A Garden for Hannah
Hannah Faith Green
Hannah was a very special little girl, who brought joy to all who knew her. Her wonderful hugs, her infectious smile and her enthusiasm for all she did, meant no-one who knew her could ever forget her.
Tragically, Hannah was taken ill on 13th November last year and died two days later. Our hearts were shattered...
We knew we had to do something in her memory - to remember the joy she brought to all our lives. So it was, that the idea of the memorial garden was born - a lasting tribute to our beloved friend.
We have been fundraising since the beginning of the year, most notably with Hannah's Dance for Joy on 3rd April and Hannah's Joyfest on 27th June (See Pictures of the Dance Day and more information about the Joyfest below.)
Since then, the fundraising has continued and has spread further than just our school community...
Heyes Boilers and Heating
We were touched and thrilled in equal amount when local company - Heyes Boilers and Heating - and, more specifically, husband and wife team, Mark and Jo, chose Hannah's Garden as the focus of their fundraising for charity this year.
They decided that they would walk the 45 miles of the Lancaster Canal across three days and aimed to raise £2000 for the cause. They had no idea, when they planned it, that Storm Amy was going to accompany them every step of the way!
Rachel McGoff, who joined them on the Saturday and Sunday reported:
Well Heyes Boilers couldn't have picked a worse weekend for a walk 🤣🤣 however it didn't stop anyone!
Mark and Jo walked with Mark's parents on Friday in the worst conditions from Tewitfield Marina, north of Carnforth to Lancaster (13 miles).
Becky and I joined them on Saturday along with a couple of their friends and walked (and climbed over a few fallen trees) from Lancaster to Garstang (15 miles).
On Sunday there was a much larger group which was great. We walked from Garstang to the Ashton Basin. We were joined by Megan and Louise from the PTFA, my Dad, Becky again and Lucy Collins joined us for the first 5 miles too (17 miles).
We were very glad to see the end of that canal 🤣.
Mark and Jo are confident the fundraising should tip the £3000 mark today. They are really pleased that so many people joined them and that they raised more than they have done before, I think this was their toughest challenge yet!
The fundraising has, indeed, surpassed the original target and currently stands at £3390! We are so grateful to Mark and Jo, to all those who joined them on the walk and to all those who sponsored them.
You can see some photos of their endeavours below.
Hannah's Dance for Joy
Hannah's Joyfest
When that was over, raising over £4500, we then turned our attention to the next big event - the Joyfest. This was planned as a traditional Summer Fair with a joyous festival vibe - reflecting the joy Hannah always brought to us.
We held the Joyfest on Friday 27th June from 4.30 - 7.30 pm and could not believe the response, not only from the amazing St. Mary's family but the wider community too. People came from far and wide and it was a wonderful way to pay tribute to Hannah and to raise money for the garden.
A massive thank you to everyone involved in the organisation of the event behind the scenes and to everyone who turned out to support. You all created a fantastic occasion - and one that Hannah, herself, would have loved...
Main Stage Running Order
In order to create the real festival vibe, there were a number of performers who took to the stage throughout the evening. A huge thank you to everyone who provided us with an evening of joy-filled entertainment.
Thank you!
This event would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our PTFA and staff. In addition, we are hugely grateful for the generosity of local businesses and individuals who have offered sponsorship, provided raffle prizes and made cash donations to the cause. Thank you so much to each and every one of the businesses, named below.
Raffle Prizes
Dance Class from Dance Talent
Afternoon Tea for Two at Two Birds Tearoom and two 'Hannah Cakes' - one for the raffle and one for the cake stall - Sarah at Heskin Hall Shopping Village
£5 Costa Voucher
2 x Reel Cinema Tickets
£20 Annie's Kitchen voucher
£20 Franco's Restaurant Voucher
£20 Euxton Mills Voucher
£25 Cherry Tree Voucher (minimum spend £50)
£15 Thyme on the Yarrow Voucher
£20 Blossom Lane Voucher
3 x Mars Wrigley chocolate boxes
1 x PT session at Lou Barker Wellbeing
3 x Circuit classes at Lou Barker Wellbeing
2 x Strength classes at Lou Barker Wellbeing
1 x PT session with Mandy Ashcroft
Tropics products from Lou Barker
Hamper from Wellocks
Hamper from Outpost Bakery
Galloways Voucher
Scarf - DB Dress Agency
Free Boiler Service worth £102+vat from Croston Plumbing
Picnic blanket from Blanket Box
Yetti Rambler and Yetti Yonder Drinks Bottles - Bamfords Guns
2 pairs of swimming goggles - First Strokes Swimming
£10 voucher and Thermos mug - Caffe Manna
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - Vivienne Jones
£50 Voucher - The Wheatsheaf, Croston
6 free Dance lessons - Lucy Collins Dance Academy
Pair of Day Passes for Stocks Hall - 4 separate prizes
Summer Fun hampers - 7 separate prizes, donated by the parents of Eccleston St. Mary's CE Primary School
Bouncy Castle Sponsorship
We are so grateful to the following businesses who have kindly agreed to sponsor our range of Bouncy Castles - 5 in total!
Sarah at Heskin Hall Shopping Village
Hepplestone Fine Art
N & K Harvey Funerals
Everfine Installations
Elevate Physiotherapy
DB Dress Agency
Bamfords Guns
Raynor Dance
Cash donations
Thank you to the following businesses and individuals who have made cash donations to the Garden Appeal.
Cavendish Nuclear - £500
Berrys - £250
Odyssey Motorhomes - £250
Jane Baron - (Hannah's Great Aunt in Australia) - £500
Joyce Fenton - oldest and deaerest friend of Jane Baron - £40 from her and her Mum
Danny Howard - friend and former colleague of Ruth - £50
Gill Wright - £70 donated from her 70th birthday presents
Laura Hart - Hyrox sponsorship - £1070
Anwyl Homes - £1000
Other donations
Thank you, also, to all those individuals and businesses, who have made other donations, listed below.
Morrisons - Pringles, sweets, mini toys
Tesco Chorley - Bubble hamper - trail prize
Asda Chorley - sweets - tombola prizes
Ben's parents - wine and sweets - tombola prizes
Ben and Ruth Green - 2 Lego sets for the Lego game
Lego - Unicorn Lego set - prize for Guess the Number of Lego pieces
Lego - Dragon Lego set - prize for Guess the Number of Lego pieces
Nina Guymer - Plaque and engraving for the memorial garden
Lexi and Amelia - decorative butterfly for the memorial garden
Vivienne Jones - Krispy Kreme doughnuts
Sarah - Heskin Hall Shopping Village - 2 'Hannah Cakes' for the raffle and cake stall
Pauline Wallis - 7 knitted peg bags
Chorley Fire Station - coming with a fire engine!
Rick and Debbie Lewis - for donating their gazebo to school permanently
Ellie Lewis and Faye Kimberlin - professional singers who entertained us for free on the night. They are available for bookings for weddings etc https://www.instagram.com/thebridalnotes_?igsh=YW1wd2Z0b2I5Zzdw
https://www.instagram.com/fayekimberlinn?igsh=NzN3cmE2Y28zNmFj