Farm Shop fundraises to support charity-funded end of life care service created in memory of its co-founder

On All Our Hearts Day (February 12), Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity is sharing a powerful full circle story, as Cheerbrook Farm Shop and Cafe fundraise to support end of life care service that was first made possible thanks to a donation made in memory of its late co-founder, Andrew Shufflebotham.

Cheerbrook is not only raising funds on the day itself but has committed to continuing its support for the Charity and the End of Life Complementary Therapies at Home service beyond All Our Hearts Day.

On Thursday, the team will donate the proceeds from every hot drink sold, alongside staff wearing red or pink and pledging further fundraising activities in the months ahead.

Cheerbrook is raising funds to support the Charity’s End of Life Complementary Therapies at Home service, which provides comfort, calm and reassurance to patients in their final weeks by offering therapies such as Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, Reiki and therapeutic touch in their own homes.

The service launched as a trial in April 2024 and is entirely reliant on charitable donations. While feedback from patients and families has been overwhelmingly positive, the service has previously faced uncertainty due to funding — highlighting the importance of continued community support to ensure it can continue.

Since launching, the service has supported over 130 patients, helping them remain at home, surrounded by familiar comforts and loved ones, at the end of their lives.

The programme was initially made possible thanks to a donation from Cheerbrook Farm Shop, given in memory of Andrew Shufflebotham, who was a co-owner and director of the business. That donation enabled Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity to commission highly experienced therapists from St Luke’s Hospice, allowing patients across Mid Cheshire to access these therapies at home for the first time.

The service was developed following an idea from Nantwich Community Nursing teams, recognising that many people at the end of their lives wish to stay at home wherever possible.

Sarah Shufflebotham, Director of Cheerbrook Farm Shop, said: “Continuing to fundraise for this service is incredibly important to all of us at Cheerbrook. The care, compassion and support shown by the district nursing team to Andrew, to me and to our family during the hardest time of our lives is something we will never forget. Supporting this service feels like a way of saying thank you —and of helping ensure other families can receive the same kindness, comfort and dignity, at home, when they need it most.”

Emma Robertson, Head of Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, said: “This service reflects exactly what our Charity exists to do — enhancing care beyond NHS provision through compassion, insight and community support. Knowing that this care is only possible thanks to charitable funding makes days like All Our Hearts Day so important.

“Seeing Cheerbrook support this service again, rooted in love and remembrance, is incredibly special.”

The fundraising announcement has been made on All Our Hearts Day, the Charity’s annual fundraising day encouraging people across Cheshire to wear red or pink and donate £2 to support end of life care for patients and their loved ones, both in hospital and across the community.

To donate in support of the of End of Life Care, go to https://mchcharity.org/appeals/complementary-therapy-service/

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Sarah Shufflebotham, Cheerbrook Farm Shop colleagues and Mid Cheshire Hospitals Community District Nursing team meet at Cheerbrook Farm Shop in 2024 to celebrate the money raised and launch of the complementary therapies service