After the hospice cared for Ethan’s Auntie Gail in 2024, he decided to embark on a number of fundraising challenges and has been awarded with a prestigious award for his efforts. Here is his story.
Ethan’s Auntie Gail was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020. She fought for four years, but eventually the pain and care required to keep her comfortable became too much and she moved into the hospice Inpatient Unit in Hindley.
She stayed in the hospice for 4 months and Ethan visited her often.
Ethan said,
“When visiting Auntie Gail, I saw the care provided by the staff and I couldn’t believe that the hospice is mainly funded by donations from the local community. When I heard this, I knew I wanted to help.”
Ethan’s fundraising has entailed running the Wigan 5K, joining in with fundraising at school, bake sales and running 1km for every £5 raised during his Cash for K’s challenge through December 2024.
Altogether, he has raised approximately £3,000 for the hospice. His efforts resulted in him being awarded with the prestigious High Sheriff Greater Manchester Young Citizen of the Year award in March.
Ethan said,
“I won the High Sheriff Greater Manchester Young Citizen of the Year award for 2025. This award is to celebrate kindness, thoughtfulness, bravery or actions that have made a difference to our community.”
Ethan was nominated for the award for his fundraising work by his form teacher, Mr Lane. Ethan shared that he was really surprised when he was announced as a winner at the event and wasn’t expecting it at all.
Ethan’s Dad, David said,
“We listened to all of the fantastic achievements of the other nominees at the event and for Ethan to win the award was a huge honour. We are all so proud of him.”
We cannot thank Ethan enough for his support and brilliant fundraising efforts for the hospice and can’t wait to see what he gets up to next!