Children from Stalybridge school make pilgrimage to Willow Wood

Pupils from St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in Stalybridge have embarked on a ‘pilgrimage’ from the school to Willow Wood Hospice.

28 children from Year Four walked from the school on Hough Hill Road to the Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne, which took around 40 minutes, on Wednesday 7th May.

They were warmly greeted by Willow Wood’s staff and volunteers and, after having refreshments, pupils Keeva Gallagher and Evelyn McGrath presented the Hospice’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Sam Duncan, with a special candle.

The youngsters also had a look at the hospice’s beautiful gardens before walking back to school.

Every 25 years, the Catholic Church holds a Jubilee year and all members of the Church family participate in the holy year.

To mark the occasion, every class at St Peter’s has chosen somewhere to make a pilgrimage to, and students Year Four decided to choose Willow Wood Hospice – which provides free specialist, compassionate and dignified care to patients living with any life-limiting illness in Tameside and Glossop.

Sinead Barber, class teacher and deputy headteacher, explained: “This year is the Catholic year of the Jubilee and the theme is Pilgrims of Hope,  and during this sacred year everybody is encouraged to make a pilgrimage to a sacred place to reaffirm their faith.

“So our Year 4 class have walked to Willow Wood. It was a lovely walk on a sunny day and we had lots of volunteer helpers. Lots of the parents came along to support us as well which is really nice.

“As a school, we want to bring the community into school and go out into the community as well.

“The candle we have presented symbolises that Jesus is the light of the world. The candle and the light is a symbol of hope.”

The school has supported the hospice previously – their choir have sung at the Garden of Lights celebration evenings in the lead-up to Christmas and, more recently, at the Dementia Café.

Pupils have taken part in the Bunny Hop campaign at Easter – hopping around the school playground to raise funds for the hospice.

They have also supported Willow Wood through their Christmas productions when they sell programmes and other items.

Lucy Ta’ati, Community Events and Engagement Fundraiser, said: “We were truly touched by the children’s visit and their thoughtful gesture.

“It’s incredibly heartwarming to see young people actively supporting their community and taking an interest in what we do at the Hospice.

“Their candle gift was a beautiful symbol, and we’re so grateful to St Peter’s for their continued support.”

Willow Wood Hospice is a leading provider of free, specialist palliative care for patients with any life-limiting illnesses in Tameside and Glossop.

The Hospice provides care and support for over 700 local people every year.

The Hospice needs at least £3.6 million every year to run and around 76% of those costs have to be raised from the community each year.

Sam Duncan, Director of Fundraising and Communications, receives the candle from Keeva and Evelyn at Willow Wood Hospice. Credit: Willow Wood