Spring Newsletter 2017 by Nightingale House Hospice

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Forget the volunteering stereotype

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The prescription of creativity

Page 7 In the shops

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Fancy a challenge?

Page 10 Events

Spring/Summer 2017

Bake, Brew, Pour and Share!

Maureen Lipman and a host of celebrities help Nightingale House organise the BIGGEST tea party ever! During the month of June, there is a simple way that you can raise money for local Hospice care... It could not be easier to get involved. All you have to do is put the kettle on, call your friends and enjoy a cake or two or three. It doesn’t even matter if you are a fan of traditional or herbal tea, latte or flat white, hot chocolate or mochachino, every cuppa will help us to give care to people whose lives are shorter than they should be. It doesn’t matter how much money you raise, the most important thing really is that you take part. Anything you raise from Baking, Brewing, Pouring and Sharing can, and will, help us to give our patients days that really do have a cherry on top!

You can hold a Bake, Brew, Pour and Share Tea Party at home, at work or even in your garden… How about brightening up the old 9 to 5 by holding your event at work? Just ask everyone to contribute a cake or some biscuits, then ask them for a donation in return for an afternoon (or morning) filled with fun! Don’t worry, if you don’t feel like organising an event but still want to make a difference – you can. Just enjoy a cuppa yourself and make a donation to Nightingale House. You can always encourage friends to do the same, no matter where they are in the country, or the world for that matter.

Rick Stein, Matt Tebbut, Lesley Waters and Jane Asher share their favourite cake secrets with you! We can support you with our fabulous tea party pack featuring celebrity recipes, games and much, much more. Just send back your tea party form enclosed in your newsletter.

If you haven't got time to organise your own Tea Party, then you are invited to ours! Join us on Saturday 10th June from 11am - 4pm for our very own Tea Party, Summer Fete and Garden Sale here in the grounds of the Hospice. Entry to the Summer Fete and Garden Sale is free. There is a donation of £3 for tea or coffee and a slice of freshly baked cake or scone and jam courtesy of Caffi Cwtch if you want to join our party in the marquee in our lovely gardens.

Come and visit our Caffi Cwtch Open five days a week, our Caffi Cwtch is a home away from home combined with a truly memorable cafe experience. Visit us anytime between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday and enjoy our delicious homemade, seasonal menu. Find a nook and make yourself comfortable, or indulge yourself with a slice or two of our scrumptious cake.

A message from Maureen Lipman: “Years and years ago I did a bit of fundraising for my local Hospice. Little knowing that one day (12 years ago now) I would visit my husband there. As in all Hospices, Jack was cared for by kind and compassionate people; anyone would be happy to call them angels.” Maureen Lipman says: “You too can be a Top Tea Lady or Top Tea Chap.” “That’s why I am happy to introduce Bake. Brew. Pour. Share for Nightingale House Hospice. “So please have a cup of tea and a cake for me. On one afternoon (or morning) in June, invite everyone you know to bake and bring cakes and share cups of tea while raising money for Nightingale House Hospice.” Maureen Lipman Top Tea Lady P.s: If you can’t hold your tea party in June, don’t worry you can still join in the fun. Just hold your tea party anytime it suits you!

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Forget the volunteering stereotype We have so much to celebrate when it comes to our volunteers. We could not operate without them. However, one thing that we have learned in all our years of working with them, is that every volunteer is different. People from all walks of life give whatever time they can, for however long they can. And, we recognise the differing contributions of all our volunteers – the mix is what makes them all so great!

Of course, different people will be able to commit to different amounts of time. The average time commitment is four hours per week, which puts paid to the idea that volunteer positions are inflexible and can’t be accommodated into busy, 21st century lives. In this edition of your newsletter we talk to two of our valued volunteers to find out why they choose to give up time for us.

I've been volunteering for two years at the Hospice

Volunteering has enhanced my University experience

Name: Ray Williams Age: 82

Name: Elinor Smith Age: 21

I decided to volunteer for Nightingale House after the excellent care my family and I received both during my wife’s illness and after her death - I suppose some would say I wanted to give something back.

“You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience.” This is a commonly expressed dilemma among university students trying to work out what to do with their lives. There is a solution: volunteering.

My area of interest was the gardens and from the day I started I have been kept busy maintining the Hospice gardens. I’ve met lots of wonderful people and consider them all to be my friends. I’ve loved being involved and it means so much to our patients and their families to have a lovely place to sit and reflect or to laugh at the antics of our varied wildlife. We get plenty of visitors in the Hospice gardens from squirrels and rabbits to our many birds. They certainly add that extra bit of enjoyment to the day.

Many young people perceive volunteering as exotic projects in far-off locations, but in reality there are countless local and long-term opportunities available from Nightingale House, meaning it’s accessible to anyone. Unpaid work doesn’t sound like the most appealing prospect when time and money are in short supply, but it really can be worthwhile – and I’m not just talking about employability.

Since my wife’s death I have been lucky enough to share my time between my family in Wrexham and New Zealand and feel really quite sad when it is time to leave, the homecoming and welcome on my return on the other hand is second to none and I can honestly say it is like coming home. Even now I still feel like I get so much out of volunteering - friendship and community are so important when you are on your own. I have recently joined the Hospice Choir, singing ability wasn’t the first requirement on the list, it is much more about enjoying myself and having a good time. As with everything here at the Hospice everybody is always made to feel so welcome. To anyone considering taking volunteering up, I would say go for it! It’s one of the most worthwhile things you will ever do. My own volunteering journey has been a real adventure and it has only just begun. I have met some wonderful people along the way, from patients to staff and many other volunteers who will be friends for a very long time to come.

Voluntary work is not only valuable for our future careers or the people we help, but for our present lives: enriching our university years through a variety of experiences. I first joined Nightingale House’s network of young volunteers aged 14. It wasn’t a big commitment. Occasional events usually combined with a day’s volunteering such as stuffing envelopes or posting newsletters. It’s not all hard work either. At the Ladies Midnight Walk, for example, it feels like a big street party. The social aspect of voluntary work also tends to be understated. I’ve met so many people outside of the student bubble: retired professionals and housewives. Although I love being part of the student community, it’s refreshing to have a conversation with people from such different walks of life A key advantage with volunteer work is the flexibility, you choose how much time to dedicate and your work rota can be varied according to your schedule.

Having read these stories from two of our amazing volunteers, why not give us a call 01978 314 292 to see what a difference you can make to Nightingale House.

We would like to say a huge thank you to our army of 700 volunteers Your work has been a huge support for our Hospice. Whether you helped out at our many events, served tea or coffee in our cafe or gave up your time to help out in our shops, we are so grateful and proud to have you as part of our team.

You all have come to us with a wealth of experience and a deep passion for our cause, and we know how lucky we are to have your support. We hope you’ll stay with us for many more years to come.

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Steve Parry - Chief Executive I am delighted to welcome you to our spring newsletter. Very often, when asked how things are at Nightingale House, at any given time, I normally respond with how busy we have all been here at the Hospice.

We also very much hope that you will all get involved in our tea parties this June and take up Maureen Lipman's suggestion and hold a tea party to support us for a cup of tea and a slice of cake or two.

Our priority is, as always, to continue to offer our vital services to those who need us. This doesn’t mean we won’t strive to be innovative and since January, we have been exploring new ways to extend our care into the wider community through our new Volunteer Befriending Service in Coedpoeth. We hope to provide a fuller update of all our new community focussed activities in the next edition of your newsletter.

However, it is useful to put these occasional ‘fun’ challenges into context against the challenges faced by the patients and families who use Nightingale House. For people whose lives are shorter than they should be, each day can be an immense challenge.

Over the last few months, our colleagues in Income Generation have been exploring opportunities for our supporters to participate in a range of events which will help raise funds to support our patients and their families. For example, you could put your best foot forward for our Midnight Walk (17th June) or run around a racecourse covered in paint in our Rainbow Bash Bubble Bash (10th September). If you are feeling brave enough, you could even sign up to our tandem skydive (2nd September) and throw yourself out of a plane at 10,000 feet above the beautiful countryside of Whitchurch!

Without your support, we could not continue our vital work for our Hospice families and for that, I thank you. Your financial generosity allows us to continue our dayto-day caregiving and our broader mission to bring a compassionate presence to the end-of-life experience. Your kindness allows patients and caregivers to better relate to each new season of life, through to the end. We hope you will continue to stay with us every step of the way.

Steve Parry Chief Executive

The Wrexham Food and Drink Festival is back! Foodies rejoice! The Wrexham Food and Drink Festival is back on the 13th May (from 10am until 5pm) and 14th May (from 10am until 4pm) with FREE town centre parking in council car parks. With so much taking place, we've rounded up a handy guide of some of the best features of the Festival in a bid to help hungry guests plan their visit.

What is it?

Food, drink and lots of it. Think of a celebration highlighting all things food with expert guides, talks and food tasting. We also have live cookery demonstrations both Saturday and Sunday in our demonstration marquee. The star of the show on the Sunday will be Sean Wilson who is back by popular demand. The former Coronation Street actor will certainly be a ‘big cheese’ at the Food and Drink Festival. The chef and half of the duo behind the immensely popular Saddleworth Cheese Company, will be giving an array of cooking demonstrations throughout the day on Sunday.

Where is it?

The Wrexham Food and Drink Festival will be held at Llwyn Isaf, near the Guildhall. Courtesy of Wrexham County Borough Council there will once again be FREE town centre parking for this event.

How much does it cost to get in?

The Wrexham Food and Drink Festival is £4 with under 16's free. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

What's on?

It wouldn't be Wrexham Food and Drink Festival without a selection of local breweries. If you're full to the gills with delicious food, Wrexham Lager, Rosie’s Cider and real ale exhibitors are the perfect pit stops to whet your whistle. The Food Festival will see the launch of our very own official Hospice ale T-WREX brewed by The Big Hand Brewing Company, with a percentage of all sales being donated directly to the Hospice Our many returning food exhibitors range from Richard Diddier of Orchard Pigs and his famous Tractor Wheel Pie, Su Cassa with their freshly made paella, Patchwork Paté, Snowdonia Cheese and Chilly Cow Ice Cream to name but a few!

Will I have any entertainment with my delicious food and drink?

Yes! It’s delicacies with a show at the Wrexham Food and Drink Festival. We’ve teamed up with FOCUS Wales and Tenovus Cancer Care Choir to collaborate on an array of music to keep you entertained over the two days.

For more information, visit www.wrexhamfoodfest.co.uk

Flint

Nightingale House Hospice provides specialist palliative care services, completely free of charge, to people across Wrexham, Flintshire, East Denbighshire, the A494 corridor to Barmouth, and the borders, including Oswestry, Ellesmere, Wem and Whitchurch.

Contact

Whitchurch Wrexham

Nightingale House Hospice Chester Road,Wrexham LL11 2SJ Main switchboard: 01978 316800 Income Generation, Fundraising & Media: 01978 314292 Lottery: 01978 313134

facebook.com/nightingalehouse

@nightingaleHH

Bala Wem Barmouth Dolgellau

www.nightingalehouse.co.uk

Wrexham Hospice and Cancer Support Centre Foundation. Registered Charity Number: 1035600. Company Number 2906838. (Registered in England and Wales)

Oswestry

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The importance of working together As a local Hospice, we are so often made aware of the importance of partnership working. Teaming up with local businesses and other healthcare organisations to share expertise, skills and knowledge can sometimes be vital to a patient’s happiness and wellbeing. During 2016, our clinical team identified a positive opportunity for partnership working to provide a unique and much needed service to one of our patients, Jane. Jane had attended our daycare service and had been an inpatient twice. Following admission to the inpatient unit, Jane was discharged and sent home with a great care package from the Marie Curie nursing service and TLC Care Agency. Unfortunately, it soon became clear that caring for Jane at home was no longer sustainable due to her complex nursing and medical needs. However, as a team, we recognised that Jane’s care was more likely to be long term, meaning we could not offer her an admission to Nightingale House. To us, this was not acceptable. Our ethos at Nightingale House is to bring care and comfort to those who need us and there was no doubt that Jane needed us. Her community team agreed and against the odds, we decided to bring Jane and her whole team into our care. This allowed the Marie Curie nursing service and TLC Care Agency to continue delivering their package of support to Jane just simply in a different and secure setting.

One of our biggest missions here at the Hospice is to maintain those all important relationships that our patients have with their friends, family and the community. By bringing Jane into our Hospice family, she could continue the great rapport she had built up with her community care team while building a new trusting and valued relationship with our staff here at Nightingale House. Jane’s time here was also well spent. When well enough, she continued to access the daycare unit on a Tuesday and threw herself into the enjoyment of music therapy with our Music Therapist, Charlotte. We helped Jane create some wonderful memories and most importantly, she achieved many of her goals during her time with us. She performed an admirable job as best woman at her brother’s wedding and with the support of our staff, she was able to join her family and friends to take a last look at the beaches of Llandudno; a very special place in her heart. She even filled our ward with laughter and joy during her many ‘girlie’ nights spent watching favourite films with her friends. As a team, when we look back on those wonderful times and smile as we know how important those special moments were to Jane and how we as a team here at the Hospice made it possible. However, if it wasn’t for the success of partnership working, Jane’s story could have had a very different outcome. By working together, we allowed Jane to stay at home for as long as possible and finally to die in the place and way that she wished.

Jane enjoyed a very special visit to Llandudno. We thank her family for sharing this picture with us.

You can help your favourite charity’s work live on in the future It’s a common myth that only the rich and famous leave money to charity when they die. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that without gifts left in Wills by people like you, much of the vital work carried out by Nightingale House simply wouldn’t be possible. During 2017, it will cost £2.8 million to keep our Hospice open and gifts in Wills are a significant part of this.

What will you pass on? Many people pass on much-cherished advice in their lifetime to family and friends. According to research carried out by Remember A Charity 'Make the most of every day', 'Age is only a number' and 'Happiness takes us places that money never will' were the most popular phrases that the nation would most like to pass on to a loved one. We celebrate this and ask you to think about what you may pass on, whether that be your own words of wisdom or perhaps you are already considering a gift in your Will to us – an act of kindness that will live on for many years. You don’t have to leave us your entire estate nor do you have to be rich and famous to make a contribution that can make a difference. We have received gifts anywhere from £1,000 to £100,000. The amount you donate is entirely your choice. Watch out for Will Week: Monday 9th - Friday 13th October 2017

After you’ve taken care of your loved ones, you too can make a difference by remembering Nightingale House in your Will.

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The prescription of creativity Art and music have power, especially for people facing a life-limiting illness. Music and other forms of art therapy can trigger meaningful benefits that contribute to a higher quality of life, even for people who are in the late stages of their illness. We spoke to Art Therapist, Pam and Music Therapist Charlotte to find out how a touch of creativity benefits the patients of Nightingale House.

Music therapy with Charlotte When people are near the end of their lives, it can be very difficult to talk about what they are experiencing. Music can be a great way for people to communicate their emotions non-verbally. The heart of music therapy is to use musical interaction and creativity to address a patient’s clinical needs – whether they are psychological, physical or emotional. To begin any session, it is important for me to get to know the person and find out what their needs are and I always stress that people don’t need to be musical to take part. Our patients can actively play the instruments alone or listen as I play. We sing together or separately and use the sessions as a platform for addressing more meaningful topics which can be explored through music. I will aim to find out if the patient has a special song they might like to hear or if they need a distraction or may be feeling anxious, I might offer them an instrument to play or sing with them. You will have read previously about our patient Jane that spent a while with us. One of the things that she really enjoyed was the music therapy as it allowed her to find her voice without speaking.

Art therapy with Pam It’s not uncommon for Hospice patients, or their family members, to smile nicely and tell relatives and friends that they’re coping just fine. However, they may have a high level of anxiety or depression that could easily add to or cause physical difficulties at a time when they don’t need them. In part, that is where the art therapy programme comes in. We invite patients to the weekly group session held in the art and craft room and give them the opportunity to use different art materials with no pressure or judgement of their art work. The sessions are more about the process than the finished product.

Everyone has their own unique taste in music. It’s part of who we are and there’s such a wide range of suggestions that we get from patients. One gentleman likes to read the poetry he has written with a musical accompaniment. I try and incorporate each person’s musical tastes alongside the approach that will best meet their needs. It offers an important emotional and physical outlet. I’ve learned so much from my time here at Nightingale House. Everybody has so much to give, right up until the end, and it’s a privilege to be able to help them achieve emotional release through the power of music.

The sessions are not always about using a paint brush or pencil; patients have the opportunity to work with pastel crayons or chalks, clay and other modelling materials such as mod roc and model magic. My goal is for them to take charge of this time by choosing and controlling the art materials as this often helps the patient to engage emotionally with their art work. As the patients work, my role is to observe, this may be with the choice of materials, the colours used or the composition of the image. I might offer connections or highlight patterns within their work or ask them to suggest a narrative about their image. The therapeutic value of art therapy is for the creator of the image to find their emotional connection and decide on any meaning the image may have. The piece of art expresses the thoughts or feelings that the creator might find difficult to put into words. An example of this is where one of our patients created a mask with tears on the inside of the mask, this could suggest something of the underlying feelings for them. I have found that once a patient is able to identify and explore an emotion though an image, they often begin to verbally express their feelings. Many patients have described going home after the session and being able to talk to relatives and loved ones about fears, concerns and wishes that they had previously been unable to brooch. I have found the art work created during art therapy insightful, sensitive, humbling and inspiring, and I consider myself privileged to have witnessed and shared these times with patients. The act of drawing or creating something can remind us of our humanity, our common need to be heard, to be recognised and to be remembered. Sometimes, it’s the act of seeing the emotion within image that helps release the emotion and to me, this is at the heart of art therapy.

Thank you! We would like to say a big thank you to all of you for your kind help and donations. Unfortunately we cannot mention everybody in this newsletter as there is simply not enough space, but we do appreciate your generosity and hope you continue to support us. Every penny counts and we need your help to continue supplying specialist palliative care at the Hospice. Without you we would not be here.

Diolch yn fawr!

Diolch yn fawr iawn i bawb am eich cymorth a’ch rhoddion caredig. Yn anffodus, oherwydd prinder lle, ni allwn sôn am bawb yn y newyddlen hon; serch hynny rydym yn gwerthfawrogi eich haelioni’n fawr iawn a gobeithio y gwnewch chi ddal ati i’n cefnogi. Mae pob ceiniog yn cyfrif ac mae arnom angen eich cymorth chi er mwyn inni barhau i ddarparu’r gofal lliniarol arbennigol yn yr Hospis. Heb eich cymorth chi fyddem ni ddim yma.

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Lottery

Your £1 per week can go a very long way. Last year, our 16,500 Lottery members raised an amazing £480,000 which helped us run the Hospice for 63 days. If you aren’t already a Lottery member, get involved today.

Join Our Lottery

and you could win up to £2,500 each week! I would like to join the Nightingale House Hospice Lottery

Your details Title:

Name:

Address: Postcode: Email: Tel: I confirm that I am over 16 

Signed:

I would like the chance to win £2,500 per week. Please tick the appropriate box.

Monthly Quarterly Six monthly Yearly

   

One number

Two numbers

Three numbers

   

£4.34 £13 £26 £52

£8.68 £26 £52 £104

£13.02 £39 £78

Join the Nightingale House Hospice Lottery for your chance to win a share of our weekly prize fund of £3,550. It costs just £1 per week! You can also pay by Standing Order - it couldn’t be easier. Your £1 a week can go a long way. It soon adds up. Playing for 13 weeks (£13) will pay for the meals of a patient for the day. Playing for 26 weeks (£26) will help pay for the Hospice gardens to be maintained. Playing for 52 weeks (£52) will pay for a Release child bereavement session. Playing for two years (£104) will sponsor the work of a nurse for the day. So join today for your chance to win £2,500 and help the Hospice at the same time. Return your completed form to: Nightingale House Hospice, Chester Road, Wrexham, LL11 2SJ

£156

Your bank/building society details

Please play responsibly for further information or advice, please visit www.gambleaware.co.uk

Name of bank/building society: Address: Postcode: Account number:

Sort code:

Name of account holder: Signed: Date: Start date of standing order: (To be paid until further notice) You may also pay by cheques, made payable to Nightingale House Lottery Ltd.

JOIN THE HOSPICE LOTTERY!

EVERYONE’S A WINNER!

Bank use only.

Payee Nightingale House Lottery Ltd, Barclays, 50 Hope Street, Wrexham, LL11 1BE. A/C 03784282. Sort Code 20-25-69. Please quote member no: (Office use only)

Name:

Wrexham Hospice and Cancer Support Centre Foundation Registered Charity Number: 1035600. (Registered in England and Wales). Nightingale House Lottery Ltd, Company Name: 3139714.

A way of giving, with a little bit of hope Can we do you a favour? A unique gift for your wedding guests is a Nightingale House wedding favour. This would enter your guests into the Hospice lottery draw on a Friday of your choice. Our wedding favours are personalised and cost £2.50 per person for a gift certificate. A chance to win… a way to care. Each wedding favour is tailored to your own specifications and personalised for your special day. Wedding favours can be used as table settings showing your guest’s name or presented with a keepsake pin for just £3.50 per person. All we require is a list of your guest names and the date of your wedding.

The Nightingale House Hospice Lottery is a fantastic way of supporting your local charity, whilst also giving you the chance to win one of five weekly cash prizes, including the £2,500 jackpot! Playing the Nightingale House Hospice Lottery, for just £1 per week, is an easy – and potentially very rewarding – way of showing your support for us. You might win, and we do too! Lottery membership also makes a thoughtful and original gift for a loved one – and you could even set up a Nightingale House Hospice Lottery syndicate at work! So give yourself – or someone you know – the chance to win a fantastic prize every week and help a great cause by joining our winning team!

In the shops Reduce, reuse, recycle Have you visited our Re-use shop at Bryn Lane Recycling Centre yet? If you haven’t you might be missing out on a real good deal. Our Re-use store is open Monday to Sunday, meaning there are bargains to be found every single day of the week.

New shop transformed! Our new Ellesmere shop opened on the 14th February and has been given a whole new look which really sets it apart from the traditional style charity shops. Our hardworking volunteers have been busy choosing stock from all of the wonderful donations to make the store really stand out from the crowd and come to life. From books, clothes and curiosities there are plenty of new and second-hand items for you choose from, meaning it’s never been easier to bag yourself a stylish new outfit or a treat or two for the home.

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Garden

Sale

Too good to tip? You can help us when you visit Bryn Lane Recycling Centre by donating your unwanted goods that are too good to tip.

at Nightingale House Hospice, Chester Road, Wrexham 01978 660441 recyclewrexham.com @recyclewrexham @RecycleWrexham

If you would like to volunteer at any of our shops, please contact Jo Kearns on

01978 314292 or

jo.kearns@nightingalehouse.co.uk

Bigger does mean better The amazing support of our Buckley community meant we had to make a move over the spring! Our previous Buckley shop was so popular that we needed to move to bigger premises to accommodate growing demand. Why don’t you pop in and see our brand new, bigger look? We would love to see our regular visitors and meet some new friends. Don’t forget to drop off your unwanted items when you visit us. We still need plenty of goods to keep our new shelves nicely stocked. Every item you choose to donate will always go towards helping people whose lives are shorter than they should be.

URG E N T STO CK A PP E A L

Our shops provide a vital income stream for our Hospice, raising over £206,000 during 2016! We could not have reached this outstanding figure without the kind donations of your unwanted goods and your continued custom. However, we now have ten shops that desperately need your support. So please if you are ready for a spring clear out or it’s time for a new seasonal wardrobe, consider our shops as your first destination.

GARDEN CHAIRS FURNITURE BASKETS & POTS MOWERS AND MUCH MORE...

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Ready for an adventure? You may have done a sponsored walk up Snowdon with us before but have you ever wondered what the sunrise looks like from the highest mountain in England & Wales? Well now is your chance to find out with our Snowdon Sunrise Walk in the early hours of Sunday 17th September. Snowdonia National Park in North Wales is synonymous with beautiful, rugged landscapes and wonderful trekking and outdoor pursuits. At 1,085m high, Snowdon’s Welsh name is Yr Wyddfa and is reputedly the burial place of a mythical giant. A popular summit trek by day-time, it offers a real challenge by night. Climbing the mountain by moonlight and standing at the summit at sunrise will be an unforgettable experience, as will seeing the sunrise from the mountain slopes. As you descend, you will be able to see the spectacular landscapes open up before you as the day grows lighter. The Snowdon Sunrise Walk is an amazing opportunity to take on an exciting new challenge, while showing your support for our patients and their loved ones.

What’s the cost? £48.50 with the promise that you will raise at least £100 in sponsorship.

What’s the route? We will take the Llanberis path which follows the Snowdon Mountain Railway all the way to the summit of Snowdon. The trek is 7km each way from base to Summit; a total of 14km. The Llanberis path is the most gradual route up Mount Snowdon with good conditions underfoot, and therefore the best suited to your challenging ascent in the dark! As the sun begins to rise over Snowdonia National Park you will begin your descent and can celebrate your huge achievement with a slap-up breakfast (included in the registration fee) once you reach the Padarn Hotel.

What’s included? • • •

Tea, coffee and refreshments at our base at the Padarn Hotel to make sure you have all the energy you need to complete your challenge, and a chance to meet your fellow trekkers. A delicious, well-deserved breakfast when you return. Walking with professional walking guides from 'Climb Snowdon' so you can be assured that you are in good hands during your trek.

The challenge of a lifetime This is a fantastic five day trek along the magnificent Great Wall of China, with the chance to place your own brick in a section of the wall. In this way you can ensure that your imprint is left on the wall forever. You can include a trinket in memory of a loved one, or just something of your own to mark the occasion. “You have not lived if you have not been to the Great Wall”, or so the Chinese saying goes, and it’s not surprising why! The Great Wall of China has been voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Stretching for 6,000km, it zig zags its way across China, snaking across mountains and through valleys. The China Great Wall Trek is a fantastic opportunity to take in this amazing structure as well as the watch towers, mountains and historic battlement stations that are well off the tourist trail. This most amazing of fundraising events also enables us to ‘lend a hand’ repairing a section of the Wall that is currently being reconstructed. We will each place our brick in this newly restored section, ensuring our own place in the Great Wall of China!

Another highlight of this challenge is to conquer the 1,000 steps up to the wall at Mutianyu – culminating with the ascent of the ‘Heavenly Ladder’. At the end of the challenge, you will have the chance to leave a precious memento to someone you love on a dedicated section of the wall. Following this once in a lifetime fundraising event, you will have some free time to explore Beijing’s famous sites, such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square before celebrating your achievement at dinner.

Interested? Want to know more? Over the next few weeks, we will be arranging a special meeting in Caffi Cwtch here at the Hospice where you can find out more about this fantastic opportunity. To register your interest and for further information, please contact Christine Dukes on 01978 314 292.

For other ideas on what you can do as part of Team Nightingale, visit www.nightingalehouse.co.uk

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Be a Hospice Hero Fancy a challenge?

We know that many of you have may have already signed up for some sporting activities but did you know you don’t have to get active to do a challenge for us? You could brave the shave or hold a bake sale, you could even do a dress down day at work or host a karaoke or pamper evening. Of course, if you do fancy getting fit there are plenty of sponsored charity challenges taking place all over the UK. Whatever you decide to do, we will be proud to call you one of our Hospice Heroes and we will support you every step of the way.

Wiggle North series Cheshire Cheetah 18th June

Liverpool to Chester Bike Ride 2nd July

10,000ft Tandem Skydive 2nd September

This cycle sportive is one to test the very best! Taking on some of Cheshire’s greatest peaks including Mow Cop and Cat and Fiddle Road in the Peak District (the site of Britain’s second highest pub), you will enjoy a great challenge and a picturesque ride through Cheshire. The inclines begin once out of Crewe and reach the highest peak 37.5 miles into the course. This cycle offers you a challenge, but an enjoyable day out in Cheshire. Perfect for regular cyclists and glory seekers!

Liverpool – Chester – Liverpool Bike Ride is a non – competitive bike ride which covers a range of distances from 5 miles to 100 miles, for all the family and abilities depending on the chosen route. Many riders start outside the Queensway Tunnel in Liverpool, which offers a unique opportunity to ride approximately 2.5 miles through the Tunnel under the river Mersey, traffic free. Alternatively, riders can start from a lively event site at the Countess of Chester Health Park.

Are you brave enough for a 10,000ft tandem skydive? We have 20 places up for grabs to take part in our sponsored tandem Skydive 2017. How would you like to throw yourself out of a plane at 10,000 feet above the beautiful countryside of Whitchurch all in aid of raising vital funds to keep the Hospice going!

Tough Mudder Malpas 9th and 10th September

Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon 21st September

Chester Marathon 8th October

You will face an array of exhilarating and challenging obstacles whilst slipping, sliding and climbing your way to the finish line! Whether you are part of a company looking for a team building opportunity, members at a gym wanting to push your bodies to the limit or a group of muddy mums taking on a new challenge - Tough Mudder is the event for you.

Thirteen miles of rolling hills and stunning scenery, Lake Vyrnwy is the most beautiful half marathon you will ever run! The Lake Vyrnwy Nature Reserve and Estate that surrounds the lake is a popular destination for days out, cyclists and hikers. It is designated as a national nature reserve and a site of special scientific interest.

The MBNA Chester Marathon is the UK's number 1 road marathon, as voted by Runners' World in 2012 & 2013. With a spectacular start and finish at Chester Racecourse, the route passes all Chester's iconic landmarks, then heads out into the Cheshire & North Wales countryside, before returning along the banks of the River Dee for an unforgettable finish.

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Send for your free tea party fundraising pack with cake recipes from Jane Asher, Rick Stein, Lesley Waters & Matt Tebbutt

Call 01978 314292 or visit nightingalehouse.co.uk

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Events Wrexham Food Festival

Tea Party, Summer Fete and Garden Sale

Bellis Dog Show

Saturday 13th May (10am-5pm) Sunday 14th May 2017 (10am-4pm) Llwyn Isaf, Wrexham £4 for adults with free entry for children under 16 (all children must be accompanied by an adult)

10th June (11am-4pm) Nightingale House Hospice, Chester Road, Wrexham Free entry for Summer Fete and Garden Sale £3 donation for Tea Party entry

Saturday 15th July (from 10am) Bellis Brothers, Holt Entry to Fun Day is free Entry to Dog Show and baking competition is £1.50 per class

Put the date in your diary and get the family together for the combined fun of our Big Tea Party, Summer Fete and annual Garden Sale. The perfect event for the whole family.

It’s time for a Family Fun Day with Bouncy Castle, Fairground Rides, Refreshments, Face Painting, Baking and Jam Competition and Stalls at the Bellis Dog Show this summer. The Dog Show will have pedigree and novelty classes and is open to all. The Dog Show will start at 11am with entries being taken from 10.30am. Of course, Bellis Dog Show wouldn’t be complete without the annual cake competition, the standard is high but can your Victoria Sponge set the bar? Or are you a whizz with strawberry jam? Whatever your best bake may be, there are classes for both Adults and Children so everyone can get involved!

Set in the heart of Wrexham, this wonderful outdoor Food and Drink extravaganza is not to be missed. Featuring an eclectic selection of food producers - many of whom are Welsh. Think pies, fresh fudge, local ale, burgers, sausages and much, much more! Sometimes you have no idea what’s available right on your doorstep until a food festival like this brings it all to your attention – and your plate.

With free entry to the Summer Fete, you can enjoy entertainment including children’s crafts, lucky dip, hook a duck, face painting and bird of prey displays. Our annual Garden Sale gives you the opportunity to buy garden equipment, garden furniture, plant pots and other garden accessories. Bake, Brew Pour, Share Tea Party If you haven't got time to organise your own Tea Party, you are invited to ours! Join us in the marquee in the Hospice garden for a cup of tea or coffee and a cake or two. There is a donation of £3 for tea or coffee and a slice of freshly baked cake or scone and jam courtesy of Caffi Cwtch if you want to join our party.

Summer Fete e l a S n e d r a G & Sponsored by

World Heritage Walk Sunday 21st May (11.30am- 4pm) Llwyn Isaf, Wrexham There is no registration fee for this event but we encourage you to raise as much sponsorship as possible

Step into your local history with the Nightingale House World Heritage Walk. This distinctive 12 mile stroll will take you through beautiful scenery along the paths of Llangollen and Oswestry, an area steeped in local heritage. Walking with fellow Nightingale House supporters, breathtaking scenery will greet you at every twist and turn, including the iconic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Chirk Aqueduct, Trevor Basin and the Chirk Tunnel.

Wrexham Golf Day Wednesday 19th July (8:30am – 4:30pm) Wrexham Golf Club, Holt Road We welcome team entries (up to four per team) to play Stableford format. Entries are £90 per team for Wrexham golf club members/£120 for non members.

Delight your friends with the most entertaining day in golf! What better way to get into the fundraising swing than to join in with our annual golf day at Wrexham Golf Club? With its unique character and refurbished clubhouse, Wrexham Golf Club has long been recognised as one of the premier golf venues in Wales. Set amongst a myriad of magnificent views of the surrounding countryside, the course designed by five times Open Champion James Braid is a tough but rewarding challenge, renowned for its quick greens. Your entry fee will also include a delicious meal.

Ladies Midnight Walk 17th June (registration from 8pm) Location: Llwyn Isaf, Wrexham £15

The Ladies Midnight Walk is very special for both Hospice families and our lovely ladies of the community. Ladies just like you who put their best foot forward to make a significant difference to people whose lives are shorter than they should be. It is an evening to reflect on the good times, a night to celebrate life, love and friendship. That is why this year, we want you to ‘think pink’ and join us again. With your support, we can show the town of Wrexham what girl power really means! In your very own Midnight Walk t-shirt, bunny ears and tutu, you can help us prove that for the Hospice - pink means strength, hope and determination.

Oswestry Balloon Fiesta Saturday 26th August – Monday 28th August British Ironworks, Oswestry Entry TBC

Look to the skies of Shropshire and they are sure to be filled with balloons this August bank holiday weekend! The Oswestry Balloon Fiesta will see an array of hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes take to the skies. There will be plenty of action to be had on the ground, with family-friendly attractions including: arena events, fairground rides, food and drink stalls, music. You can also take this opportunity to visit the amazing sculptures on display at the Ironworks.