Lisa steps into Brian’s big boots

UP for the challenge, Lisa Pearson who is taking over the reins from Brian Hurst

THE new fundraising champion for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, Lisa Pearson, is in no doubt about the tough task she is up against.

Besides being faced with the daunting prospect of raising £1.3 million every year to keep the Royton hospice running, she is following in the footsteps of one of the borough’s best-known faces.

Brian Hurst, who has been the hospice’s one and only appeals manager, will hand over the reins to Lisa when he retires at the end of June, after nearly 14 years at the helm.

She joined the hospice last week and has already discovered it is a world away from her last position as marketing and business development manager at Manchester law firm George Davies.

Relishing the challenge ahead, 36-year-old Lisa said: “I am under no illusion that I have huge boots to fill.

“Brian is such a large character, both here at the hospice and in the community.

“I will be working in his shadow and I really hope I can do justice to what he has built up and move things forward.”

Lisa, who lives in Rossendale with husband Mark and her two stepchildren, Jake (10) and Lauren (6), has done voluntary work since she was a teenager, both hands-on and raising money.

She and her husband do regular stints in a soup kitchen in Manchester, handing out meals to homeless people with the charity Mustard Tree.

And she is “thrilled” to have been offered the job on which the future of Dr Kershaw’s relies.

“When I saw the job advertised I came in for a look round and I just loved it from the minute I stepped through the door,” she said.

“I thought what a lovely, friendly, warm and homely place, I instantly felt at home.

“I had a pre-conception that a hospice was somewhere people came to die, but it was the complete antithesis to everything I thought it would be.

“People enjoy themselves here, there are so many activities, from pottery and painting to crafts and card making.

“It’s about enjoying life and making the best of what life has to offer.”

Lisa is still settling in but is keen to work more closely with schools, colleges and local businesses in a bid to foster corporate supporters, and to harness the fundraising power of the next generation.

And she will also go out into the community to meet as many hospice supporters and fundraisers as possible.

She said: “I am conscious that, particularly at times like these, money is short and charity begins at home for many people out of necessity rather than by choice.

“I was instantly struck by the family atmosphere at the hospice and the passion of staff and volunteers for it.

“I want to invite people in so they too can see what a great place it is, and how the money they raise is being spent.”

Lisa will kick off her fundraising campaign by taking part in the hospice 10-mile Midnight Walk on June 11, from Boundary Park.

Anyone who wants to join her, or who has any fundraising ideas, can contact her at the hospice appeals office on 0161-624 9984.


Let’s sign off with a cracker!
OUTGOING fundraising chief Brian Hurst has asked Oldhamers to join him at the last big charity event of his career, the 10-mile midnight walk from Latics on June 11.

Strictly for women, the walk is now in its third year

Application forms are available from Oldham Community Leisure’s leisure centres in Oldham and Chadderton or from any of Dr Kershaw’s fundraising shops. People can also apply on line at www.drkershawshospice.org.uk  

Brian said: “I want it to be as big as possible because it is my last one. It will be really nice to see everyone — the more the merrier.”