St Clare Hospice Summer Newsletter No.13 June 2013

NewsNews from your local Hospice charity

Summer 2013

Be inspired!

T hank you for your support!

“It’s a truly emotional but

inspirational night – I know Mum would

have loved it”

Read Georgie’s story on page 4

St Clare Newsletter May 13.indd 1 29/04/2013 22:59

Welcome to the summer edition of Hospice News. There’s lots to inspire us all in this edition of the newsletter – whether it’s the wonderful story of Georgie Beck’s dedication to the Midnight Walk in memory of her mum Tracy, or what encouraged Gill and Rod to become volunteer drivers for us. I’m sure none of us could fail to be moved by the images of the donkey visiting one of our patients – an inspired memory-making visit organised by our all-listening chaplain Joyce.

At the Hospice we are inspired by the changes that are afoot: a long-term strategy which sets out how we wish to see St Clare in fi ve years’ time. It’s challenging but achievable and will be the blueprint that inspires everything we do between now and 2018.

Work is also underway on an inspirational refurbishment – and includes the fi rst major work carried out to the Day Therapy Unit. This will give areas of the Hospice a real uplift as we will be creating open, bright spaces, incorporating modern facilities, especially in the older parts of the building. It’s a really positive step forward for the Hospice and we are all excited and inspired by it.

While Government funding is helping towards the cost of our refurbishment, our day-to-day costs remain and therefore fundraising in the community and by the community remains a big part of all our lives. How lovely therefore to see some of our clinical staff inspired into putting their best foot forward and taking part in our biggest fundraiser of the year, our Midnight Walk. I wish them lots of luck in raising sponsorship among their friends and family – the average raised by each Midnight Walker last year was £110 so I’m hoping they will, of course, set a good example and raise even more!

Tanya Curry Chief Executive

A Space to Breathe project which will see St Clare Hospice refurbished to benefi t patients and their families has been awarded vital Government funding. The Hospice was awarded a £472,098 Department of Health capital grant in April to create revitalising and inspiring spaces and enhance the sensory and therapeutic environment of the Hastingwood site.

“The Space to Breathe project will in many ways allow patients and their families to be themselves, giving people greater independence,” said Chief Executive Tanya Curry.

“I’m delighted that the Department of Health has endorsed the changes we are desperate to make: their grant means that more of the money that our fantastic supporters raise for us day in and day out can be spent on providing care in much improved facilities.”

Running the Hospice costs £2.8 million a year and these costs still remain. The NHS only funds 30% of the Hospice’s costs. The Space to Breathe project was crafted following discussions with patients, families, volunteers, staff, trustees and other stakeholders.

Tanya added: “We recognised that people need room and space, which is open and inviting, yet intimate enough to respond to changing needs. We hope that once complete our clinical services will be modern, inspiring but above all a therapeutic environment fi nished to the same excellent standard we achieved for our Inpatient Unit bedrooms.”

The work is now underway and is expected to be completed by March 2014. All the Hospice’s services will remain open during the refurbishment.

Hospice services to patients and families boosted by grant

The sizzling hot sights, sounds and smells of Rio were brought to a shivering Essex when carnival dancers and a South American inspired menu helped supporters raise £12,000.

More than 130 guests enjoyed the St Clare Rio Carnival Ball held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Stansted in January, including Robert Halfon MP for Harlow and his Brazilian partner, Vanda Colombo and stars of Channel 4’s ‘Educating Essex’, Vic Goddard (Principal of Passmores Academy in Harlow) and Stephen Drew, who is now Headteacher at Brentwood County High School.

Sarah Calder, St Clare Community Fundraiser, who has lived in Brazil, said: “On a cold night it was just what was needed.”

Rio heats up Essex

With Best Wishes

stclarehospice.org.uk


3

Donkey’s visit lifts spirits


Left: Janice with the beautiful donkey Jessie, at the Hospice.

At St Clare, we always do our best to make every day count for our patients. That’s why our animal-loving chaplain Joyce Smith went all out to arrange for a donkey to visit patient Janice Whitall.

Husband George said: “I was in on the surprise but Janice knew nothing. She couldn’t believe that people at the Hospice had arranged something so wonderful just for her. The sun shone and it was just absolutely lovely. She did joke that it was a good job it wasn’t an elephant that was her favourite animal!”

Janice died just a week after Jessie’s uplifting visit. But George added: “Janice was so buoyed by the visit, for a while she forgot everything and couldn’t stop smiling. Once back inside she was bubbling with happiness and couldn’t wait to phone her brother to tell him.

“It was a lovely thing for St Clare and Ada Cole to do.”

“She couldn’t believe that people at the Hospice had

arranged something so wonderful just

for her”

An answer phone message from BBC TV gardener Christine Walkden sprung good news for Vera Eley telling her she had won the £2,000 top prize in the St Clare Hospice Spring Raffl e.

Vera’s husband Stan was fi rst to hear the good news but kept quiet until Vera returned home from work at the Harlow Garden Centre, where she has worked for 31 years, and played the message. “As soon as I came in Stan was come on, come on, listen to this message! I hadn’t even got my coat off but it was a lovely surprise.

“I couldn’t believe it – I never win anything!” said Vera, 70, who is sure her fi ve sons will be eager to share in her win. The couple have supported the Hospice since a family friend, Gerald Wriderholt, who had lived with the Eleys, was cared for at the Hastingwood Inpatient Unit in 2010. More than £27,000 was raised through the Spring Raffl e – that’s enough to fund the entire eight-bed Inpatient Unit for a whole week.

And the winner is…

£250 winner: Constance Mantle, Buckhurst Hill.£100 winner: Margaret Lynch, Harlow.

Joyce said: “Janice had told me how much she loved donkeys and one lived in the fi eld next to her house when she and her husband George lived in France. I called the Redwings Ada Cole Memorial Stables at Nazeing and they were more than happy to help brighten Janice’s day.

“They arrived with Jessie the most beautiful donkey who was happy to be stroked and touched. Janice had no idea until she came outside.”

Christine Walkden draws the winning ticket with Robert Halfon MP and (centre) Michael Chapman, Chairman of Trustees.


stclarehospice.org.uk4

Why Georgie is taking part

Georgie Beck was just 11 when her mum Tracy was fi rst diagnosed with breast cancer. Tracy was a single parent and Georgie an only child, so it was Georgie and her Nan Betty who took on caring responsibilities for Tracy until life just got too diffi cult for them to cope on their own.

“I don’t remember who fi rst told us about St Clare Hospice but I remember we were all a bit frightened and needed some persuasion,” recalls Georgie, now 21. “But once we visited the pressure on all of us was just lifted. Everyone was so welcoming, the grounds were wonderful and we all felt a sense of relief.

“Mum had been adamant she didn’t want to go into the Hospice, she thought it was just a place to pop her clogs. We thought we would have a huge job in persuading her but once she saw how it could help her, and us, she didn’t take much persuading.

“In fact she went in – and came back home again – maybe fi ve times over the next six months. She said it was the nearest thing to feeling like home and we felt that too.

“Mum was a chef and food was very important to her. It was one of the reasons she hated hospitals, but she had nothing but compliments for the food at St Clare, and believe me, she was very hard to please!”

Tracy died when Georgie was just 17.

“People often told me that they knew how I felt, but it was only the staff at St Clare who I believed really got what I was going through, while Mum was alive and after she passed away. They were more than just a shoulder to cry on. They really listened and were on hand to talk about everything.

“I know I didn’t use half of the support offered to me, but I knew it was all there if I wanted to, and that was crucial.”

With just a month until Midnight Walk, the biggest fundraising event on the St Clare Hospice calendar, can we inspire you to take part?

It was while researching St Clare Hospice while her mum was poorly that Georgie discovered the cost of running the services amounted to £5,000-plus a day. “I thought it was an insane amount – I had no idea – but knew fi rst-hand that it was absolutely vital for people like my mum and us. It immediately made me want to help raise some money to help where I could.”

Georgie’s fundraising efforts have now raised more than £3,000 for St Clare, including a charity ball and from handmade jewellery sales. “There’s loads of ways people can raise money if they put their mind to it, it’s not just about asking the same people to sponsor you every time!”

Taking part in the Midnight Walk was a no-brainer for Georgie and her friends: “I’ve now taken part in the Midnight Walk every year since Mum died four years ago – the fi rst year 12 of us took part – all neon pink clothes, facepaints, bunny ears, the lot and now it’s part of our calendar.

“My husband Greg, who never got to meet my Mum, will be joining us as he knows how important St Clare is to me. It’s a truly emotional night but inspirational... and I know Mum would have loved to have been there with us – she loved that sort of thing.”

“Mum said St Clare was the nearest

thing to feeling like home – and we felt

that too.”


Inspired to walk more for St Clare? There are lots of organised walks where you can raise cash for us.Hospice doctor

prescribes walk

5stclarehospice.org.uk

Trans P ennine Challenge 50k or 100k22/23 June 2013Walk across the beautiful Peak District national park. Leaving the urban landscape of Manchester you will follow the trail across the Pennines and fi nish in Sheffi eld.

T hames Path Challenge 50k 14/15 September 2013Follow England’s best known river as it meanders from its source in the Cotswolds on through the bustle of the City of London, to the Thames Barrier.

Starlight Walk – 5 miles 21 Sept 2013If 50k or 100k is a bit too much for you, our very own Starlight Walk is perfect for all the family. 2013 will be the third year of the event in Bishop’s Stortford.

For more information on these events please call the fundraising team on 01279 773750 or email [email protected]

Dr Enam Khan, who joined St Clare in March, is taking part in the Midnight Walk with his daughter Afi a. Enam said: “Without funding none of us would be here to help patients, so it’s only right that I get involved. Not sure if the Tshirt is my colour but we’ll see!”

How do I join the Midnight Walk?• Sign up online at stclarehospice.org.uk/midnight.html• Pick up a form from the Hospice reception or any of our shops• Call us on 01279 77375 0 and we’ll send you a form

• Last year’s walk raised £67,000 – that’s enough to pay for 17 days of care for everyone in our Inpatient Unit.

• 1,165 walkers took part last year, raising an average of £110 each.

• Since the Midnight Walk began fi ve years ago, walkers have raised a staggering £438,000 for St Clare.

Midnight Walk – T he stats to beat in 2013:

DON’T FORGETTO JOIN!

• You can walk 5k or 10k on the night – so no excuses!

• Heart FM DJ Matt Mackay will welcome walkers and compere on the night.

• Zumba instructor Andrea Rigg will be leading everyone through a 15-minute warm up.

• Think Pink! Bunny ears, angel wings, tutus, wigs – anything goes (and don’t worry, we’ll be selling pink merchandise too!)

• Don’t forget to join the event on our Facebook page – and tell all your friends you’re going too!

And not forgetting the dogs! There were 320 muddy paws to wash but 240 smiling red-cheeked faces as four-legged fundraisers and their owners returned from walking the muddy fi elds around Hastingwood in support of St Clare Hospice’s Winter Walkies.

The event in January attracted 240 people and 80 dogs and looks set to raise £7,000. Next January dogs will be spoiled for choice with TWO Winter Walkies venues – Hastingwood and one in the Uttlesford area – see the next edition for more!


6

A rare vinyl album donated to the St Clare Hospice bookstore in Bishop’s Stortford raised £325. The copy of the 1969 album Sound of Sunforest was snapped up just 24 hours after it had been put on display in the Devoils Lane shop.


Record breaker

Fleeces and Tshirts for our Harlow shop staff provoked a strong reaction from some in the local paper, but a bevy of support on social media sites.

We introduced the uniform after customer and donor feedback told us they struggled to identify staff who could help and assist them because the Harlow shop is so large and so busy. Staff also have to work outside loading and unloading vans – plus the big store can get very draughty at times! No other shops have been given uniform to wear as they’re not needed in smaller shops.

Supporter Charmain Solomon was one of 46 people who took the trouble to support us on Facebook. She commented: “You’re looking very smart and defo need to stay warm in that large space! Like that you stand out from the crowd... cos it does get crowded! If this highlights where you are and helps ring the till a little more then GOOD!”

Elizabeth Palfreman, Director for Retail, said: “We can assure our supporters that we do think very carefully before making any purchases, but the continued success of our Harlow shop as the charity shop of choice for local people was a key consideration. It’s our most successful shop and we wish to keep it that way.”

Uniforms spark debate

Our Epping shop has now closed for a refi t and is due to reopen on 17th June. It’s part of the new lease requirements to bring the unit up to scratch, making it a better place to work and shop in.

Now let ’s do it all again!

Saffron Walden re-opened to an eager crowd of shoppers in March and has seen increased sales ever since.

“The support has been amazing,” said Louise Hamilton, Retail Sales Manager. “We’re constantly having to ask for more stock because of its increased popularity and that can only be because shoppers are loving the new-look shop.”

TV doctor Stephen McGann who lives in Saffron Walden and who plays Dr Turner in the BBC’s Call the Midwife performed the opening honours, ably assisted by two of our real nurses.

Customer feedback has been more than positive. Saffron Walden resident Monika Wells said: “I’ve been coming to the St Clare shop for years. The new refurbishment is absolutely brilliant.” And Carol Coath summed up the feelings of many: “I think it makes this shop the best charity shop in Saffron Walden.”

The worth of the Saffron Walden shop should not be under-estimated. Even before the refi t, profi t from the shop was enough to provide the care for 1 in 4 patients from the Uttlesford area to be visited in their homes by a Specialist Palliative Care Nurse.

Saffron Walden refi t inspires staff and customers alike!

TV doctor Stephen McGann and our nurses open the new-look shop.

• Shoppers at Harlow Asda helped make us the most successful charity in the store’s history by fi lling not one, two but almost three boxes with green tokens to the value of £200. Special thanks to Rachel Forth who also organised the donation of 200 Cadbury’s Creme Eggs for our Easter Eggstravaganza which we hope raised about £370 from selling our knitted chicks. Thanks to all our knitters too!

• The 13th annual Big Band dance and party at Broxbourne in April, organised by St Clare stalwarts Jean and Dave Roberts, raised £4,000 towards the fantastic total over the years of more than £39,000.

• A Ceilidh at the Boys High School, Bishop’s Stortford organised by Karren Probyn complete with Scottish dancing and a fi sh and chip supper raised £545.

Shop News



Volunteers are vital cogs in the wheels that make St Clare Hospice work and for patients attending Day Therapy sessions, volunteers who transport them to and from the Hospice are essential.

Some 180 patients received Day Therapy at the Hospice in the last year and the vast majority are picked up by volunteers who then return to take them home at the end of their day.

Rod Beale, 68, became a volunteer driver almost three years ago, at a time when he was suffering from prostate cancer. He has since been given the all-clear. He got in touch with St Clare after watching a television programme on volunteering.

Since then he has made himself available fi ve days a week, often providing transport for the same people building up friendships along the way.

“I get the satisfaction of seeing them enjoy their day when they come up for Day Therapy,” Rod said. “They’re always telling me about the wonderful meals they get there and I say that’s not fair because I don’t get any!”

A listening ear:During his illness Rod found the journeys were a chance for him to offer support to others, and for the patients to talk with him.

As well as providing the transport Rod, from Harlow, is able to lend a listening ear and offer reassurance to patients, especially those who are going to Day Therapy for the fi rst time.

What inspired Gill and Rod to become Day T herapy volunteer drivers for St Clare

Day Therapy: Edwin Poole (driver), Joe Jackson, Jennifer White (refl exologist), Vu Thu Trang Pham, (hairdresser).

Inpatient Unit: Josephine Webb (healthcare asst), Jenny Berry (admin), Jeanette Tremain

Shops: James Aspinall and Wendy Thompson (Dunmow) Chris Turnbull (Bishop’s Stortford), Linda Smith (Epping)

Fundraising: Rami Barhoumi, Shirley Campbell, Tim Parry (photographer)

Reception: Susan Savage and Diane Noblett

A big welcome to our new volunteers:

“You do get a good rapport with patients,” Rod said. “People can fi nd it diffi cult to talk to their family about their illness.”

Gill Richardson worked as a nurse and a nurse practitioner at a GP surgery. She started as a volunteer driver about seven years ago. “I enjoy meeting people. I can talk with them about their worries and it gives a lot of them the chance to talk to other people.”

Gill, who lives in North Weald, volunteers regularly one day a week and is available at other times too. “It’s just 90 minutes in the morning and the same in the afternoon,” she said.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of drivers like Rod and Gill, the Hospice is able to provide its day therapy service to many people, but it still needs more people to come forward to get involved as a volunteer driver.

Before starting to transport patients, volunteer drivers must complete an induction programme. There will also be volunteer group meetings and training to attend. The volunteer drivers collect the patients from their homes to arrive at St Clare between 10am and 10.30am, and collect them from 3pm to take them home and may also be called on to collect patients for out-patient appointments and drive them home afterwards.

Driver ‘bookings’ are made by the Day Therapy administrator.To fi nd out more about becoming a volunteer driver for the Hospice, ring Chris Crump on 01279 773700.

• Staff at Marks & Spencer Harlow made St Clare their charity of the year, raising £2,000 through cake sales and raffl es.

• 2nd Sawbridgeworth Guides, 2nd High Wych Brownies and Great Parndon Scouts joined together to help bag customers’ shopping at Asda over the Easter weekend, raising £595.

• Stansted resident Nicola File who raised £250 from a cake sale, in memory of her father, David. Nicola’s colleagues at Clement Clarke in Harlow had a choice of delicious cakes and the healthcare company matched the amount making a fantastic total of £500!

Volunteers


• A fashion show at Great Parndon Community Centre raised £1,000 and rounded off a fantastic year of fundraising by the Harlow Friends of St Clare – £13,000 in total. The Harlow Friends group, which has been fundraising for about 20 years, also held a cabaret evening, a sell out posh afternoon tea party – due to be repeated again in October – and the popular Harlow Open Gardens. They also managed to rally the troops for stewarding a last-minute charity car park in Harlow town centre. Congratulations to all the Friends, especially chairperson Audrey Marlow.

8 stclarehospice.org.uk

A blueprint of how St Clare Hospice will develop its services and raise its profi le in the community over the next fi ve years and beyond has been published.

The Strategic Plan 2013-18 contains the ambitions of the Trustees and Directors to expand and improve its clinical services, including the introduction of a full Hospice at Home service.

Extending bereavement services, particularly for children, has also been included as well as a plan to introduce a volunteer-led befriending service to improve and increase our role in the community.

“These fantastic improvements won’t happen overnight, but we need to have detailed plans underpinning how we will introduce them over the next fi ve years,” said Chief Executive Tanya Curry.

“We now have a clear direction of travel for St Clare so we can work hard at developing the Hospice into an integral part of the community. It’s going to be an exciting fi ve years.”

You can read more about the St Clare Hospice strategy on our website at stclarehospice.org.uk/strategy.html

Launch of our Vision

You spend a lot of time at work and chances are you may even spend more time with your colleagues in a week than you do with your loved ones. So it makes sense to you – and your employer – if everyone is motivated and enjoys being there.

Fundraising for St Clare at work is a great way to give you and your colleagues the opportunity to do something fun at work (or outside of work) and it also gives everybody the feel good factor – boosting morale. Which means your boss could end up thanking you for it!

Tell your boss that encouraging employees to get involved in fundraising fosters team building and new skills can be learned as staff work together on money raising activities.

So how about:• Auction of promises – get the boss to make tea for the highest bidder or

sell off their car parking space for the day.• Dress down day – wear your own clothes or come in fancy dress.• Penalties – introduce fi nes for swearing, being late for work, meetings or

missed deadlines.

Give us a call: We can provide promotional materials from posters and balloons to Tshirts and collecting buckets.

Fundraise at work

A North Weald farm shop has proved it is top of the crops when it comes to growing cash for St Clare.

£1,850 was raised by Ashlyns Farm Shop, Epping Road, in the St Clare Hospice £50 Push Challenge which saw 29 businesses each receive £50 to see just how much they could turn it into.

We’ll be repeating the £50 push early next year as businesses helped us turn our original £1,450 investment in them into at least £14,000 – with money still coming in! That’s a fantastic return!

• Murdochs estate agents in Stansted have agreed to donate 10% of their selling fees to St Clare.


• Well behaved dogs have helped Bishop’s Stortford Dog Training Club raise a woofi ng £1,000 from various fundraising activities throughout the year.

• Stansted Supporters of St Clare held a quiz night at the Mountfi tchet College. Almost 200 people attended raising an amazing £1,748.

• The 20th annual ladies tournament at Tye Green Bowls Club raised a fantastic £1,080.


• Stansted Supporters of St Clare • The 20th annual ladies

A fundraising campaign to keep St Clare’s nurses on the road has been backed by Harlow MP Robert Halfon.

Our Specialist Palliative Care Nurses each travel around 60 miles a day visiting patients and their families across West Essex.

“Every time we fi ll up our tanks we’re painfully aware of how much it costs to keep the service motoring,” said community nurse manager Alison Kempthorne. “But we know that our support and advice can be vital to people at home coping with life limiting illnesses and diseases.”

In 2011/12 the team of four specialist nurses made more than 1,500 home visits and saw 910 new patients.

Patients like Tina* who lives in Takeley with her teenage son. Tina’s been told her breast cancer treatment has not been successful and the disease has spread to her lungs and bones. Specialist nurses have supported them physically and emotionally over several months. Tina’s symptom management has improved and she is attending Day Therapy and is developing the skills to talk to her son and plan his future with him.

Robert Halfon, a keen St Clare supporter who lobbies against any rises in fuel tax, said: “St Clare does a fantastic job and these nurses take that fantastic job into the community and into people’s homes. They must be supported as they make such a difference.”

It costs £24 to keep one of our specialist nurses on the road for a day – if you’d like to keep the wheels turning, please donate to the Give a Gallon campaign.

Give a GallonOur fi rst Onesie week won’t be our last with events for children and adults alike embracing the all-in-one theme. Vicky Robertson’s PJ pamper party in Epping raised £412 and Tamara Coxall’s Zumba Gold class in Old Harlow rasied £125.

Schools that took part included: RA Butler, Saffron Walden; Bentfi eld County Primary, Stansted; Thorn Grove Primary in Bishop’s Stortford; St Albans Roman Catholic Primary, The Downs and Pollards Hatch Pre-School all in Harlow; St Thomas of Canterbury in Ware and Matching Green C of E Primary. After school Onesie events were enjoyed by 2nd Great Parndon Brownies, High Wych Brownies, 2nd Sawbridgeworth Guides, 1st Epping Guides and 1st Newport Brownies.

Onesie success

• Spring Fayres at Theydon Bois raised £666 and at Clavering raised £1,200.

• Collections and a raffl e during Water Lane Theatre’s three-night run of Calendar Girls in Bishop’s Stortford raised £1,313.82 – bravo!

Community minded fundraisers in Waltham Abbey have formed a supporters group and are holding a launch concert in September.

If you’d like to help Sally and Brian organise the concert and other fundraising ideas, call Sally on 07870 239171 or Brian on 01992 711159.

Waltham Abbey supporters group

Looking after the ones you loveBetween June 10 and June 21, many solicitors in the St Clare area will be donating their time for free for those people who want to make a will, in return for a donation to St Clare. Look out for the postcard delivered with this newsletter or see stclarehospice.org.uk/makeawill.html for a list of solicitors taking part.


10 stclarehospice.org.uk

460 runners turned out for the 19th St Clare Hospice 10k run in March and have pledged to raise a fantastic £16,500.

Six wheelchair participants got proceedings underway followed by a strong fi eld of club runners. First back to the fi nishing line was wheelchair participant Richard Chiassaro in 28:25. The men’s race was won by Michael Briggs from (34:55) and the women’s race by Megan Evans (39:39).

The amount raised was helped by the many volunteers and organisations supporting the event for free, including Harlow Scouts who manned the car park at North Weald Golf Club, Harlow Garden Centre for extra parking, Trekkers and John Lloyd Williams for putting on shuttle buses, Noble & Taylor for providing portable toilets and Harlow Sea Cadets who manned the water station.

10k goes more than ok!

Keep on running!

St Clare Hospice supports the Dying Matters Awareness initiative which encourages everyone to complete fi ve things:

• Make a Will – writing a will allows you to plan what happens to your money and possessions after you die, as well as who cares for any children you have. It’s the only way you can be sure that your wishes are carried out and avoids leaving diffi cult legal problems behind for your family.

• Record your funeral wishes – have you ever thought about what you want for your funeral? Do you wish to be buried or cremated? Do you want readings and, if so, which ones and read by

who? There’s plenty of scope to make a fi nal statement - if you share your fi nal wishes.

• Plan your future care and support – do you know what sort of care and support you would like if you were dying? As we go through life, many of us will eventually need caring for. Some of us might also lose capacity to make decisions ourselves. You can talk to your family and healthcare professionals (your GP for example) about the sort of care you would like.

• Register as an organ donor – other people can benefi t from your organs after your death if you register – people of all ages can register as organ donors.

• Tell your loved ones your wishes – before you fi nalise any of these things, consider talking them through with those close to you. This gives them the opportunity for input, and means you can begin sharing your thoughts and feelings about the future. If you have important documents about your wishes, keep them in a safe place and let loved ones know where they are.

Dying Matters – fi ve things you can do

Congratulations to the 16 runners who raised money for us in the Virgin London Marathon in April. First timer Ruth Moyler walked the route and still overtook runners, Daniel Smith said the crowds were amazing, and Ben Millard was chuffed to be handed a drink en route by an Arsenal/England footballer. Matthew Ball, who ran in memory of his mum Dawn, admitted the last six miles were a struggle, Colin Taylor also had a water bottle station incident that caused him to fall but carried on, and Simon Childs is still getting over being beaten by Lenny the Lion! Congratulations also to: Kat Martyn, running her fi rst marathon and in memory of her dad Paul, who died at St Clare in 2005. Kevin Mosby, whose father in law David was cared for by our specialist nurses at home. Stephen Liddicoat, whose company Falcon Business Supplies has made St Clare its charity of the year. Kenny Smith, Joe Hance, fi ve-times marathon runner Susan Tweddell, Colin Moody, David Baldwin, Sheila Kennedy and Michelle Aitken. To help with their preparation we ran information sessions, assisted by Paralympic runner Noel Thatcher and Hospice physio Tommy Yamaguchi, and gave fundraising advice, which has hopefully boosted the runners’ totals to an impressive £20,000.

Six of the best: From left, Ruth Moyler, Daniel Smith, Ben Millard, Matthew Ball, Colin Taylor, and Simon Childs enjoying a well deserved celebratory drink and some nibbles with us courtesy of Miller & Carter in Harlow.

Runners looking for another fundraising fi x may wish to take part

in the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London on October 6. St Clare

Hospice has 12 places available with a registration fee of £50 for those runners willing to pledge to raise

£350 in sponsorship.

Marathons


What’s on where you live?


Trek the Himalayas for St Clare!11th – 21st April 2014This is a 67k fi ve-day trek through north east India at the heart of the world’s highest mountain range.

• Hike the Himalayas and discover the spiritual home of the Dalai Lama

• Explore one of the seven wonders of the world – the Taj Mahal

• Discover the Kingdom of Gaddi

The challenge begins in Dharamsala, where the Dalai Lama and the centre of the Tibetan community are situated. You will spend time in this fascinating town

in the mountains before setting off on foot, to explore this stunning region.

The trek will take you through the Kingdom of Gaddi – a semi nomadic race who spend months wandering the high passes with their cattle. With spectacular views of the Daula Dhar mountain range, and rhododendron forests, and passing through Hindu settlements and Buddhist monasteries.

You’ll also have the chance to visit the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime trip!

J U N E J U LY S E P T E M B E R

Nightriders™ 100k circular cycle route

around London 8th – 9th June 2013

Starting in Alexandra Palace this moonlit

cycling event takes you past London’s iconic

landmarks. Get a team together and take

part in this new event.

Follow the Bear, Jubilee Gardens,

Saffron Walden 11th June 2013 Join in the fun and follow Clare the Bear,

our mascot, around Jubilee Gardens in

Saffron Walden. The event will also include

a Teddy Bears’ Picnic, story time and lots

of fun in the Bandstand afterwards!

All preschool children welcome.

Trans Pennine Trek Challenge 50k or

100k walk 22nd – 23rd June 2013

Join this Trans Pennine trek challenge

where you can take part in either a 50k or

100k walk across the beautiful Peak District

national park. You will be fully supported

along the route and you can take part

either on your own or in a team.

Dot’s Posh Tea Party, Epping

29th June 2013 Epping Friends Group of St Clare are

looking forward to a sunny afternoon

for their tea party in Dot Whately Harris’

garden. Dot is very proudly hosting a tea

party at Old Pastures, Stonnards Hill,

Epping from 2 – 5pm.

Tickets cost £5 and are limited to 50.

Open Gardens, Harlow

29th – 30th June 2013

Now in its 18th year, this annual event is a

favourite on the Harlow Friends of St Clare

calendar. It’s a great way of discovering all

the hidden areas of Harlow by viewing a

plethora of gardens in varied locations.

Midnight Walk6th July 2013 Paint the town pink for our annual walk

commencing from the Water Gardens around

Harlow Town Centre. New this year is a 5k

walk as well as the usual 10k. Sign up now

to take part in our biggest event of the year.

www.stclarehospice.org.uk/midnight.html

Cycle Land’s End to John O’Groats – UK

End to End31st August – 10th September 2013

Cycling from the tip of South West England

at Land’s End, you will then ride 930 miles in

10 days, all the way to the top of the UK at

John O’Groats. This cycling challenge has to

be one of the most fulfilling challenges and

you can be part of it whilst raising funds for

St Clare Hospice.

Choral Event in Waltham Abbey Church

7th September 2013

Thanks to our newly formed supporter

group in Waltham Abbey we are now

looking forward to their first event which

will be a musical extravaganza in the Abbey

Church. Keep your eyes peeled for details.

St Clare Skydive 14th September 2013

Taking place at Sibson Airfield near

Peterborough come and join the team.

Face your fear and jump for joy out of a plane at 10,000 feet, freefall for up to 2 minutes and have the experience of a lifetime.

Thames Path Challenge 50k Walk

14th – 15th September 2013

The Thames Path follows England’s best

known river for 184 miles (294k) as it

meanders from its source in the Cotswolds

on through the bustle of the City of

London, to the Thames Barrier. Take part

on your own or in a team.

London to Paris Cycle Challenge

18th – 22nd September 2013

This is a new event for St Clare Hospice,

starting in London, the challenge covers

300 miles in 4 days and you will be able

to take in breathtaking views both sides

of the Channel. The event is for all abilities

so whether you are a regular cyclist or

more of a recreational rider you will be

able to take part.

Starlight Walk21st September 2013

Starting and finishing at Bishop’s

Stortford Rugby Club an event for the

whole family to come and support St Clare

by walking 5 miles in memory of a loved

one, or simply something for you all to

join in the fun.

Royal Parks Half Marathon

6th October 2013This 13.1 mile run will take you through the

four Royal Parks (Hyde Park, Kensington

Gardens, St James’s Park and The Green

Park) and past some of London’s historic

landmarks including Buckingham Palace,

the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and

the Royal Albert Hall. If you would like to

run we have places!

O C TO B E R

For more information on any of the events on this page please contact the

Fundraising team on 01279 773750 or email [email protected]

S E P T E M B E R


Registered Charity No. 1063631. St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood CM17 9JX. All rights reserved

24 Hour Advice Line 01279 773773

Day Therapy 01279 773768

Inpatient Unit01279 773770

Please pass this newsletter on to a friend or recycle it

Where ’s my local shop?

Please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stclarehospice

10 Devoils Lane CM23 3XHTel: 01279 755990Open: 9am to 5pm Mon to Sat, 10am to 4pm Sun

Scarlet, 46 Queens Road IG9 5BY Tel: 020 85055110Open: 9.15am to 5.15pm Mon to Sat

72 The Broadway, Debden Loughton IG10 3SY Tel: 020 85022361Open: 9am to 5pm Mon to Sat

182 High St CM16 4AQTel: 01992 575092Open: 9am to 4.30pm Mon to Sat

41 High Street CM6 1AETel: 01371 875756Open: 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri, 9am to 4.30pm Sat

Unit 2A, St James Centre, East Rd. CM20 2BJ Tel: 01279 639760Open: 9.30am to 4.30pm Mon to Sat, 11am to 4pm Sun

1 Mercers Row CB10 1HDTel: 01799 523573Open: 9am to 5pm Mon to Sat

01279 639752

Bishop’s Stortford

Buckhurst Hill

Debden

Epping

Gt Dunmow

Harlow

Saffron Walden

Collections

I would like to donate: £5 £10 £20 Other

Signature: Date

I enclose a cheque made payable to St Clare Hospice ORPlease debit my account: Visa Mastercard Maestro/Switch

Maestro/Switch onlyValid fromMaestro/

Switch

3 digitsecuritynumber

Issue numberMaestro/Switch

Expirydate

Please return this slip in the freepost envelope enclosed or send to: T hank you!FREEPOST RRLY-EZLX-YJLK, St Clare Hospice, Stone Barton, Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood, HARLOW CM17 9JX

I would like to support the work of my local Hospice!

Name

Address

Postcode

Phone

Email

(please supply your email address if you are happy to be contacted in this way)

Gift Aid Declaration

Signature Date:

Please treat all gifts of money that I have made in the past 4 years and all future donations as Gift Aid donations.

You must pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that you donate to will reclaim on your gifts for that tax year. You understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. Please notify us if you want to cancel this declaration, you change your name or home address, or you no longer pay suffi cient tax on your income and/or capital gains. St Clare Hospice will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 you give.

Registered Charity No 1063631

Your gift could be worth even more, without costing you a penny. Do you pay tax? If so, by completing this simple form the tax offi ce will give us 25p for every £1 you donate.

1

2

3

St Clare Hospice is a registered Data User under the Data Protection Act.We do not disclose your details to any third party other than those disclosures required by statute. Please tick here if you do not wish to receive appeal mailings in the future or email [email protected]

Save your stamps!We’ve teamed up with Stamps n All which will take all your stamps directly.

Just send them to Stamps n All, Dept St Clare, PO Box 245, Plymouth, PL5 2WX with your name and address and we’ll receive a donation for them.

If you have a large collection 10kg or more, Stamps n All will arrange collection. Call 0845 257 0813 to arrange.

You can send any stamps or stamp collections so leave a small border around them. Any before 1970 or First Day covers should be sent attached to the correspondence – the postmark can make them more valuable!

Stamps n All also take other items and the proceeds will benefi t St Clare, see www.stampsnall.co.uk for more information.

Bereavement Support 01279 773767

Fundraising Telephone: 01279 773750 Email: [email protected] Fax: 01279 773701

@hospicestclare


Documents

St Clare Hospice Summer Newsletter No.13 June 2013