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Mid Kent Matters
Summer 2019
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Saturday 1st June
Wine & Wisdom, 7.30pm,
Bower Grove School, Fant Road, Maidstone ME16 8NL
Booking essential - ring Joan on 01634 686685
Wednesday 5th June
Volunteers Week stand
The Pentagon, Chatham 11am – 3pm
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st July
Neuro Arts Festival
Adult Education Centre, Community Hub & Eastgate House
Details from Sheila 01634 723677
Monday 1st July, Monday 2nd September and Monday 4th November
Carers Group
Malta Inn, 12 noon. Details from Dave Sheridan, 01634 323423
Saturday 27th July
Patient and Carer Meeting
Wisdom Wellbeing & Therapy Centre, 3.00pm
Sunday 1st September
Walk to D’Feet in memory of Brenda Sheridan
Details from Dave Sheridan 01634 323423
Saturday 28th September
Patient & Carer Meeting
Wisdom Wellbeing & Therapy Centre, 3.00pm
Saturday 16th November
Christmas Bazaar
Princes Hall, High Street, Rochester, 10am-3pm
Saturday 1st June
Wine & Wisdom, 7.30pm,
Bower Grove School, Fant Road, Maidstone ME16 8NL
Booking essential - ring Joan on 01634 686685
Wednesday 5th June
Volunteers Week stand
The Pentagon, Chatham 11am – 3pm
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st July
Neuro Arts Festival
Adult Education Centre, Community Hub & Eastgate House
Details from Sheila 01634 723677
Monday 1st July, Monday 2nd September and Monday 4th November
Carers Group
Malta Inn, 12 noon. Details from Dave Sheridan, 01634 323423
Saturday 27th July
Patient and Carer Meeting
Wisdom Wellbeing & Therapy Centre, 3.00pm
Sunday 1st September
Walk to D’Feet in memory of Brenda Sheridan
Details from Dave Sheridan 01634 323423
Saturday 28th September
Patient & Carer Meeting
Wisdom Wellbeing & Therapy Centre, 3.00pm
Saturday 16th November
Christmas Bazaar
Princes Hall, High Street, Rochester, 10am-3pm
Patient Care
As I write this the warm spring weather seems to have turned back to winter. However, there are signs of summer ahead with the longer days and thoughts of holidays.
If you are planning a holiday we are always keen to support you by a contribution from a Quality of life grant as we are very aware of the rising costs involved particularly if transport of equipment is required and insurance costs etc. Please speak to your AV if we can support you in this way and all we ask in return is for you to share a photo and short piece of how you found the holiday to be, eg facilities, location etc for our MKM which will help to inform others planning a holiday suitable to their needs. Thank you to all those who have provided information both positive and negative on their experience of care for PwMND. For those of you who have not already sent in their experiences it is not too late if you wish to do so and I would be pleased to hear from you as we continue in our campaign with the Commissioning groups and Health service providers to ensure they acknowledge the NICE guidelines and provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the care of PwMND. Please also be aware of the MNDA National Campaigns - see Thumbprint The Scrap 6 months Campaign which urges the Government to change the law so that everyone with a terminal illness can access welfare benefits quickly and sensitively. You will find a petition form in your last edition of Thumbprint and as a Branch we have already submitted a form but more petitions are welcomed Also the attempts to improve experience of getting adaptations in the homes of PwMND which was referred to in the last edition of MKM. |
The following Campaigns are currently on going and if you would be happy to take part please go to the MNDA website or speak to one of us.
MND Register- this is a joint research project between Kings College and Oxford University. People living with MND are able to join via their clinic or by registering at www.mndregister.ac.uk themselves. The information held securely within the register helps researchers understand more about the disease and helps plan care services for people living with MND. Alternatively, please speak to your AV. Research - CuATSMdrug trial (Copper ATSM a small man-made compound which could provide the basis of a new treatment for MND). At the last Symposium results of a Phase 1 Clinical Trial were reported as looking promising. The Phase 2 drug trial is due to take place in Australia later this year. However, as reported “we must be realistic, this is at an early stage but the good news that we can take is that plans are going ahead to continue with the trial. As with all research it is a long journey but this is an important first” Overall this is an important year as the MND Association marks its 40th Anniversary. May I take this opportunity to thank you all for your ongoing support to the Mid Kent Branch as we all continue to work together to improve care for all those with MND and their families who are affected by MND We look forward to seeing many of you at our Support meetings and events throughout the year. Have a good Summer! Sheila |
From the Chair
Thank you to everyone who came to this year's AGM. I understand it was a very jolly occasion and I was sorry not to have been able to attend. I know a lot of business was covered during the meeting but I would like to make special mention of the Awards presented to Jayne Brewster, Dr Cathy Ellis, Sarah Lavender, the CNRT team at Coxheath, and the Heart of Kent Hospice team who support our monthly group in Magnolia Place. Each and every one of these people or teams was nominated because they continually go well above what is expected and from everyone in the Branch I would like to say thank you – the efforts you put into going the Extra Mile make such a big difference – we really do appreciate what you do.
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Since January we have received such a lot of donations and support from so many people – we really do make every effort to write to everyone individually to thank them for their support so I do hope we have not missed anyone out, without your help we could not continue to support local families as we currently do.
I am delighted to report that the monthly MND Support Day held at the Heart of Kent Hospice in Maidstone has been a great success and we are currently in discussion with the Wisdom Hospice to see if we can run a similar programme in Medway. Your AV will keep you informed of our progress. We have a number of events coming up in the next few months and I look forward to meeting up with you at one of them Annette Scott |
Treasurer's report
Thank you to all of our supporters, fundraisers, and committee members for your help in raising much needed funds to help support people with MND and their carers and families in the Mid Kent area.
We have had a super start to 2019 and our total income received from January to April is an incredible £22,473. The majority of this has come from fundraising by the branch and our supporters, (£15,824) with some amazing sums being raised. We have received a total of £6,536 from Grants, In Memorium receipts, and both individual and corporate donations. These included £1,000 from the Tesco Blue Token Scheme at Lunsford Park store, £450 from Involve Kent, £1,734 from Pearson Whiffen, £527 from Southern Co-op and £400 from Bellway Homes. Thank you to all our wonderful fundraisers who give up their time, help organise events, arrange collections, and participate in the many and varied events. A massive £15,824 has come from fundraising. At our AGM in March, John and Wendy Clark presented Mid-Kent with a fantastic sum of £7,051 from their fingernail fundraiser and this sum has been set aside in a restricted fund which we hope to use to fund support days in Medway, similar to those being held at the Heart of Kent Hospice. Eve’s annual family and friends disco raised a fabulous £1,613, BARMARA (Barming Active Retirement Association) chose MNDA Mid Kent to receive £2,020 raised from various events held in 2018, a charity day at Maidstone Grammar School (MGS) raised a fantastic £2,811. We also gratefully received £635 from Connor’s Swim, £456 from The Jolly Caulkers pub and a further £450 from Sonia’s Marathon efforts! Tracie Tooms of Footsies Dance School has sent us £1,659.56 - another wonderful result from her annual dinner & dance. I have lost count of the number of years she has organised this event but we are very grateful and appreciate the effort it takes. |
Thanks also go to Leybourne Brownies, St Margaret’s Infant school, Rainbowfish class at St Marks C of E Primary School in Eccles, Waltham Chase Flower Club and Parkwood Social Club for their collections and fundraising events. There have, of course, been many cake and chocolate sales too – and branch fundraising from Jean’s quiz sheet sales, Lynne’s foreign and old coin collections and Sue’s 100 club recruitment of new members!
From January to April we have spent £16,346, of which £10,441 has been on care and £3,241 on equipment. We have provided carer’s, young person’s and quality of life grants, and paid for therapies and treatments for people with MND and their carers. We have purchased a Roma Rena wheelchair, a bio bidet and many small equipment items. We have covered the maintenance, and repair costs, delivery and collection of equipment and installation and provision of lifelines. The monthly MND Support days are being covered from restricted funds set up from grants received last year. Our other expenditure has been on branch administration, including the AGM with wonderful afternoon tea and prizes for Jean’s quizzes and the 100 club winners! Please contact me if you feel I can help in any way to assist with the finance side of your fundraising. I am still collecting any Foreign currency (in or out of circulation) and any old British currency (notes and coins). Pass it to an AV or committee member or contact me on 01732 845278. Our bank details for anyone wishing to donate directly or via standing order are MNDA Mid Kent Sort Code 30.96.09 Account Number : 02968567 Lynne |
Research News
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Our April committee meeting was much more interesting than usual as we were joined by our Treasurer’s sister - Kim Thompson. Kim is a Clinical Research Practitioner for the NHS and she gave us a very interesting overview of how research projects are undertaken.
We were also delighted to hear that her son, David, is working on the ALS trials taking place at the Medical Research Centre in Oxford. It was very motivating to hear that the researchers are making real advances into understanding neurological conditions, and we may be able to persuade David to join us at a future meeting to tell us about his work. Annette |
Maidstone Grammar School
On Friday 1st February 2019, Corpus Christi House at Maidstone Grammar School held a charities day in support for the Mid-Kent Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Maidstone Grammar School students and teachers have been helped by this local branch in dealing with the loss of loved ones from Motor Neurone Disease. Our Corpus Christi prefect team met almost weekly in deciding events and stalls for the school to enjoy and to raise as much money as possible for this great cause. We decided on classic fayre stalls such as candyfloss, popcorn, cupcakes and hot chocolate stalls for the cold weather! As well as this we had stalls well known for MGS to host. Such as sponge the teacher, 80’s theme dress up for Corpus teachers and straw dip with the chance of winning three £5 notes! There were two main events on the day, the first being the staff and teachers 80’s band in the Big Hall, with Anarchy in the UK and Survivor being played. This was very popular as the staff and students had rehearsed weeks prior to pull off an amazing performance with the dedication of dressing as the band also! The second main event was three ‘Supercars of London’ arriving at school by Paul Wallace and friends. There was a racing Porsche, Lamborghini and a Ferrari at school with the chance to get a photo for £1! This was immensely popular and Paul Wallace and his friends kindly brought these cars down all the way from London all for MNDA Mid Kent branch showing massive gratitude for their help in the local community. We cannot thank them enough for hosting this event, alongside teachers and boys from Cr7 for getting in contact and making this happen! |
Even more kind donations were shown throughout the day, a very popular raffle was held with tickets sold during the week, businesses throughout the Kent area donated prizes at no expense! Some of these amazing prizes were:
2x Maidstone United FC tickets 2x Gillingham FC tickets £50 of vouchers for Senacre Cycles Hollywood Bowl tickets Gillingham Ice Bowl tickets Doddie Weir signed autobiography on his experience of MND Pure beauty vouchers And many many more, we cannot thank them enough for helping us raise an amazing £2,811.35! I would like to thank Corpus Christi prefects and students and teachers at Maidstone Grammar School for helping to organise this charity day which is the most amount of money the school has seen raised!! Finally I would like to thank two people, firstly Lynne Eldred at the Mid Kent Branch who came into contact with Corpus Christi and helped us organise this event, with answering our questions and offering advice throughout the process. Secondly I would like to thank Anita Solan, from the MNDA headquarters who kindly donated us buckets, balloons, posters and plenty advice for the day! Thank you all, Scarlett Grindle - House Captain for Corpus Christi AND Thank you Scarlett! JL |
Mid Kent AGM 2019
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Colin started the formal proceedings |
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Wendy and John presented our President, David Oliver with a cheque for £7,061 after master-minding the Nail Challenge. It was their answer to the Ice Bucket Challenge. It was a lot warmer and produced some elegant manicures!
The formal business done and dusted, Jackie, Jane and Bev from Tea in the Weald served us a splendid afternoon tea. |
Special Branch meetings on Wills
In February, Paul Rothwell of local solicitors Martin Tollhurst gave us the low down on LPAs and why it makes sense for everyone to make a will. He also advised us on how best to set about it. Surprisingly, it was not too serious and of course we all took advantage of the chance to chat and enjoy tea and cakes.
There were some copious and useful handouts, which we took away to look at later.
Neuro Arts Festival - 20-21st July |
Great News! |
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Medway Neurological Network (MNN) in partnership with Medway Adult Education Centre and Nucleus Arts has organised a Medway Neurological Arts Festival on 20th- 21st July. The festival will highlight the therapeutic benefits of the arts for those with neurological conditions. Another important feature planned is that the Neuro Arts festival will provide neurological information and signpost participants to relevant local support.
The main venue for 20th July will be Rochester Community Hub/Library and Medway Adult Education Centre, Eastgate House and gardens. Arts are being showcased in zones and include; Music, Poetry, Wellbeing, Mindfulness and Visual and Creative Arts. A film festival with a neurological theme is planned for Sunday 21st. The Medway Neurological Network is an umbrella Community Group for the Neurological charities and support groups active in Medway whose aim is to be a single point of access and the voice of all those affected by neurological conditions in the area. Mid Kent MND is pleased to be a member of this organisation and I encourage you to support these events so that we can all work together to influence the best provision of services for all those with neurological conditions in Medway. If you require any further information please contact me Sheila on 01634 723677 Once more into the breach...When the speaker at his wife’s WI meeting had to cancel at the last minute, one of our members, John Hearn volunteered to give a talk on the lighter side of his life as an artificial limb maker. The talk was much enjoyed or in John’s modest words “appeared to go down well” and they insisted on giving him a cheque for £25, which he presented during a Wisdom & Wellbeing Day.
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We’ve registered with easyfundraising, it’s a great site where you can help Motor Neurone Disease - Mid Kent Branch raise funds simply by doing your everyday online shopping!
Over 3,600 big name retailers are included, such as Amazon, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, eBay, Boden and M&S. Every time you shop, we receive a small donation to say ‘thank you!’ It’s completely free and over £27M has been raised for causes just like us so far. We want to raise as much as possible so please sign up and help us at https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/mndmidkent/ So far we have seven supporters who have raised £5.62 for us. It may not seem a lot but it is amazing how it all adds up. My Dominos pizza order added an extra 18 pence this week! Lynne Dragon Boat RaceThe date of this year’s Dragon Boat Races in Moat Park has been changed from June to September. This means that it will clash with the football season and our regular successful team will be otherwise occupied. Therefore Mid Kent will not have an entry this year, but we hope to be there with a Tombola.
Sue Copping, 01634 815467 |
Presentation by BARMARA
The presentation went very well and we found it interesting hearing about the work of Mid Kent branch. We are all pleased that you are happy with the cheque. For the last few years Barmara have raised money for a selected charity, which is often close to the heart of one of our members. We raise the money in several ways, and last year we held a sponsored walk around Mote Park, a Quiz Night, and a Horse Racing Night. We sell books and have a raffle at our meetings and on most coach trips we have a football scratch card, and some members make individual donations. As well as raising money, all these events make for very enjoyable times for the members.
Brian Wade
(Chris Wade, the Association’s Director of Engagement on the left, took the opportunity to see what his parents get up to when he is not around!)
Brian Wade
(Chris Wade, the Association’s Director of Engagement on the left, took the opportunity to see what his parents get up to when he is not around!)
Neurological Support Services
Joyce and Sheila joined with other members of Medway Neurological Network, MNN, Disability groups, Community groups, and Healthwatch ( to name just a few) to share ideas and raise awareness of support services for neurological diseases.
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100 Club Winners |
February
52 : David Oliver 49 : Jane Annetts March 22 Wendy Gardener 9 Elaine Treadwell |
April
85 : Unclaimed 6 : Nigel Prettyjohn May 99 : Sheila Howe 31 : Kathy Hales |
Crime & Punishment
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These sheets have been slow to come in –hopefully because no-one is criminally inclined! So far there seem to have been no major obstacles and everyone has done well. I’ll obviously have to try harder next time, when the subject “All at sea” covers fish and ships, etc.
The answers to the last quiz are:
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29. Corporal punishment 30.Murder 31. Burglary 32. Sentence 33. Gaol 34. Hangman 35.Manslaughter 36. Fence 37. Forgery 38. Pick pocket 39. Counterfeit 40. Protest march 41. Bigamy 42. Arson 43. Blackmail 44. Smuggling 45. Contraband 46. Demonstration 47. Prison 48. Belmarsh 49. Tower of London 50. The Clink 51. Pentonville 52. Dartmoor 53. Broadmoor 54. Strangeways 55. Holloway |
Happy 40th Birthday! |
Plants for sale |
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The Motor Neurone Disease Association was founded 40 years ago, and it has grown into a national organisation whose voice “makes a difference”. It’s network of branches provides care and support to people living with MND across the country. Mid Kent branch is not running any extra events but will continue to work for the improvement of care and conditions for local people living with MND.
LET THERE BE FLOODLIGHTS! The MNDA 40th Anniversary falls this year So NO gave us tips to raise awareness here, A local landmark floodlit in orange and blue Was one suggestion on what we could do. So to Medway Council and Councillor Maple I swiftly went online Would they be kind enough to help us at this time? A floodlit Rochester Castle was our aim Orange and blue the Association colours would they be game? Two colours unfortunately were not an option but help with our idea was fine, So we agreed on blue which was the Association’s colour back down the line, October 2019 should see our Rochester Castle a blaze of blue, And other landmarks may yet help us too. Thumbs up! Joan Bearsted Fete - 29th July - 2pmWe have a stall at this this very English event – all we need to make it a success is a fine day – and lots of customers. Do stop by and say “Hello” if you can.
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Although I am no longer opening my garden, I’m still growing plants! I have a good range of perennials for sale -please ring me on 01634 846330 or see us at
BORSTAL SUMMER FETE on Saturday 15th June 11am-3pm WISDOM HOSPICE SUMMER FETE on Saturday 13th July, 11am -3pm Joyce Carers lunchA small select group of current and past carers are meeting every other month for lunch, friendship and mutual support.
If you would like to join us, please ring me, 01634 323423 Dave Sheridan Plant pots pleaseThis is your chance to do some recycling and win some Brownie points! Annette is desperate for the small 3” or 4” plastic pots so that she can grow tomato plants to sell. If you have some, please ring her on 01622 820719.
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More AGM Tea and Chat
There was plenty of room for circulation and also the chance to see if we all had the same cakes!
There was plenty of room for circulation and also the chance to see if we all had the same cakes!
USEFUL INFORMATION
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of related, but widely varying, diseases affecting the motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurones are the nerve cells that control muscles; hence their degeneration causes weakness and muscle wasting.
MND is usually regarded as progressive but the rate of progression varies greatly from person to person and between the three main types of disease. In the UK it is believed that there are about 6,000 people suffering from MND at any one time.
BEFORE YOU SPEND MONEY ON A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, CHECK WITH THE APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL. IF IT IS SOMETHING THEY DO NOT PROVIDE, SPEAK TO YOUR ASSOCIATION VISITOR OR JOYCE ONSLOW (01634 846330).
WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU.
Mid Kent Branch covers the ME postcode area except ME13, and includes DA11-13
Meeting place : The Wisdom Wellbeing & Therapy Centre, High Bank, Rochester.
Branch web address - www.midkentmnd.org.uk
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT: Professor David Oliver
VICE PRESIDENT: Mr Colin Thompson, 01634 723677 colinwthompson@btopenworld.com
CHAIRMAN : Miss Annette Scott, 01622 820719 annette.scott4@btinternet.com
PATIENT CARE : Mrs Sheila Thompson, 01634 723677 sheilaathompson@btinternet.com
SECRETARY : Mrs Joan Simpson, 01634 686685 joansimpson@ic24.net
TREASURER : Mrs Lynne Eldred, 01732 845278 lynneeldred@hotmail.com
LOCAL CONTACT : Mrs Joan Simpson, 01634 686685 joansimpson@ic24.net
FUND RAISING : TBA
WEBMASTER : Wendy Buchan wbuchan1@gmail.com
MKM : Miss Jean Lear, 01634 404378 jeanlear@btinternet.com
REGIONAL CARE & DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR : Dr. Cathy Finnis, cathy.finnis@mndassociation.org; MND CONNECT : 0808 8026262
MND is usually regarded as progressive but the rate of progression varies greatly from person to person and between the three main types of disease. In the UK it is believed that there are about 6,000 people suffering from MND at any one time.
BEFORE YOU SPEND MONEY ON A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, CHECK WITH THE APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL. IF IT IS SOMETHING THEY DO NOT PROVIDE, SPEAK TO YOUR ASSOCIATION VISITOR OR JOYCE ONSLOW (01634 846330).
WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU.
Mid Kent Branch covers the ME postcode area except ME13, and includes DA11-13
Meeting place : The Wisdom Wellbeing & Therapy Centre, High Bank, Rochester.
Branch web address - www.midkentmnd.org.uk
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT: Professor David Oliver
VICE PRESIDENT: Mr Colin Thompson, 01634 723677 colinwthompson@btopenworld.com
CHAIRMAN : Miss Annette Scott, 01622 820719 annette.scott4@btinternet.com
PATIENT CARE : Mrs Sheila Thompson, 01634 723677 sheilaathompson@btinternet.com
SECRETARY : Mrs Joan Simpson, 01634 686685 joansimpson@ic24.net
TREASURER : Mrs Lynne Eldred, 01732 845278 lynneeldred@hotmail.com
LOCAL CONTACT : Mrs Joan Simpson, 01634 686685 joansimpson@ic24.net
FUND RAISING : TBA
WEBMASTER : Wendy Buchan wbuchan1@gmail.com
MKM : Miss Jean Lear, 01634 404378 jeanlear@btinternet.com
REGIONAL CARE & DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR : Dr. Cathy Finnis, cathy.finnis@mndassociation.org; MND CONNECT : 0808 8026262
Motor Neurone Disease Association
Registered Charity Number 294354. Registered in England.
Company Limited by Guarantee No 2007023
Registered Charity Number 294354. Registered in England.
Company Limited by Guarantee No 2007023
