CHARITY CHEQUE PRESENTATIONS 2021
At our annual meeting in October 2021 I was delighted and proud to present cheques for £1,200 each to our two nominated charities; Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) and Macmillan Caring Locally.
Collecting the cheque on behalf of DSAA, Leanne Colverson updated members on the work of the air ambulance during the pandemic and how they have adapted to ensure the safety of staff and patients against the Covid virus.
Afterwards she commented; “It was great to see you all again and thank you once again for the clubs loyalty and continued support.”
Representing Macmillan Caring Locally was Barry Wilson who provided details on their ongoing work and also the construction of the new unit at Christchurch Hospital.
Afterwards I received a letter from trust secretary Neal Williams (see below) thanking us for our support and revealing that our fund raising day at Athelhampton House in August was the first public event that they had attended since the start of the pandemic 18 months previously.
I am also pleased to report that the meeting gave its approval to the committee recommendation that we continue to support these two deserving causes over the coming 12 months.
The meeting also agreed to arrange a fund raising event on behalf of the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation which is supported by several club members.
For 2021 Bournemouth and Poole MGOC has chosen to continue supporting its two long established nominated charities; Macmillan Caring Locally and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
MACMILLAN CARING LOCALLY
At the club’s January 2021 virtual club night it was agreed to donate £1,000 from club funds to Macmillan Caring Locally.
At the same meeting members were able to see a presentation by Neal Williams from Macmillan Caring Locally that featured a walk-through film of the artist’s impressions for the planned new £12 million Macmillan Hospice at Christchurch Hospital.
The scheme for the enlarged 20 bed unit (the existing unit has 16 bed spaces) has already been granted planning permission on the site of the existing hospital car park and with £6 million already raised they hope to start construction later this year.
Neal explained that their original layout will be modified to take into account provisions required to account for on-going coronavirus protection. The building will be divided into sections for the public (including a coffee shop), private bedrooms (each with its own outdoor space) and offices.
After the meeting Neal wrote to the club; “I was absolutely thrilled to receive your donation of £1,000. It is so kind of you to think of our charity at this most challenging time.
“What a year 2020 was for everyone. We are so proud of our teams at the Macmillan Unit and in the community, for the way they adapted to the constant changes required to keep their patients and colleagues safe during the pandemic.
“Despite all that has challenged us, we have been humbled by the heart-warming response of our community and supporters, the random acts of kindness, and the true spirit shown when people face adversity. Thanks to people like you, who have so kindly thought of others less fortunate, we are able to maintain the outstanding care that the Macmillan Unit provides.
“On behalf of our patients and their families, I thank you for your kind gift.”
DORSET AND SOMERSET AIR AMBULANCE
The club has received the following letter in response to its 2020 donation of £1,000 to DSAA.
Communications manager Tracy Bartram was due to give a presentation on the work of the service to the February 2021 virtual club night.
JIGSAWS FOR MACMILLAN
Club members donated a collection of jigsaws which were delivered to the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch hospital in October 2020. They were being distributed to cancer patients in their homes.
VISITING DORSET AND SOMERSET AIR AMBULANCE
Sunday 17 September 2017 – cheque presentation.
