Cheshire Independent Issue 214

MAY/JUNE 2026 4 A BUMPER year of fund- raising by East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce will benefit patients with life-limiting illnesses. Members raised £9,148 for East Cheshire Hospice, its chosen charity, from var- ious events. Activities included a golf day, cake and coffee after- noon, clay shoot, Christmas lunch and its annual business awards at De Vere Cranage Estate, where a raffle and auction were held. Jackie Randles, the cham- ber’s chief executive, said: “It’s been a delight working alongside the hospice over the last 12 months and we are extremely proud to have raised this money for such a deserving cause.” Luke Oldham, corporate fundraiser at the hospice, explained what difference the funds will make to patient care. He said: “This generous donation will help fund care for almost an entire day. That includes inpatient care, our Sunflower Living Well Centre and Hospice @Home. “That’s a lot of care – and people – within a 24-hour period. Local businesses play a vital role in sustaining the care we provide. “We’re incredibly proud to have the backing of such a committed and caring local business community. “I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you for the incredible support given by East Chesh- ire Chamber of Commerce. “Their fundraising is a remarkable achievement and we’re so grateful for the effort, generosity and community spirit that made it possible.” It was the first time the hospice was chosen as East Cheshire chamber’s chosen charity. It will support North West Air Ambulance over the next 12 months. TATTONMPEstherMcVey has called on government to cut the commission that park homeowners are forced to pay when selling their properties. Commission is currently capped at 10 per cent but residents argue the costs are unfair. Ms McVey told the Com- mons: “Talking to my park homeowners, they tell me they feel financially trapped should they wish or need to sell their home. They also rightly point out that they already pay site fees so they believe this extra cost is unjust.” Site owners say the money funds repairs and investment into the parks and is needed. A CHESHIRE dad who took on the Manchester Marathon as a dedicated “thank you” to staff at Macclesfield District General Hospital has raised more than £1,500. Zachary Weaver-Shojaie stepped out for the run to raise cash for the hospi- tal’s Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) and the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). The staff working in those departments provided life-changing support to his family during a journey marked by both devastating loss and the eventual joyful arrival of his daughter. It was Zach’s first-ever marathon, a challenge he set his sights on after find- ing his way back to running for his own wellbeing in late 2024 to turn his personal challenges into a positive force for the hospital units that stood by him. And it was an emotional moment for him and his family. The achievement also follows a challenging personal recovery for Zach, who crossed the finish line after overcoming a seri- ous car accident that had initially put his marathon plans in doubt. Reflecting on the achieve- ment, Zach described the experience as an ‘over- whelming’ milestone. He said: “It was incredi- ble. The support was over- whelming. Beyond the love and support in the buildup from people near and far, on the course it was the kindness and support of total strangers that kept me moving. “It wasn’t the run I antic- ipated in September, but perhaps even more over- whelming with the love, support, and kindness in the lead-up and to pick me up when the going got tough. “At points, the advice was this wouldn’t be possible, ART therapist Rhiannon Fogarty-Wilkinson paints an impressive picture of East Cheshire Hospice. She has just started work at the Macclesfield charity after replacing Fay Mitch- ell, who has retired after 26 years’ service. Rhian- non said: “Everyone here is so welcoming. The hospice offers such a wide range of services with many groups, events and therapies which support people with differ- ent diagnoses.” Rhiannon’s artistic approach Artistic role: Rhiannon Fogarty-Wilkinson (Photo credit: ECH) Fundraising that makes a difference Action call on park homes commission Commons debate: Esther McVey Presentation: From left, Luke Oldham and Laura Tomlinson from the hospice with Jackie Randles, Liz Longmore and Tim McCloud from the chamber But Ms McVey pointed out stamp duty is paid when buy- ing a house, not selling, and 10 per cent of sales is a “huge amount of money to lose”. A government consultation is currently underway looking at the rationale for the commis- sion and whether the need has changed over the years. It is also looking at what goods and services are paid for with the money and how it enables site owners to meet their obligations effectively and efficiently. Ms McVey said: “This can- not be a one-sided consulta- tion; residents must be heard. I urge all my park homeowners to respond so we can show the strength of feeling over this issue. So far just 400 residents of the 160,000 living in park homes up and down the coun- try have responded. In the debate Ms McVey pushed housing minister Mat- thew Pennycook to commit to a timeframe. She was given assurances a decision on com- mission would be made by the end of the year. Ms McVey said: “Back in 2022, I presented a petition in Parliament calling for annual pitch fee increases for park homes to be linked to con- sumer price inflation rather than retail price inflation, which the then Conservative government enacted. Now we need action over the 10 per cent commission.” Thanks: Zach’s e!orts have raised more than £1,500 (Photo credit: East Cheshire NHS Charity) Zach’s run of courage which despite blind optimism, deep down I thought might be right. “One car accident, two scans, a great orthopaedist, some fantastic physiothera- pists, and most of all the most wonderful wife and daugh- ter later, it’s sinking in that I was able to make good on my commitment.” Funds raised will enable both the hospital units to purchase those ‘added extras’ that go above and beyond standard NHS funding, such as specialist medical equip- ment and enhanced facilities for families. Speaking before the run Zach said: “In March 2024 we suffered a silent miscarriage. We learned of it a matter of days before the 12-week scan that we had just allowed our- selves to become excited about. “The loss was crushing, but at every step of this difficult journey, the EPAU staff were so loving, kind and supportive that they carried us when we struggled to carry ourselves. “We were so glad to be able to return to EPAU to share the news of our second preg- nancy. Our beautiful daughter was born in May 2025. This was following a traumatic birth following which mummy and baby each needed support, extending over several weeks. “During this time, SCBU and other staff at Macclesfield helped to support our daugh- ter so that mummy could try to focus on recovery and I could get some semblance of rest. “As I sat, physically and emotionally exhausted, in the SCBU experiencing the support that was being pro- vided to us, I committed to giving something back – and decided that I would seek to use the marathon as a chal- lenge by which to fundraise for the units.” After returning to run- ning in 2024 to support his mental health, his training was severely interrupted by And previously, it has been said that the commission paid by residents when they sell is similar to stamp duty a car accident last Septem- ber. Despite being unable to run for months, he spent much of 2026 working with physiotherapists to ensure he can cross the finish line to honour the staff who sup- ported his family. 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