Added 19th March 2019
This year Springhill Hospice celebrates its 30th Anniversary. Our journey began in the early 1980s when our founder, Margaret Geoghegan, saw there was a need in the Borough for a Hospice. What she did next would create a legacy that the people of Rochdale and beyond holds close to their hearts 30 years on.
The Hospice opened on the 8th October 1989. Since then Springhill has grown and developed with its own education suite, Day Hospice and Community Nursing Service. It also has a line of local retail shops, its own lottery and its very own café, “Coffee at the Craven”, all helping to support its important work.
Robert Clegg, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Springhill Hospice, has been part of the Springhill journey since its beginnings. We spoke to him about his time working with the Hospice.
How did you become involved in Springhill?
“In the early 1980s I was the Hospital Secretary at Birch Hill Hospital. I learned early of the plans to build a Hospice for Rochdale. My boss at the time was Secretary of the Appeal Committee who Margaret Geoghegan had gathered together to raise the funds to build and equip this new facility. When he left in 1986 I took his place.
“I wrote hundreds of letters to large charities seeking external funding and remember being really excited when a cheque for £25,000 arrived. Locally the Rochdale Observer took up the cause and encouraged people to fundraise and every week published a list of donations that had been received.
“Slowly but surely the £1.5 million needed to pay for the building, furnish and equip it, and the first three months running costs had been raised and the doors opened in October 1989.”
Over the past 30 years and before the Hospice was even built there has always been support from the public and local businesses. Thankfully this support shows no sign of slowing down with continued backing from the people of Rochdale and beyond in their fundraising endeavours.
What are your memories of the fundraising and events over the years?
“We have been very lucky to employ some incredibly talented fundraisers each of whom have brought their own style to the job. We have hosted events such as, musical events at Champnes Hall, Last Night of the Proms at Honresfeld, our Man and Woman of the Year events, Golf Days. There have been so many.
“One event I particularly remember was watching people walking on hot coals on the car park at Rochdale Football Ground – I took my hat off to them – but did not take my shoes off! On a very personal note, winning the “Wit of Year” dinner in 1997 was very enjoyable- not winning the “Wit of Wits” in 2001 was less so.”
Being involved with the Hospice since before it opened its doors, Robert has been a part of some of the most memorable moments in Springhill’s history.
What memories stand out to you from the last 30 years at the Hospice?
“There have been so many happy memories, some of the ones stand out to me includes the sod cutting in preparation for the building works right at the beginning of the Hospice journey, along with the arrival of our first patients. The official opening by the Princess Royal was a very special event, as were the visits by the Duchess of Norfolk and later the Duchess of Gloucester who joined us for our 25th anniversary.”
It has been an eventful 30 years for the Hospice. Our staff, volunteers and Robert have been at the forefront of the changes, developments and achievements that have had such a positive impact on people from across the Borough.
What are you most proud of from your time at the Hospice?
“I am proud of the fact that as a result of the work of Margaret Geoghegan we have been able for 30 years to provide a really good service for the people of Rochdale. I am truly proud to have been a member of a very large team of staff and volunteers that has made Springhill Hospice what it is today and to know what a massive difference we have made for literally thousands of our patients and their families in the last 30 years.”
Our supporters are the reason we can care for local people and their families suffering from incurable diseases.
Make a differenceTo celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, our wonderful supporters generously donated to the Hospice.
Read moreLocal singing-jeweller, John Alexander worked with local artist to raise £1,000 for Springhill Hospice after being inspired by the efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
Read moreContinued supporter of Springhill, Amanda Chadwick, is crowdfunding for the Hospice as she is worried about the impact Coronavirus will have on our facilities.
Read moreCelebrate the amazing achievements of Captain Tom and support Springhill Hospice in an exciting new fundraising challenge, the Captain Tom 100, launched on the anniversary of his historic walk.
Read moreTo celebrate National Gardening week, we are taking a look at the wonderful, North West in Bloom Award winning gardens here at the Hospice.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice’s beloved coffee shop Coffee @ the Craven has opened its doors in collaboration with GMP Rochdale, to welcome people to visit the community officers; allowing them to voice their concerns and privately share information in a safe space.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice spark delight with announcement of Coffee @ the Craven reopening
Read moreWe are very sad to announce the closure of Coffee at the Craven on 26th March 2020.<br>Thank you to all our customers over the years and also to our wonderful volunteers who have helped us run The Craven daily.<br>Click above to read our full statement.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice were delighted to receive a donation of £10,000 from previous Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Mohammed Zaman.
Read moreLocal cyclist, Daniel Taylor raises over £3,000 for Springhill by taking on Everesting challenge.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice’s gardens will bloom once again this year with sunflower plaques dedicated to your loved ones, welcoming the summer sun whilst celebrating the lives of your nearest and dearest.
Read moreLocal man, Paul Thomas treated his neighbours over the Christmas period to a spectacular light show with a difference.
Read more12 teams competed in the brand new challenge which launched in August. The teams taking part were given a £30 ‘loan’ from the Hospice and they were tasked with making that money grow to raise as much as they could.
Read moreThe Lodge of Harmony 298 generously donated the money to the Hospice as it was a chosen charity of the Worshipful Master Frank Durns to support throughout 2018/19.
Read moreLast week our Chief Executive Julie Haliwell was presented with a cheque from Frank Smith, the head of the Order of the Secret Monitor Freemasons in East Lancashire.
Read moreFormer Trustee and Director of Fundraising, Ken Davies, passes away.
Read moreMembers of the community, loyal customers, trustees of Springhill and Mayor Ali Ahmed attended the reopening of Coffee @ the Craven
Read moreThe last couple of months have been difficult for everyone. We are all going through a period of change and adjustment.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice’s Annual Golf Day took place once again at Rochdale Golf Club. 29 teams signed up to take on the 18 hole course, to try and win the title of Golf Day Champions 2022 and take home the prestigious Golf Day Trophy.
Read moreOn Friday 9th December, Springhill Hospice held their first ever Christmas Cracker at the Norton Grange Hotel and Spa. The Christmas Cracker was a festive lunch to help get supporters into the Christmas spirit whilst raising vital funds for the Hospice.
Read moreCouncillor Ali Ahmed, Councillor Janet Whitehead, Councillor Peter Winkler set to tackle the adrenaline pumping Firewalk challenge to support Springhill Hospice later this month.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice’s prestigious Woman of Rochdale luncheon will celebrate its 30th anniversary in honouring the extraordinary women in Rochdale, and highlighting their exceptional contribution to the community.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice was delighted to receive a grant of £23,000 to invest in specialist equipment to support its patients. Thanks to funds donated by the Morrisons Foundation, the Hospice has been able to install a new bath, replacement beds and hoists, all of which help increase the comfort and provide care to people with life-limiting conditions and their families from Rochdale and the surrounding areas.
Read moreA magical showcase portraying four musical legends will take to the stage in August to raise money for local hospices in Rochdale, Oldham and Ashton under Lyne.
Read moreNominations are officially open for Springhill Hospice’s Woman of The Year 2020<br><br>
Read moreSharon Thomas, of Milnrow, is about to take on the challenge of a lifetime in what is described as a “life changing” trek through Cambodia.
Read moreThe Hospice was visited by the District of Rochdale Freemasons with hampers for patients and a generous grant.<br><br>
Read moreCity and Guilds Group has announced that Springhill Hospice has been commended by the 2020 Princess Royal Training Awards, for their education and training programme.
Read moreA group of individuals have succeeded in completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for the care and vital services provided at Springhill Hospice.
Read moreThe wonderful team at Mike Goldrick Window Blinds, based in Heywood, are boosting one of the most prestigious ladies lunches in the borough by once again sponsoring the Springhill Hospice Women of Rochdale Luncheon.
Read moreOur Donation Days begin on Wednesday 17th June. From 10am-2pm The Emporium will be accepting donations via the shop car park, while observing social distancing guidelines.
Read moreCastleton man, Geoff Street braved the shave and went back to his roots when he agreed to ‘cut it all off’ in support of Springhill Hospice – and the first to go for the chop was his much loved ponytail.
Read moreLocal business owners and community fundraisers, Mike and Debbie Goldrick have sponsored the Women of Rochdale luncheon once again with a donation of £1000.
Read moreAs the festive season approaches, you can help the Hospice by donating any unwanted gifts or items.
Read moreThe grant will fund the purchase of 3 special Rise and Recline Chairs for our patients.
Read moreRochdale company Icon Sports has donated 10 aprons to Springhill Hospice’s Coffee @ the Craven tearoom.
Read moreA generous donation was made by Hospice supporters after they completed a 5k race.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice have launched an exciting new scheme to kick of 2023 and encourage local businesses within the borough of Rochdale to get involved with fundraising.
Read moreThis year’s worthy winner was Dave Richardson, who is a lifelong supporter and advocate of so many charitable causes
Read moreSpringhill Hospice received a very special visit this week from BBC Northwest.
Read moreSpringhill are taking part in the nationwide campaign, The 2.6 Challenge launches on Sunday 26th April and supporters of the Hospice are being asked to join in to raise funds.
Read moreLike many charities during 2020, Springhill Hospice had seen its fundraising abilities reduced and its charity shops forced to close meaning that the budget that they would normally have available to them for replacing old equipment had vanished. When CEO of the charity, Samantha Wells, reached out to Miele, the company did everything they could to come to their assistance.
Read moreOur Hospice Education team won a national award for their innovative training programme for health and social care staff.<br><br>The Skills for Care Accolades award ceremony took place in London on Wednesday 22nd January, where the team were…
Read moreThe grant will help provide much needed renovations
Read moreOn Friday the 14th of October, Springhill Hospice will be hosting their very first Open Day; a chance for people from the community to view their wide array of employment and volunteering opportunities, learn more about the incredible care Springhill provides to patients and families, gain a better understanding of their first rate educational training opportunities, and engage with fellow healthcare professionals.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice volunteers have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice is delighted to once again open its gates and welcome back their loving supporters to their annual Summer Garden Celebration, on Sunday 7th August 2022.
Read moreThe Men of Rochdale gathered once again for their 25th celebration at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 23 November to support Springhill Hospice.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice has been awarded the High Sheriff Special Recognition Award for its outstanding contribution to the community during the pandemic.
Read moreOn Sunday April 28, Springhill Hospice hosted their 13th annual Hospice to Hospice Walk. The day started with Springy the Springhill mascot heading up the crowd of 540 supporters ready to take on the walk and burn some calories!
Read moreLast weekend we hosted our famous annual Christmas Fair on Sunday 24 November, this time in a new venue.
Read moreFebruary 20th is National Love Your Pet Day across the UK. Rochdale is home to some very special pets including the Pets as Therapy dogs at Springhill Hospice.
Read moreNominations are now open for this year's award.<br><br>
Read moreThe celebration was held to recognise the dedication and hard work the students devoted to the course.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice to mark the one-year anniversary of the first Covid-19 lockdown. A Day of Reflection will be held across the UK on Tuesday, with a minute’s silence and a national doorstep vigil due to take place to mark the anniversary of the UK’s first coronavirus lockdown.
Read moreDue to the ongoing struggles of the economic climate, Springhill Hospice has taken the difficult decision to close down and sell three of its charity shops based in Whitworth, Heywood and on Yorkshire Street.
Read moreSpringhill recently won an award for most welcoming organisation.
Read more£2,258.31 raised from the sale of plants grown at the Bridge Centre.
Read moreSuperstar fundraiser, Ella, will be able to help buy a very special chair for Springhill.
Read moreReturning on Sunday 26th April 2020, the annual Hospice event which sees Springhill join forces with Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, where walkers will take on the 7.25 miles circular route between the two Hospices (that is a whopping 15,000 steps!)
Read moreOn Saturday 17th September, 169 people from across the borough of Rochdale joined Springhill Hospice for its annual Walk to Remember, to pay tribute to their loved ones.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice invites you to Walk to Remember your loved one.
Read moreThis Volunteers' Week we spoke to one of our volunteers, Carole, about her experience at the Hospice.
Read moreOur famous Springhill Hospice Christmas Fair returns on 24th November at a new location, Kingsway Park High School from 11am-4pm.
Read moreNominations are now open for this year’s Woman of Rochdale.
Read moreSpringhill sprinters make a marathon effort! Last weekend saw the Manchester Marathon take place, with plenty of support for Springhill Hospice.
Read moreOn Saturday 3rd December 2022, Springhill Hospice welcomed supporters who had made a tribute to the Light up a Life appeal to the Hospice grounds, to join them for their poignant in-person service.
Read moreLocal boxer, Muhammad Ali, has named Springhill Hospice as one of his chosen charities to support at his future boxing matches.
Read moreHuge thanks to the members of Greater Manchester walking football League for raising £1,000
Read moreAmazing fundraising efforts reach a fantastic total thanks to Giancarlo and family.
Read moreThe Men of Rochdale gathered once again for their annual celebration at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 22 November to support Springhill Hospice.
Read moreThis week the Hospice launches its 13th annual Hospice to Hospice Walk.
Read moreAn annual memorial event for local businessman and restauranteur, David Ferguson, has this year raised a record amount of money for Springhill Hospice.
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