PEOPLE are rallying round to support Manorlands as it battles for its future.

The Oxenhope hospice and six others operated by Sue Ryder are facing closure within months due to a funding crisis.

With the charity’s shops shut and fundraising activities curtailed owing to the coronavirus crisis, income has dried up.

An emergency appeal has been launched.

Sue Ryder says some financial support has been promised for hospices by the Government to help them through the crisis, but charity bosses say the funding – whilst welcome – will not cover the whole shortfall and funds are desperately needed so services can continue to be provided.

The community has been quick to respond to the plea for help.

Silsden man Simon Wheeler completed a marathon on Sunday – in the backyard of his home.

He finished the gruelling 26.2 miles in just over five-and-a-half hours.

And his energy-draining effort has raised over £1,250 for Manorlands.

Simon, 50, who works at David Gallagher Funeral Directors in Keighley, only decided on Saturday to use the marathon as a charity fundraiser.

“Manorlands does such fantastic work and provides incredible care,” he said.

“It relies on public donations to keep going and is really struggling for funds at the moment.

“I knew that if I was raising money for the hospice, it would help me to get through to the finish.”

Simon, a member of Keighley & Craven Athletics Club, is no stranger to the marathon distance.

He has completed the London event twice and has tackled ultra marathons.

But he found his latest challenge one of the toughest.

“When you’re constantly running up and down a small area it really takes it out of you,” he said.

“Plus I haven’t been doing a lot of running recently, so I did find it hard.

“I was delighted to finish and overwhelmed at the support shown by people – the amount of money donated was fantastic. It’s very humbling.”

People can still donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/simon-wheeler13.

Oxenhope man Nick Wright is having his head shaved to raise money.

The 50-year-old decided to act after reading in the Keighley News about the funding crisis facing the charity.

“Manorlands is just along the road from where I live and it does such incredible work,” said Nick, owner of Halifax Windscreens.

“You never know when you or a family member or friend might need its services.

“I wanted to do something to help.”

The headshave will take place on April 26.

Wife Helen will perform the honours at their home, but Nick’s hair-erasing experience will be filmed and shown on his Facebook page.

He said he’d been overwhelmed by the amount of money pledged already.

Donations to his Just Giving page, at justgiving.com/fundraising/nick-wright42, so far total over £2,000.

“I was hoping for a few pounds – the response has been fantastic and I’m extremely grateful to everybody,” said Nick.

An online live fitness class is also hoping to give a healthy boost to Manorlands’ coffers. The Move for Manorlands session is being held at 6.30pm today by James Butterfield, owner of personal training business JBPT.

It will be streamed live on Facebook and Instagram on his account, @j.b_pt.

Participants will be asked to donate a small amount to Manorlands.

James said: “I am really pleased to be assisting Manorlands at this critical time.

“Many of my personal training clients have had loved ones cared for at the hospice.

“The service it provides in the community is fantastic, giving comfort to so many in their time of need.

“My Move for Manorlands fitness class will not require any equipment – just your own body and a positive attitude are needed.

“This will be a great way to get moving and keep the potential boredom at bay, as the majority of us are very much housebound at this time, as well as raising some much-needed funds for this fantastic cause.

“Participants just need to go onto my Instagram or Facebook page – @j.b_pt – at 6.30pm on Thursday to access the class.”

A Haworth couple are cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money.

But with the UK in lockdown, Amy and James Walker are covering the distance on an exercise bike in their living room.

They are streaming their journey live on Facebook, along with quizzes, dancing and fancy dress to entertain viewers.

Amy came up with the idea after reading about Manorlands’ cash crisis.

She already carries out volunteering and fundraising in her role as a finalist in the Miss Voluptuous UK 2020 contest.

Amy said: “Manorlands has a very special place in my heart after my step-grandad received end-of-life care there.

“I stayed with him all the way and couldn’t have done it without the support of all those there.

“The staff and volunteers go above and beyond for the family and for the patient to keep them comfortable.”

Amy said most people in the community had a connection with Manorlands, either through first-hand experience or knowing someone who had been cared for by the hospice.

She added: “We cannot lose places like Manorlands. The doctors, nurses and carers give people the compassion and expert care they need to help them live the best life they possibly can.

“I put to my husband that we dig out the exercise bike and cycle the length of Britain and he was up for it straight away.”

Type amy-and-jims-cycle-for-manorlands-sue-ryder into the Facebook search box to find the ride. People can donate by visiting justgiving.com/fundraising/amyandjimscyleformanorlands.

* If you’re holding a fundraising activity for Manorlands, email details to alistair.shand@keighleynews.co.uk.