Hospice’s Rose to Remember appeal raises over £13,000

Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Royton recently staged its third annual Rose to Remember event, kindly supported once again by Co-op, Royton.

This year, the Hospice asked the community to dedicate a beautiful, metal, pink rose to their loved ones, with supporters also kindly giving donations alongside their dedications.

A total of 750 roses were dedicated to remember those who the community have sadly lost and with an incredible £13,262.70 raised to support patient care at Dr Kershaw’s, the kindness and generosity of those who supported the Rose to Remember Appeal will now enable more patients and their families across the community to receive specialist care and support from the Hospice.

The event saw 300 members of the local community turn out to attend a short celebrant service and support the Hospice, a place which means so much to those who have had their loved ones cared for by the Hospice team.

Each dedicated rose was on display in the Hospice’s beautiful gardens during the event, before being lovingly picked for each family who attended.

It was a summer celebration to remember those who we have loved and sadly lost and included performances from Dr Kershaw's Hospice Choir and Brian Clarke Academy Choir, as well as refreshments in the Hospice’s Café K, a raffle and some stalls to peruse.

Fundraising Events Lead at Dr Kershaw’s, Alice Entwistle, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our third annual Rose to Remember event was a success.

"Thank you so much to everyone who supported and made a rose dedication or attended and contributed at our event - it really does mean so much.

"A huge thank you to all our volunteers who helped at the event, to Darren and the team at Co-op for their dedicated support with the appeal and event, G & J Logistics for their beautiful pink roses, Hill Johnstone Wealth Management and Nat West for the brilliant corporate volunteers, Kershaw's Krafties for their fantastic craft stall, Dr Kershaw's Choir and Brian Clarke Academy Choir for their amazing harmonies, Celebrant Roger Fielding, and The Mayor of Oldham, Zahid Chauhan.

"The support from the community is overwhelming and we really couldn't do it without you.”

Comments on the Hospice’s social media page following the event included: “What a wonderful event, beautiful service. Well done to everyone involved. I will forever cherish my rose of remembrance.”

And “Beautiful service, thank you to everyone involved.”

Royton Co-op Store Manager Darren Ramsden and Co-op colleagues attended on the day to support Rose to Remember, giving up their time to volunteer at the Hospice Café.

Darren said: “I am thrilled that we were able to help take Rose to Remember into its third year.

"It's a privilege as a Store Manager to be able to make a difference to the community around the four walls of our shop.

"This event has now raised over £33,500 in its three years, as well as supporting every person in the community to have a platform to remember a loved one through the event.

"I feel lucky that my role in the Co-op can act as a pillar of support towards Dr Kershaw’s.

"It was truly amazing to see hospice supporters from all aspects of the community come together for a truly great event.”

Hospice Events Lead Alice added: “Our roses are a collectable item and we use colour for symbolism; in 2023 the roses were yellow for remembrance and this year they were pink for love.

"Rose to Remember 2025 will see beautiful, metal roses of a different colour planted in our gardens - watch this space for the confirmed event date.”

If you have any questions about the Rose to Remember event please contact the Hospice’s Fundraising Team on 0161 624 9984 or email: fundraising@drkh.org.uk

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.