Prime Minister David Cameron supports Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson in Pennine Lancashire 10K

 Prime Minister David Cameron is supporting Pendleside Hospice by sponsoring his Parliamentary colleague, Andrew Stephenson, to run 6.2 miles in the Pennine Lancashire 10K.

The newly elected Pendle MP has already competed in a major political battle to win the seat of Pendle and is now ready for a further challenge by joining almost 200 other competitors who are running in aid of Pendleside Hospice. 

Andrew said, “I am taking part to help what is so valuable to us all, everyone in Burnley & Pendle has some connection with Pendleside and I want to support it in a practical way so it can continue to provide care for local people at their time of need.”

“When I visited Pendleside I got to see the reality behind the Hospice, where the staff and volunteers care for anyone who needs their support.”

Over 1,500 runners will be taking to the streets of Blackburn on Sunday 11^th July to raise funds for their chosen charities.  Runners will start and finish at Witton Country Park and race into the town centre, over the Wainwright Bridge and past the historical Blackburn Cathedral. 

The run is being organised by Mike Tomlinson, husband of Jane Tomlinson CBE, a mum of three who set up the Run for All charity after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003.

To show your support and sponsor Andrew visit www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Stephenson-MP.

Pendleside Celebrates Milestone

Pendleside Hospice celebrated a milestone birthday recently with a party for volunteers and staff.

The event, to celebrate 21 years since the charity was formed, was held at the James Hargreaves Suite at  Burnley Football Club and saw almost 200 people attending to hear an update on services and plans for the future from Chairman, Mr David Brown.  Diane Hutchinson, Sister in charge of Hospice at Home and Julia O’Neill, Sister in charge of the Day Therapy Unit gave guests an insight into what happens within their departments and how the care they provide helps both patients and their carers.

It was in October 1988 that a group of people got together with the common aim to raise enough funds to provide hospice care for the people of Burnley and Pendle.  Thanks to their efforts services were soon able to be provided on a day care basis from the old Marsden Hospital and then both day care and inpatient care was offered at the Pendle Community Hospital.  In 1997 the fundraisers efforts were rewarded with the opening of Pendleside Hospice at Reedley, which was purpose built to provide specialist care to the people of Burnley and Pendle suffering from cancer and other life limiting illnesses.

21 years down the line the hospice now provides extensive and specialised care services to the people of Burnley and Pendle suffering from not only cancer but any other disease considered terminal or life limiting and support to family and carers.  A Hospice at Home team takes the level of care provided at Pendleside into patients own homes.

Photo 1:

Miss Muriel Jobling (President), Diane Hutchinson (Sister in charge of Hospice at Home), Brian Hartup (Chief Executive), Julia O’Neill (Sister in charge of Day Therapy), David Brown (Chairman) Margaret Blackstone (Sister in charge of Inpatient Unit) and Helen McVey (Clinical Services Manager) with a cake for the celebrations baked by Hospice Catering Manager, Mr Mark Scott.

Photo 2:

Fundraising Volunteers Hazel Todd, Carol Willshaw, Shirley Whittaker & Pat Holden.