Celebrating our 40th Anniversary with a Service at St Wilfrid’s Church

Wigan & Leigh Hospice’s 40th Anniversary celebrations will kickstart on Saturday 24th June with a service of thanksgiving at St. Wilfrid’s Church in Standish.

The service, which will run from 3pm to 4.30pm, offers an opportunity for anyone who has been involved with the hospice during our 40 years history to come together and celebrate the work the hospice has done to support the people of Wigan & Leigh over the past 40 years. The service will also thank supporters for the contribution they have to our work.

Since opening our doors in 1983, Wigan & Leigh Hospice has delivered palliative and end of life care to patients across the Wigan Borough whilst also supporting their loved ones.

Pupils from local schools have kindly created pieces of art which will be displayed at the church for the community to admire. Students from Standish Community High School have designed an instalment of umbrellas adorned with words chosen by the students to describe the Hospice. The umbrellas represent the wide range of services and care provided by everyone at Wigan & Leigh Hospice. St Wilfrid’s C of E Primary Academy are decorating wooden hearts, with 80-100 to be displayed at the church in time for the service. These amazing displays will also be used our upcoming Garden Party in August, so they can be appreciated by everyone in the community.

Sheila Fisher, Chair of Wigan & Leigh Hospice and Lay Minister of St Wilfrid’s Church, said;

“It will be a joy to share this time of thanksgiving for all our hospice has meant to so many over the years, what it means today and our vision and hope for the future.”

“The energy, vision and creativity of the pupils of St Wilfrid’s C of E Primary Academy and Standish Community High School and the way they have captured, through art, the values we all share has been truly inspirational.”

The service will be followed by a reception at the church hall, which all are welcome to attend.

This is the first of a series of events that will be running over the summer and autumn. On 13th July, a number of schools in the borough will wear an item of purple clothing to “Turn Wigan Purple” and show their support for the hospice. From 24th July the hospice’s 40 Days of Fitness Challenge will get underway, encouraging residents to get active and support the hospice. The celebrations will conclude with the hospice’s 40th Anniversary Gala Ball on Saturday 25th November at the DW Stadium.

If anyone is interested in getting involved with any of these events, contact fundraising@wlh.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you all there!