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 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 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 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 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 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 moreThe grant will fund the purchase of 3 special Rise and Recline Chairs for our patients.
Read moreSpringhill Hospice received a very special visit this week from BBC Northwest.
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 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 has been awarded the High Sheriff Special Recognition Award for its outstanding contribution to the community during the pandemic.
Read moreSpringhill recently won an award for most welcoming organisation.
Read moreSuperstar fundraiser, Ella, will be able to help buy a very special chair for Springhill.
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 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 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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