Monday, 11 January 2010

Escape the snow and head to China!

The new year is well and truly underway! And there is no rest for the wicked - the Dr. Kershaw's Appeals Team are back to the grindstone.

We have battling through the snow to offer you a range of events to chase away the winter blues!

If your new year celebrations have been slightly hampered by all the snow, then celebrate Chinese New Year instead! We are holding a Chinese-themed day on Saturday 13th February, 10am to 3pm, to bring in the new year with a true taste of Chinese culture. There will be an arts and crafts workshop, including traditional paper-folding, language games, a Chinese meal, a screening of a documentary about the country, and a film screening. It promises to be a fun and original day for all the family. Tickets are just £10 for the whole day. Places are limited, so please call 0161 624 9984 to book.

Thursday, 17 December 2009

Have yourself a merry little Christmas...

A massive thank you to everyone who came to our Santa Run last Sunday. It was a great day, and hopefully you have all raised lots of money for the hospice!

Don't forget to return your sponsorship money - either in person to reception, or by post to Dr. Kershaw's Hospice, Turf Lane, Royton, Oldham, OL2 6EU.

Santa tells me that he has sent out all of the letters that you requested, and his hard work has raised £444 for the hospice. So thank you Santa!

Things are winding down here, ready for the Christmas holiday. But fundraisers never rest, and we will be back straight after Christmas with some new exciting events for you!

Here's a sneak preview.... China Day will take place on 9th January. The day will run from 10am until approximately 3.30pm, including a Chinese arts and crafts workshop, Chinese language games, a Chinese buffet meal and a Chinese movie (but with English subtitles!). Tickets are just £10 per person, and can be obtained by calling the Appeals Office on 0161 624 9984.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Dr. Kershaw's Hospice.

Friday, 20 November 2009

Santa Madness

So I've come back to a madhouse!

Entries are coming in thick and fast for our Santa Run! It should be a really fun day, so if you're interested in running round Alexandra Park in your very own Santa suit then call me on 0161 624 9984 as soon as possible.

And speaking of Santa... I'm passing on all your letter requests to him, and he tells me he'll be sending them out shortly. So if you've asked for a letter from Santa for someone it will be on its way soon! If you would like Santa to send a letter to someone you know, big or small, then get in touch.

I don't really have time to take a breath at the moment, so this is quite a short post. Don't forget our Light up a Life service on 6th December at 7.30pm. See you all soon!

Tuesday, 10 November 2009

Running Santas

I am off for a long overdue holiday tomorrow! Not that I'm going anywhere exciting or exotic - the furthest away I'll be heading is the lovely countryside of Warwickshire to see my family for my birthday. But that will be nice. And I need a bit of a rest after all the excitement over the last few weeks...

Entry is now open for our Santa Run - this will take place on Sunday 13th December, starting at 11am, at Alexandra Park, Oldham, OL8 2BH. Entry is just £10 for adults, £5 for children, and includes your very own Santa suit and medal! There will also be mulled wine, mince pies, and general fun and games afterwards. So please download an order form from www.drkershawshospice.org.uk or call us on 0161 624 9984. Well, call the Appeals team. I won't be here, at least for the next few days!

Santa is getting lots of orders for his letters, so make sure you get your order in quick if you'd like him to write to a special boy or girl this Christmas! Again, you can download the form from our website, or call us.

We are also raffling a beautiful old-fashioned rocking horse - this would make the most amazing Christmas present. For more information, call Cheryl on 0161 624 9984.

Right, I am signing off... need to try to tidy my desk before I leave... Or at least make my desk visible so people don't trip over it while I'm away! See you all next week!

Monday, 2 November 2009

Creative Anarchy and Letters from Santa

I love my job! I saw an article recently that described fundraising as 'creative anarchy'. That sounds about right. Today I have been talking to the Sweetmeister, collecting bags of toy stuffing, and in negotiations with Santa Claus!

The toy stuffing is for our crafts group, The Crafty Cuppa, which will be meeting at the hospice on the second and fourth Thursday of the month, beginning on 12th November. It will be an informal skills-share for any craft, where you can learn new skills, pass your wisdom onto others, and have a cup of tea and a natter! A suggested donation of £2 is all they ask!

The Sweetmeister (possibly the best job title in all the world!) has arranged for a special promotion at the Happy Sweet Shop, an online, traditional sweet shop selling delicious old-fashioned sweets. If you're looking for Christmas presents, stocking fillers, or just to treat yourself on the cold winter nights, check out the fab range at http://www.happysweetshop.co.uk/ . When buying, use the voucher code DRKER182 and not only will you get a 10% discount, but they will also donate 10% of the sale to Dr. Kershaw's Hospice! What better excuse to indulge!

And possibly the most exciting news of all... I have been speaking to Santa! The man himself! And I can tell you that he is lovely! He has agreed, despite his very busy schedule at this time of year, to write letters to some lucky boys and girls, in exchange for a donation of £3 to Dr. Kershaw's Hospice (or £5 for 2 letters). If you would like to request a letter from Santa, email me at allegra@drkershawshospice.org.uk or phone me on 0161 624 9984. I will be answering to the name of 'the Dr. Kershaw's Christmas Elf'!

Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Santa-cise

I am currently in the process of arranging for about 100 Santas to run round a park in December... Not because Santa has been roped into the goverment's Change 4 Life scheme and ordered to get into shape, but for a Santa Run to raise money for the hospice.

First issue is location, which I believe has been solved by a very nice man from the council helping me to get my winter mittened hands on Alexandra Park. Once this is sorted, we can arrange a date and a time.

Next I need marshals, and some nice people to distribute medals, water, mulled wine and mince pies to the weary Santas. I'm also in the process of trying to acquire some mulled wine and mince pies!

Then comes the rallying of the actual Santas... and this is where you lot come in. If anyone fancies running, jogging, or walking very slowly (which is my preferred option!) around a 5k route in Alexandra Park, dressed as a Santa (your very own outfit and medal is included in your registration fee), then please call me on 0161 624 9984 or email allegra@drkershawshospice.org.uk

I'm now also considering something of a mini celebratory party afterwards, with Christmas carols, a raffle, the aforementioned mulled wine and mince pies, and, thanks to comments from a certain someone who shall remain nameless, potentially a 'Claus On All Fours' obstacle course, for those who aren't already sufficiently shattered! I'll keep you posted!

Monday, 12 October 2009

Upcoming attractions!

We've got quite a lot of exciting events coming up over the next month or so, so I thought I would use this post to give you a run-down of what you can look forward to as the nights are drawing in...

On 22nd October, 1pm - 5pm, St. George's Primary School are holding a bulb planting event. As well as the bulbs there will be activities, refreshments and a balloon release, so it should be a really great day out!

Our Christmas Fair is on 1st November, here at the Hospice, from 12 - 4pm. We will have Christmas gifts on sale, raffles, a tombola, a range of stalls, and other exciting activities. So please come down and join us.

On November 8th, the circus is in town! Circus Starr are performing at Royton Park and raising money for us! Call 01260 288 690 for tickets, or visit www.circus-starr.co.uk .

And on December 5th there is a 60s and 70s night at Royton Conservative Club!

If you would like any more information, contact us on 0161 624 9984.