Hundreds of people from across Greater Manchester will be remembering their loved ones as part of a special appeal this summer in support of St Ann’s Hospice.
The Forget-Me-Not Appeal gives people the chance to receive a special keepsake dedicated to their loved one and, if they wish, to attend a service of reflection and celebration at the hospice’s Heald Green or Little Hulton site, while making a donation to St Ann’s.
This year, St Ann’s is also offering supporters the opportunity to make a dedication online, in their brand new Memory Meadow.
Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive of St Ann’s, said: “Our Forget-Me-Not appeal is incredibly important to us as it gives us the opportunity to both raise money for our patients and their families, whilst also honouring the lives of those who are sadly no longer with us.
“We’re always overwhelmed to see so many people supporting our patients in this way – some with a connection to the hospice, and others who don’t have any connection but want to celebrate the life of someone special.
“We’re especially pleased to also introduce our Memory Meadow for those supporters who would like to celebrate their loved ones online. Every penny raised really does help us to provide specialist care that makes a difference to the lives of local people.”
Julie Wilmoth’s husband, Colin, was cared for at St Ann’s Hospice in 2018. She said: “When Colin first went into St Ann’s, he was bed-ridden and fed up, but it quickly became like home. We were greeted very warmly and made so welcome and comfortable – I felt like we’d been scooped up and taken to their heart. I wanted to spend as much time as possible with Colin, and St Ann’s made that possible.”
The charity, which operates from three sites in Little Hulton, Heald Green, and the Neil Cliffe Centre in Wythenshawe Hospital looks after thousands of patients every year with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses – managing their symptoms, providing support, caring for people at the hospice or at home, and providing end of life care. It also runs a range of outreach services to help support people in the local community.
For more information on St Ann’s, or if you would like to take part in the Forget-Me-Not appeal to remember someone special, please call 0161 498 3631 or visit the hospice website.