Cransley Hospice column: Celebrations, courage and a whole lot of green

Eighty years young, daring wing walks and a new GO GREEN opportunity – there’s certainly been plenty to celebrate at Cransley Hospice Trust!

We recently had the pleasure of celebrating a very special milestone as our founder, Rev Dr John Smith, turned 80!

A huge thank you to everyone who shared a special memory or message for John as part of our birthday celebrations. Your thoughtful notes were so warmly received – and John now has a heartfelt note to open almost every day for the next year!

The afternoon was filled with smiles, cake, Nosecco and plenty of treasured memories. It was a wonderful way to celebrate an extraordinary milestone, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make John’s 80th birthday so memorable.

And from one milestone to another, we’ve been blown away by the courage and commitment of some very special fundraisers!

On August 7, Will Groenland and his fiancée Annie took to the skies for a daring Wing Walk challenge in memory of Will’s mum, Louise. It was an incredible tribute to Louise and a truly brave way to raise money for local hospice care.

Then, just 24 hours later, friends Carol Poole and Teresa Dollard were strapped to the wings of a plane for an ‘Aerobatic Experience’. These two weren’t first-timers! Having taken part in our Wing Walk last summer, Carol and Teresa enjoyed it so much that they decided to take things up a notch this year – with loop-the-loops aplenty!

Between them, our amazing Wing Walkers raised a staggering £11,700. What an achievement!

Fancy joining them in 2027? Keep your eyes peeled our next Wing Walk dates will be announced very soon.

But now, we’re turning our attention from the skies to something a little closer to home – and we need you to GO GREEN!

During Hospice Care Week, October 5 to 11, we’re aiming to raise an amazing £18,000 to support local hospice care!

You can GO GREEN in any way you choose. Wear something green and donate, host a green themed party with friends, family or colleagues, organise a bake sale, or even go environmentally green by donating unwanted items to our charity shops.

Short on time, you can even simply ‘Text to Donate’ – just text GOGREEN (plus your donation amount) to 70460 and your donation will be gratefully received!

And there’s also a brand-new way to get involved. On Sunday, October 11, at 11am, join us for the first-ever Go Green Walk, as we follow the 5km Green Way from Stanwick Lakes to Rushden Lakes.

It’s free to take part; simply donate whatever you can to support hospice care. Free car parking at Stanwick Lakes is also available when you register with us, and the first 100 people to sign up will receive a free children’s goodie bag. We hope to see you there!

Find out more about it and secure your place at www.cransleyhospicetrust.org.uk.

Thank you for helping us make every moment matter.