newsletterEVENTS DIARY 2010

ANNUAL CHARITY WALK9 May Arundel Castle ParkWalkers to start between 2.00 – 3.30pmEntrance Fee : Adults £2, Children £1,(under 12’s free).Sponsored Adults & Children free entry.Dogs welcome but must be on leads

ROUNDHILL COTTAGE EAST DEAN National Garden Scheme30 & 31 May 2.00 – 5.30pmOpen Gardens/Teas

TESCO’S STORE COLLECTION10 June 10.00am – 6.00pmShripney Road store, Bognor Regis

EVENING PRESENTATION9 July 7.30 – 9.30pm‘You Cannot Be Serious’. A Talk on Wimbledon behind the scenes by Tony HughesEdes House, West Street, ChichesterDrinks ReceptionTickets £15.00 will be available fromthe Admin Office – 01243 572433

SELSEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY SUMMER SHOW31 July 2.30 – 4.30pmManhood Community CollegeSchool Lane, SelseySnowdrop goods will be on sale

ROLLS ROYCE MOTOR-CARS LTD16 September 5.30 – 7.00pmWesthampnett PlantReception + Plant TourTickets £15.00 will be available fromthe Admin Office – 01243 572433

SNOWDROP AUTUMN TEA PARTY21 October 2.00 – 4.30pmWalberton Village HallTickets £10.00 will be available fromthe Admin Office – 01243 572433.Presentation by Ann McDonald, ARPSThe Far East through a Photographer’s LensSnowdrop goods and ChristmasCards will be on sale.

COMBINED CHARITIES AUTUMN FAIR6 November Timings TBCWalberton Village HallSnowdrop goods and ChristmasCards will be on sale.

CHARITY BALL13 November Timings TBCAvisford Park Hotel, inconjunction with Snowdrop.Tickets £TBC – will be available fromthe Admin Office – 01243 572433

Care at home for children with life-threatening

and terminal illnesses

Spring 2010

ABOUT USPresident Geraldine Hamilton

Chairman & Co-Founder Diana Levantine

Co-Founder & Trustee Kate Shaw

Vice-Chairman & Trustee Valerie Seddon

Former President & Trustee Lady Miranda Emett

Trustees Elizabeth Edwards, Rita Hope, Pauline Blumer, Marilyn Brooks, Suzanne Clark

Office Manager Joanne Rule

Office Administrator Claire Rowlands

Registered Charity Address3 Kingley CentreDowns RoadWest StokeChichesterWest SussexPO18 9HJ

t: 01243 572433

e: sussexsnowdrop@btconnect.com

www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com

Registered Charity No: 1096622Limited Company Number: 4557686 (Limited by Guarantee)

THE SNOWDROP CARE AT HOME TEAM

NEW ADDRESSThe Westhampnett Centre28-29 Westhampnett RoadChichesterWest Sussex PO19 7HHT: 01243 815227

Community Nurses01243 815227Jane Evans, RCN CCNGill Cunningham, RCN CCNRosy Turner, RCNMichele Walker, RCN CCN

Nurse Support WorkersStephanie GrindleyJackie Wheatland

Family Volunteer Co-ordinator 01243 815273Jane Wilkinson

Family Support Counsellors Phil PortwayJulie Hearn

Team AdministratorKaren Spencer

The Hornet Gallery has just opened in Chichester and sells work by Steven Neal and Paul Adams. Paul, a well known local artist, has always wanted to run an Art Gallery. His oil paintings hang in many Chichester homes and are collected by his admirers all over the Country. In 2009 Paul donated his painting of ‘Chichester in Snow’ to Snowdrop and it was used for Snowdrop’s most successful Christmas Card last year. Steven paints in a different style and his work is also much sought-after by collectors. Both Artists have very kindly offered to donate 20% of all their sales proceeds over the coming months to Snowdrop.

At the Preview Evening, one of Paul’s paintings, which has very generously been donated to Snowdrop by Mr and Mrs Ian Spawton, was put on show and will be sold to the highest bidder. The highest bid when this Newsletter went to print was £1,000 ! Please visit the Gallery in the Hornet and take a look at this beautiful picture of ‘Boats by Moonlight’.

Di Levantine, Chairman & Co-Founder

In the language of flowers, the

snowdrop means hope & consolation

Susie Pike is one of our very special Family Volunteers. As a trained Beautician, Susie has been able to help several Snowdrop Mums to benefit from her wonderful relaxing massages, facials, pedicures and manicures. Susie also organises Charity Runs to raise money for the Trust. Over Christmas she asked all her ‘running friends’ to join her to run some of the Centurian Way. It was freezing when they started off and yet they were all in such good humour ......perhaps it was their Santa hats that helped to make them feel so festive !

However, they have now finally settled into offices at The Westhampnett Centre, and we hope that this will be their permanent base. As the

Team are employed by the NHS, although most of them are funded by Snowdrop, they have always worked from an NHS site. The

partnership between our Charity and the NHS PCT works very well. Dr Ann Wallace, the Consultant Community

Paediatrician, who was the instigator of Snowdrop in 1993, has headed the Team since Di and Kate

founded the Charity . Dr Wallace is in constant contact with the Nurses, and when a child is

referred by their GP to the Hospital, Dr Wallace is immediately informed. This

information is then passed onto the Team.

Our two newest Members of The Snowdrop Care at Home Team have now been with the Trust for 7 months and are settling in well.

DONATION FORM

I/We would like to make a donation and enclose £ . . . . . . . . . .

name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .postcode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

send to: The Sussex Snowdrop Trust,

3 Kingley Centre, Downs Road,

West Stoke, Chichester PO18 9HJ

Please make cheques payable to ‘The

Sussex Snowdrop Trust’. Gift Aid

Forms can be supplied upon

request or downloaded

from the website.

MAKE A DONATION

The Charity spends around £240,000 annually on

direct care for the Families and The Snowdrop ‘Care

at Home’ Team. This crucial financial support

helps parents to cope with the day-to-day problems

of caring for a very sick child. The financial

problems that parents have can be overwhelming,

possibly becoming the ‘last straw’.

The Trust receives no help from the

Government and depends on the generous support

of this Community – Schools, Clubs, Church Groups,

Trusts, Organisations and Individuals. Every penny

is appreciated and enables Snowdrop to be able to

continue to provide this vital help. Please can you

help us to help these children and their families.

SNOWDROP FAMILY VOLUNTEERS

This original oil painting of ‘Chichester in Snow’, was gifted to the Trust by the artist Paul Adams. The painting was subsequently auctioned, the highest bid resulting in £510 for the Trust.

The Snowdrop CARE AT HOME TEAM have moved 4 times this year!

Paul Adams with the ‘Boats by Moonlight’ Painting

Chichester Welcomes Local Artists

Pizza Express in Chichester

Pizza Party Delighthave supported Snowdrop in many ways during the latter part of 2009 and the early part of 2010. In February, the Manager and Staff organised a wonderful Party for the Snowdrop Families. Pizza, risotto, pasta and other delicacies were served to delighted youngsters and their parents. The food just kept on being cooked and served until everyone was full to bursting !

We are so grateful to Pizza Express for giving so many of our Families an evening they won’t forget.

Jane Wilkinson, Family Volunteer Co-ordinator, has been meeting all the Volunteers, which has helped her to understand the diverse assistance that Volunteers are able to offer to Snowdrop Families. She has now started to meet many of the Snowdrop Families. Jane is in the process of getting to grips with essential new Policies, mandatory training sessions for Volunteers ........ and so much more.

Julie Hearn joined The Snowdrop Care at Home Team after our previous Snowdrop Counsellor, Annette, left to manage a NHS Countywide Counselling Service. Julie has been working with several Snowdrop Families, and says that she is really enjoying her new role.

A St John Ambulance First Aid Training Course for Family Volunteers was held in January. 10 Volunteers, along with Di Levantine and Jane Wilkinson, attended the Course and all attendees found it to be extremely useful, interesting and fun !

Snowdrop are ever thankful for the wonderful generosity of the Snowdrop Supporters. Below is a very small selection of organisations and individuals who held events, sold Snowdrop goods and/or kindly made donations:

Pagham District Council, donation - £150; In Memory of Joshua Court, Annual Football Match - £550; C & M Trophies, Ladies Bowls League donation - £100; Midhurst Masonic Lodge, donation - £200; Mr & Mrs Barry Seaman, donation - £203; Anne Mudford, donation - £150; Yvonne Norris, donations in lieu of Wedding Gifts - £770; Penny Hardwick, donation - £200; Wayfarer’s Chapter 7995, donation - £300; Bognor Regis (Parke Family), Sponsors-v-Juniors Golf Tournament - £382; Larrikin Explorer Scout Group , The Downsman 24hr endurance run - £226; J S Humidifiers, donation - £300; Marian Cullis, Jam/Marmalade sales - £150; Dr P Wilkins, donation - £100; Felicity Garwood, Great South Run Sponsorship - £156; Lois Jowett, Coffee Evening - £410; Arundel Players, Christmas Coffee Morning - £525; Dorset House School, Parents’ Association donation - £250; Bosham Crafts for Christmas (Jan Guest), Makers’ donations/raffle/refreshments - £1,400; Friday Morning Ladies of Langstone, Charity Sale proceeds - £257; East Preston & Kingston Horticultural Society, donation - £50; Chichester Quilters, donations - £2,000; Langmead Farms Grim Challenge Team, Sponsorship - £300; Grittenham Barn Christmas Fair (Nicola Rollason), donations - £913; Rogate PCC, Christmas Market proceeds - £600; Inner Wheel of Littlehampton, donation - £200; Chichester Cathedral Fellowship, Annual Charitable Giving - £100; Terry Taylor, donation - £100; Stephen Sibbald/Dawn Scott, Walberton Barn Dance proceeds - £130; St. Mary’s Church, Chidham, Carol Singing proceeds - £91; Aldingbourne Social Club, 2009 Collecting Tins - £247; St. James’ Church Birdham, Crib Service proceeds - £272; The Southdowners, donation - £200; Tanbridge House School, Christmas Concert proceeds - £310; Baxter Family of Binderton, Christmas lights - £350; Oldwick Saddlery, Reindeer Day donations - £216; CIS Golf Society, Christmas Raffle - £130;

Rumboldswhyke CE School, Christmas Celebration donations - £82; Anchor Bleu, Bosham (Julie Snell), Quiz Night - £123; Adams Integra, Donations in lieu of sending Christmas Cards - £200; Badgers Pub, Petworth, Guest donations - £547; Walberton CE Primary School, Christmas Musical Production collections - £939; Rumboldswhyke, Whyke & Portfield PCC, St George’s Church, collections - £860; Cornelius House, Christmas Raffle - £50; Donnington Parish Hall, New Year’s Eve Dance proceeds - £250; Laburnum Grove Junior School, Christmas Concert donations - £160; Willowhale Bowls Club, donations in lieu of Christmas Cards/Fun Afternoon - £115; Rosy Turner, sale of Christmas decorations - £436; Beggar’s Roost Nursing Home, Christmas Raffle - £215; Southbourne Parish Council, donation - £65; Southbourne Infant School, Christmas Concert collections - £210: Selsey Jigsaw Club (Sandy Lewis), donations - £175; St. Mary’s Centre, Felpham, Retiring Collection/Christmas Concert - £600; Pagham Pram Race, Raffle/Street Collection - £400; Saxa Regis Council RSM No. 204, donation - £250; Owen & Nadja Everson, Annual Word Puzzle proceeds - £431; Thair Family of Chichester, Christmas House Lights collection - £130; Bosham Primary School, Carol Service Collection - £104; Ken & Valerie Strudwick, Christmas Decoration Display - £290; Holy Cross Church, Bignor, Christmas Eve Service Collection - £200; St. Peter’s Church, Selsey, donation - £500; Optima Company, Christmas Raffle - £100; Neil & Sue Edden of Mitchmere Farm, (NGS) – exhibitor commissions/donations - £606; Masonic Lodge Union No. 38, donation - £200; PCC of Chidham, donation - £91; W Wittering PCC, donation - £500; Midhurst Lodge of Mark Master Masons, donation - £350; Sussex Mark Benevolent Fund Charity, donation - £350; Funtington PCC, St. Mary’s Church, proceeds from Choristers’ Comfort Cordial sales - £50; Mimmine Lodge, Festival Weekend Raffle/Auction - £1,229; Louise Coleman & Friends, proceeds from Family Fun Day in Fishbourne - £350; East Dean Quiz Night, Raffle - £140 Cowdray Park Seniors Golf Members, 2009

monthly raffles - £2,720; Danny Bailey, Chichester Priory 10K

Run sponsorship - £103. Chris Withall, Gill & Friends,

proceeds from knitted Christmas items - £250; Blackdown Charity Clay Pigeon Shoot, donation - £1,000; Ford Airfield

Market, Snowman donations - £110; Chichester District

Council, funds raised in lieu of sending Christmas Cards - £116;

Edward Bryant School, Christmas Card donation - £25; Supremeclean, provision of Snowdrop leaflets; Omega Press, provision of Snowdrop letterheads.

thank you thank you

thank you

ADVENT AT ARUNDEL Four local Roman Catholic Deanery Schools took part in a memorable Advent Service at Arundel Cathedral.

Dancers, musicians, singers and readers performed to captivated parents, friends and guests. Each of the four Schools had raised money for the Trust by way of organising their own Advent Charity Projects. These funds, together with the Cathedral retiring collection,

resulted in a wonderful £1,614 being donated to Snowdrop. Di Levantine, who attended the

Service, was given the opportunity to talk about the work of the Trust and to personally thank all the children and staff for their excellent support.

The Bury Hill Bikers have

continued to fundraise for Snowdrop during 2009;

among the many events organised they held a Concert, sale of a DVD, a Bike Push at the Snowdrop Annual 2009 Walk and a Charity Ride by some 200 Bikers around Sussex. The hard work and sterling efforts of the BHB has meant that over £4,000 has been donated to our funds.

Last December, Members of the 1st Hunston Brownies entertained their friends and families with a delightful Fashion Show and other very enjoyable performances. They presented Di Levantine with a wonderful cheque for £250 which they had raised for the Charity.

PENDEAN HOuSE, a BuPA Residential Home near Midhurst, has been raising money for Snowdrop for many years. Snowdrop Founders, Kate Shaw and Di Levantine, were invited to a Wine & Cheese Evening at the Home in October last year, and were presented with a cheque for almost £800. The Manager, Jackie Travers and the Staff are thanked for all their wonderful ongoing support of the Trust.

LOCAL ROTARy & LIONS CLuBS have always

supported the Trust throughout its 16 years existence. The very first donation Snowdrop received was from the Chichester Rotarians and was for a fantastic

£2,000. A photograph of this first-ever Cheque

Presentation hangs in the Trust’s West Stoke Office.

Since that time in 1993, Snowdrop have been extremely fortunate to have received several gifts from both the local Lions and Rotary Clubs.

The Hilton Avisford Park Hotel in Walberton was the setting for the first ever Snowdrop Children’s Christmas Party, with some 60 youngsters and their Parents attending. The arrival of Father Christmas laden with gifts was the highlight of the afternoon. Sincere thanks go to Shayne Miller of SupremeClean for his sponsorship of the children’s gifts and teas, Carte Blanche Greetings for the teddy bears and, of course, the Hotel for providing the venue.

Marilyn Brooks, Trustee

Donna Redman (a Snowdrop Mom), was asked by her friends Kelly Bennett and Debbie Hitchman what they could give her to celebrate her Birthday. Donna said she would like to do something to raise money for Snowdrop in order to say thank you for the support she and her husband Neil had received in caring for their son.

The outcome was a Concert in Southbourne Church with singers, ballet and modern dancers. This was a wonderful Birthday treat for Donna to share with her friends and family, and one which enabled her to donate the magnificent gift of £630 to Snowdrop.

Pauline Blumer, Trustee

Southbourne Classical Singers Concert

BBC RADIO SUSSEx AND RADIO SURREY chose The

Sussex Snowdrop Trust to benefit from their annual Nine Carols and Nine Lessons Christmas Concert held in Chichester Cathedral in December. Well loved Radio Presenters read the Lessons

to a packed Cathedral. As the Concert was being recorded to be

broadcast at Christmas, everyone had to be as quiet as possible - quite

difficult if you had a cough! The retiring collection raised £778. Our sincere thanks to everyone who supported this event.

Emma Schwartz and Sarah Morison, the founders of the rare brand market, contacted Snowdrop and kindly offered to run their Christmas Market with the proceeds being donated to the Trust. The marketplace was set up in the beautiful Farbridge Barns, and some 40 rare retail brands displayed their original Christmas gifts. Together with an Italian Coffee Cafe, a gift wrapping service and a creative workshop the day became a huge success. Sales of Snowdrop items, raffle proceeds and general donations, resulted in a wonderful £1,390 for the Trust.

Jo Rule, Office Manager

The Rare Brand Market comes to Sussex

thank you

Autumn Tea Party78 Snowdrop Supporters attended this

popular annual event and enjoyed a delicious tea provided and served by Members of the

Committee. Consie Dunn, former Organiser of the West Sussex NGS, gave an extremely informative and illustrated talk about the various gardens which have been entered into the Scheme over the years. The event

produced a wonderful £1,192 for the Trust.Val Seddon, Trustee

An audience of 70 discerning music lovers and doting parents were entertained to both

modern and classical music, provided by Soloists from the West Sussex County Youth Orchestra. We were treated to a lively display on the xylophone, violin and clarinet

solos, and a harp solo, played beautifully by a young lady whose shoes would have made Victoria Beckham

turn green with envy. ‘The Tico-Tico Bird in the Cornmeal’, was played to us on the violin with great zest by a youngster aged 10. The Ensemble played a selection of pieces varying from Bach to Gershwin. We thank these young performers who gave up their precious free time in order to help other young people of their age who are so much less fortunate than them. The delicious tea was provided by Snowdrop Volunteers and was hugely appreciated, not least by the young violin player who had to have chocolate cake wiped from his mouth by Adam Barker – Adam teaches and mentors these youngsters. The afternoon raised £725 for the Trust. Our thanks go to the Headmaster and Governors of Seaford College for allowing us to use their superb Music Rooms for this event.

Consie Dunn & Geraldine Hamilton, President

Snowdrop host their first ever children’s Christmas Party

thank you

Santa Claus visited the Summersdale Garage in Lavant, bringing along his Elves and his Reindeer, Blitzen and Star. Kate Mosse, local author, came to meet Santa and to open the event. Despite the dreadful weather, Santa spent the whole day chatting to the children, and Punch & Judy, Tombola and a large Raffle stall were provided for entertainment. The Trust is not only grateful to Santa, but also to Helen Spilsted who organised the event and kindly donated £412 to Snowdrop.

Kate Shaw, Trustee

Our thanks go to the Wayfarer’s Royal Arch Masonic Lodge No. 7995, who have again this year donated Easter Eggs for the Snowdrop children.

SNOWDROP ANNuAL CHARITy WALK ARuNDEL CASTLE PARKSunday, 9 May 2010Dogs are allowed at this event, but it is imperative that they are kept on a lead at ALL times. Thank you.

Celebration of Youth Music

Santa comes to Summersdale

Photograph provided courtesy of The Chichester Observer

Bikers Boost Funds