48 hours to go...

The Pass the Torch project kicks off in just over 48 hours... Tesco Huddersfield Road begin their 24 hour cycling challenge at 2pm on Friday (2nd October).

The team will be keeping an exercise bike going continuously for 24 hours, which sounds extremely daunting! I don't envy them, especially as they go through the night.

If you're in the area, do come down and cheer them on. They'll need all the moral support they can get. Not to mention that obviously they are putting themselves through all this to raise money for the hospice, so any pennies you can throw in the collection buckets will make their efforts all worthwhile!

You can also sponsore them online at www.justgiving.com/passthetorch

If you pop down around 2pm on Friday we'll be having a little party to celebrate the start, and I'm sure there'll be a few celebrations (although possibly slightly less energetic ones, after all that cycling!) at 2pm on the Saturday!

This is my first big project since joining the team at Dr. Kershaw's Hospice, so I'm very excited about this! Good luck to all the team at Tesco, and thanks for launching this project in style!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Frighteningly, as it's only September, we are getting in the festive spirit over here!

We are stacked to the ceiling with Christmas cards and calendars, ready for the rush. Orders are coming in thick and fast, so if you want to get your hands on our beautiful cards or very popular Calendar of Oldham then you'll want to get in quick! You can download order forms on our website - http://www.drkershawshospice.org.uk/ - or come in to the hospice.

Light up a Life is also back. A large tree here at the hospice will be decorated with lights. These lights can be individually dedicated to a loved one, either in memory of someone you have lost or in support of someone who will be in your thoughts this Christmas. The lights will be switched on following a Carol Service on Sunday 6th December 2009 at 7.30pm and will remain lit throughout Epiphany between the hours of 3pm and 11.30pm. This is a beautiful event, and if you would like to take part you can download a form on our website, or call us on 0161 624 9984.

I think it's a little early for me to get out the tinsel and my I <3 Christmas CD just yet, but everyone in the office should probably take note that that is what you'll be subjected to come December!

Carrying a torch...

What a week!

The Pass the Torch project is in full swing! Tesco on Huddersfield Road are busy preparing for their event, keeping an exercise bike running for 24 hours in the store. The Community Team will all be pitching in throughout the 24 hours to make sure the wheels keep turning. You can come down to the store to cheer them on, and please sponsor them at www.justgiving.com/passthetorch

You will also be able to see live updates on our website, http://www.drkershawshospice.org.uk/ - I'll let you know more nearer the time.

Salton Europe will be the next group to take up the torch with a sponsored walk in fancy dress, which they will bravely wear all day at work! Details of their event will also appear on our website and the JustGiving page shortly.

The Rose of Lancaster have also stepped up to the challenge, and will be launching a whole month of Christmas celebrations shortly!

If your business or community group would like to try to top that, then please get in touch - call 0161 624 9984 or email allegra@drkershawshospice.org.uk

And after all that, I'm off for a rest! Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Riding the air waves...

I have just been interviewed on Oldham Today with Gerald Brierley on Oldham Community Radio! Slightly nerve-wracking, but great fun.

I was invited on as Oldham Community Radio are very kindly supporting our Charity Busking Challenge. To celebrate World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on 10th October, Dr. Kershaw's will be holding a talent competition with a difference.

The theme for the international celebrations is 'Discovering Your Voice', so we are aiming to bring the streets of Oldham to life with local talent. Performers will busk at locations around Oldham, raising money for Dr. Kershaw's. The performer who raises the most money will win the chance to perform on Oldham Community Radio.

If you would like to enter, give me a call on 0161 624 9984 or email me at allegra@drkershawshospice.org.uk

Massive thanks to all the very lovely staff at Oldham Community Radio for their support, and for looking after me this morning.

I don't think I have the voice for radio. Anyone who was confused by that broadcast and wondered why Dr. Kershaw's have hired a 6 year-old girl as their Community Fundraiser, I can assure you that I am in fact 25!

China-bound!

Had our Great Wall of China trek meeting last night - our trek organiser from Classic Tours, Gideon, came and gave us a fantastic presentation about the trip and what to expect.

It all seems frighteningly real now that we've seen the pictures and the itinerary! We'll have to get cracking with our training - not looking forward to the day when we've got 1000 steps to climb. This is a girl who has trouble climbing a flight of stairs...

Still, it's going to be an experience of a lifetime, and all the pain we go through will be worth it to raise that money for the hospice. Speaking of which, can everyone please support us at http://www.justgiving.com/dkchinatrek/

I hope everyone else is as excited as I am!