Fundraisers raising money for Halton Haven Hospice took part in the Rat Race Dirty Weekend on Saturday 11^th May.

The event tested the athletes’ mental and physical strength across a course consisting of 200 obstacles over 20 miles which included a world record-breaking set of monkey bars, filthy mud runs and treetop bridges

The team set a target to raise over £10,000 for the Hospice which the team are well on their way to achieving.

Andy Kennedy, 28 from Runcorn said “The main reason I decided to take part in Rat Race Dirty Weekend for Halton Haven Hospice was mainly because my partners Granddad was in there last year. Visiting the Haven first hand is a real eye opener into the incredible work that actually goes on there. This encouraged me to help the Haven out.”

“Rat Race was a great challenge, physically it was that bit harder than the Tough Mudder challenge I completed for the Haven last year, and the extreme weather didn’t help, at one point it was hail-stoning! But overall it was a really enjoyable experience and everyone commented on how much they enjoyed doing it.”

“We’re planning on doing Hell Runner in November and next year we’re already thinking of new challenges that we can take part in for the Haven. We’re going to rally together to think of something to do that’s a bit different.”

“Halton Haven Warriors is a fantastic group of people coming together to raise as much money as possible for great causes. The level of interest the group is receiving is phenomenal, people are constantly coming forward to take part in events, let’s hope it can continue.”

“I would also like to say a massive thanks to the Halton Haven Events Team and Ste Maloney who captained the latest project and managed to recruit over 30 fundraisers for Rat Race Dirty Weekend. He was an integral part of the team ensuring it was a great success, so thank you Ste.”

Ciaran Clotworthy, Events Manager said, “I can’t thank our Halton Haven Warriors enough for getting involved and supporting the Hospice. We had one of the largest teams taking part and everyone managed to complete the 20 miles, 200 obstacle challenge, the camaraderie and determination amongst the Rat Racers was truly inspiring.”

“The next big challenge event that the we’re encouraging fundraisers to get involved in is Hell Runner taking place on the 2^nd November at Delemere Forest. It’s a 13 mile cross country route and entries are just £30.”

For more information, please contact Ciaran on Ciaran@haltonhaven.co.uk or 01928 712 728

Check out more photos of the Halton Haven Warriors taking on the Rat Race here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/haltonhavenhospice/sets/72157633478675857/

We’ve been kindly donated 2 match tickets to see Liverpool v West Ham on 7th April at Anfield. Kick off at 1.30pm.

You will be in the Premier Club, Centenary Stand (includes food) & you will have a car park pass. The Lounge opens 2 hours before kick off.

This package is worth £250!!

Bids starting at £99

If you would like to place a bid join the campaign on Facebook: www.facebook.com/haltonhaven.hospice.5 or e-mail tina@haltonhaven.co.uk with the amount.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Hayley Cannon for this donation. Hayley is part of our team of  Halton Haven Warriors; she successfully completed Tough Mudder 2012 & raised vital funds for the Hospice.

CURRENT HIGHEST BID: £200

Rock ’n’ roll icon Elvis will be performing at the home of the Vikings on Saturday, April 13, in aid of Halton Haven Hospice.

Headline act, John George, 48, of Widnes, is an internationally acclaimed Elvis impersonator who performed at the annual Elvis Festival in Memphis last year.

John said: “It’s going to be a great evening of entertainment provided by some really talented singers.”

I’ve rounded up some brilliant acts including The Sundowners, Tommy Twigg and Jared Warne and we’re all really looking forward to the evening.”

“Halton Haven Hospice has touched the lives of so many people in our local area and it’s great to be able to give something back and support this worthy cause.”

Tickets are priced at £5 and are on sale now.

They can be purchased from the hospice Events Team on 0151 495 2111 or from the Hospice reception on 01928 712 728 from 9am-4pm.

Due to the success of the first Magic of the Musicals which took place last October, the successful event celebrating musical theatre is back; Magic of the Musicals 2 is taking place on the 20^th March at The Brindley to raise money for local charity Halton Haven Hospice.

Rob Littler, 52, from Runcorn, a Teaching Assistant at Victoria Road Primary School is no stranger to organising successful events. As well as organising Magic of the Musicals, Rob was the Producer and Musical Director of the sell out production, Encore, which took place at The Brindley last year.

Magic of the Musicals 2 is the latest eagerly anticipated event to take place at The Brindley and will be drawing upon influences from musicals such as Joseph and his Technicolor Dream coat, Wicked and Miss Saigon.

Rob comments, “The group behind ‘Magic of the Musicals’ is an intergeneration cast, the youngest person we have taking part is 6, whilst the oldest is 70. The aim of the show is to bring the community together whilst supporting a brilliant cause. The group are all giving up their time for free and rehearsing twice a week for 3 months just to bring the show together.”

“Putting this show on, is about giving something back, everybody knows someone who has been affected by the Haven. We’re all proud to support such a worthy cause and hopefully the event will raise much needed funds for the Hospice.”

Tickets for the show on Wednesday 20^th March at 7pm are priced at £12 for Adults and £10 for concessions. Tickets can be booked by calling the Brindley Box Office on 0151 907 8360 or please go to www.thebrindley.org.uk for more information

For the first time in history, two Royal Air Force bands will unite in Runcorn…

On Friday, February 15, the Red, White and Blues Big Band and the Salon Orchestra of the Central Band will take to the stage to raise vital funds for Halton Haven Hospice.

The event is being organised by Runcorn MBE Barry Stringer, who is the Chief Technician and Leader of the Salon Orchestra. The primary role for this orchestra is to provide musical support for the Royal Family, state visits and high ranking engagements within the military. These activities have taken the orchestra around the world.

The 46-year-old said, “The reason I’m organising this event is because of my mum, Angela, who stayed in the Inpatient Unit at the Hospice for three weeks last year.

“She had been struggling for over a year and for the first time somebody wanted to do something for her. At the Hospice, she learnt how to manage her medication and she received the support she so desperately needed which has enabled my mum to lead a much improved quality of life.”

“It really struck a chord so I decided that I had to do something. I love the place, everybody who works there is an inspiration, from the girls who bring the tea to the doctors.”

“I can’t thank everyone enough for the way they supported not only me but my entire family.”

“I’ve organised this event to say thanks to everyone who makes a difference at the Hospice. We want people to come along and have an enjoyable evening and also raise money for such a great cause at the same time.”

He added: “The band should have been flying to India the next day, but instead my piers have to decided to support me and come to Runcorn, as everybody knows how much it means to me.”

“It’s the first time we’ve combined the two, it’s a premier, and it’s all taking place in Runcorn.”

“I’ve put a lot of hard work into organising this event, more so than any other event I’ve organised in the 26 years of doing the job. We’ve also managed to get Radio City DJ, Pete Price, to do a stand up set as well as being the compère for the evening.”

“It’s sure to be a sell out, so make sure you get your ticket quick!”

The show is at 7.00 pm. Tickets at £10 can be purchased from Halton Haven Hospice on 01928 712 728 or the Royal British Legion on 01928 572131.

Halton Haven Hospice has been praised for providing high quality care in a report following an unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

The CQC regulate all care across the country from hospitals to care homes and including hospices. The care is measured against 28 very detailed standards. It makes sure that the care provided by these services meets government standards of quality and safety.

The Hospice recently received the report and passed with flying colours! Every standard was met and the inspectors were particularly impressed with the comments from patients and families:

One family member said, “It’s an amazing place here. The staff are very reassuring.”

The patients whom were interviewed also gave positive feedback on their experience at the Hospice, “If I ring the call bell they are here so quickly it’s as if they are standing outside my room.”

Another patient said, “The staff are angels and always ready to help me.”

Linda Smout, Director of Clinical Services said, “We are all so pleased that the CQC report has recognised the outstanding quality of care provided by our brilliant nurses at the Hospice, and I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every nurse for maintaining the very highest of standards and providing some of the best care in the country,”

The fundraising event saw 10 teams take part in one of the most physically and mentally challenging events in the construction industry calendar, the GHA Livigunn Challenge.

This year the Challenge was based in Snowdonia and teams competed in a series of stages over the weekend, which included events such as orienteering, canoeing, high ropes and mountain biking, testing a range of skills including basic fitness, navigation, teamwork and problem solving.

Stewart Tennant, Divisional Director of GHA Livigunn and Challenge veteran commented…“This year’s GHA Livigunn Challenge was the 10^th in the history of the event and having been involved in all of the previous events I am delighted to say that this year’s challenge was arguably the best yet and we are on target to raise over £15,000 for our nominated Charities.

We had a good mixture of challenges to test the teams both physically and mentally and Saturday nights Karaoke Eurovision “sing off” will go down in Challenge History. Finally I would like to thank all the Marshals and Competitors, their energy and enthusiasm makes the Challenge such a unique and special event.”

Hannah Denny, Fundraising Support Officer at Halton haven commented, “On behalf of the Hospice I would like to thank GHA Livigunn for raising an incredible £3750.00 from taking part in the outdoor activity challenge. The donation is a welcome addition to the funding needed for the day-to-day upkeep of Halton Haven Hospice. We need to raise £2.4 million a year to allow the Hospice to remain open. Without donations from companies like yourselves the Hospice would not be able to operate and provide specialist palliative care to patients from Halton and surrounding areas.”

Residents of Runcorn, Widnes and Frodsham will once again meet at Halton Haven Hospice to remember someone special at this time of year.

The 30ft Tree will be situated in the beautiful grounds of the Hospice and its lights will shine for the 12 days of Christmas. Friends and family are welcomed to visit the tree at any time during the period of the light up.

Astmoor Primary School Choir will be amongst those singing hymns on the evening. The Mayor of Halton will also be in attendance.

Halton Haven do not charge any fees for this event, it’s open to all. However they do ask for a donation if you wish to light a candle of remembrance.

Halton Haven would like to stress that the event is not just for people who have been directly touched by the work of the Hospice. This is a local event for guests to show their love and remembrance for someone special.

Shaun Pollard, Director of Corporate Services from Halton Haven explained, “Light up a Life is a wonderful event to be a part of, as it truly begins Christmas for me. It’s a simple yet very moving service, and means so much to people who have lost someone, whether it’s recently or several years ago, at the Hospice or not. To come to the event and show your support for your local charity whilst remembering a loved one is fantastic. I want to invite everyone to come to the Hospice on the 7^th December and be a part of something wonderful.”

On the night guests can also sample a range of stalls, with all proceeds going to the Hospice.

You can also register your light and ask for further details by contacting Event Manager Ciaran Clotworthy on 0151 495 2111

Halton’s second ever Santa Dash, organised by local charity Halton Haven
Hospice are asking you – the community of Halton to come together and join the
team to make this years Santa Dash the best yet.
The Halton Haven Hospice event will see hundreds of local people dressed in
Santa outfits taking part in the fun run from Widnes to Runcorn on Sunday 9th
December at 9am.
The Runcorn and Widnes Jubilee Bridge will be closed in order to allow the
group of Santa’s to run across the centre of the bridge.
Hundreds of Halton residents are expected to take part, with the hospice urging
people to do so.
All the money raised will go directly towards to the Hospice in order to provide its
special kind of caring to the residents of Halton.

The Santa Dash entry fee is £20 for adults and £10 for 9 to 15 year olds. The

registration cost includes a santa suit and a medal on completion.

Ciaran Clotworthy, Events Manager at Halton Haven Hospice said: “I’m really
looking forward to this years Santa Dash, last year we had over 600 Santa’s
taking part and this year we’re hoping to double that figure!”
“We’re joining forces with the council again to put on this unique event and are
asking for the support of the local community once more to come down and
support us. They never let us down.”
“Last year we raised an astonishing £16,000. We’re encouraging those taking
part to do this once more to raise much needed funds for Halton Haven.”
Registration forms and sponsor forms can be picked up from the Hospice or at
one of our Halton Haven shops based in Widnes, Runcorn or Frodsham.

To register on-line click here!Click here for the Santa Dash 2012 website

Thank you to our sponsors…