Fresh challenge for our Frances

A FAMILIAR face with Oldham Chronicle readers will soon become a trusted one at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

Frances Hirst retired from the newspaper last month after more than 20 years in the promotions department.

When the board at the Royton hospice got wind of her impending retirement, she was invited to join them as a trustee.

Frances said: “They wanted my experience of working for a newspaper, of promoting and marketing and also of fundraising.

“My time at the Chronicle gave me a wide-ranging experience of all things Oldham — including many fundraising campaigns for Dr Kershaw’s which the paper has supported from “Kit it Out for Dr Kershaw’s” — our annual carol festival — and latterly, the highly-successful travels with a meerkat.

“Dr Kershaw’s is known throughout Oldham for the valuable work it does having helped and supported many patients and their families when it was most needed.

“I’m looking forward to help support the great work being done by the enthusiastic team of volunteers, staff and directors who do so much.”

Frances is one of three new trustees at Dr Kershaw’s.

Anne Sykes, who has a long-standing record of voluntary and church work in the community and is the wife of the former Vicar of Oldham, John, was asked to take the position after retiring as a non-executive director of Pennine Care NHS Trust.

Mirriam Lawton will become a trustee next month after she retires from a management position (executive director, executive support) at Tameside Council.