandvery manyofthepeople–butagainlikelytohavemissedsome –whomadeithappen.

It’sbeenanincrediblejourneyandwiththeongoing affectionandsupportofeveryonewhoholdsusintheir hearts,wehopewe’llcontinuetoprovideourservicesfar, far,intothefuture.

HELPUSCELEBRATE

Thehospicewasofficiallyopenedon24thJune,1983,soit’s fittingthatonSaturday24thJune,2023,we’llbeinvitingour wholeWirralcommunityintothehospicegardenstohelpus celebrateourfortiethanniversary.

Thegardenswillbegettingamakeoverinthemonths beforeand,forasmallentryfeeforhospicefunds,we’llbe hostinganumberofstalls,plantsalesandarefreshment tent,alongsidechoirsandbandsforyourentertainment.

We’realsoplanningtocreatea timecapsule tobeburiedinthegardensforfuturegenerationsto lookbackatmomentsintime,appreciatesomeof theservices,peopleandeventsthathavehelpedto shapeusand,maybe,markhowserviceshave adaptedandevolvedovertime.

FORTY THINGSTODOAT…

Ofcourse,wedon’texpectpeopletodo fortydifferenteventsinourfortiethyearbut, onthispage,thereareanumberofourannualevents andcampaignsthatyoumayliketotakepartinagaintohelpustocelebrate.

If,however,youdodecideyou’regoingtoputonyourowneventortakepartinachallengetoraisefundsforus,andwantto themeitasaspecialoneforthehospice’sfortyyearanniversary,letusknowandwe’llhelpyoumakeyourideastandout. Herearesomeoftheeventstolookforwardtoandplanforin2023…

CareForaCuppa

Whatevertheoccasion,throughoutthose longsummerdays,whynotinvite yourfriendsandfamilyroundforacuppaand somecakesinyourgarden.Enjoyamorning coffeeoralovelyafternoonteawithyour nearestanddearest.

Check www.wirralhospice.org/cuppa forhowtosetupyour gettogetherandgetsomehospice40thanniversarybunting

WirralCoastalWalk2023

OnSunday11thJune,themuchloved andsupportedWirralCoastalWalk willbehostedonceagainbythe RotaryClubofNorthWirralandtheir friendsandalliesfromotherrotaries aroundthepeninsula.

It’sawellorganised12.5milesoftrekking fromtheFloralPaviliontoWirralCountryPark atThurstastonand,asinotheryears,thehospiceisencouraging anyofoursupporterswhose‘bootsweremadeforwalking’to considerusingitasasponsorshipopportunityforhospicefunds.

Havealookat www.wirralhospice.org/wirral-coastal-walk for detailsofhowtogetinvolved

RunforWirralHospicein2023

Areyouakeenrunnerordoyouneedtodustoffthetrainersto takeonarunforWirralHospiceStJohn’sinourfortieth anniversaryyear?Wellhere’sapotentialfewdatesforyourdiary,

26thMarch–LiverpoolHalfMarathon&10Miler

16thApril-MerseyTunnel10k

21stMay–ChesterHalfMarathon

11thJune–PortSunlight5k&10k

15thOctober–Wirral10k

3rdDecember–Liverpool

SantaDash

Maybethere’sanother eventyou’reentering?All thehelpyou’llneedto supportyourlocal hospiceisat

www.wirralhospice.org/ runningevents

HospiceGardenSummerFair Sat24thJune

Asoutlinedonthepageoppositeyouareinvitedtoour hospicegardenstohelpuscelebrateourfortieth anniversarycelebrations.

Youjustknowalongsidetheotherattractionsyoucan relyonustolayongreatprizeraffles,tombolasand,of course,CAKE,there’salwayscake.

Keepcheckingforupdatesat www.wirralhospice.org/garden forallthedetails

CathedralAbseil2023

We’reexpectingsomecourageoushospicestaff, volunteersandsupersupporterstohangfroma rope,150feetintheair,andgentlydescend towardstheentrancestepstoLiverpoolAnglican Cathedral.

Theeventraisedseveralthousandsofpoundsfor yourbelovedWirralHospiceStJohn’sin2022for whichwearesoeternallygrateful.

It’sonSaturday8thJuly!AreyouUPforit?Ifso, keepalookoutat www.wirralhospice.org/abseil wherethereareonly40placesupforgrabs…..

The£40Challenge

CallingallWirralbusinessesand organisations–askUSfor£40!

Then,fromJunetoSeptember2023, canyouhelptoturnthatinitial investmentintoacollectivetarget (acrossallentrants)of£40,000forour 40thanniversary?

We’llbesharingalltheinitiatives,handingout trophiesandcertificatesforeveryonewhotakespartand countingupallthedonationsatourannualCorporate Brunchlaterintheyear.Entrydetailsareat www.wirralhospice.org/40challenge

Caringforandsupportingourpatientsandtheirfamiliesinvolvesateamofdedicated staffincludingallofournurses,ourpalliativecareconsultants,domesticandcatering teams,socialworkers,spiritualco-ordinators,complementary,physicaland occupationaltherapists,counsellors,andbereavementsupportersallsupported,where appropriate,bythemostdedicatedvolunteers.

LifeatthehospicegoesonbecausethepeopleinourWirralcommunity,andsomewho havemovedawayfornewopportunitiesinlife,continuetovaluetheworkwedoand maketheirkindandthoughtfuldonations.

Weareeternallygrateful!

Howweraiseourfunds

ThereareeightWirralHospicecharityshopsinourWirralpeninsulathatrelyon donationsofqualitypre-loveditemsandpeoplecontinuingtobuythebargainitems thatwehaveonsale.SometimesofahighervalueviaoureBayPage: www.wirralhospice.org/shopping

Joinaround14,000weeklymembersofourlotteryforachancetowinthetopprizeof £2,000everyweekor,ifthesecondprizerollsfor20weeks,maybe£10,000! www.wirralhospice.org/lottery

Wearesogratefultopeoplewhomakeaone-offoraregulargifttothehospice. Thereareanumberofwaysyoucanconsiderdoingthisbyvisiting www.wirralhospice.org/givingdonations andifyouareconsideringleaving usalegacydonation,thatpageisat www.wirralhospice.org/giftinyourwill

Thesummeropensupanumberoffundraisingideasandopportunitiessopleasehavea browseat www.wirralhospice.org/eventsandcompanies forotherwaystoget involvedandmayberaisesomesponsorship.

Tospeakwithamemberofourteam pleasecallthefundraisingofficeon 01513430778