May 2013 - Ayrshire Hospice
Transcription
May 2013 - Ayrshire Hospice
Breakfast is booming See page 5 Best foot forward See page 2 Issue 06 May 2013 Michelle’s on song See page 7 www.ayrshirehospice.org Keeping our community informed Calum’s big Atlantic catch By Katie Ronald, Head of Communications Atlantic rower Calum McNicol popped in to see us recently to present a whopping cheque for £20,027.91 after he rowed the Atlantic in 35 days - the sixth fastest time ever, and the fastest time this year. Speaking about his amazing achievement, Calum said “Ever since my mum Zoe died in 1997, I’ve wanted to raise money for the hospice. The care she was given was second to none and the whole family truly appreciates the work and support provided. My sister Natasha is a regular fundraiser, arranging an annual bowling tournament at West Kilbride Bowling Club in memory of mum, but when I heard about the Atlantic Row I knew it was exactly the fundraising challenge I had been looking for.” Designing and building their own boat, Calum joined seven other crew members in the Atlantic Row which was skippered by Leven Brown, an internationally renowned ocean rowing skipper and holder of seven world records. Taking up position of first mate on the boat “Avalon”, Calum was responsible for checking weather routes, communications, maintenance and morale when skipper Leven was resting. The whole epic journey took 35 days and saw the crew rowing for twelve hours a day in two hour shifts. They are each one of only 364 people to ever have accomplished the feat. Calum adds ”The whole experience was just amazing! Setting off from Puerto Mogan on Gran Canaria on 17 January and landing in Port St Charles on Barbados on 26 February, we covered 3,000 miles of open ocean and spent a total of 35 days 12 hours & 41 minutes at sea. For 20 of those days we were completely alone - with no wildlife sightings, ships or even planes overhead! It was an extraordinary experience, one that I am extremely proud to have achieved and one that I certainly will never forget”. Aileen Anderson, Chief Executive at the hospice said “We are extremely grateful for Calum’s donation and completely in awe of his determination, commitment and achievement! The money he has raised will go a long way to helping us continue to provide our outstanding quality care Calum at sea and services to those with life limiting illness across Ayrshire and Arran.” If you are inspired by Calum’s story, why not get in touch with the fundraising events team at the hospice? We are looking for 100 people to set their own Grand Challenge (not necessarily as ambitious as Calum’s!) and raise £1000 each, in advance of our 25th anniversary year in 2014. Contact anne.drennan@ ayrshirehospice.org or call 01292 288488. 2 | General news NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s latest shooting star! By Louis Jardine, Fundraising Manager John Burns, Chief Executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran, has put his best foot forward and signed up for this year’s Ayrshire Hospice Land o’ Burns Midnight Walk which will take place on Saturday 18th May. And, he’s setting his sights on encouraging other staff from NHS Ayrshire & Arran to get on board and become a star for the night too. John said: “I’m delighted to sign up for my first ever Midnight Walk for the hospice. The walk is always popular with NHS staff, so I’m looking forward to experiencing the occasion for the first time. I’m sure that many more of our staff will take the opportunity to have a bit of fun, raise cash for the hospice and keep fit at the same time.” Lesley Reid, Health Promotion Manager for NHS Ayrshire & Arran and her team at Healthy Working Lives will also be joining John and pulling on their walking shoes. What’s more, to encourage workplace teams to take part, they have kindly donated a fabulous Xbox Kinect that every workplace team of three or more, could have the chance of winning. To enter the prize draw, workplace teams should contact Laura Hunter at Healthy Working Lives on 01292 885855 or email laura. hunter@aapct.scot.nhs.uk Sponsored by Slater Hogg & Howison Lettings and supported by Healthy Working Lives, Sainsbury’s, South Ayrshire Council, Highland Spring & Ayrshire Post, this year’s Midnight Walk gives you the choice of three distances; 13 miles, 9 miles or 4 miles so, there’s a route to suit everyone! There’s loads of fabulous entertainment before the walk, a vast array of fancy dress costumes to admire, warming soup en route and a cup of tea with a bacon roll awaits you at the finish. So why not get a group of friends or colleagues together and sign up!! Registration is £20 and forms can be downloaded at www.ayrshirehospice. org or call 01292 288488. Why not join John and all our walkers for a night to remember on Saturday 18th May? Become a star for the night and make today matter! John Burns, Chief Executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Lesley Reid, Health Promotion Manager, Healthy Working Lives, NHS Ayrshire & Arran and Katie Ronald, Head of Communications at the Ayrshire Hospice. Top shops By Colin Loy, Director of Finance & Income Generation The Annual Charity Shop survey results for 2012 (published by Charity Finance magazine) demonstrate that the retail team within our fundraising department continue to deliver a very strong performance in the trading operations of our shop network. The shop operations have achieved results which are significant on a national scale, placing the hospice within the top three performing charities in the key measures of profitability. Key results include: • The Ayrshire Hospice report the second highest profit margin (55.5%) across all hospices participating in the survey and the third highest profit margin overall in the survey. • The Ayrshire Hospice ranks second highest among hospices with fewer than 10 shops and third overall for charities with fewer than 10 shops, generating an average profit per shop per week of £1,233. • In contrast to many of the survey participants, the Ayrshire Hospice only has one paid member of staff per shop which is the Shop Manager. The 2012 survey results state the average number of volunteers per hospice shop is 23.1 compared to a level of 21.8 for non-hospices. Overall the sector average in 2012 was 21.95 volunteers per shop. The Ayrshire Hospice reports a strong position in this area with a total of some 30.2 volunteers per shop. The results from the 2012 survey represent a key achievement and success for everyone in the retail team. Well done and a big thank you to all our shop managers, warehouse workers, drivers and incredible team of volunteers! General news | 3 Healthcare Improvement Scotland report By Aileen Anderson, Chief Executive Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) has published the results of their recent unannounced inspection of the hospice, awarding us four “excellent” grades and one “very good”. The unannounced inspection measured the hospice against five quality themes; information, care and support, environment, staffing, management and leadership and, as part of their two day visit, inspectors spoke with our patients, carers, staff and volunteers. They also inspected the hospice environment and reviewed a range of documentation and practices. “I'm delighted with HIS’ findings and their recognition of the excellent service we provide. In particular the very positive feedback given to the inspectors by our patients was extremely pleasing, as was the acknowledgment of our motivated, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and caring staff. I have every confidence the implementation of our new electronic clinical management system will allow us to meet the identified HIS requirement, providing greater control over patient-centred care planning documentation and helping us to upgrade our very good to excellent.” Key highlights from the report included; • Excellent opportunities for people to be involved in influencing the way the service was provided and developed • Very positive feedback about the quality of care that people who used the service received • Enthusiastic and caring staff who are motivated to providing a high quality of service • A clean, pleasant and well-maintained environment • Varied and extensive systems in place to monitor the quality of all aspects of the service The report can be viewed in full at www. healthcareimprovementscotland.org/home.aspx Sure and steadfast support By Hilary Denholm, Voluntary Services Manager Rosalind Fairlie, Officer in Charge from 1st Alloway Boys Brigade Junior Section, was delighted to hand over a cheque for £550 to Hilary Denholm our Voluntary Services Manager. Hilary was, until recently, also a volunteer helper with the boys at the Junior section in Alloway. The money for the hospice was raised from a sponsored walk that 22 boys of the Junior Section took part in and was part of their Community Achievement, taking their total number of achievements to 15 this year. We also have rewarding connections with the Company section of 1st Alloway Boys Brigade with some of the older boys volunteering regularly in the ward as ward volunteers - a commitment that contributes towards achieving their Queen’s Badge. Officer in Charge, Rosalind is not the only member of her family to support the hospice however, Rosalind’s sister Caroline helped as a reception volunteer, and her mum Cathy is one of our longest serving volunteers who volunteers in the flower team every week. Hilary Denholm (left) receives a cheque from Rosalind Fairlie & 1st Alloway Boys Brigade Thanks to the boys, Rosalind, Caroline and Cathy for all their support! 4 | General news Shabby chic By Jacqueline Kennedy, Retail Business Manager The term “shabby chic” seems to be everywhere. There are thousands of shabby chic items on eBay and scouring flea markets and garage sales has become a national pastime. Chic style seeks to find the elegance and romance inherent in "not-so-new" furniture and accessories such as window frames and finials, as well as old furniture, such as armoires, vanities, chests and combine them in new and unexpected ways. The concept, however, began in the mid-1990s when British designer, Rachel Ashwell, opened a Santa Monica boutique that reflected her design style and called it "Shabby Chic." She has since turned the concept into a cottage industry, with books, television shows, and a signature product line. Simply put, Shabby The shabby chic charm in these items lies in their past and their history. Scratches and peeling paint are ok. In fact, they are encouraged. Shabby chic also reflects the practical and ecologyminded views of the 21st century. By finding new uses for "old" items, we stop adding to the mountains of items sent to the landfill each year. What's more, Early retirement The search is on for the successor to our Chief Executive Aileen Anderson who takes early retirement from the hospice in September. The post of Chief Executive has been advertised nationally and it is hoped that interviews will take place the week commencing 27th May to find Aileen's replacement. Aileen has lead the hospice through its organisational strategic review to a position of excellence clinically, and strength commercially. She leaves the hospice in great shape as she departs to join her husband Gordon who is also taking early retirement in 2013. Following 13 years of committed service to the hospice, Aileen says that it is a decision she had not taken lightly: "There is not a day that has gone by that I haven't felt happy, privileged and proud to be part of an organisation that makes such a difference to the lives of people with life limiting illness. I love Did you know that all Ayrshire Hospice shops will also take bags of rags - clothes and textiles that are no longer good enough to wear or can’t be put on sale? Just label them as “rags”, to save our staff and volunteers going through them, and hand them into your nearest shop. Our rags go to a textile recycling company who pay us per kilo. Last year we raised over £100,000 in rags. The clothes then go to our recycling company who have over 250 people sort, grade and process over 600 tonnes of textile material every week. They are committed to creating no tree has to be sacrificed for a found, shabby chic furniture treasure! Our shops love the shabby chic ethos and are looking for volunteers to help us create shabby my job and have been supported by an amazing team of dedicated staff and volunteers who go the extra mile every day to make today matter for our patients and their families." "Working in the hospice makes you really appreciate the importance of making every day matter. It is because of this that I am leaving to spend more quality time with my husband, my family and my friends. I have worked full time for over 30 years without a break in service and Gordon and I are looking forward to spending our retirement together. I am also looking forward to supporting the hospice Board in their search for my successor". and protecting jobs in the UK and export our recycled products to Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. They work closely with national and local charity organisations, local authorities and waste management companies on a national basis, helping to divert textile material from landfill. We currently have seven shops in Ayr, Cumnock, Girvan, Kilmarnock, Kilwinning, Largs and Troon. chic furniture. If you have the time and the passion then the retail team would love to hear from you. Please contact Jackie Kennedy on 01292 291967. John Elliott, hospice Chairman said "We are seeking to appoint a motivated individual to build on Aileen's successful track record of management and leadership and grow the hospice profile, influence and impact yet further. Our hospice is at the forefront of delivering excellent specialist palliative care and the successful candidate will join the hospice at a critical stage in its strategic planning, responding to the ever changing landscape of palliative care. The Board of Directors’ wish Aileen a long, happy and healthy retirement and thank her for her strategic vision and excellent leadership skills whilst at the helm." General news | Business breakfast boost By Katie Ronald, Head of Communications Our April business ambassadors’ breakfast was a great success with twenty ambassadors attending to hear the latest news from the hospice and to discuss ways in which they can help us to raise our profile across Ayrshire. With representation from Police Scotland, all three local authorities, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, financial services, technology, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, transport and travel sectors, we were delighted with the range of organisations able to attend, and impressed with the variety of ideas and enthusiasm brought to the table by our guests. Provost Jim Todd, David Irving and Stewart Murphy get some ideas down on paper • assistance to help grow our shops network and donations • sign-ups to our Grand Challenge initiative Chief Supt John Thomson, Chris McMail, Graham Kirkwood and Supt Neil Kerr, discuss ideas with Dr Kirsty Muirhead “I really was honoured to be asked to become a hospice business ambassador and was impressed with the updates provided by Aileen Anderson and her team. Aileen is most definitely right to say that there are still myths about hospice care and misconceptions that need corrected - I for one had my eyes opened today! I look forward to playing my part in helping to raise the profile of the hospice within Police Scotland and improving understanding of the excellent care and extensive range of services offered by the dedicated and professional teams at the hospice”. Chief Supt John Thomson, Police Scotland (Ayrshire Division) Our business ambassadors came up with a long list of great ideas and ways they would like to support us: • help to promote the new hospice Facebook page when it launches • host the hospice roadshow trailer at company family days, networking events and conferences • a commitment to support our schools programme • promotion of our legacy giving campaign • recruitment of additional corporate supporters • promote volunteering opportunities at the hospice • explore hospice education facilities and opportunities If you would like to help us make today matter and can help grow our business ambassadors network or can help to spread the word, please contact Katie Ronald, Head of Communications by email katie.ronald@ayrshirehospice.org Pamela Anderson, Helen Arthur, Provost Joan Sturgeon and Val Russell put pen to paper for the hospice Our current business ambassadors are: Caren Adams, NATS Prestwick; Pamela Anderson, Sounding Board Associates; Helen Arthur, GlaxoSmithKline; Nic Boyle, Royal Bank of Scotland; Alastair Dewar, Royal Bank of Scotland; Heather Dunk, Ayrshire College; Eileen Howat, South Ayrshire Council; David Irving, Giles Insurance Brokers; David Jellema, Clydesdale Bank; Supt Neil Kerr, Police Scotland (Ayrshire Division); Graham Kirkwood, Bridgend Garage; Alan Long, Strathayr Financial Services; Chris McMail, Microtech Support Ltd; Colin Miller, Giles Insurance Brokers; Provost Helen Moonie, South Ayrshire Council; Stewart Murphy, Howie of Dunlop; Elma Murray, North Ayrshire Council; Beth Napier, GlaxoSmithKline; May Phillips, William Duncan & Co; David Ross, Strathayr Financial Services; Val Russell, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce; Jennifer Simpson; Provost Joan Sturgeon, North Ayrshire Council; Chief Supt John Thomson, Police Scotland (Ayrshire Division); Provost Jim Todd, East Ayrshire Council. 5 6 | General news Update from respite and response By Lynne Carmichael, Respite & Response Community Team Manager We are delighted to report that our respite and response trial has been so successful it will now form a core part of services offered by the hospice. Launched in September 2012, the respite and response service was designed to help people who want to be cared for at home, by making sure that their carers get the support and rest they need to look after them. The feedback from professionals, patients and carers during the six month trial has been extremely positive with many commending the service on its ability to identify the individual needs of each carer and finding ways to meet those needs. In practical terms that might mean providing different types of respite for carers - letting them get out to walk the dog, to go bowling or shopping or getting their hair done. “I feel this is a hugely beneficial service to help prevent carer burn out. I get respite and I don’t want to be disrespectful to my wife but being together 24/7 can be very stressful. This means I can leave and relax knowing she’s in good hands” The on-going evaluation and review of the service by the respite and response team has been critical to its success to date and we are currently in the process of recruiting permanent staff which will allow us to expand, develop and support more patients and carers across Ayrshire. The new position of community care assistant will allow us to take the hospice ethos of care into more homes, building stronger relationships and rapport at what can be a challenging time. “I completely trust (my community care assistant) I have great confidence in her" "I felt I was listened to about what I needed for the first time; I feel this service is tailored to our individual needs" For further information on the respite and response service please contact lynne.carmichael@ ayrshirehospice.org "I can talk to her about my worries" “they are so easy to talk to. Someone I can offload to when my husband is out” Big hearted businesses By Colin Loy, Director of Finance & Income Generation Next time you plan to buy from a shop, need a service, a tradesman or a professional, simply look at the growing list of local Buy2Give businesses and choose them for your purchase. Buy2Give is a new loyalty card scheme designed to benefit local charities, and the hospice is one of the first charities to sign up in Ayrshire. Through partnering with local retail outlets and businesses, the card generates a cash back reward for local registered charities. Every time you shop with a participating business, you present your Buy2Give card when making payment and the business will donate 2% of the transaction value to the hospice. You pay for your goods as normal but instead of collecting loyalty points, you donate pounds to the Ayrshire Hospice. It really couldn’t be easier to generate extra funds for us, at no cost to yourself! Participating retailers/ businesses are known as Big Hearted Businesses and will display the Buy2Give Big Heart logo in their shop or business window. Full details of the scheme can be found at www.buy2give.org.uk So please help the hospice by signing up to carry a card today. Cards, together with full details of participating retailers, can be obtained by contacting the Fundraising Office on 01292 291950. General news | Michelle’s on song By Anne Drennan, Assistant Fundraising Manager Staff, volunteers and patients at the hospice were delighted when Michelle McManus popped in for a surprise visit ahead of her special guest appearance at our Summer Ball, which takes place on Saturday 8th June 2013 in the Grand Marquée at Lochgreen House Hotel in Troon. Michelle took a tour of the hospice with Anne Drennan, Assistant Fundraising Manager, to get first-hand experience and understanding of the care provided by the hospice, meeting lots and lots of money to support this wonderful charity on the 8th June at the Summer Ball." Anne Drennan said “To have the support of someone like Michelle at our Summer Ball is Michelle catches up with Aileen Anderson, Chief Executive staff, volunteers and patients along the way. Michelle said "I was extremely honoured to have been invited to the Ayrshire Hospice James Bond Premiere last year, and was blown away by the staff and the general feeling of love and support towards the organisation, that I felt I wanted to get involved in some way. After visiting the hospice for myself and seeing first hand just how wonderful the place was and how many people's lives it has touched, I can't wait to help raise fabulous and we’re sure she’ll draw an enthusiastic crowd to our flagship event. Our staff, patients and volunteers were all thrilled to meet her and she spent a long time walking round the hospice, chatting and asking questions about the work we do. She even found the time to treat our day hospice art class to a wonderful, impromptu Patsy Kline performance. Certainly, if that was anything to go by, we are all in for an amazing night’s entertainment at the ball!" The summer ball is the Michelle joins the art class alongside Stuart Campbell, volunteers Ella & Lynn, and Elaine Thomson perfect event for corporate entertainment or just for a group of friends to have a great night out. Tickets are available now, but selling fast! Our marquee will be set in the grounds of Lochgreen House Hotel in Troon, the flagship hotel of the Costley & Costley Group. Their award-winning staff will welcome you to a drinks reception before serving a sumptuous dinner showcasing the wonderful produce associated with Taste Ayrshire. So, make sure you wear your dancing shoes as fabulous music from the Jim McMail Big Band and the set from Michelle herself, are bound to get you on your feet, dancing into the wee small hours. It promises to be a great night so make sure you don't miss it! To find out more or to purchase tickets contact our events team on 01292 288488 or email: events@ ayrshirehospice.org Tickets cost £100 and tables hold up to 12 people. Michelle meets Pauline Hogg and Ina Rogers with volunteer Olivia Khan 7 8 | General news A lot of lottery love By Rhona Brown, Assistant Fundraising Manager We are extremely grateful for all the support which has been given to the hospice lottery over the 18 years since it started - in total it has contributed over £11.7million towards hospice funding. A truly amazing figure. Looking to the future, we want to keep our numbers up to make sure we can continue to make a healthy contribution to hospice funding. Here are three ways YOU could help… • If you don’t already take part in our weekly draw, why not consider giving just £1 a week to make sure you are in with a chance of winning the top prize of £1500 - while helping the hospice too. • Help us by canvassing for new members - why not encourage your friends, neighbours and work colleagues to join our lottery? If you are interested in door to door canvassing, we have specific local areas which need to be covered. Good rates of commission are payable - canvassers need to be over 16, however there is no upper age limit! • We also offer a selection of personalised lottery wedding favours. An unusual and ideal solution, they cost just £2 and you get to help the hospice too. Lottery wedding favours make an ideal gift for guests Download a lottery application from our website: www.ayrshirehospice.org/fundraising-lottery.asp or contact Fiona or Karen on 01292 288488 for further information. General news | What do you think? By Margaret Cassidy, Community & Day Services Manager As part of the re-design and refurbishment of community and day services we have been asking our patients what they think of us. Over a four week period, visitors to day hospice and patients in the community were asked to describe in one word what the hospice means to them. The results are represented in the powerful visuals below. Our inspiring patient feedback will be used to influence future developments within community and day services including a new name for our services, the words we use to describe our service to patients, families and carers and even the artwork we choose to hang on the walls! The feedback will also influence phase two of our refurbishment which sees new flooring, wall panelling, painting and upgraded lighting as well as the modernisation of our hairdressing salon. The whole area from our day hospice lounge, through to the front and side entrance doors will be refreshed and revamped. While the refurbishment is carried out, day hospice will be closed from Monday 27th May, reopening on Mon 17th June. The drop in café will remain open on Wednesdays between 10am-4pm, but will require to be accessed through the external doors directly into the café, as work is carried out in the corridor of the normal entrance. We apologise for any inconvenience and we will endeavour to make provisions for our most vulnerable patients during this time. For further information please contact Margaret Cassidy, Community and Day Services Manager on 01292 269200 or email Margaret.cassidy@ayrshirehospice.org 9 10 | Coming up Diary dates 7th-10th May 'Grease' Charity Week Hosted by KMF Hairdressing, 4 Brown St, Stewarton Tel: 01560 484724. Fun ‘Grease’ theme all week with special events on Saturday 11th make-up artist, Shellac nails, face painting, BBQ - weather permitting. The party continues at 'The New Granary', Rigg Street. 9pm - 12.30am 12th May Glasgow Womens 10K Walker Hall, Troon. Contact Anne 01292 288488 12th May Cream Tea Struther Farmhouse, Dunlop. Hosted by Dunlop Friends Group, come and enjoy an afternoon cream tea in the unique surroundings of Struther Farmhouse. Donation £2.50 - contact Carolyn Blyth 01560 484846 18th May Midnight Walk Ayr Racecourse. Contact fundraising team on 01292 288488 for details 31st May An Evening of Burlesque Kilmarnock. Come and experience something a bit different... if you've ever wondered how they do it - come and find out! Burlesque and pole dancing performance. Guest list only contact Vicki on 07821 066816. Donation on arrival. 5th June Tea @ 3 Enterkine House Hotel, Annbank. Tickets £20 including a glass of bubbly followed by scrumptious afternoon tea. Contact Lyn on 01292 288488 or email lyn.bateman@ayrshirehospice.org 7th June Summer Dance Ally McLeod Suite, Ayr United ground. Rock the night away with two great bands - Big Licks and The Last Resort, as they take you down memory lane. Buffet and raffle - tickets £15. Contact Janet Lawson at lapis@ talktalk.net or the Hospice Fundraising Department on 01292 288488 8th June Summer Ball Grand Marquee at Lochgreen House Hotel, Troon. Champagne reception, dinner, dancing to the Jim McMail Big Band and live entertainment from Michelle McManus. Contact events team on 01292 288488 or email events@ayrshirehopsice.org 22nd June Arran Cycle Sponsored challenge round the Isle of Arran. Contact Graeme on 01292 288488 or email graeme.strawhorn@ayrshirehospice.org 23rd June Waggy Tail Walk Bring your doggie along for a sponsored stroll along the banks of the River Ayr. Contact Gabi on 01292 288488 or email gabrielle.coyle@ayrshirehospice.org 11th July Psychic Buffet Evening Ally McLeod Suite, Ayr United ground. Presenting Ayrshire Mediums Caroline Blair and Billy McFadzean. Tickets £15 (includes buffet) - Contact Janet Lawson at lapis@talktalk. net or the Hospice Fundraising Office on 01292 288488. 27 July The Glitter Ball Ally McLeod Suite, Ayr United ground. Live music from DUO - Buffet, Raffle Prizes - Tickets £10. Contact Jim Gilchrist on 07849 013296 12th August Golf Day Sponsored by Munro Partnership Ltd. Four man (or woman!) teams play in a shotgun start at West Kilbride Golf Club. Contact the events team on 01292 288488 or email events@ayrshirehospice.org 8th September The Trek Isle of Cumbrae. Fun sponsored walk for all ages. Contact the events team on 01292 288488 or email events@ayrshirehospice.org 19th September Race Day Ayr Racecourse. Enjoy all the fun of the races in our private suite - contact the events team on 01292 288488 or email events@ayrshirehosipce.org 4th October Autumn Ball Seamill Hydro. Great night of fine food, good company and great music for dancing! 1st November Sportsman’s Dinner Ayr Racecourse. Join special guests John Parrot and Craig Brown For more information on any of these events, please contact the Fundraising Office on 01292 288488. Coming up | Grand challenge By Anne Drennan, Assistant Fundraising Manager Our Grand Challenge, in association with the Ayrshire Post, is gathering pace and we’ve lots of supporters being very creative in deciding how they are going to raise their “grand” in the coming months - there are race nights, golf days, dances and sponsored events, just to name a few. Jim Gilchrist asked his friends at Stagecoach to help and a group of drivers dressed up in fabulous costumes before persuading their customers to part with their cash to the tune of £800! Stagecoach drivers Tea @ 3 By Lyn Bateman, Senior Fundraising Officer Why not support the hospice and raise funds by holding a Tea @ 3 Party for friends or colleagues? We can give you lots of ideas - A Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with fancy hats; a Teddy Bear’s Picnic for the mum’s at the toddlers’ group; a Tea Dance at your local club; a garden party; or even a G&T @3 party! We can help print tickets and posters for you too. If you’d like to help, please call Lyn on 01292 288488 or email lyn.bateman@ ayrshirehospice.org 11 12 | Coming up Coming up | 13 Your legacy - the gift of a lifetime Make A Will Free Fortnight, 20th - 31st May 2013 By Olive Lindsay, Senior Fundraising Officer We are once again delighted to report that a number of local solicitors across Ayrshire have agreed to support the hospice by providing a Will making service free of charge. Running between 20th May and 31st May 2013, participating solicitors will waive their normal fee and make your will in return for a donation to the hospice. See list of participating solicitors on our website www. ayrshirehospice.org or look out for advertisements in local press. It takes just a few easy steps to make a Will and leave a gift to the hospice. By leaving a gift you will be supporting us to carry on our vital work for years to come. Large or small, your legacy could help assure the future of hospice care in the Ayrshire community. If you would like further information on the Make a Will campaign or legacy giving, please contact Olive Lindsay on telephone number: 01292 288488 or email legacy@ ayrshirehospice.org Cascade lunch! By Gabrielle Coyle, Senior Fundraising Officer Our cascade lunch appeal is now well underway with supporters around Ayrshire pledging to host a cascade party to raise money for the Ayrshire Hospice. We’ve had lunch and coffee parties (even a cocktail party!) - but each one has the same formula. The host invites a few friends round for some food and drinks, the guests make a donation to the hospice then pledge to host their own party - and so it continues to Grab your lead By Gabrielle Coyle, Senior Fundraising Officer Our four-legged friends (and their owners!) are invited to join us on Sunday 23rd June for our annual Waggy Tail Walk. Dogs and their owners will set off from Ayr College car park between noon and 2pm for the threemile sponsored stroll along the banks of the River Ayr. Three ladies who never miss the walk are Meg, Jeanie and Pat from Ballantrae. Meg said “Our friend Larry from Gribbens Taxis makes sure we know the date each year and our dogs Mac, Rose and Bryn just love coming along to meet all their friends!” Our thanks go to our sponsors Lawersbridge Boarding & Day Kennels, cascade. It’s a simple and fun way to catch up on all the gossip with your friends - and help the hospice at the same time! 01292 288488, email: events@ayrshirehospice.org To find out more or to hold your cascade party contact our events team on T&G Hutchison Pet Supplies & Animal Feeds and Hollow Park Veterinary Surgery. To register please fill out the registration form opposite. 14 | Past events Brrr - acing dip for dash ‘n’ splash! By Gabrielle Coyle, Senior Fundraising Officer Over 40 people braved the freezing waters of the Firth of Clyde on a chilly morning in February to help raise cash for the second annual Dash ‘n’ Splash. Following a swift registration, and a lively warm up participants were piped down to the beach where they dashed into the freezing cold water! A big thank you to Auchenharvie Sub Aqua Club, who had divers in the water marshalling our participants. We would like to thank all our fabulous dippers who took part and Seamill Hydro for hosting the event. We have already raised over £3,000, with sponsorship money still coming in! Well done to everyone who took part! Blistering Boots Dash n Splash group - they’re off! Despite the weather warnings of heavy snow, the line dancers of Ayrshire turned up raring to go at our Blistering Boots event at Belmont Academy. Fundraising Officer, Claire Stuart-Paulin said ‘I’d never been to a line dancing event before and I was amazed as soon as the music started so did the dancing and the floor was constantly full until the music stopped! Even then there were a few shimmys and grapevines as they left through the front door! What a fun bunch, I had a great night.’ With over 100 dancers joining in the fun the event raised £2,200 and everyone had a rootin’ tootin’ good evening. 25Th Annual Ladies Lunch By Lyn Bateman, Senior Fundraising Officer The Brig o’Doon played host to our 25th annual ladies lunch in March. We were delighted to welcome Sally Magnusson from BBC Reporting Scotland, Songs of Praise and Radio Scotland. Sally was a very humorous and entertaining speaker and we were thrilled she could join us to help celebrate this special year. This year just over £21,000 was raised which was fantastic. This amount includes £13,000.00 from the monthly ladies includes over £175k from the monthly lunch club & over £28k from ADLA) it has also become a firmly established sell-out event in the hospice social calendar! lunch club & £2,300 from ADLA (Ayrshire & District Ladies Auxiliary). Since the first annual ladies lunch took place, not only has it raised over £340k (which Photo courtesy of Derek McCabe Past events | 15 Year of Agri-Culture Our Year of AgriCulture Grand Raffle draw took place recently at Ayr Market. We were indebted to Ramsay & Jackson and John M Paterson for sponsoring the Honda quad bike which was won by Mrs Aileen Dunlop. Her son has assured her that he will put it to good use on the family farm in North Ayrshire (and that he will wear a safety helmet too!!) Mrs Dunlop and her grand-daughter Isla Fundraisers Mary and Anne were thrilled to announce that a grand total of over £72,000 was raised throughout the last year and they, along with their committee, would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who helped us reach such a fantastic total. The grand total Happy birthday café By Margaret Cassidy, Community & Day Services Manager Now open between 10am-4pm on Wednesdays, the café has welcomed over 2,500 people through its doors since launching in April 2012. A big thank-you to all the volunteers that have helped run the café since it opened - we couldn’t do it without you! And a big thank-you to Brownings the Bakers who supplied the delicious birthday cake. Some of the visitors that helped celebrate the café's first birthday The Drop in Café celebrated its first anniversary on Wednesday 3rd April 2013! Volunteers Jasmine Frew, Janice Bell and Sheena Watkins join in the birthday celebrations 16 | Past events Pampering event By Hilary Denholm, Voluntary Services Manager On 27 March we had our annual pamper evening thanks to our Healthy Working Lives steering group and the support of a wide variety of therapists - all of whom gave their services free of charge on the night. Offered to all staff and volunteers as a “thankyou” for their hard work and commitment, a total of 110 people expressed an interest in attending and were offered sample sessions from a vast array of therapists. You could sample anything from reflexology, back shoulder and neck massage, hand massage, reiki and spiritual art, to podiatry, file and polish, shiatsu, facial threading, hypnotherapy and hair dressing! (Left to right) Maureen Rankin, volunteer with the hospice flower team and Moira Richardson, staff nurse at the in-patient unit chat to spiritual art therapists. Ian Stirling, lead of the Healthy Working Lives Steering Group commented: Jennifer McDowall, part of the hospice housekeeping team enjoys some pampering “We were once again delighted by the response to our annual pamper night. Over therapists came forward to offer treatments and over 300 appointments were offered on the night. Our satisfaction survey showed that 96% of people thought the evening was well organised and would recommend it to others, 70% felt more relaxed after their treatments and 83% stated that they would follow up their treatment with an additional appointment or further enquiry. So all in all, a rewarding evening for everyone involved!” If you would like to be involved in the organising group or offer to help provide therapies for next year please let Ian Stirling know by emailing ian.stirling@ ayrshirehospice.org or calling 01292 269200. Thank you | A fond farewell One of our longest serving hospice volunteers, Monica Clark, retired on Wednesday, 27 March 2013. Monica was involved in the original fundraising to establish the hospice and started as a volunteer nurse in the ward when it opened. She has been a loyal day hospice volunteer ever since, and also helped as a passenger assistant and with fundraising. To mark the occasion staff and volunteers gathered for an afternoon tea in the day hospice lounge to wish Monica a long and happy retirement. Hilary Denholm, Voluntary Services Manager said “Monica has been an inspiration to so many people in so many different ways over the years. She is a wonderful example of the difference one volunteer can make to an organisation” Aileen Anderson thanks Monica Clark Yum yum! Thank-you so much to Mr Tim Duffy, lecturer at the University of West of Scotland, who kindly donated his stunning raffle prize cake to the hospice to be enjoyed by patients, volunteers and staff. Three cheers for Monica! Mystery money We would just like to say “with thanks” to the mystery person who regularly brings a tear to our eye with the love and simplicity of their donation. They make our days matter every time the envelope drops through the letterbox! 17 18 | Thank you We “lurve” curves! Members and friends of Curves, Beith got behind their manager Joanne and circuit coach Denise when they decided to raise funds for the hospice. Curves is the UK’s largest women-only fitness club network and the Beith ladies encouraged the local community to get behind their efforts. Amanda was delighted to visit them to receive a bumper cheque for £777. Forehill Primary The student council at Forehill primary school wanted to raise funds for a local charity so they held a non uniform day for the hospice. The children had great fun and were full of enthusiasm when Amanda visited to receive their cheque for a whopping £394.47! Well done everyone! Amanda Harris - Fundraising Officer being presented with a cheque from the members of Curves of Beith. Wedding congratulations... ...to Brian and Jean Jamieson from Monkton who got engaged on our trip on the Orient Express last year. They were married on 15th February at Piersland House Hotel, Troon and spent their honeymoon in Canada. Amanda Harris with student council pupils, from Forehill Primary school. MRC Fitness MRC fitness in Dalry, a family run business approaching their 30th anniversary, held a Christmas ceilidh and raffle. Thanks to everyone who helped them raise a fantastic £500 which they presented to Amanda Harris. Brian and Jean Jamieson Left-right: Stuart Clayton - fitness instructor, Amanda Harris, and Lorraine Wallace - owner Thank you | Ayr Academy The senior charity committee at Ayr Academy used their initiative to raise much appreciated funds for the hospice. They had a collection during their Christmas assembly, organised a coffee morning, supplied a muffin run for the teachers and raised a fantastic £321.65. Well done everyone. The Co-op's going further for the hospice Various Ayrshire Co-op food stores collectively went the extra mile in their fundraising efforts for the hospice. The staff all pulled together and decided to have dress down days and raffles throughout the stores - all of which were well supported by their customers. A huge thank you to everyone who helped to raise an amazing £3953.25 for the hospice. Ayr Academy pupils (Left - right) Mark Gilmour, Alan Crawford, Emma Robertson, Gavin Scott, Louis Crawford, Liam Mathews presenting their cheque to Rhona Brown, Assistant Fundraising Manager Annie’s swim Nine year old Annie Neill came all the way from Perthshire to give Anne Drennan, Assistant Fundraising Manager, £400 which she raised by completing a 100 length sponsored swim in her local pool. Annie’s grampa Jimmy Dykes, who passed away in the hospice last year, would have been very proud of her - and rightly so! Left-right: Donna Turnbull - Manager of Prestwick Co-op, Amanda Harris, Marion McCulloch - Manager of Doonfoot Co-op. Behind - Co-op staff members. Girdle Toll Bowling Club Members of the Girdle Toll bowling club in Irvine raised a whopping £500 for the hospice by holding various fundraising events, including a clairvoyant evening and fun bowling activities. Hospice board director Kenneth Gordon was delighted to receive their cheque. Annie 19 Ayrshire Hospice Fundraising Department 35 Racecourse Road, AYR KA7 2TG 29 Miller Road, AYR KA7 2AX Tel: 01292 269200 Fax: 01292 294401 Tel: 01292 288488 Fax: 01292 291960 support@ayrshirehospice.org events@ayrshirehospice.org lottery@ayrshirehospice.org