WILLOW Wood Hospice is set to host a night to remember at its annual football fundraiser, thanks to a generous donation from Manchester Credit Union.
The hospice, which provides care for people in Tameside and Glossop who are living with life-limiting illness, has received a £1,958 funding injection from Manchester Credit Union’s Busy Bee Lottery.
The money is being put towards Willow Wood’s sixth annual Football Night Fundraiser, which takes place on Friday, September 26. Each year, the event raises thousands of pounds of much-needed funding for the hospice.
Willow Wood requires £10,000 per day to deliver its range of services, supporting patients to live as well as possible, for as long as possible. As a registered charity, the hospice relies on the support of the local community and participation in fundraising activities.
A key event in the hospice’s fundraising calendar, Willow Wood’s Football Night brings together footballers past and present, to share stories and members with guests.
This year, Manchester City legends Brian Horton, Joe Corrigan and David White will be interviewed on stage by Football Night host and former top-flight referee Roger Dilkes.
Willow Wood Hospice is the latest recipient of Manchester Credit Union Busy Bee Lottery funding. The lottery is exclusive to Manchester Credit Union members and combines the opportunity to support local good causes with a chance to win a monthly cash prize. Since its inception in 2023, the initiative has raised more than £32,000 for charities and community groups across Greater Manchester.
Commenting on the Busy Bee Lottery donation, Lucy Ta’ati, Willow Wood Hospice Community Engagement and Events Fundraiser said: “We are very grateful for this generous donation, which will help to stimulate more giving, through our Football Night event.
“Our care is always provided free of charge and is available to patients regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or diagnosis. However, we must raise £10,000 per day to run all our services and we rely on the generosity of our community to help us achieve this, so the support of Manchester Credit Union members is vital.”
Brian Wild, Willow Wood Hospice patron and Football Night organiser said: “I joined Manchester Credit Union back in the 1990s and I’m so proud that credit union members can now support the other community organisation I love to promote, with this massive donation to the 6th Annual Willow Wood Hospice Night. A classic case of people helping people”.
Mandy Wilcock, chief executive of Manchester Credit Union, added: “We’ve been able to support a wide variety of charitable organisations, across Greater Manchester, thanks to the Busy Bee Lottery and the kindness of our members.
“All of the organisations that we support help to enhance quality of life for local people. Willow Wood Hospice is an excellent example of a positive change maker – reflecting our own values.”
As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial co-operative, Manchester Credit Union offers a range of services from savings accounts, including one dedicated to Christmas, to fair and affordable personal loans with no application fees and no early repayment fees. The credit union is dedicated to helping people in Greater Manchester free themselves from a cycle of costly and stress-inducing debt.
Operating from three physical branches, Manchester Credit Union serves members in the City of Manchester, Stockport, Bury, Rochdale, Tameside, Trafford, and the High Peak.
Manchester Credit Union is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the PRA.
Tickets for Willow Wood Hospice’s Sixth Annual Football Night are £15 each and can be bought by calling 0161 718 7911.