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Mid Kent Matters
Summer 2018
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Saturday May 26th
Patient & Carer Meeting
Wisdom Wellbeing & Therapy Centre, 3.00pm
Saturday June 30th
Coffee morning & Garden Open 10am-12:30pm
Berwyn, Kingswood Road, Blue Bell Hill, ME20 7EL Entrance £4
Sunday 1st July
Dragon Boat Race
Mote Park, Maidstone 9:30am onwards
Saturday July 28th
Patient & Carer Meeting
Wisdom Wellbeing & Therapy Centre, 3.00pm
Sunday August 12th
Strawberry Tea 3pm
181 Bush Road, Cuxton, ME2 1HA
Saturday September 29th
Patient & Carer Meeting
Wisdom Wellbeing & Therapy Centre, 3.00pm
For date of the next Past Carers meeting
Please ring Sue Copping 01634 815467
This issue of MKM has been sponsored by Sue Harvey
Saturday May 26th
Patient & Carer Meeting
Wisdom Wellbeing & Therapy Centre, 3.00pm
Saturday June 30th
Coffee morning & Garden Open 10am-12:30pm
Berwyn, Kingswood Road, Blue Bell Hill, ME20 7EL Entrance £4
Sunday 1st July
Dragon Boat Race
Mote Park, Maidstone 9:30am onwards
Saturday July 28th
Patient & Carer Meeting
Wisdom Wellbeing & Therapy Centre, 3.00pm
Sunday August 12th
Strawberry Tea 3pm
181 Bush Road, Cuxton, ME2 1HA
Saturday September 29th
Patient & Carer Meeting
Wisdom Wellbeing & Therapy Centre, 3.00pm
For date of the next Past Carers meeting
Please ring Sue Copping 01634 815467
This issue of MKM has been sponsored by Sue Harvey
News For People Living With MND
As many of you may already know, Joyce has now taken a well-earned break from her many years as Patient Contact (Association Visitor (AV) Co-Ordinator) and has handed over the reins to me! Joyce is a very hard act to follow but continues to be an Association Visitor and is always available to support us all with her wise counsel and experience.
We are aware that there are many changes presently happening within the Organisations that currently provide services for those living locally with MND. Please be assured that here in Mid Kent, the Branch will continue to support you, as before, even if it means doing some things slightly differently. So, please do feedback to myself or your AV any concerns you may have relating to any of the changes that the services are undergoing. Our regular Support and Branch Meetings will, of course, continue where we will keep you informed. We will continue to work with you and our loyal supporters in order to raise the funds required to support those living with MND in Mid Kent.
It is encouraging to hear that some of the research and trials currently ongoing nationally are delivering some positive signs towards identifying the cause of MND. These studies are too many to name and explore here but please do check in your ‘Thumbprint’ Magazine or the MND Website and speak to a professional or your AV for further information.
May I also recommend to you the Association’s AGM to be held in the East Midlands on 14th July where there is the opportunity for you to have your say and meet with Officers from the MND Association while also receiving an update direct from those undertaking the research
From 14th March, applications for ‘Blue Badge’ Parking Permits have gone on-line. Details of changes have been sent directly to current holders and have been posted on Social Media. Any enquiries can be made to medway.gov.uk/bluebadge or through Libraries or Community Hubs. As always your AV will be pleased to advise and assist in getting help.
Thankfully, the days are now getting longer and warmer and with summer in mind, we will be holding our annual Strawberry Tea, this year on Sunday 12th August. There is no charge as this is not intended as a fund raising event but simply an opportunity for us to meet informally for a chat and refreshment on a pleasant (fingers crossed!) Summer’s afternoon. For more information please give me a call on 01634 723677.
Sheila
We are aware that there are many changes presently happening within the Organisations that currently provide services for those living locally with MND. Please be assured that here in Mid Kent, the Branch will continue to support you, as before, even if it means doing some things slightly differently. So, please do feedback to myself or your AV any concerns you may have relating to any of the changes that the services are undergoing. Our regular Support and Branch Meetings will, of course, continue where we will keep you informed. We will continue to work with you and our loyal supporters in order to raise the funds required to support those living with MND in Mid Kent.
It is encouraging to hear that some of the research and trials currently ongoing nationally are delivering some positive signs towards identifying the cause of MND. These studies are too many to name and explore here but please do check in your ‘Thumbprint’ Magazine or the MND Website and speak to a professional or your AV for further information.
May I also recommend to you the Association’s AGM to be held in the East Midlands on 14th July where there is the opportunity for you to have your say and meet with Officers from the MND Association while also receiving an update direct from those undertaking the research
From 14th March, applications for ‘Blue Badge’ Parking Permits have gone on-line. Details of changes have been sent directly to current holders and have been posted on Social Media. Any enquiries can be made to medway.gov.uk/bluebadge or through Libraries or Community Hubs. As always your AV will be pleased to advise and assist in getting help.
Thankfully, the days are now getting longer and warmer and with summer in mind, we will be holding our annual Strawberry Tea, this year on Sunday 12th August. There is no charge as this is not intended as a fund raising event but simply an opportunity for us to meet informally for a chat and refreshment on a pleasant (fingers crossed!) Summer’s afternoon. For more information please give me a call on 01634 723677.
Sheila
From The Chair
Thank you to everyone who managed to come to this year’s AGM - it was a full house and we ran out of seats. We were grateful that Claire Tuckett from the MNDA was able to join us and she gave us some interesting information on volunteering.
An AGM is a chance to celebrate success and we had many to mention including three presentations. The first was made by David Oliver to Joyce – but more of that elsewhere in the magazine and then there were another two very well deserved Awards of Recognition presented to two very special fund raising families. Eve Ovenden and her family have been running family disco’s in memory of Richard for many years and Amanda and Tracy Tooms have been running Black Tie dinner dances for many years in conjunction with Footsies dance school – all this dancing has raised thousands of pounds for the branch and we are very grateful for your wonderful support.
We have a number of special events coming up over the next few months and I hope some of you will be able to join us at some of them. The details of which are on the front page & highlighted under NOT TO BE MISSED elsewhere in MKM and will also be posted on our website and social media .
There have been a lot of changes taking place within both the Hospices and the way that the NHS are providing care. The branch is following these developments closely and will be making sure the voice of people with MND is heard so please do let us know if any changes are either really good or having an adverse impact on you so that we can make sure your views are known.
As always we look forward to seeing you at one of our future events – and hope that you are able to enjoy the sunshine when it decides to emerge.
Annette
An AGM is a chance to celebrate success and we had many to mention including three presentations. The first was made by David Oliver to Joyce – but more of that elsewhere in the magazine and then there were another two very well deserved Awards of Recognition presented to two very special fund raising families. Eve Ovenden and her family have been running family disco’s in memory of Richard for many years and Amanda and Tracy Tooms have been running Black Tie dinner dances for many years in conjunction with Footsies dance school – all this dancing has raised thousands of pounds for the branch and we are very grateful for your wonderful support.
We have a number of special events coming up over the next few months and I hope some of you will be able to join us at some of them. The details of which are on the front page & highlighted under NOT TO BE MISSED elsewhere in MKM and will also be posted on our website and social media .
There have been a lot of changes taking place within both the Hospices and the way that the NHS are providing care. The branch is following these developments closely and will be making sure the voice of people with MND is heard so please do let us know if any changes are either really good or having an adverse impact on you so that we can make sure your views are known.
As always we look forward to seeing you at one of our future events – and hope that you are able to enjoy the sunshine when it decides to emerge.
Annette
Treasurer's report
My first report for MKM and I would like to start by saying “Thank you” to everyone for welcoming me as your new Treasurer; it has been good to meet with the many supporters of Mid Kent Group at the AGM and recent Wine and Wisdom event.
During the four months from January to April, we have gratefully received the following donations totalling over £9500 to help local people and their families affected by MND. ‘In Memoriam’ donations of £936: corporate donations of £1045 from Timpsons; Southern Co-op; “King and Queen” E. Malling; Libertas Secunda Lodge and Santander. General donations and proceeds from collection tins £1500, and a punk hair cut added another £152! The sale of quiz sheets bought in £478. Contributions also came from Sutton Valence Prep School and Maidstone Rotary - £1195. Two “dance” events, Footsies and Eve Ovenden’s disco raised over £3800.
Over the same period Mid Kent branch has supported local people by providing lifelines and keysafes, quality of life grants, and a variety of therapies for people affected by MND and their carers. We have assisted with wet room and shower adaptations, provided much needed ramps and stairlifts, a riser recliner chair, wrist brace, raised toilet seat, body blower and bath lift, door chime and video intercom. We have also contributed to a scooter purchase and the maintenance of scooters and batteries.
To help raise awareness and aid our fundraising, we have also recently purchased a Gazebo, brightly coloured in Orange and Blue with the MNDA Mid Kent Branch emblazoned around the canopy, to use at fundraising events.
Thank you to all of our supporters and fundraisers. If you or anyone you know wishes to donate directly to our account by way of standing order or one off donations the details are:
MNDA Mid Kent Sort Code 30.96.09 Account Number : 02968567
Finally, if anyone is raising funds through a “Just Giving ” or “Virgin” online page and wants the money to come to the Mid Kent Branch, please make it very clear on the fundraising page that the funds are being raised for MNDA Mid Kent to support local people– your supporters have to be aware of where their donations are going.
Thank you
Lynne Eldred
During the four months from January to April, we have gratefully received the following donations totalling over £9500 to help local people and their families affected by MND. ‘In Memoriam’ donations of £936: corporate donations of £1045 from Timpsons; Southern Co-op; “King and Queen” E. Malling; Libertas Secunda Lodge and Santander. General donations and proceeds from collection tins £1500, and a punk hair cut added another £152! The sale of quiz sheets bought in £478. Contributions also came from Sutton Valence Prep School and Maidstone Rotary - £1195. Two “dance” events, Footsies and Eve Ovenden’s disco raised over £3800.
Over the same period Mid Kent branch has supported local people by providing lifelines and keysafes, quality of life grants, and a variety of therapies for people affected by MND and their carers. We have assisted with wet room and shower adaptations, provided much needed ramps and stairlifts, a riser recliner chair, wrist brace, raised toilet seat, body blower and bath lift, door chime and video intercom. We have also contributed to a scooter purchase and the maintenance of scooters and batteries.
To help raise awareness and aid our fundraising, we have also recently purchased a Gazebo, brightly coloured in Orange and Blue with the MNDA Mid Kent Branch emblazoned around the canopy, to use at fundraising events.
Thank you to all of our supporters and fundraisers. If you or anyone you know wishes to donate directly to our account by way of standing order or one off donations the details are:
MNDA Mid Kent Sort Code 30.96.09 Account Number : 02968567
Finally, if anyone is raising funds through a “Just Giving ” or “Virgin” online page and wants the money to come to the Mid Kent Branch, please make it very clear on the fundraising page that the funds are being raised for MNDA Mid Kent to support local people– your supporters have to be aware of where their donations are going.
Thank you
Lynne Eldred
One in a Million
Not many of you will know that our very own Joyce Onslow has been supporting families affected by MND since 1988 – that is 30 long years - and she is still going strong!
In the last 30 years Joyce has not only been supporting people affected by MND but she has also been recruiting and developing other volunteer visitors like myself. In her spare time (ha ha) she has been raising and selling plants for MNDA and doing any other job no-one else wanted to do. This summer she decided that she would hand over the baton for looking after all the other volunteer visitors and all the paperwork that entailed – so Sheila is our new Association Visitor Co-ordinator (AVC) and Joyce is back doing what she loves most; visiting and working with you. I could not let this time pass without conveying our sincerest thanks to Joyce for all she has achieved in Mid-Kent and who, due to her dogged and determined and leadership has often placed us at the forefront of national initiatives. Joyce has handed over to a very worthy successor and Joyce knew this because she trained her! From all of us – Joyce you are one in a million and we are so grateful to you. Annette on behalf of the branch AGM 2018 or Give Yourselves a Pat on the Back |
Words worth repeating from Annette’s Report apart from “This is not a serious occasion” are the list of some of the achievements and highlights of the past year:-
- Medway Council’s adoption of The Charter, with special thanks for the hard spadework by Sheila and Joan
- Our place in The Medway Neurological Alliance - thanks to more hard graft from Sheila
- Attendance at the national Parliamentary Reception at Westminster by Wendy, Denise and Steve
- Our partnership with Lenham Co-op facilitated by Sue
100 Club Winners
March
1st prize - Mark Spurgeon
2nd prize - Sheilagh Jeffery
April
1st prize – Malcolm Shiels
2nd prize – Sara Difford
May
1st prize – Not allocated
2nd prize – Jackie Marshall
June
1st prize – Sheila Jeffery
2nd prize – Frank Bushnell
Up the Garden Path
I am pleased to say the postman is giving me some interesting post among the brown envelopes & double glazing offers once again. This quiz doesn’t seem to have caused any big problems and all the questions have been answered correctly by someone! The answers are :
- Spade
- Trowel
- Fork
- Shed
- Trug
- Kneeler
- Twine
- Hoe
- Rake
- Mower
- Secateurs
- String
- Gloves
- Shears
- Watering Can
- Trellis
- Arch
- Pergola
- Water butt
- Patio
- Rock
- Water feature
- Wall
- Gravel
- Garden path
- Glasshouse
- Cloche
- Bee
- Ant
- Bugs
- Insect
- Ladybird
- Weed
- Greenfly
- Slug
- Snail
- Mulch
- Prune
- Manure
- Cutting
- Plant
- Fertiliser
- Dig
- Sunbathe
- Jekyll
- Brown
- Titchmarsh
- Dimmock
- Don
- Thrower
- Kew
- Adam
- Heligan
- Babylon
- Eden
The next quiz will take you on a UK Tour – maybe it will give you some ideas for places to visit this summer. Please remember, I am always pleased to have requests for sheets to sell & to add you to the “team of agents” across the country.
Jean
Data Protection
Along with every organisation in the country the new general data protection regulations mean we have to check that you are still happy for us to contact you.
Some of you will have already given the association permission to contact you but for others we have sent out a letter explaining how we will use your data and asking for your permission to keep sending you our newsletters and details of events and activities that are happening in the area. We will never share your information with anybody outside of the association.
Please make sure that you send back your completed forms as we really value keeping in touch with you.
Annette Scott
Some of you will have already given the association permission to contact you but for others we have sent out a letter explaining how we will use your data and asking for your permission to keep sending you our newsletters and details of events and activities that are happening in the area. We will never share your information with anybody outside of the association.
Please make sure that you send back your completed forms as we really value keeping in touch with you.
Annette Scott
Medway Neurological Fair
This excellent opportunity to raise awareness and gain information from other organisations was held in the Pilkington Building, University of Greenwich in March.
Linda doing the rounds of the other stands and Laura one of our Sopeech Therapists demonstrating a communication method.
Joan and Sheila on the Mid Kent stand
Reach for the sky at Headcorn
Lauren and her Grandma Wendy celebrating her safe landing The small dot in the centre of the photo is Lauren's plane!
Completing this skydive on September 22nd for the MNDA was the scariest but best thing I have ever done!
The support I have received from my friends and family has been great and has resulted in me raising over £1,270 for the MNDA. It was this support, and the thought of raising so much money for the MDNA, that helped me get to the point of sitting at the door of the plane ready to jump.
The freefall and parachute experience was amazing and the assistance given by the Skydive Headcorn team was great.
I hope that the money raised allows MNDA Mid Kent branch to continue giving the support to people like my Grandma, and recommend anybody who has considered doing a tandem skydive to take the plunge and give it a go!
Lauren Palmer
Mid Kent Branch Annual General Meeting 2018
We were right – short on business and long on tea, cake and chat – as these photos prove. Not to mention open and shameless collaboration on the quiz sheet!
Wine and Wisdom 2018
Malcolm and Colin get the evening started
Ann Hunt and her winning team
Ann Hunt has been bringing a team to our quiz evenings since we began in 1992. At least we think that was the date of the first quiz, after all this time it is difficult to remember accurately. Richard Jarvis our Chair at the time was our question master and he and I composed the questions, Jan (Secretary) and I marked them and Rosemary (Treasurer) kept the scores, while Joyce ran around and collected up the sheets and Christa (also at this year’s quiz with her long serving team) sold raffle tickets. Our first venue was in Rochester Girls’ Grammar School, from where we went across the road to The Maths School, then to Walderslade and Greenacre School and Hook Meadow Hall after which we came to rest for the present at Bower Grove School, Maidstone.
Thinking Caps are almost visible!
Having fun with a quiz sheet
Hello Jean, I am one of Dulcie’s quiz team and they have all been here today for lunch and posed for a photo for your newsletter. We have managed the quiz today, just one answer we’re not confident about, so Dulcie will be sending it off to you soon. We have decided to call ourselves “The Ever Hopefuls”! We do enjoy doing these quizzes - we have a good laugh and it helps to keep the grey cells working. We are looking forward to the next one!
Best wishes, Joan
(From a group of non-Kent quiz sheet returners)
Best wishes, Joan
(From a group of non-Kent quiz sheet returners)
Presentation from Sutton Valence Prep School Parents Association
Cheque presentation from Sutton Valence Prep School Parents Association, with Nicola Wynne (Chair of the SVPSPA, beside Annette), Kerry Foreman (on the left) and Liz Slavik-Smith (far right) . Kerry nominated MND as their charity in memory of her father Richard “Dickie” Judd. The fantastic sum of £695 was raised through raffles at their Christmas Fair and a recent Quiz night. They hope to make further donations to the branch as we have been selected as one of their charities for the next 2 years.
Foreign Coins
We all have a few coins left over from our holidays, or a few old British coins tucked away in a drawer, and never know what to do with them, particularly if we are not revisiting the country they came from, or the currency has now changed!
In one of our collection tins recently we had a great number of Australian coins and after some research into how we could make the most of this donation I have found an answer! “Left Over Currency” or LOC will accept any currency coins or notes (in or out of circulation) or old British coins and notes. As a charity they provide us with an additional 5% on top of the exchange rate and, depending on the amount or weight of the coins, the postage or delivery costs can be waived.
I placed a collection tin in our local shop, with a label stating it was for foreign coins and old British coins. (I did not want to take donations away from other charity tins there so wanted this to be clear). I then put a message on our local facebook page telling people the tin was there and after a month the tin was full! The proceeds totalled £97.28, this included £55.98 from the exchange of foreign currency and £41.30 from current British coins and old £1 coins.
So how does it work? Well you need a lot of weight in coins, the heavier the parcel of coins to exchange, the better the deal is on the postage. As this was the first time I had done it, I posted off just under 2 kilos of coins and notes and LOC refunded the postage cost (this is not always guaranteed). I had sorted the coins into currencies, although this is not necessary as they will do this for us. Three days later I received an e-mail confirming every currency, the amount, the rate and the value, together with a total to be paid direct to our account!
So…. If anyone has any foreign coins or currency, or any old British coins or notes (we had old £5 and £1 notes in the tin!) that they don’t want hanging around in a drawer, then please don’t leave them in the drawer, MNDA Mid Kent can make use of them!
If you are interested in setting up a tin, or simply have some coins you or friends and family would like to donate, please ring me.
I am also happy to deal with any full tins.
Lynne – Treasurer of all currencies!
In one of our collection tins recently we had a great number of Australian coins and after some research into how we could make the most of this donation I have found an answer! “Left Over Currency” or LOC will accept any currency coins or notes (in or out of circulation) or old British coins and notes. As a charity they provide us with an additional 5% on top of the exchange rate and, depending on the amount or weight of the coins, the postage or delivery costs can be waived.
I placed a collection tin in our local shop, with a label stating it was for foreign coins and old British coins. (I did not want to take donations away from other charity tins there so wanted this to be clear). I then put a message on our local facebook page telling people the tin was there and after a month the tin was full! The proceeds totalled £97.28, this included £55.98 from the exchange of foreign currency and £41.30 from current British coins and old £1 coins.
So how does it work? Well you need a lot of weight in coins, the heavier the parcel of coins to exchange, the better the deal is on the postage. As this was the first time I had done it, I posted off just under 2 kilos of coins and notes and LOC refunded the postage cost (this is not always guaranteed). I had sorted the coins into currencies, although this is not necessary as they will do this for us. Three days later I received an e-mail confirming every currency, the amount, the rate and the value, together with a total to be paid direct to our account!
So…. If anyone has any foreign coins or currency, or any old British coins or notes (we had old £5 and £1 notes in the tin!) that they don’t want hanging around in a drawer, then please don’t leave them in the drawer, MNDA Mid Kent can make use of them!
If you are interested in setting up a tin, or simply have some coins you or friends and family would like to donate, please ring me.
I am also happy to deal with any full tins.
Lynne – Treasurer of all currencies!
Plant list
I am not opening my garden this year, so please take the opportunity to visit June’s garden “Berwyn” on June 30th . However, I still have plants for sale, so if you are tempted by anything in the following list, please ring me (01634 846330) to arrange collection.
SHRUBS
Abutilon
Aloysia (Lippia)
Buddleja
Coronilla (bright yellow)
Erysimum Bowles Mauve
Euphorbia characias
Jasminum nudiflorum
Phygelius
Piptanthus
Rosa rubrifolia
Salvia
Sarcococca (Sweet Box)
Solanum (Potato Vine)
Sphaeralcea
Weigela
PERENNIALS
Aeonium
Anaphalis
Anemone japonica
Anthemis cupaniana
Arum pictum
Campanula persicifolia
Cephalaria gigantean
Centaurea balla
Erigeron karvinskionus
Gaura
Geranium - various
Gillenia
Hakonechloa
Helianthus - Lemon Queen
Helleborus foetidus
Helleborus orientalis
Iberis
Lamium
Linaris Toad flax
Lychnis white pink eye
Malva (white)
Papaver (Welsh poppy)
Penstemon
Polomonium Marjory Fish
Pulmonaria
Sedum
Sisyrinchium
Stipa gigantica
Sweet William
Tellima
Tolmea
Veronica
The plants are mostly £2.00 each with some larger ones at £3.00 or £4.00 each.
Joyce (01634 846330)
SHRUBS
Abutilon
Aloysia (Lippia)
Buddleja
Coronilla (bright yellow)
Erysimum Bowles Mauve
Euphorbia characias
Jasminum nudiflorum
Phygelius
Piptanthus
Rosa rubrifolia
Salvia
Sarcococca (Sweet Box)
Solanum (Potato Vine)
Sphaeralcea
Weigela
PERENNIALS
Aeonium
Anaphalis
Anemone japonica
Anthemis cupaniana
Arum pictum
Campanula persicifolia
Cephalaria gigantean
Centaurea balla
Erigeron karvinskionus
Gaura
Geranium - various
Gillenia
Hakonechloa
Helianthus - Lemon Queen
Helleborus foetidus
Helleborus orientalis
Iberis
Lamium
Linaris Toad flax
Lychnis white pink eye
Malva (white)
Papaver (Welsh poppy)
Penstemon
Polomonium Marjory Fish
Pulmonaria
Sedum
Sisyrinchium
Stipa gigantica
Sweet William
Tellima
Tolmea
Veronica
The plants are mostly £2.00 each with some larger ones at £3.00 or £4.00 each.
Joyce (01634 846330)
Not to be missed
FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
Pearson Whiffin Recruitment have selected MNDA as their charity for the Year are hoping to raise £10,000 for us over the next year. Their first event is a football tournament on Saturday 2nd June at the Cobdown Sports Club at Ditton in Maidstone. They expect over 40 teams to be taking part and we will be there to run a raffle and to support them - come and find us if you are able to attend.
WALK TO D’FEET
Help us to make the Brenda Sheridan annual family walk into the biggest walking event the Branch has ever been involved with.
It is on Sunday September 2nd in Shorne Country Park (please note the Walk will take place on 2nd and not the 9th as previously stated). There will be a choice of routes suitable for the whole family, either short or a little longer. Please put the date in your diary now and start recruiting all your family and friends – this will be a great day out. Further details from Annette (01622 820719) and they will be posted on our website.
DRAGON BOAT RACE
Sunday 1st July at Mote Park, Maidstone. Parking in the park. Gates open 9.30am and first race rows off at 10.00am. Visit the Mid Kent Gazebo for our Tombola Stall and to meet our team. They had the third fastest time last year out of a field of 54 teams and intend to row even faster this year but they do need you to cheer them on.
Pearson Whiffin Recruitment have selected MNDA as their charity for the Year are hoping to raise £10,000 for us over the next year. Their first event is a football tournament on Saturday 2nd June at the Cobdown Sports Club at Ditton in Maidstone. They expect over 40 teams to be taking part and we will be there to run a raffle and to support them - come and find us if you are able to attend.
WALK TO D’FEET
Help us to make the Brenda Sheridan annual family walk into the biggest walking event the Branch has ever been involved with.
It is on Sunday September 2nd in Shorne Country Park (please note the Walk will take place on 2nd and not the 9th as previously stated). There will be a choice of routes suitable for the whole family, either short or a little longer. Please put the date in your diary now and start recruiting all your family and friends – this will be a great day out. Further details from Annette (01622 820719) and they will be posted on our website.
DRAGON BOAT RACE
Sunday 1st July at Mote Park, Maidstone. Parking in the park. Gates open 9.30am and first race rows off at 10.00am. Visit the Mid Kent Gazebo for our Tombola Stall and to meet our team. They had the third fastest time last year out of a field of 54 teams and intend to row even faster this year but they do need you to cheer them on.
Our Bench : New Forest Holidays
Our Bench have three holiday cottages in the New Forest which are fully accessible. They offer two holiday cottages with adjustable profiling beds giving good flexibilty and choice. They all have portable hoists available, accessible wet rooms, turning space for wheelchairs and split level kitchen worktops to make self-catering easier.
Brochures and bookings are available from “Our Bench” 01590 673141
www.ourbench.co.uk
Brochures and bookings are available from “Our Bench” 01590 673141
www.ourbench.co.uk
Football Match in aid of MND
Wigmore Youth played Wigmore Youth Legends on Sunday May 13that Star Meadow Sports Club, Gillingham. The final score was 1 – 4 to the Legends, but as Tony Whitelock the organiser said MNDA & Football won the day! The Just Giving total currently stands at £2,469
Coffee morning and open garden
“Berwyn” Kingswood Road Kits Coty off Blue Bell Hill
ME20 7EL
Saturday 30th June 2018 10am-12.30pm
Come and enjoy June Jordan’s lovely garden
Entry £4.00 including Raffle and Refreshments.
Garden Walk, Bring and Buy stall.
Ample parking.
All proceeds will be shared between St Alban’s Church, Blue Bell Hill
and Motor Neurone Disease Association (Mid Kent Branch)
ME20 7EL
Saturday 30th June 2018 10am-12.30pm
Come and enjoy June Jordan’s lovely garden
Entry £4.00 including Raffle and Refreshments.
Garden Walk, Bring and Buy stall.
Ample parking.
All proceeds will be shared between St Alban’s Church, Blue Bell Hill
and Motor Neurone Disease Association (Mid Kent Branch)
A Flying Adventure!
Jan being airlifted into “her” plane which looks as exciting as the flight itself! It was the beginning of an experience, which she thoroughly recommends.
Jan took off for a thirty minute flight from Blackbushe Airport, Camberley with Aerobility – a birthday present from her family, who knew she fancied the idea. It was her first flight and she really enjoyed it and recommends it to anyone keen to try something new. The Aerobility staff were caring and she felt completely safe with them.
Footsies Annual Dinner & Dance and Award Presentation
Malcolm and I attended Footsies annual dinner dance on Saturday 10th February. As usual Tracy Tooms and her daughter Amanda Tooms-Peel arranged another wonderful evening attended by over 100 people at River Valley Golf Club, Upchurch.
The entertainment included nine young songsters who showed great talent. You will be pleased to know that approximately £1,000 was raised for Mid Kent MNDA. It was a really enjoyable evening and shows that Tracy and Amanda are great ambassadors for MNDA.
I visited Tracy and Amanda in April and presented them with a certificate recording MNDA’s appreciation for their regular fund raising on our behalf over the last ten years.
Kay Spalding
The entertainment included nine young songsters who showed great talent. You will be pleased to know that approximately £1,000 was raised for Mid Kent MNDA. It was a really enjoyable evening and shows that Tracy and Amanda are great ambassadors for MNDA.
I visited Tracy and Amanda in April and presented them with a certificate recording MNDA’s appreciation for their regular fund raising on our behalf over the last ten years.
Kay Spalding
Family fundraising also recognised
Eve Ovenden and her daughters, Sacha & Shelley were also awarded a Certificate of Recognition. They have organised a social fun evening for their family & friends for 10 years in memory of her husband Richard. She was presented with the certificate by Cathy Finnis at a recent AV meeting.
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
