Sarah Fitchett crowned 2022’s Woman of Rochdale

Added 6th May 2022

On Friday 29^th April Springhill Hospice welcomed women from across the borough to join them at the Rochdale Golf Club for their annual Woman of Rochdale Luncheon. The event returned after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The celebrations began with welcome drinks, followed by a delicious three course meal with live entertainment from saxophonist Dan Gribben, magician Ian Lavin and singer Josh Hindle. The day was filled with laughter, dancing, tears of happiness and admiration for the extraordinary women who make every moment count.

The local community were encouraged to nominate a woman who they felt had gone above and beyond to make a real difference in Rochdale.

Nominations flooded in with stories from so many inspiring women whose loved ones felt they deserved to take home the crown. There are so many amazing and deserving women who contribute to our local community. However, one woman’s story stood out and Sarah Fitchett was crowned the 2022 Woman of Rochdale for her outstanding contribution to the community and her charitable work.

Sarah is a trustee of the charity Papyrus UK, which she was first introduced to following the tragic death of her son, Ben, who took his own life in 2013 aged 14. Papyrus UK is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.

Sarah works to raise awareness for this crucial charity, sharing her family’s story publicly at events around the country and also in the media. She is determined to help others in her situation and also proactively does what she can to prevent others from facing the same tragedy she has had to face.

As a family, with her husband and Ben’s twin, Sam, they have raised thousands of pounds for Papyrus UK.

Her working life has been dedicated to the NHS as a Midwife and Neonatal Nurse. She is currently a Lecturer in Nursing and Midwifery at Salford University, passing on her skills to future generations of nurses.

Through turning her heartache into an unstoppable force of good, Sarah has become a beacon of hope to so many people facing such dark times. The title of Woman of Rochdale could not have gone to a more deserving individual.

Springhill Hospice would like to thank everyone who nominated someone, the amazing nominees for everything they have done and achieved, all the wonderful ladies who attended the 2022 event and those who helped to make the 2022 Woman of Rochdale possible:

Mike Goldrick Blinds & Curtains and Jackson Jackson for sponsoring the event
Rochdale Golf Club for hosting the event
PDS The UK Specialist Doorset Company for sponsoring the entertainment
Carlsberg Marston Brewery for sponsoring the welcome drinks
Recruitment Solutions (NW) Ltd for sponsoring the raffle
Sheila Acton for sponsoring the Sylvia Diggle Rose Bowl Trophy
All those who sponsored a table centre piece
Ken Rowlatt for photographing the event
Alan Calow for being an amazing Toastmaster
Saxophonist Dan Gribben, magician Ian Lavin and singer Josh Hindle for keeping everyone entertained

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of those who attended and supported the event, Springhill’s 2022 Woman of Rochdale Luncheon raised astonishing fantastic £10,932. The funds raised will play a vital role in ensuring patients living with life limiting conditions can receive specialist care, and their families can continue to be supported during such difficult times.

For information on how you could support Springhill Hospice on future events, please contact the Fundraising Office on 01706 641790 (Opt 1) or email fundraising@springhill.org.uk

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