MEMBERS of Hyde Fire Station’s Prince’s Trust programme have raised over £1,000 for Willow Wood Hospice after embarking on a sponsored walk in fancy dress.
The group of 12 young people spent two days at the Hospice recently helping with preparations for the Celebration Garden events leading up to the walk.
They also picked up some weird and wacky costumes to wear from the Hospice’s Distribution Centre in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Vice Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and Willow Wood patron, Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL, met the group at the fire station – the starting point for their walk on Thursday, July 18.
As they ventured on the walk, accompanied by the Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Betty Affleck, The Grafton Centre in Hyde and The Together Centre in Dukinfield – where they stopped for refreshments – both gave them donations.
After completing the 3.5 mile walk at the Hospice, the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and Willow Wood CEO Tracy Minshull – who were joined by Hospice staff and volunteers – greeted the group and thanked them for their support.
Sharman said: “They are young people, they are not practiced in raising funds but they have really put their heart and soul into it. I love the fact that they have seen a need and decided to do something towards it.
“Part of their course is to be community minded and they have really taken it to heart. We are grateful they chose to support Willow Wood, which is a wonderful place in Tameside.”
Sarah Quinn, Team Manager at the Prince’s Trust at Hyde Fire Station, commented: “I couldn’t have asked for better from the young people. We picked the hottest day of the year so far for the walk! We had to change a few of the costumes so nobody passed out along the way.
“Everybody pushed themselves – we started with 12 young people and finished with 12 young people. I am so proud of the team and we are all grateful to everyone who has donated.
“We are thrilled to have had the support of Willow Wood throughout and the Civic Mayor, who really sees the true value in what we’re doing for the young people of Tameside.”
The Civic Mayor, Hyde Godley councillor Affleck, was delighted to lend her support.
She told us: “It went really well, it was a good opportunity to speak to the young adults and listen to their stories. I have always supported the Prince’s Trust at Hyde Fire Station since becoming a councillor, I think they do an amazing job.
“It’s great that they chose to support the Hospice, which means a lot to so many people in our area.”
The Prince’s Trust charity, in conjunction with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, runs a 12-week programme for unemployed young people aged 16 to 25 which helps them to achieve their potential and re-enter education, training or employment.
To mark the end of the group’s programme, a presentation ceremony was held at Dukinfield Town Hall on Wednesday evening (24th July) which the Civic Mayor and other local councillors attended.
The young people presented a cheque to the Hospice for a fantastic £1,443.81 and delivered inspiring speeches on how the programme has boosted their confidence and developed their employability skills.
They chose to support Willow Wood after Joanna Griffiths – a friend of Sarah’s since childhood – received end-of-life care at the Hospice recently at the age of 51.
Sarah added: “Joanna was a fabulous fighter, she was given two years to live 10 years ago and has fought the whole way.
“The young people came into the team programme 10 minutes after I found out Joanna had died and they showed so much empathy for me, which is one of the skills they learn on the programme.
“I talked to them about the work Willow Wood does and it so happened that three of the young people have had grandparents who received care at the Hospice too. They wanted to raise money and came up with the idea of a sponsored walk – one of the young people suggested to do it in fancy dress so we did!”