Wirral Hospice St John’s Newsletter Winter 2023/24

40 years of making a difference

Meet Annmarie our Children and Young Persons Practitioner

Gina Kirkham: The author of a great Ladies Lunch

Winter 2023

FROM THE HEART

Inside this issue…

Welcome to our Winter 2023, From the Heart, newsletter. It’s been a year of fond memories for everyone associated with Wirral Hospice St John’s as we celebrated our 40th anniversary.

MORE THAN YEARS IN THE MAKING

Summer Fair was a glorious celebration

Bringing together old friends and new, including staff, volunteers, supporters, patients and families, and listening to what the hospice meant and still means to them has been really life affirming.

On Saturday 24th June, 2023, the sun came out as Wirral Hospice St John’s held our Summer Fair in the hospice gardens, exactly forty years to the day of our official opening.

The legacy of all those people who helped establish our hospice with the generous support of our whole Wirral community, then and now, is why we strive, every single day, to emulate the care, support and compassion for our patients and their families that was set in motion all those years ago.

An open invitation to everyone from Wirral, or even further afield, was sent out via mail, adverts in the Wirral Globe, magazines, community websites and by word of mouth through volunteers and everybody associated with the hospice.

Now we’re really looking forward to our special Light up a Life commemorations and lights switch-on event which will be, following last year’s successful return, held in the hospice gardens on Sunday 10th December.

Live entertainment was provided by Matt Lammin’s Over the Water choir, the Just for Fun ukulele band and Radio Merseyside’s Billy Hui’s SingMe Merseyside singers.

In these pages we’ll reflect on our Summer Fair and some stories from people who were here 40 years, and more, ago. We’ll also feature some staff members and volunteers who dedicate their time and their essential skills to our hospice patient and family services as well as our lovely patient, Bev Gee, who has also shared her inspiring story.

Read about those intrepid supporters who continue to inspire me with their breathtaking pursuits to raise money for our cherished hospice.

And, of course, as it’s nearly Christmas, so soon, our school Rudolph Runs will be in full swing, our Christmas cards and New Year calendars are available and, in early January, our wonderful teams of staff and volunteers will be buzzing all around Wirral again picking up your used real Christmas Trees.

That just leaves me with the great pleasure to wish all of you, our patients and your families and friends, our staunch supporters, our sterling staff and our valuable volunteers, a very Happy Christmas and a magnificent New Year.

A short address by Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mr Mark Blundell Esq DL, brought the occasion full circle, as the hospice was first opened, in 1983, by the then Lord Lieutenant, Wing Commander Kenneth Stoddart, who was also the hospice’s first President.

The Hub Café which, as well as selling some delicious snacks and ice cream on what turned out to be one of the few sunny days of the summer, hosted a history section with press cuttings, pictures and other memories from the hospice’s earliest days. This captured a lot of attention, with people remarking on how far the hospice had developed from those very early days.

Helen Brown, CEO of Wirral Hospice St John’s, reflected, It was really heartwarming to see so many friends, old and new, in the hospice gardens exactly 40 years after our official opening.

Helen

It’s a great privilege to work alongside so many dedicated people, staff, trustees, volunteers and all our kind supporters who help us make it all happen.

Helen Brown | Chief Executive | Wirral Hospice St John’s

It has also been delightful to meet with some of those magnificent people who were around in those pioneering days.

Contents 03 Summer Fair celebrations

15 I want great care

04-05 Forty year snapshots

16 John Birch – shop manager

06 Hospice at Home

17 Gifts in Wills

07 Lottery

18 Ladies Lunch

08-09 Annmarie Robertswood

19 Bev Gee – Wellbeing Centre patient

10-11 Hospice Heroes

20 Rudolph Run 2023

12-13 Light up a Life

21 Christmas Tree Collections

14 Ron Barber - volunteer

22-23 Christmas cards & 2024 calendar

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There were plenty of refreshments (cakes, of course), tea, coffee and juices, with a tombola, raffle, plants and honey stalls, therapy pets, a fire engine, the Blood Bikes team and much more.

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We are greatly indebted to the hospice’s founding group who spent a number of years, from the mid-1970s, engaging with volunteers and supporters to fundraise and bring together an experienced and motivated team of nurses, doctors and other professionals to be in a strong position for the official launch of St John’s Hospice on 24th June, 1983.

Wirral Hospice St John’s was built on providing a haven where people with, in those days, predominantly, cancer, could be given the most compassionate care and support to live out their final days as comfortably and pain-free as possible.

Nowadays, with the continuing generosity of our whole Wirral community, our care and support has expanded to help people with a whole range of life-limiting conditions, including cancer, COPD, motor neurone disease, heart, lung, liver, kidney and neurological diseases, to live as well as possible with incurable illnesses.

Everyone who has ever played a part, as well as all of those who gave their time for our special celebrations today, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. www.wirralhospice.org

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MORE THAN

Judge: “Forty years as a hospice volunteer?

How do you plead?”

Jane Mansell: “Guilty as charged, your honour!”

YEARS IN THE MAKING

A SNAPSHOT FROM SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE…

Walking Back to Happiness with Mo Hemming

Just… WOW! For a formidable forty years, former high court associate, Jane Mansell, has been volunteering at Wirral Hospice St John’s. (That’s Jane in the picture on the right looking solemn as an important proclamation is made). From general duties all those years ago to helping out nowadays in our Wellbeing Centre, Jane has been a hospice volunteer stalwart.

Original ward sister, Mo, now 84, visited us to tell us about the early days of the hospice.

It was the weeks leading up to the opening which are clearer in my memory. Alongside matron, Joyce Jones, were administrator, Reg Worthington, secretary, Ursula Boston, appeals organiser, Celia Eden, handyman, Stan Smith, staff nurse, Sulwen Owens, nurse, Iris Alkins and myself. We were tasked in setting up the hospice so it would work in practice.

When that was almost complete the rest of the nursing and domiciliary staff joined the team for a two-day induction course. Then the hospice was opened for the general public to come and look around guided by staff and volunteers.

The original members of the staff team were my co-ward sister, Brenda Williamson, Myself, matron Joyce, Sulwen Owens, Bridget Maharaj, Thelma Williams, Audrey Byrne, Anita Cheung, Jane Keogh, Dorothy Lewis, Irene Vanwoerdekom, Penny Vernon, Sue Evans, Carol Wallace, Sue Lemon, Iris Alkins, Helen Williams, Carol Morris, June Worthington, and Mary Southall.

Medical director Jill Brock, Dr John Aitken, Dr Steve Pillow and Dr Jean Quinn.

From her professional life you can take it as read that Jane is a good organiser and can prioritise important things, so we checked with her volunteer colleagues and some patients we also know, and they all say that she is so friendly, approachable, trustworthy and has a great sense of humour.

Jane was here for the official launch in 1983…

To read Mo’s full story please visit www. wirralhospice.org/ meetmohemming

The day after the official opening our first two patients, Vera and Muriel, were formally admitted and we couldn’t wait to get started…

Liza Bradbury – The Z in Liza is for Zen

In those days, volunteers with the ambition to take up a nursing vocation were given the opportunity to give hands-on care. Liza remembers Sister Maureen (Mo Hemming) and Albert, who was an ex-nurse and also a volunteer himself, giving her great advice and assistance.

And now? Liza’s Wirral Hospice journey has come full circle as, since September 2022, she has been a nurse on our inpatients ward and it is clear to see, she is delighted.

All of the people I work with have such big hearts, and not just my lovely colleagues, our volunteers and, of course, our patients and their closest loved ones. It’s a place of joy, wonder and, yes, laughter and, of course, sometimes sorrow. We’re all there to deliver our care and support, whatever is important to our patients, whenever it is needed. I love the hospice. I feel like I have really come home…

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Phyllis Heron’s daughter Sheila recalled an early hospice fundraising event Picking up the Spring 2023 edition of our From The Heart newsletter, Sheila Elliott recalled her mum, Phyllis Heron (pictured here), had begun helping to raise funds for the hospice as far back as 1979.

Phyllis was good friends with Mrs Linda Pillow, the wife of Dr Stephen Pillow who was an on-call doctor for the hospice from when it very first opened and part of the original management committee.

Liza’s been nearly forty years in nursing now. She remembers from a very early age knowing she would be a nurse.

At sixteen years of age she actually volunteered at our newly opened St John’s Hospice, as it was called in those days, and she’s been working her way back here for a very long time.

To read Jane’s full story please visit www. wirralhospice.org/ janemansell

The idea of a hospice for Wirral caught Phyllis’s imagination and, she just had to help!

To read Liza’s full story and how her Tibetan singing bowl helps her and people on the ward to relax, please visit www.wirralhospice.org/ wardnurselizabradbury

Of course, Phyllis pulled in help from Sheila and grandsons, Stephen and Gary, niece Jane, and best friend Isabel Todd for their first tombola stall at Lancelyn Green and that was how more than 20 years of supporting and volunteering began.

Phyllis’s tombola was 10p a ticket and was accompanied by a lucky dip for 20p. People would pull out a piece of ribbon from the Dusty Bin (older readers will recall the iconic character from the prime-time TV show, hosted by Ted Rodgers, 3-2-1) for the prestige prizes...

To read Phyllis and Sheila’s full story please visit www.wirralhospice.org/phyllisheron

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Forty Years since working on Cooking the Wirral Way: Lesley Mather is still a hospice hero Lesley Mather, a truly lovely lady, has been volunteering on our main reception for over ten years now, which is just fantastic.

However, forty years ago, she was a member of the hospice’s dedicated Heswall Support Group. Such groups had been forming all around the Wirral in the lead up to and following the official opening of the hospice.

A sub-committee from the group, including Lesley who was then a cookery teacher in adult education, was formed to produce a recipe book which would showcase a whole range of food ideas from a host of people from Wirral and beyond. Even the then HRH Prince of Wales, now our King Charles III, true story, sent in a recipe.

Cooking the Wirral Way became an instant hit with several re-prints and raised a fabulous £14,000 (a fortune in those days)…

To read more of Lesley’s story and to see King Charles III’s recipe for his bread and butter pudding please visit www.wirralhospice.org/ lesleymather

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Hospice at

Home Growing from strength to strength If you happen to pass the hospice at 8am and 9am most mornings, you will see a steady stream of hospice healthcare assistants (HCAs) heading to their cars for their daily Hospice at Home shifts.

There’s a small army of them nowadays, delivering care in two distinct ways, all with the shared intention to support patients to remain at home, to live as well as possible, with incurable illnesses.

Referrals to both Hospice at Home services are usually made by the community nurses, and the hospital discharge team, but other health care professionals including GPs and Macmillan Nurses can also make referrals.

Firstly, our established team have been providing friendly companionship to people living at home with lifelimiting illnesses for many years. These HCA’s stay with patients for up to 3 hours in the day, and for 12 hours overnight, so that family members have some respite from caring and can recharge their batteries. This enables people’s carers to go out for a couple of hours shopping, or to work, or to meet other relatives and friends. Some may use the sympathetic ear of the HCA for support, maybe to talk through their own thoughts and worries. The overnight sits (provided in partnership with Marie Curie) allows family or carers, to get a good night’s rest.

The addition of our personal care HCAs to our Hospice at Home service has meant we are now helping many more people across our Wirral community.

Over this past year we have also been busy assembling new recruits into our growing personal care support service. This new troop of enthusiastic, experienced, and thoroughly lovely HCAs are going out in pairs, seven days a week to patients, thought to be in the last few weeks of life, three times a day between 8.30 am and 8.30pm.

Their very practical support may include washing, shaving, toileting, making sure the patient is as clean and comfortable as possible. It’s all delivered in the hospice way with care, compassion, and whenever appropriate, a touch of humour.

Patients who are supported by our personal care service may have previously accessed other hospice services but many are new to us. The availability of our personal care can enable people to come home from hospital or prevent the need to go into hospital or a nursing home so they can live out their lives in their own home.

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We think our Hospice at Home army is amazing but don’t take our word for it - this is what our families tell us, in their own words, in feedback at www.iwantgreatcare.org/trusts/wirral-hospice-st-johns

All the girls that looked after my husband were caring and kind people. They felt part of our home In the last weeks of my husband's life they lifted me up and guided me. The personal care service is amazing and each one has a special place in my heart... They all had beaming smiles and showed compassion and support when I needed it the most.

The ladies who provided me with support at home to be able to leave the house and have some time on my own were amazing. They were very thoughtful and compassionate and gave me a great deal of confidence.

Give a gift that makes a real difference this Christmas At this time of year we’re always searching for that little extra gift for family and friends.

Someone for whom we just can’t quite pick the right present!

Why not then buy them a little gift that means a lot and gives a lot more?

Wirral Hospice St John’s lottery gift cards offer a great way to fill somebody over 18’s Christmas stocking!

Give us a call on 0151 334 0348 and we’ll give you a gift card for the amount you choose* and when your recipient calls us to activate we’ll put them in the very next draw. *For as little as £10 for 10 plays or even £52 for a year’s membership, you really will be wishing family and friends all the very best, and supporting your local hospice into the bargain.

If you’d like one or a number of £1 a week memberships you can find more details on the Wirral Hospice St John’s weekly lottery at www.wirralhospice.org/lottery where you will also find all of our terms and conditions.

Lottery Wedding Favours TREAT YOUR GUESTS ON YOUR BIG DAY Are you or a family member, or maybe some friends, getting married in 2024?

Amazing care from the girls that look after Mum’s personal care and all the sitters that stay with her, either overnight or for a morning. It’s all such a massive help at a difficult time. They just make everything so much better for all of us.

If so, as a favour, please consider giving all your guests a number in our weekly lottery for the following week.

As soon as she [H@H HCA] arrives we knew our mum was in good hands. We were all able to have a good night’s sleep. I didn’t realise how much of a difference it makes, to my mum’s mind, that we are all having a rest.

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To join: 0151 334 0348 www.wirralhospice.org/lottery

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Wirral Hospice St John’s nurses are there to provide care, support and hope.

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It takes a special person to provide emotional support to children and young people whose adult family member is being, or has been, supported by our hospice services.

Annmarie Robertswood is that special person.

She has a deeply important responsibility and, if we’re honest, it’s not something we could all do.

doing well, our favourite food, our special place, birthdays and special memories reinforce bonds with our loved ones.

We know we can safely say, from the appreciative feedback we get from the young people she supports, alongside their families, that she is the exact right person for the job.

In our sessions some of the activities will focus on memory making in the form of scrapbooks, memory boxes, videos and photos to harness fond memories and reinforce lasting bonds.

Grandad’s watch, mum’s jewellery, dad’s certificates and medals alongside photos, drawings, pictures, written poems, and stories reminiscing about good times.

Describing her job as ‘a total privilege’, Annmarie outlined her approach, Like adults, each child or young person is unique, and they will react in their own way when living with the knowledge that their loved one has a terminal illness or when they are faced with the death of a person in their life.

Our biggest fear as parents or caregivers is seeing our children upset and often our immediate reaction is to protect them from any pain. The hardest part is seeing our children upset when we share sad news with them. My role is to support families to open channels of communication and to involve children, age appropriately, in what is happening around them. This can feel overwhelming.

Young at Heart Annmarie Robertswood puts children and young people at the heart of all she does John Bear

Luc as

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Children are very observant and can often see changes at home but when we involve them in what is happening, they then can make informed choices. They feel trusted and this can also expel some of their fears. When family life changes, children will pick up on the body language of upset parents or on whispered words. By involving young people, as hard as this can be, we can dispel their fears and reassure them they have done nothing wrong and they’re not to blame for their loved one’s illness.

Children are often more resilient and manage difficult news and grief differently to adults. They often struggle to hold sad news for long periods of time and will puddle jump, taking on board what you have said then move onto something else.

When working with younger people we prepare sessions which are very much activity based. It might be table tennis, Scalextric, crafts or colouring-in. There’s many possible diversions which promote a relaxed environment. Young people communicate when they are engaged in complementary, fun activities. Feelings can be expressed in many ways and my aim is to enable our younger people to feel comfortable expressing themselves.

The idea is that we build a relationship to help them understand what is happening to them and why they are experiencing lots of different emotions. Sometimes that can also mean not talking about feelings but enjoying a fun activity away from their grief.

It was often thought that grief diminishes over time. However, Tonkin’s well-established theory recognises that grief does not shrink but we start to grow around our grief. We never stop loving the person we miss, and they will always be a part of our lives. The songs we sang together, our football team

Over the last 18 months the hospice has developed good working relationships with children’s bereavement organisation Winstons Wish. We’re also part of The Wirral Advisory Bereavement Group, which brings together statutory, voluntary and charitable organisations, including Child Bereavement UK, to share information about resources for families which can extend beyond bereavement support.

This group is developing staff training and practitioner forums to support and share working knowledge.

We are a small service and work with a variety of services to give young people the most rounded experience possible.

This includes, where necessary, social care, parenting, and mental health services as well as all kinds of activity groups, yoga, exercise or maybe art and other cultural pursuits.

Annmarie joined us from Cheshire West and Cheshire Council (CWAC) where she'd worked for a number of years as a social worker in various community social work roles. She has a wealth of experience and is now building our expertise in approaches to supporting younger people.

In her real life, she’s been married to Martin (who she describes as really lovely) for 21 years! They have a passion for Formual 1 and this can often be intense as they all support different teams which is the same with football!

Their son, Lucas, (pictured with Annmarie and hospice mascot, John Bear, on the page opposite) has also been adding to hospice life in the last year as part of a cohort of young gentlemen from Wirral Grammar School for Boys sixth form.

He enjoyed the experience so much he continued after the programme ended.

Annmarie is so proud of Lucas, and all of his fellow students, as they have really embraced the hospice, helping in our Wellbeing Centre, engaging our patients in fun activities and taking part in our summer It’s a Knockout event helping to raise vital funds for the hospice. Lucas is also a drummer in both his school concert and brass band so he particularly enjoyed taking part in the Gym Ball Drumming sessions which are highlighted at www.wirralhospice.org/gymballdrumming In summary Annmarie told us, My work is a total privilege and each and every day brings new and different experiences and immense rewards.

Thank YOU Annmarie, you make an immense difference.

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Downhill all the way?

Roy and Richard cycle from John O Groat’s to Lands End

ICE

E H T

SP O H

WHO TOOK ON SOME EXTRA SPECIAL CHALLENGES THIS YEAR

Neal Berry’s Pilgrim’s Progress The Camino de Santiago is originally a Catholic pilgrimage from as far back as the 9th Century to visit the relics of St James the apostle in the cathedral at Compostela de Santiago in Northern Spain.

Neal Berry (pictured) is a wholehearted guy and he had already resolved to take on the mammoth task of walking the French route of the Camino de Santiago, 500 miles over 30 days, early in 2023 when his mum, Christine, was confirmed to have stage four cancer and when he had fervently hoped that she might still be with us when he’d completed it.

When Roy Barber and Richard Clements visited us to tell us about their John O’Groats to Lands End cycle to raise funds for the hospice, the first question had to be, “Do you think it was easier cycling from north to south for the challenge?”

However, sadly, Neal’s determination to complete the challenge became a memorial tribute to his mum as she passed away on the last day of June this year.

“Noooooo…” they laugh. “Whatever is down on the way up, is up on the way down and vice versa. It’s definitely a long, long rollercoaster! However, for most of the trip we did have a prevailing tailwind which definitely helped.”

What heart, what determination! Neal said, Mum left this world surrounded by the people she cherished most, and her memory will forever inspire me. In the wake of her passing, my determination to complete the Camino de Santiago grew stronger. I felt compelled to carry on the journey in her honour, as a testament to her incredible spirit and to raise as much money as possible for the hospice that meant so much to her. Once again, can I thank everyone who has supported me, from the bottom of my heart.

Christine had been a supporter of the hospice in a number of ways over many years and she’d spent her life caring for others and later supported children with learning difficulties and life challenges.

Neal duly took on his epic journey in September and chronicled it on social media. He has told us since that it was incredibly challenging and deeply life affirming.

You can find Neal’s full story and other links to his journey at www.wirralhospice.org/ 2023/08/11/ pilgrimsprogress nealberry/

We know that his mum, Christine, would have been so proud of his efforts. We are too, Neal, many, many, grateful thanks.

The ‘Ledge’: Ian Ledgerton completes Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk (WC2C)

‘Surely there cannot be a finer itinerary for a longdistance walk! … The countryside traversed is beautiful almost everywhere, yet extremely varied in character, with mountains and hills, valleys and rivers, heather moors and sea-cliffs combining in a pageant of colourful scenery.’

Such was the description of the journey across three national parks, from St Bee’s Head in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire, by Alfred Wainwright in his famous book, A Coast to Coast Walk.

No wonder so many people take it on, often for their favourite causes.

Hospice hero, Ian Ledgerton, thought so, because, with a little, “a lot” he corrects us, help from his friends

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In any case the journey, of over 1,000 miles in 12 and a bit days, is a truly awesome challenge and also an opportunity to take in some sights along the way.

At 63 and 57 years of age respectively, Roy and Richard’s dedication to cycling keeps them fit and provided the inspiration and energy for the gruelling ride. Their team, nicknamed the JOGLETECS, John O’Groats to Lands End Tuesday Evening Cycling Stars, regularly meet up for rides and all the camaraderie that goes with it.

Roy and Richard chose to cycle exclusively for Wirral Hospice St John’s while their riding companions, Ray, Geoff, Terry and Ian, were on board for other charities or along for the ride. Other pals, Mark, Stan, Graham and Dave joined for

a couple of days as they took a slight detour around the breath-taking Cheddar Gorge in part of the southern England leg of the expedition.

Brilliant!

Read more about the JOGLETECS and their ride for Wirral Hospice St John’s can be found at www.wirralhospice.org/ roybarberrichardclements joglechallenge

And, what a ride! A couple of punctures, near misses with mopeds, changing sleeping arrangements because of snoring, large detours to visit someone’s old school and all the breathtaking sites.

Thank you so much Roy & Richard and all of your supporting friends and family.

and family, the ‘Ledge’, completed the 200 miles WC2C, in memory of his dad, John, who was with us at the hospice.

Ian described his dad’s, and the family’s, experience with us, When dad was first diagnosed with oesophagal cancer he attended the hospice Wellbeing Centre after which he came home telling us he felt like he’d been given a new lease of life.

By late July 2019 dad’s illness had progressed and he was referred to the Inpatients ward. The whole family would visit and see, first hand, the loving specialist care and support that he was so grateful for at the hospice. On 2nd August 2019, a bright summer’s day, we sat around Dad on the terrace in the hospice gardens. He was gravely ill but in no pain and so comfortable when he passed. When we all look back we agree it was the most special way, if anything could be, to say good-bye to him.

Accompanied for various stages of the journey by best friend, Mike, son, Ben, daughter, Hannah and brother, Graham, the Ledge cracked the WC2C over a fortnight earlier this year.

From Coast to Coast – you’re all hospice heroes!

There really are too many of Ian and co’s WC2C adventures to list them all here. For the full story please visit www.wirralhospice.org/ ianledgertonandco

Thinking of completing a challenge to help the hospice raise funds? Contact our friendly events team with your ideas on 0151 343 0778 or, via email at, events@wirralhospice.org they’ll be delighted to help all they can.

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To sponsor a light for Light up a Life please call 0151 343 0778 or visit

www.wirralhospice.org/ lightupalife to make a donation online

On Sunday 10th December, Wirral Hospice St John’s will invite people from all around our Wirral community, alongside family and friends, into the hospice grounds for the annual Light up a Life switch on commemorations.

of those loved ones being remembered will also be available to view online.

People will start arriving from around 4pm to browse fundraising stalls, have some tea, coffee, cake and other refreshments, to gather their personal thoughts and to find a position in readiness for the switch on service at 5.30pm.

The hospice choir and the Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass Band will combine to bring supporters reflective songs and carols, along with heartfelt readings from the hospice team.

This year, Mr Juan Parentini, and his daughters Amy and Zoe will switch on the 10,000 sparkling lights which will then glow in the trees at Wirral Hospice St John’s every evening in the run up to, and throughout, Christmas time.

The family will dedicate the switch-on to the memory of Juan’s wife, and Amy and Zoe’s mum, Helen, who was cared for at the hospice up until 2022.

Juan spoke on behalf of them all, It’s such a special honour to be asked to switch on the lights for Light up a Life. Helen was so grateful for the kindness and care she was given by the wonderful team at the hospice. Amy, Zoe and I will have Helen in our hearts forever and by switching on the lights we will send a message of love to everyone remembering their precious loved ones too.

Many individuals, families and organisations sponsor a light in memory of family, friends and colleagues who are no longer with us. All donations help to fund the hospice’s specialist medical, nursing and family care services which were first established in Wirral more than 40 years ago.

Those who sponsor a light have the name of the person(s) they are remembering entered into specially produced books of honour which will be available to view on the evening of the service. People can pre-order a personal copy and all the names

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A Light up a Life card with a personalised greeting is also sent out to all who request one with their lights sponsorship and there is also an opportunity to buy an attractive gold coloured metal, heart-shaped, tree decoration keepsake, with a small heart adornment, inscribed with the words, Light up a Life.

To sponsor a light, please complete this form. We kindly suggest donations from £5 per light, thank you.

Your full name: Address:

Postcode: Tel (in case of query): Please state how you would like the name of your loved one(s) to appear in our Book of Honour FIRST NAME

SURNAME

FROM

Julia Evans, the hospice’s Fundraising Development Manager said, We are so humbled to welcome Juan, Zoe and Amy to switch on our lights in memory of Helen. So many people take so much comfort from the lights and it’s our privilege to welcome them all. We really can’t thank them enough. The continued generosity of our whole Wirral community as they make their kind donations for Light up a Life helps us to make such a difference in the care of our patients and their families. Bringing people together to remember our loved ones and reflect the loss we all feel, especially at this time of year, is so poignant but also really uplifting. We are so grateful.

I would like to donate: £ I would like to pre order

Please send me

heart tree decorations (additional £5.00 each)

books of honour (additional £5 per book, to be posted after Light up a Life)

I want Wirral Hospice St John’s to treat my donation and all donations I have made in the last four years and all donations I make from the date of this declaration until I notify you otherwise as Gift Aid donations. I understand that if I pay less income tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

COMMUNICATIONS PREFERENCES I do not wish to receive mailings about Light up a Life

Wirral Hospice St John’s will also be holding a pre-Light up a Life church service at St James’s Church, New Brighton, on Tuesday, 5th December, at 7pm.

The church service will be a quiet service of remembrance lead by Reverend Heather Atkinson. All are welcome to attend. Following the service there will be hot drinks, mince pies and Christmas Cards available. Parking is available locally surrounding the church.

I do not wish to receive telephone calls

Wirral Hospice St John’s would like to use the information you have provided to contact you with news and information about the work, fundraising activities, events, goods and services of Wirral Hospice St John’s and its group companies. However, we may occasionally use carefully selected agents to process this information on our behalf. We will not pass on your details to any other organisation.

Cheques can be made out to ‘Wirral Hospice St John’s’ (Please tick) or please debit* my Visa/MasterCard (Please tick) *please note that we are not able to accept American Express & Visa Electron

Card No: __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ Expiry date: __ __ / __ __ Please cut out and return to: Fundraising Office, Wirral Hospice St John’s, Mount Road, Higher Bebington CH63 6JE www.wirralhospice.org / 0151 343 0778 / Registered Charity No 510643

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iWantGreatCare

The Golden Years In the year of the hospice’s 40th anniversary, gardening volunteer, Ron Barber, is coming up to ten years at the hospice and FIFTY years married.

Wirral Hospice St John’s works with health and social care organisation, iWantGreatCare (iWGC), to give our patients, their families and other carers, an opportunity to review the services we provide.

Born at Clatterbridge Hospital in the 1950’s, Ron came full circle when he volunteered for Wirral Hospice St John’s in 2013.

Our patients are at the heart of everything we do and we really appreciate it when they, alongside the people closest to them, give us their view of our services.

His mum and dad moved to South London when he was 10 and a few short years later he was studying at UMIST (University of Manchester), where he met his wife Doreen. Then his career as a chemical engineer took them via Welwyn Garden City, Kent and then back Up North, to Helsby (BICC Cables) and Middlewich (British Salt).

At the most challenging time of people’s lives it is really important to hear their feedback, to be pleased when they say nice things, but also to listen to how we may improve aspects of our service provision and be prepared to answer questions professionally and honestly.

The The iWantGreatCare website allows people to rate ANY of the services they may have experienced at the hospice.

He was settled back in the Wirral from 1987 where he and Doreen then brought up their four children, Joe, Ruth, Sarah and Anne.

There is an opportunity to give feedback on the staff involved in people’s care including in our inpatients ward, our outpatients clinics, our Wellbeing Centre, Hospice at Home or within our patient and family services.

When he retired, Ron had some time on his hands and giving back time in his his local community appealed to him. A visit to a volunteers fair at Birkenhead library in 2013 brought the hospice to his attention and he signed up to volunteer as soon as possible.

We are always delighted to hear from you.

Here are some quotes we picked up about our various services…

Living in Spital means that, most of the time, Ron can cycle up to the hospice in good time for his weekly shifts. When he first started he remembers packing envelopes for hospice events, other occasions and the annual Christmas cards and calendars mail out.

A call for more garden volunteers also went out and although Ron doesn’t consider himself a gardener he knew he could add a little bit of muscle and guile to tidying up the hospice gardens.

And that’s exactly what he does. Every Thursday, with a cheery “hello”, Ron, with clippers, loppers or a shovel in hand will greet staff, visitors and other volunteers alike.

“Nothing too complicated” he says humbly.

“Whatever needs doing, I’m not a garden expert and really happy to take instructions now I’m retired. I’m a tow that barge, lift that bale, kind of person. Trimming, weeding, digging, mowing, it all keeps me out of mischief. I can usually tell the difference between a flower and a weed, because a flower comes away easily while a weed will take some serious shifting!”

As a younger man Ron was a sprinter and competed at 100m for UMIST against other universities, He’s been a member of the Birkenhead Park Run for a few years now.

“I’m more of a plodder these days,” he says.

We don’t think so as in 2015, in his 60’s, Ron completed the Wirral half marathon to raise sponsorship for the hospice. Wow!

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They are very much community people, attending Lower Bebington Methodist Church where Ron is a Steward and treasurer.

With their four children and three grandchildren based around the country, in Brighton, Newcastle and Shipley, Ron and Doreen are still spending quite a bit of time on the road.

It’s a big anniversary year all round as in the hospice's fortieth year, in which Ron made a great contribution to managing the garden in time for our Summer Fair on 24th June, he also picked up his ten year long service award with the hospice and also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary If you have the in September! time and skills to help Golden years indeed. us make a difference, We’re so glad you’ve by volunteering, please spent so many of contact us via email at them with us Ron! volunteering@wirralhospice.org Many, many thanks. or call 0151 334 2778 and ask for Phil or Sarah in volunteer services

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The remembrance service felt like a very personal experience enabling me to reflect on the many years of happiness with my husband. It was good to have others there who were experiencing the same feelings as me.

I am so thankful for the support given to me and all my family by the Hospice at Home team.

Alongside Doreen, Ron supports the hospice with kind donations every now and then, keeping a hospice collection box at home for all those spare pennies and pounds.

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The hospice as a whole is incredible and the fact that support was also provided to me after my dad’s passing has been really helpful, I could not have managed the last 12 months without them.

During my husband’s stay at Wirral Hospice St John's, he was treated to the dignity, care and respect he truly deserved. I felt they treated myself and my family equally well.

Everyone is really friendly and helpful.

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If you are a patient, a family member or friend who has experienced our services first hand, you are welcome to leave a review at www.iwantgreatcare.org/ trusts/wirral-hospice-stjohns

The personal attention is first class.

Just keep doing what you are doing.

The Hospice at Home lady comes to sit with mum. I have complete peace of mind when she is here, allowing me to pop out. She is a real lifeline. I am always happy to see her and mum is too.

I have been attending physiotherapy for quite a few sessions. I really enjoy it, the staff are brilliant, nothing is too much trouble, the equipment is great and we get different things to do each week .I cannot fault anything at all. The staff are marvellous.

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The customer is always right!

John says, It was a steep learning curve. The movement of goods into and out of the store was miles faster than I was probably prepared for. One minute I was putting the bolts on a bed that had just come in, then someone would walk in and see me doing it and want to buy it, we’d sell it and then prepare another piece of furniture to fill the space.

It is constant!

More physical than I’d been used to and all the while serving customers, rearranging clothes and organizing volunteer shifts.

I don’t know where I’d have been without the unwavering support of all the volunteers at the shop. Many have been helping for years and they certainly got me through those initial few months.

The shops are at the heart of our Wirral community. It’s our job to provide the best possible customer service that we can so that, as well as being able to get the best possible value for a quality pre-loved item from furniture to clothing, people know that we are reflecting all the values of our renowned local adult hospice.

If you ever see John in action you just know he will do all he can to help. He inspires his immediate team, assistant manager, Liz, and a small army of volunteers at Bromborough Croft. He’s certainly earned his stripes as far as Wirral Hospice St John’s is concerned.

John Birch puts customers at the heart of all he does When you’ve been responsible for the acquisition and sales of literally millions of pounds worth of luxury cars in the UK, the Middle East and, for a couple of years, in Myanmar, you’d think that the move to manage the movement of pre-loved items for the charity shop estate of Wirral Hospice St John’s would be a walk in the park.

“Not a bit of it!”

Our Bromborough Croft showroom and logistics manager, John Birch, quickly disavows us of this view.

He’s the man who sold those luxury cars, Land Rover, Jaguar, BMW, Audi and he says, “I’ve honestly never worked so hard in my life.”

When the job was advertised to join Wirral Hospice St John’s as a manager, John applied straightaway. His obvious grasp of the complex distribution of goods to where they will sell the best fitted him for the job and it was just over a year ago he joined us.

You see John, after a stellar career in car sales, retired from that business a couple of years ago and he really isn’t one for gardening. And, having successfully worked in the cut-throat commercial world of car sales, John really wanted to be able to do something that helped to make a difference, for social good.

He started work in our busy Moreton shop which, as well as selling larger pre-loved items of furniture, beds, threepiece suites and the like, alongside clothes and a huge variety of other bric-a-brac and accessories, it was also the hub for people from all over Wirral to book the pickup of those larger items on the hospice van.

So, John, keep pushing the tin, or wood, cloth, other metals, fabrics and, in fact, all the materials of the goods people can buy at our hospice If you have shops, because everyone some time to spare connected with and feel you could help the hospice is so make a difference at Wirral Hospice St John’s by volunteering grateful that in one of our charity shops, then you do! don’t hesitate to get in contact. Check www.wirralhospice.org/volunteering in the first instance or please email us at volunteering@wirralhospice.org

Gifts in Wills make a significant contribution towards Wirral Hospice St John’s care and support of our patients and their loved ones.

If you would like to know more about leaving a gift to our hospice in your Will, we can provide guidance on what to ask your solicitor. After ensuring loved ones are provided for, people can choose to leave a specific amount or a percentage of their estate to good causes like Wirral Hospice.

We run an annual Make a Will month in April with lots of local solicitors. They provide their services for free in return for a reasonable donation to our hospice.

If you would like to know more about leaving a Gift in your Will, please contact Julia Evans: juliae@wirralhospice.org | 0151 343 0778.

If you want to donate larger furniture items and need to book a van to pick them up (sofas and the like will need their fire safety labels still attached) please call 0151 334 2558 option 1 . We’d love to hear from you.

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Keep on Moving:

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Wellbeing Centre patient Bev Gee takes us through her hospice journey.

Retired police officer and acclaimed local author, Gina Kirkham, tells our ladies a tale or two.

Gina Kirkham is simply a force of nature.

In her real life, outside the hospice, Bev has been married to lorry driver, Colin, for 37 years, has 4 children, Lee, Neil, Katie and Adam and 13 grandchildren, ranging from 20 years to 18 months old.

A cursory glance at her blog site* which, like a good book, draws you in, leaves you laughing out loud, wanting to read more and really appreciating the gem that is Gina who spoke at our Ladies Lunch recently.

It’s a busy and full life so when she was diagnosed with kidney (renal) cancer 14 years ago it was a challenging time for Bev and her whole family.

The annual event is held at the esteemed Courtyard facilities at Grosvenor’s Eaton Estate, home to the Duke of Westminster.

However, after a range of treatments, Bev was in remission for years until a pain in her upper left arm appeared and a subsequent biopsy revealed that the cancer had returned and attached to the bone there.

As the ladies sat down, after taking a chance to win some prestigious gifts and valuable prizes in the hospice raffle and tombola, they were looking forward to Gina sharing some of her marvellous memories and, it has to be said, her unique take on life.

Surgery was advised and the bone, from elbow to shoulder, was removed and replaced with a metal rod. Her consultants advised that they’d removed the cancer from her arm but can never say for certain that her particular cancer won’t return.

Just before the sumptuous lunch, hospice Medical Director, Dr Emma Longford, welcomed the ladies with a short address thanking them all for their gracious support.

In the hospice’s 40th anniversary year, Emma reminded everybody how we’d been able to continue to deliver our specialist caring services throughout all those years because of the continued generous contributions from our wonderful Wirral community including the ladies who were attending on the day.

So, following lemon tart with fruits of the forest (hhhmmmm!) and with coffees poured, the ladies turned to listen to Gina.

One priority for Bev was to build up the strength in her arm and this is something Wirral Hospice St John’s has been helping with.

She has a thousand stories (probably only shared half that many on the day!) and every one of them is compelling, engaging and delightfully funny. She’s definitely not afraid to laugh at her own occasional faux pas and the ladies were merrily laughing along.

Gina also gave heartfelt thanks to the hospice, and our related care services locally, who gave her mum and dad the kindest of care when they too were eventually living with their own incurable illnesses, later on in life.

A wonderful day with amazing people and a simply super speaker raising much appreciated funds for our beloved hospice.

*All the links and other hilarious takes on life are here, ginakirkham. wordpress.com

Many Thanks to everyone who played their part. Watch out for your character possibly appearing in a Gina Kirkham novel in all good bookstores soon!

*Gina’s books are a must read for people who love a mystery, with quirky characters who are playful and quaint. She’s written six novels to date and a story which was included as part of an anthology for charity.

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Like so many patients Bev was apprehensive when she was first invited to attend our hospice Wellbeing Centre.

I thought hospice was only about end-of-life care, but how wrong I was.

I don’t mind admitting I was frightened but after a couple of reassuring phone chats with Wellbeing nurse, Lesley, and deputy community services manager, Ryan, I decided to give it a go.

On my first day, a Thursday morning, my journey with Wirral Hospice St John’s began.

At reception I was met by Cheryl. She was immediately gentle and caring and made me feel really comfortable. I know her a lot better now and she is so lovely and so knowledgeable. I really enjoy talking with her.

Lesley, another beautiful person, showed me into the Wellbeing lounge where other patients, on their own journeys, were sitting with hospice staff and volunteers and everyone was so friendly. With a nice cup of tea and a biscuit I was soon passing the time of day, chatting and laughing (I hadn’t laughed for a long time).

Over the initial six weeks I was being supported by the wider hospice team. Therapy Assistant, Tracy, always came in, first thing and at the end of the session, to deliver relaxation sessions and chair exercises to help us find ways of coping with tiredness, anxiety and breathlessness in our home lives. I still use the techniques to help me relax when I might be feeling a little scared or stressed. www.wirralhospice.org

Ashley, another nurse, alongside Lesley, would also facilitate group chats. They suggested a topic, or we could pick one ourselves, and the conversations would go in all different and interesting directions. People were listening to me and my challenges alongside their own which was very comforting. Learning about pain management, bowel care and the correct use of appropriate medications was also a great help.

After the initial six weeks I then joined the Wellbeing Centre’s ‘Check in and Chat’ group. It’s a great time spending a few hours with other patients who have been through the initial six weeks of wellbeing sessions. Lesley, Ashley, Ryan alongside regular volunteers, Geoff and Maggie, get involved. Playing games, Play Your Cards Right, Quoits and the most enjoyable Gym-Ball Drumming sessions.

Sometimes singing, sometimes chatting, always laughing, I might even disappear for half an hour for a complementary therapy session, with a lovely volunteer, Emma, which is always so relaxing. I also attend a Monday exercise class with brilliant physio, Miriam, as well as Tracy. We’re about to embark on strategies on balance to guard against falling and I now have more mobility than I thought I would ever have again.

I feel so positive about myself again and can enjoy time with my grandchildren and it is all thanks to the wonderful people I have met through the Wellbeing Centre at Wirral Hospice.

I am so grateful for everybody’s kindness, understanding, care and for making me feel strong again.

Thank You Wirral Hospice St John’s.

And, we thank YOU, Bev, for sharing your story and for inspiring so many other people.

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Yes, it’s fun and games again for schools across our Wirral community as the Wirral Hospice St John’s Rudolph Run will be in full flow once more before they all break up for the Christmas holidays.

Yipppeeeeeee!!!

RUN RUN RUDOLPH

As part of their PE lessons the children, accompanied by their teachers, will take part in a healthy walk or run, adorned in their hospice supplied antlers and red noses, a lá Rudolph, to help raise those much needed funds for the hospice.

St Albans Primary, St Anne's Primary (Rock Ferry), St John’s Primary, St Joseph’s Primary School, St Peters Primary (Noctorum), St Werburgh’s Primary, Well Lane Primary and Woodchurch Primary.

Schools are firstly visited by our reindeer helpers, this year hospice fundraising and communications team members Hayley and Lucy played the parts of Dancer and Prancer. An assembly is then organised to sensitively explain the work of the hospice and with the help of hospice mascot, John Bear, the children are given some tips for warming up for their Rudolph Run.

Jamie-Leigh Burgess, our events and corporates manager said,

After this fifth year of festive Wirral Hospice Rudolph and Elf Runs, more than thirty schools have taken part. This year we hope to announce that more than £100,000 in total will have been raised over those five years for the expert specialist nursing care, pain management and family support that is delivered every single day at our cherished hospice.

The schools which have generously hosted the fun runs over the last several years include, Bedford Drive Primary, Bidston Village Primary, Brackenwood Infants and Junior Schools, Brookhurst Primary, Castleway Primary, Christ Church Primary, Christ the King Primary, Church Drive Primary, Claremont Specialist Sports College, Egremont Primary, Fender Primary, Greanleas Primary, Great Meols Primary, Grove Street Primary, Heygarth Primary, Hayfield School, Higher Bebington Juniors, Ladymount Primary, Manor Primary, Mount Primary, Mendell Primary, Our Lady and St Edwards Primary, Our Lady of Pity Primary, Overchurch Juniors, Park Primary, Sandbrook Primary,

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What a buzz! It’s so uplifting to see the enthusiasm of the children for our festive fun runs. A huge THANK YOU must go to all the youngsters, their teachers, headteachers, teaching assistants, other school staff and, of course, all their family and friends who support the events with their kind donations each year! We are truly, truly grateful!

CHRISTMAS TREES

It’s time for those reindeer games!

From Friday 12th January, 2024, and for a busy few days afterwards, a highly motivated group of Wirral Hospice St John’s staff and volunteers will come together to drive, or co-pilot, around thirty large vans around Wirral, picking up used real Christmas trees from outside people’s homes and businesses.

It’s strenuous but fun work and people come back year after year to volunteer because they love it so much!

One person will take the wheel and navigate a pre-planned postcode route, while one or two crew members, will pick up the tree from each address and load it onto the back of the van.

The hospice tree collection makes a significant contribution to funding our specialist care and support services as people make their greatly appreciated donations, relating to the size of their tree.

SUGGESTED DONATIONS PER TREE

Under 5 feet £8.71 5-6 feet £9.42 6-7 feet £15.38 8 feet + £24.84

7-8 feet £21.53

People often generously ‘round up’ their donations, but the reason for the odd decimal amounts suggested is related to what a donation will fund at the hospice.

For example, £8.71 contributes towards one minute of running costs for our hospice £9.42 contributes towards food for one patient for a day £15.38 contributes towards specialist palliative nursing care £21.53 contributes towards physiotherapy for a patient £24.84 contributes towards bereavement support for loved ones £30.76 contributes towards hospice at home support visits Other small local charities receive around ten per cent of the monies raised.

People, having stripped the tree of all of its decorations, we do find the odd bauble, star, or fairy still attached, simply leave their used pine/fir/ spruce tree in an accessible spot outside their house or business before 12th January and then, as if by magic, their tree will disappear.

Once each van is fully loaded with trees it is driven to various pre-arranged temporary ‘drop-sites’ around Wirral to offload for chipping, then it’s back on the road heading out for the next load. The chipped trees have further recycled uses, maybe in biofuel or even spread around at community farms and paddocks.

All the people who give their valuable time are fed and watered while fuel costs are offered to everyone who volunteers the use of their van(s).

For details please contact Hayley Crawford on events@wirralhospice.org or call 0151 343 0778

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To register a tree for collection people can book online at www.wirralhospice.org/ treecollection or call 0151 343 0778

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Elaine Connell, Wirral Hospice St John’s fundraising officer, says: We’ve got our fingers crossed for another bumper year of Christmas tree collections, the generous donations make a huge difference to the lives of so many people in our Wirral community. A small army of people give up their valuable time and the use of their vans, year after year, to help with the used Christmas tree collections. It’s always a lot of fun for our hardy volunteers and we are so grateful to them and everyone who books a collection with us.

Every Wirral postcode area is eligible to register and people can book from now, until 11.59pm on Sunday 7th January, to secure the hassle-free collection of their REAL Christmas trees.

Postcodes covered by Wirral Hospice St John’s include CH41, CH42, CH43, CH44, CH45, CH46, CH47, CH48, CH49, CH60, CH61, CH62, CH63, CH64.

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A full selection of our 2023 Christmas Cards and our 2024 Calendars are on sale at our charity shops in Birkenhead, Bebington, Bromborough Allport Road, Bromborough Croft, Claughton, Heswall, Liscard, Moreton, New Brighton and West Kirby.

Hadlow Train Station at Christmas £3.50 (Pack of 10)

Christmas cards and calendars can also be ordered by calling 0151 343 0778 for a small extra P&P charge.

You can also order through our online shop www.wirralhospice.org/onlineshop

Rudolph to the Rescue £3.50 (Pack of 10)

Tree Elf £3.50 (Pack of 10)

Bearing Gifts £3.50 (Pack of 10)

Fluffy Robin Family Tree Choir at Night

£3.50 (Pack of 10)

£3.50 (Pack of 10)

Highland Friends £3.50 (Pack of 10)

Gathered Angels £3.50 (Pack of 10)

Golden Partridge Glorious Dove

Mother and Baby

£3.50 (Pack of 10)

£3.50 (Pack of 10)

£3.50 (Pack of 10)

O Little Town Drawing Shepherd’s Flock £3.50 (Pack of 10)

Thinking of you Snowdrops Snowman Penguin Party

£3.50 (Pack of 10)

£3.50 (Pack of 10)

£3.50 (Pack of 10)

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Season’s Eatings

2024 Calendar

£3.50 (Pack of 10)

£3.50

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Caring for and supporting our patients and their families, at the hospice and in the community, involves a team of dedicated staff including, all of our nurses, healthcare assistants, our palliative care consultants, doctors, domestic and catering teams, social workers, spiritual co-ordinators, complementary, physical and occupational therapists, counsellors, bereavement supporters, facilities, finance, administrative and fundraising teams who are all supported, where and when appropriate, by the most dedicated volunteers.

Life at the hospice goes on because the people in our Wirral community, and some who have moved away for new opportunities in life, continue to value the work we do and make their kind and thoughtful donations.

We are eternally grateful !

How we raise our funds There are now ten Wirral Hospice charity shops around our Wirral peninsula that rely on donations of quality pre-loved items and people continuing to buy the bargain items that we have on sale. Sometimes of a higher value via our eBay Page www.wirralhospice.org/shopping Join around 14,000 weekly members of our lottery for a chance to win the top prize of £2,000 every week or, if the second prize rolls for 20 weeks, maybe £10,000! www.wirralhospice.org/lottery We are so grateful to people who make a one-off or a regular gift to the hospice.

There are a number of ways you can consider doing this by visiting www.wirralhospice.org/givingdonations and if you are considering leaving us a legacy donation, that page is at www.wirralhospice.org/giftinyourwill There are a whole host of fundraising ideas and opportunities so please have a browse at www.wirralhospice.org/eventsandcompanies for other ways to get involved and maybe raise some sponsorship.

To speak with a member of our team please call the fundraising office on 0151 343 0778

A Happy Christmas and our very best wishes for 2024 from everybody at Wirral Hospice St John's

Wirral Hospice St John’s | Mount Road | Higher Bebington | Wirral | CH63 6JE Tel: 0151 334 2778 | Email: info@wirralhospice.org wirralhospicestjohns

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www.wirralhospice.org Registered Charity No. 510643

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