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Mid Kent Matters
Autumn 2020 - 2nd COVID-19 edition
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Mid Kent Christmas Bazaar
** The Bazaar was the only event we thought we'd be able to hold BUT
OH NOT IT ISN'T !!
SADLY we have to POSTPONE IT until 2021 **
Mid Kent Christmas Bazaar
** The Bazaar was the only event we thought we'd be able to hold BUT
OH NOT IT ISN'T !!
SADLY we have to POSTPONE IT until 2021 **
Virtual Support Groups WILL be held ONLINE on the following dates:
Heart of Kent, Support Group
October 2nd, 16th and 30th
November 13th and 27th
December 11th
Wisdom Hospice, Support Group
October 7th and 21st
November 4th and 18th
December 2nd and 16th
Heart of Kent, Support Group
October 2nd, 16th and 30th
November 13th and 27th
December 11th
Wisdom Hospice, Support Group
October 7th and 21st
November 4th and 18th
December 2nd and 16th
PATIENT CARE
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Hello all, although we have been unable to meet face to face for many months during these unprecedented times our thoughts have been very much with you all. Our priorities to ensure that people living with MND and their families have support remain constant albeit we have needed to adapt to some new ways of keeping in touch.
We have used regular phone calls, email, text messages and Zoom meetings. We are particularly grateful to Ahmed our Area Support Coordinator who by his skill and patience has made the Zoom meetings possible and is always readily available to offer guidance and support to Volunteers and people living with MND and their families with the many challenges at these difficult times. The Zoom Support meetings which we launched when sadly we had to suspend our regular meetings at the two Hospices have proved to be a great success as a valuable support and are always informative and lively social sessions. I will leave you to read reports on these meetings in this edition of MKM. If you have not already joined us and are interested in doing so please e-mail me on sheilaathompson@btinternet.com for the link to join meeting We have been pleased to welcome two new Volunteers to our team - Julie and Kathy and we hope you will have the opportunity to meet them soon. Thanks to generous support from MNDA’s My Name‘5 Doddie Foundation (former Scottish rugby international living with MND), Emergency Support Grants have been made in addition to the usual Support Grants which are available to people living with MND. Throughout the pandemic, the MND Association (mndassociation.org) website has continued to provide up to date information by hosting regular “ Ask the expert sessions “on line. Information and advice is updated regularly for MND in accordance with government guidelines. |
Campaigning has also continued via virtual platforms both at national and local level to influence MPs to take action on the ongoing Scrap 6mths Campaign. If you are experiencing delays in receiving benefits such as Attendance Allowance or have been asked for Reassessment for Personal Independence Payment, please get in touch with me or your AV for advice.
In spite of the challenges Researchers are more determined to ensure that research into the causes of MND continues. We were particularly pleased to be able to welcome Dr Jemeen Sreedharan Neuroscientist and Neurologist at Kings to one of our zoom Support Group meetings. He explained that his research focuses on a protein called TDP - 43 which plays a role in almost all cases of MND, where he aims to find ways to correct it to healthy levels in the brain’s cells. Jemeen now has a Grant from the MND Association for a biomedical project which aims to identify targets for therapy that will be relevant for the majority of people living with MND For further information on this and other research please see Jemeen’s article in the Summer edition of Thumbprint or the research section on the MND website. In conclusion, please be assured that now and for as long we are challenged by the Covid situation we at Mid Kent Branch are readily available to support all people living with MND in the local area. We will continue to hold our regular support meetings via Zoom and will keep you updated via website and social media of any changes taking place. Finally one other important reminder at this time - please ensure that you have your Flu injection. If you encounter any difficulties arranging this please don’t hesitate to contact me or you AV. Stay safe Sheila |
FROM THE CHAIR
I cannot believe that so much, and yet so little, has happened since our last newsletter. This has to be the strangest and in many ways the most challenging year I have ever experienced. I do hope you are all coping alright and would remind you that Mid Kent Branch is here to support you in any way we can, so please do not hesitate to contact any one of us. Despite such a long period of lockdown I am pleased to report that there is still a lot going on - both locally and nationally. Please keep supporting the two main MNDA campaigns “Scrap the 6 month Rule” and “Act to Adapt”. I am optimistic that the sustained campaigning by the Association will bring positive results and improve things for families affected by MND. Sadly, I cannot see us being able to meet up until after Christmas but we would love to see any or all of you on any of our virtual meetings – dates are on the front page of MKM and on our website, or feel free to give me a call. Thank you all so much for your wonderful support for our Special Appeal – we have smashed our £10.000 target. Your support means we can continue to provide equipment and support when and where it is needed. Christmas cards This year, we will of course, be unable to sell Christmas cards as we usually do – but can I remind you that cards are available to order from the Association. I also have a few boxes of cards which I will be happy to sell if I can get them to you – if you have some bright ideas give me a call. Annette. |
CARERS SUPPORT GROUP
One of Mid Kent’s support groups that has been formed in fairly recent times is the Carers and ex Carers support group which is held on a bi-monthly basis. In the good old days, ie last year, up to ten of us would meet at the Malta Inn, Maidstone for a spot of lunch and a chat about various subjects. Just nice to be with like-minded people. Naturally the meetings have had to change in a very obvious way but the aims of the meetings are still the same: To support one another who are in a similar situation. So, how do we meet now? Very simply on a meeting program called ZOOM which is accessible on most computers, laptops or i-phones with access to the internet or wi-fi. I send you a meeting link on your email which you click on and hey presto! we have a visual meeting. Great to see one another and to chat as you wish. We would be delighted to see more of you join us at our next zoom meeting on Monday 9th November at 11am. There is no pressure to attend a meeting or indeed to stay for the whole session, no more than 1 ½ hours. So why not register your email address with me and I will send you a meeting reminder and link to join in at any point if you so wish. Email on <davesh56@hotmail.com> or ring 01634 323423. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Dave Sheridan |
TREASURER'S REPORT Gradually as we have come out of “lockdown”, I am pleased to report that I have been able to get “counting” again and just this morning collected a tin from Maidstone after being notified that it was so full that people were struggling to get any more coins in! Our thanks go out to everyone who has generously responded to our “Special Appeal” either via the justgiving page, direct to our bank account, by sending a cheque and from fundraising events you have managed to hold either virtually or perhaps in a different format to originally planned! We are so grateful for all donations received. Sadly many donations are received in memory of loved ones who have died of MND. We can only express our huge gratitude and commit to using every penny to support others diagnosed with MND so no one feels alone. Your donations will help us to continue to provide support to people with MND. Our Special Appeal and general donations of £4295 have given us a boost to our income over the last three months and although there have been fewer fundraising events, our supporters have raised a fantastic £2000! We have gratefully received just over £5000 from corporate and “In memoriam” donations, and with Branch fundraising of £2400 our total income for the period was £14061. Our Thanks go to :- The Griffin Law Charitable Foundation, Waitrose, Little Market Leybourne, the General Gordon Masonic Lodge, WH Smith Post Office Maidstone, Lynne & family-2.6k, Chequers pub, Jonathan for plant sales, Lin Barnes with E-bay sales, Jean for quiz sheets, Sue for 100 club, Elaine for the online Zoom quizzes, our Easyfundraising “spenders” and of course to everyone for your support and general donations for our special appeal. Over the same period, we have spent £4714 to support people affected by MND; £1766 of which has been on care, and £2199 on equipment. Our care costs have included two quality of life grants and two carer’s grants for people with MND. Our expenditure included the maintenance and repair costs, delivery and collection of equipment and provision of lifelines; contribution towards a Biobidet, disposal costs of a chair and we also purchased over tables and suction tubes. |
In the absence of our Hospice Support days we have moved onto “Zoom” for support group meetings, carers meetings and committee meetings and thank Wendy for setting us up with a branch account. Whilst our expenditure has been less than normal over the last few months we are planning carefully for the time when we are able to resume the Hospice support group days and thank everyone again for their continued support in helping us achieve this via our Special Appeal or other donations.
Sort Code 30.96.09 Account Number : 02968567
Lynne Eldred |
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SOME FUND RAISING THANKS and NEWS
Hannah Wheat of Leybourne has kindly donated money that she raised for a World Challenge event to Thailand that was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID 19. Hannah had raised the money from various fundraising activities and chose to donate half of the money raised to the Heart of Kent Hospice and half to MNDA Mid Kent. We are most grateful for Hannah’s donation of £150 plus gift aid. Thank you to the gentleman who stopped to donate £5 whilst Lin, Lynne, Harvey and Faith were taking part in the walk at Shorne Country Park in memory of Brenda Sheridan. He noticed our MNDA T Shirts and wanted to make a donation to help support the charity and those suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. Further thanks to several of our regular quiz sheeters have also put their hands in their pockets and sent us a “little extra”. MNDA Mission 5000 event The Association is on a mission and together with supporters wants to cover 5,000 miles, that’s a mile for every person living with MND in the UK today. Lynne Eldred has signed up to run 50 miles over a 5 week period starting on Sunday 13th September. She wants to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and has chosen to run one mile for each person (50 people) in the Mid Kent area who has Motor Neurone Disease. She has already made a good start and has enjoyed it - so far! |
LIBRARY BOOKS AT YOUR FINGER TIPS!
Erica Collison from Medway Libraries joined one of our Wisdom Hospice Support Groups recently and told us how to get free access to Library books without visiting a library. She sent these brief notes on how to get started and download books, audio books, magazines and papers. Firstly you need to have a current library card and pin number, either registering on line or at a local library. Anyone who lives in the Medway area can join by clicking on https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200181/libraries/53/join_the_library/1 Download the programme/app to your phone/tablet or computer at https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200181/libraries/65/ebooks_and_eaudiobooks/1 Once sorted it is so easy to download books as you just open your app/programme. If you need help, ring Medway Libraries Help number 01634 337799, or email Erika on erika.collison@medway.gov.uk Services provided by Kent Libraries If you live outside the Medway area, you will need to click on https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/libraries and follow the instructions. |
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VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS
Our virtual groups have developed as we have gone along and as well as being able to actually see old friends again and catching up with everyone’s news and their tips for coping, we have passed on information on topics as varied as easy electronic library use; GP appointments; MND collecting boxes; joining a ukulele group and current favourite recipes. We used childhood photos for a Junior Picture Gallery quiz and one of our regular actual members, who in real life always produced a quiz at the Wisdom Hospice Support Group, but hasn’t felt ready to join us electronically sends us an enjoyable brain stimulator each meeting. We have had short presentations from a range of speakers, who have included our President, Prof. David Oliver, who told us how he became interested in MND while he was working at St Christopher’s Hospice and how that led to his work at the Wisdom Hospice and the resulting care teamwork between the hospice and Mid Kent branch. He was followed by Bobbie Walkem-Smith, who has just taken up the post of Community Engagement Officer, Medway Maritime Hospital, and did her best to answer our questions about Covid19 and safety measures in the hospital. The information flow was two way and I’m sure Bobbie found our members’ perspectives on living with MND at this time very informative. Elaine Coates, Mid Kent’s campaigns and influencing lead came to another meeting and the gist of what she said then, appears elsewhere in MKM. Dr. Anjura Varshney known to Joyce and Jean from when he chaired the fore-runner to Maidstone’s MDT, spoke about Medical Fitness to Drive. He urged anyone to contact him if they have noticed changes which might affect their driving. |
Jonathan introduced us to Dr. Jemeen Sreedharan a Neurologist and Neuroscientist at King’s College London who explained how research workers have used Lockdown to make and maintain virtual contact with fellow researchers across the world, as well as making a virtue out of necessity and putting more effort into “thinking” and talking virtually to others nearer home. Yet another example of the amazing contribution made by technology to our new socially distanced lives. You can read a fuller report on his work in Thumbprint, Summer 2020, pp 8-9.
The Heart of Kent Support Group started meeting virtually later than the Medway group and so far have simply been pleased to reconnect with all their friends from the “club”. Attempts are being made to encourage new recruits to the ukelele group – watch this space for further musical notes! We realise it is easier to join groups such as these if you have already actually met, but please give either (or both!) groups a go! You do not have to stay for the whole hour and it is fine just to sit and observe. The zoom connections are: Heart of Kent https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83703930589?pwd=VmdwS2MvSytKallxQ2JqTUxiMEhwdz09 Wisdom Hospice https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88213109745?pwd=eTRsTjZHU2c1RVh5SmZtMGdlSG8zZz09 PLEASE ring your AV if you will find it easier! |
WE TOOK OUR HARP TO A PARTY...
Joyce and I didn’t intend this to be a virtual plant sale, but that is almost how it turned out! Only one person – and his dog - stopped us and bought one!
Jean
Joyce and I didn’t intend this to be a virtual plant sale, but that is almost how it turned out! Only one person – and his dog - stopped us and bought one!
Jean
MID KENT VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS
Leah and Doreen and the rest of the gang at the Heart of Kent Support Group on August 21st At last I’ve found a way of legitimately hiding my face in a photograph!
Erika Collinson and the Wisdom Hospice SG – and I failed to block myself this time!
As you may have gathered, we have also enjoyed some uninvited company at these meetings. Sasha, Walter and Ronnie didn’t have much to say but they were welcomed anyway!
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
In May this year my grandson Connor received a Certificate of Appreciation from the MND fundraising team. In the previous 18 months he organised three events and raised £1985 for our branch. Linda
SHORNE WALK
The start of the walk that nearly didn't happen!
SHORNE WALK
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Our annual Walk2D'feet event has always been a wonderful day where friends can meet up on the first Sunday of September and chat while raising funds and awareness for MNDA. Mum started our first ever walk in 2015 but fast forward to 5 years later and it was looking unlikely that we would be able go ahead this year.
With Covid-19 placing restrictions on social gatherings, we were initially told that the event could not go ahead at Shorne Country Park. This was devastating to us but there was a brief moment where I wondered if this was the right thing - should we leave it this year and make it bigger and better next year? But all I could think about was my Mum. In 2015, she was living with MND and the day to day challenges that came with it. She managed to lead everyone on her scooter with a huge smile and so if she could do that then surely we could figure out a way to go ahead. With this idea in mind, I had a chat with the venue's Manager and it was agreed that we could go ahead as long as we could ensure that social distancing guidelines were met. We decided that 'staggered' start times every 15 minutes would work best and walkers could walk individually or in groups made up of families or 'bubbles' of no more than 6. Once the risk assessment was completed satisfactorily we got the final approval from the venue and it was all systems go. I must admit that although we were very excited, I was also nervous about how successful the day would be or whether guidelines would change and it would be cancelled. |
To prevent walkers from congregating whilst registering on the day as would normally happen, we suggested walkers register for the 5000 mile challenge via the MNDA website and we would then confirm their walking slot. We also introduced a virtual option where walkers could take part anywhere and we had a few groups walking in different places in the UK. Amazingly everyone jumped on board this idea and we soon found ourselves with a fully booked day!
The day was absolutely incredible! The huge amount of support we had from family, friends, the Mid Kent Branch, MNDA head office, and of course Shorne Country Park made it even better in some ways. Yes, we missed the normal format of a huge gathering of supporters all setting off at the same time and yes, we missed the hugs that would normally be given and received by so many BUT the love that was shared on that day, the money and awareness raised in Mums memory was in excess of our expectations. We are proud to say that so far we have raised over £850 for the Mid Kent Branch of MNDA. We are already looking forward to next year with far more confidence as we know that whatever challenges come our way, we will overcome them to support this wonderful charity and people living with MND, all in the name of my Mum, Brenda Sheridan. Jennifer Sanders |
Reflections on the night before Walk to D’Feet 2020
The night before Mum's walk and all through the town,
There were MND supporters putting their heads down
On their pillows so soft, to sleep safe and sound,
Where dreams are full of brighter days where a cure can be found.
To rid the world of this cruel Motor Neurone Disease,
That takes away freedom, cuts a life at its knees.
Strips speech and movement in the most callous of ways
and makes life incredibly hard for the rest of their days.
5,000 people in the UK at any one time,
are said to be suffering and facing the climb
Of the MND journey, the toughest there is,
But there are things you can do so please remember this.
We must be strong, we must fight this disease,
We can do this together all I ask is please
Share your awareness, love and support where you can
But most of all join us and with us you stand.
Against MND, let's walk2d'feet,
let's shout from the rooftops, let's stamp in the streets.
In Mum's memory let something come good
Your support will help hugely and so if I could
I'd like to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart
Thank you for everything you do, for donating and for taking part.
Jennifer Sanders - September 2020
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3D PRINTING in LOCKDOWN
Last year I purchased a 3D printer and started experimenting to find out what I could do with it. Having shown some of the results to the Wednesday group at the Wisdom Hospice, some of them asked if I could describe the process, so here goes. What is 3D printing? 3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing, where objects are built using layer upon layer of material. While standard manu-facturing begins with a solid block of material, with pieces taken away to make the desired shape, 3D printing involves working from the bottom upwards – adding material in layers until you have the object you want. There are a number of different types of 3D printer, I will concentrate on FDM (Fused Deposistion Modeling) printing. Let’s look at the main components of an FDM 3D printer: Build Plate: The build platform is essentially the surface on which the parts are made. Build plates are usually heated to help with the adhesion of the parts. Print head: The print head is the component responsible for melting and gradually depositing the filament to build the model. In truth, the print head is made of two subcomponents: The hot end and the cold end. The hot end contains a heater and a nozzle which actually deposits the molten filament, while the cold end consists of a motor, drive gears, and other small components, which push the filament into the hot end to be melted. Between the hot end and the cold end lies a heatsink and fan because it’s imperative that the cold end stays cool to avoid jamming. In addition to the heatsink fan, there is usually at least one other fan meant for cooling the molten filament after it exits the extruder – this is usually called the part cooling fan. On this model the print head is mounted on a carriage that moves side to side (the Y axis). The Y axis is mounted on a carriage that moves backwards and forwards ( the X axis). The build plate can move up and down( the Z axis). How a 3D model is produced. The process of 3D printing begins by making a graphic model of the object to be printed. These are usually designed using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software packages, and this can be the most labour-intensive part of the process. After design, the next phase is digitally slicing the model to get it for printing. This is a vital step as a 3D printer cannot conceptualize a 3D model in the same way as you or I. The slicing process breaks down the model into many layers. The design for each layer is then sent to the printer head to print, or lay down, in order. Once the print job is started, the nozzle starts to heat up. When the nozzle reaches the required temperature to melt the filament, the extruder then pulls filament into the hot end in preparation for deposition. Now, the printer is ready to start 3D printing the part. The build platform rises up to the print head and starts depositing molten filament, which cools and hardens shortly after exiting the nozzle, thanks to the part cooling fan(s). The filament is deposited one layer at a time, and after one layer is complete, the print head moves down in the Z-axis by a tiny amount, and the process is repeated until the part is complete. This process is fully automatic and can take hours. |
Real Life Examples of 3D Printing
3D printing is being used with amazing results in a range of industries around the world. Medicine 3D printing was first explored by people in the medical industry, and 3D body parts like ears, arms and legs are now being built. 3D printing can create artificial tissue, cells and skin, and even 3D printed ovaries! While 3D organs haven’t yet hit the mainstream, it’s unlikely to be long until they do. (I’ve got a collar on one of my teeth which was printed while I sat in the waiting room! Jean) Architecture Creating shelters, homes and other buildings in hours instead of weeks is possible with 3D printing. While the thought of thousands of new houses springing up in just days seems more annoying than useful, 3D printing may soon be invaluable in emergency situations when shelter is needed quickly like after flooding or earthquakes. Use this video link to see a building being printed. It also uses the same principle as small plastic printers, but is easier to see as it is large and slow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT SakUtxXYY Edibles Although not particularly necessary, the idea of creating food from 3D printing is certainly an interesting one. We currently ice a cake in layers and 3D printing is no different. Using chocolate 3D printers, we should soon be able to create intricate chocolate sculp-tures that will look far too good to eat! 3D Printing as a Hobby 3D printing isn’t just for advanced industries, it’s actually a great hobby with a range of advantages. Not only can 3D printing be used to create anything from smartphone cases to toilet paper holders, it can also create spare parts for toys, furniture and appliances. There’s a huge range of information online to help hobbyists make awesome products using 3D printing. I printed some Christmas decorations last year (see next page). The snowmen were printed in white, then hand painted, and the hats in black then stuck together. The large one is about 6 inches high and took 2h 30m to print. The small one is about 3 inches high and took 1hr 10m to print. The tree was printed 1 branch level and part of the trunk at a time, then stuck together. The baubles were added later. The whole thing took about 12 hours to print. Peter Lowrey 
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Examples of 3D Objects
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MORE LOCKDOWN TALES
Where has the summer gone? The hedgehogs are alive and well in Borstal and may be having young next door . Sadly one drowned in my pond but another one has come and is clearing up the cat food that my picky cats leave. I heard something today that is worth thinking about .A little boy was asked if he was a half empty glass or half full person. He replied I am glad to have a glass. Now to my Sainsbury’s online order! Joyce LOCKDOWN BLUES OR NOT? Like most of us I would like to say I have missed the weekly travel to Monte Carlo and the Rivera but its all in the mind, now back to reality. Apart from being confined to barracks, missing our granddaughter and our fortnightly club the lockdown did not pose to much of a problem for me. For Carol she missed her weekly clubs WW, knitting and walking clubs with the added moan of no hairdressers, I have attended a sheep shearing course but had no takers. I had been fortunate in that our friend had previously introduced me to the world of wasjigs (“jigsaws” backwards!) puzzles which I have found very compulsive and luckily enough he had a shed full of puzzles to do. Carol has continuously knitted for the Oliver Fisher Premature baby unit at Medway Hospital and the Princess Alexander Hospital charity. Sadly with two oldies stuck together 24/7 nothing more exciting to report not giving to much away apart from our credit card bill, had to laugh Heating £0, Entertainment £0, Going Out £0, Food £1500.00 - must cut down on eating and find something else to do! Ending on a thank you note we are both very grateful for the support we have received from the Wisdom hospice team and Joyce on a on a regular basis during lockdown. Note for Joyce the MND swear box is quite heavy at 10p a letter its filling up nicely. Kind regards to all Carol and Peter. |
BARBECUED BAKED BEANS
This is one of Jonathan’s favourite recipes, which was sent to us by his Mum, with love. Ingredients 1 small onion ½ oz butter 1 tablespoon each of Water, Tomato ketchup, Worcester sauce, Brown sugar or Black treacle ¼ teaspoon dry mustard Salt, as you like it 1 medium can Baked Beans Method Fry sliced onions until soft. Add all other ingredients except beans Stir over low heat for 2 minutes Add beans heat slowly using a wooden spoon, Serve hot with hamburgers or spare ribs or on fresh buttered toast OR Slice up small and put in a green chilly without its seeds and fibres if you want to give it a bite of pungent flavour. Don’t do this if your ‘guinea pigs’ are not used to this sort of treatment. This recipe was given to me by a lovely teacher, Mr Dique, when I worked at Barnsole Junior School, Gillingham in 1977/8. |
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CAMPAIGNS AND FUNDING
Since I first offered to play a more active part in the Branch, I’ve tentatively taken on two roles and this is my first up-date on both! Annette initially asked me to help with completing funding applications to various bodies as these can be quite time-consuming. They generally involve lots of form-filling-in and my long career as a Civil Servant certainly makes me well-qualified for that! We’ve had mixed success so far but have managed to secure grants of various amounts from the Kent Community Foundation, the National Lottery and Griffin Law Solicitors. This is becoming increasingly important as the current restrictions mean that most of our normal fund-raising activities can’t take place, however, as this obviously affects all charities, competition for these funds is keener than usual. Towards the end of last year, I also offered to be the Campaigns Contact for the Branch. Staffing changes in the Campaigns Team at National Office, combined with the pandemic have meant that I’ve got off to a bit of a slow start but hopefully things are on the move now. I’ve “attended” a couple of online meetings organised by the Campaigns Team as well as sessions on Charity Law and Meeting Your MP. In June I also had the opportunity to sit in as an observer on the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on MND, which was fascinating. The Campaigns Team is in the process of setting up a Policy and Campaigns Advisory Group which will provide a more formal framework for local campaigns volunteers to become involved in and help to influence things at the centre. |
The current campaigns focus is on pressing Justin Tomlinson (Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work) to publish the Government’s report into access to benefits for those with a terminal illness. It’s over a year since the review was announced but, at the time of writing, we’ve heard nothing on when it’s going to be published. The next major campaign, due to be launched towards the end of September, will be Act to Adapt, which calls on national and local governments to develop a faster and fairer system to ensure home adaptations happen in a timely, efficient manner with minimum impact on people with MND and their families.
HELP WANTED! I’ve got a couple of favours to ask in connection with both my “hats”. Firstly, if anyone has any contacts with any businesses or organisations which have charitable “pots” or funds available, please let me know. I’m happy to do help with any forms that need to be completed if necessary. Secondly, please get in touch if you’d be willing to get a bit more involved in campaigning, particularly with the Act to Adapt campaign and/or if you have links with either local councillors or your MP (or would be prepared to try and forge some). Please email me at elainep.coates@hotmail.co.uk if you want to know more about any of the above. Elaine Coates
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SWEET SOMETHINGS - NOW AND THEN
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This was a very popular quiz sheet and one which didn’t really cause anyone much trouble. I’m told it helped to while away some of the extra time in Lockdown and in John Townsend’s case inspired this poem:
Thank you for the quiz on treats Yummy chocolate, hard boiled sweets, My weight increased about a pound For every answer that I found. I think some sofa based jogging will soon return John to his normal weight! The answers are:- 1. Jelly Babies 2. Coconut Ice 3. Marshmallow 4. Marzipan 5. Fondant 6. Aniseed Balls 7. Jelly Beans 8. Dolly Mixture 9. Flying Saucers 10. Sugared Almonds 11. Love Heart 12. Coconut Mushrooms 13. Sherbet Lemon 14. Nougat 15. Acid drops 16. Barley Sugar 17. Humbug 18. Butterscotch 19. Fudge 20. Toffee 21. Popcorn 22. Black Jacks 23. Pear Drop |
24. Bon bon
25. Pontefract Cakes 26. Bull’s Eye 27. Bubble Gum 28. Turkish Delight 29. Rock 30. Mintoes 31. Winter Mixture 32. Parma Violets 33. Orange and lemon slices 34. Chocolate éclair 35. Mint Imperial 36. Caramel 37. Noisette 38. Truffle 39. Aero 40. Cadbury’s Roses 41. Quality Street 42. Crunchie 43. Murray Mint 44. Polo 45. Wrigley’s Spearmint 46. Milk Tray 47. Smarties 48. Black Magic 49. Milky Bar 50. Opal Fruit 51. Kit Kat 52. Refreshers 53. Spangles 54. Toblerone 55. Paynes Poppets The next quiz should reveal words and phrases which have become all too well known to us over the last four months. Jean |
100 CLUB DRAW WINNERS
July
1st prize 5 R B Eyre
2nd prize 100 Michael Barber
August
1st prize 86 Amy Copping
2nd prize 13 Shelagh Jeffery
September
1st prize 77 Mike Kerrigan
2nd prize 33 Jean Lear
1st prize 5 R B Eyre
2nd prize 100 Michael Barber
August
1st prize 86 Amy Copping
2nd prize 13 Shelagh Jeffery
September
1st prize 77 Mike Kerrigan
2nd prize 33 Jean Lear
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 SHEILA THOMPSON (01634 723677).
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
CAMPAIGNS CONTACT: Mrs Elaine Coates, 07884 355423 elainep.coates@hotmail.co.uk
LOCAL CONTACT : Mrs Joan Simpson, 01634 686685 joansimpson@ic24.net
FUND RAISING : TBA
MKM : Miss Jean Lear, 01634 404378 jeanlear@btinternet.com
AREA SUPPORT COORDINATOR: Mr Ahmed Abdeldayem, 01604 800651 ahmedabdeldayem@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 SHEILA THOMPSON (01634 723677).
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
CAMPAIGNS CONTACT: Mrs Elaine Coates, 07884 355423 elainep.coates@hotmail.co.uk
LOCAL CONTACT : Mrs Joan Simpson, 01634 686685 joansimpson@ic24.net
FUND RAISING : TBA
MKM : Miss Jean Lear, 01634 404378 jeanlear@btinternet.com
AREA SUPPORT COORDINATOR: Mr Ahmed Abdeldayem, 01604 800651 ahmedabdeldayem@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
