2008 sees
us celebrating 25 years since the campaign to create a Hospice was started by Cally Cheetham in 1983. Cally is a local woman
whose personal experiences of nursing family members with cancer made her determined to improve local services for others
facing the same situation. She motivated a team of people in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to help her and together they
formed The Draycott Hospice Association. In 1987 a derelict building known as Treetops was purchased and renovated by volunteers.
This purchase was made possible by a legacy left by John Laver of Sandiacre. He was an original member of the Draycott Hospice
Association and a keen supporter of Cally' s vision.
Treetops was
built in the 1960's and as many of you are aware was formerly a remand unit for Risley Hall School. It was in1990 that finally
the Treetops Hospice Services began. As you are all very keenly aware we have outgrown our building and desperately need a
new Care Centre. As Ripple Appeal Manager I really want to capitalise on the opportunities that arise in 2008 for fundraising
and see this year as crucial to the success of The Treetops Hospice Ripple Appeal.
Cally has
certainly achieved her aim of improving local services and I inted to use this year as a reason to celebrate all that Cally
and her early team of supporters have achieved. It's certainly very newsworthy and I ask you all to look out for many stories
around our 25th anniversary celebrations in the press. Again, I will keep you informed.
Perhaps
you have your own memories / stories/ early fundraising stories of the Darycott Hospice Association and the early days of
Treetops Hospice. If you do please let me know about them. kshaw@treetopshospice.org.uk Tel. 0115 9491264 or 07904618350
