Two fundraisers 69 years apart raise over £3k for hospice appeal

Generations apart and previously unknown to each other, Uppermill villagers Noah Price and Peter Killan, aged 11 and 80 respectively, share one aim – to help Dr Kershaw's Hospice by supporting its Christmas appeal. 

Between the unlikely duo, they have so far raised over £3,000 to support the 'Furnish with Love' appeal, which will provide a huge boost for the hospice. 

Dr Kershaw's Christmas appeal is focused on raising the essential funds needed to furnish the hospice's new in-patient family lounge in the soon to be launched In-Patient Unit, which currently has an unexpected Covid-19 related shortfall of £601,352.

Despite their shared goal, Noah and Peter's fundraising methods couldn't be further apart.

Saddleworth School pupil Noah is cycling his way to Christmas Day with a 100-mile Santa cycle as he travels along his own fundraising road for Dr Kershaw’s, while Peter celebrated his 80th birthday by clearing leaves each day on a half mile stretch of the canal towpath in Uppermill.

Both Noah and Peter (pictured) have their own history with the hospice, with family members cared for at Dr Kershaw’s.

Noah chose to fundraise for Dr Kershaw’s as his Auntie was cared for by the Hospice in 2012, and after helping the team last year on the Dr Kershaw’s Saddleworth Santa Dash stall, the junior fundraiser saw his chance to give some seasonal help to the Furnish with Love Appeal. 

He put his pedal power to work to smash his £500 target, hitting £679 after just one week.

Noah explained: “The doctors and nurses looked after my Auntie Rachel, so I decided I wanted to do something special that would help patients and their families. I’m doing this cycle to help pay for the furniture that is needed for the new ward’s patient lounge. When I’m with my mum and dad on Christmas Day, I’ll know that I’ve helped to give other people special family time together.”

Noah’s mum, Leanne Price, added: “Dr Kershaw’s Hospice cared for my sister, Rachel so to see the hard work Noah is putting in to help someone else’s family makes the whole family very proud. He’s so enthusiastic about his fundraising, every morning he asks ‘when can I get on the bike?’, he just can’t wait to add another few miles to the total.”

To find out more about Noah’s fundraising or to sponsor him, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Noah-Price

Peter, who turned 80 just three weeks ago, couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate his big birthday than trying to drum up funds for the hospice who cared for his daughter-in-law's mother.

Retired from local construction firm, Killan Construction, 19 years ago, Peter has been spending his retirement volunteering for UCAN (Uppermill Community Action Network) who normally maintain the canal path, but due to Covid have had to stop meeting.

Proving that not all heroes wear capes, Peter - donning his hi-vis vest - decided to continue clearing the slippery leaves between Wade Lock in Uppermill and Wool Road in Dobcross, to give something back to the community.

Supported by friends and family but also passers-by who he hands a leaflet to, Peter raised over £700 in his first week alone and has smashed his £2,000 target.

Peter’s family have first-hand experience of the care provided by the doctors and nurses at Dr Kershaw’s, as his daughter-in-law Lindsey’s mother, Margaret was in the Hospice’s care six years ago.

Speaking about Dr Kershaw’s and Peter’s efforts, Lindsey said: "My family all know what a difference Peter’s hard work and his sponsors generous donations will make for others. The doctors and nurses at the Hospice looked after my Mum, Margaret, they were simply amazing. They helped us all to cope not only when mum was in their care but after she had passed away too – they were so supportive of our family. We all knew that someone was there to help and care.”

To find out more about Peter’s fundraising or to sponsor him, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/peter-killan

To find out more how you can take part in festive fundraising to support Dr Kershaw's Hospice's Christmas Appeal, call the hospice's Fundraising Team on 0161 624 9984. To make a donation towards the purchase of the much-needed furnishings for the In-Patient Unit, visit www.drkh.org.uk/support-us/furnishwithlove or call 0161 624 9984.