Fundraising Special
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Events for 2014
18 hole Texas Scramble Competition
£200 per team of 4
Introducing Angela, our Community Fundraiser
The MS Support Centre is delighted to welcome our new Community Fundraiser,
Angela Carrigan, whose post is being funded by the Rank Foundation through it's "Time
to Shine' internship programme.
The Centre’s membership is growing and it is now serving members with a variety of
neurological conditions. We have big ambitions for the future to enable us to
proactively grow to meet future demands.
Angela started in the position in January and has recently completed a degree in Events
Management at Chester University. She has a great passion for working for charities
and brings with her enthusiasm and ideas by the bucketful. This newsletter provides
details on a number of ways where you can become involved in raising money for the
Centre, but if you have ideas of your own Angela would love to hear from you. You can
contact her on 01244 678619 or e-mail [email protected]
Fashion Show & Supper
Fashion Show & Supper
Thursday 27 March 2014
Ticket
£25
The White Horse, Gastro Pub, Chester Racecourse, 7.30pm
Tickets available from the MS
Support Centre (01244 678619,
and the Laundry Boutique,
Bridge Street, Chester
from January 2014.
Includes:
1 glass of fizz
2 course supper
10% off voucher for the Laundry Boutique
Goody Bag
Bell Meadow
Charity Golf
Day
22nd May 2014
Join us for our 5th Annual Charity Golf
Day at Helsby Golf Club
Includes:
Coffee & Sandwiches
on arrival
Competition entry
Three course dinner
Find out more & book:
Stuart Cranfield
01625 869198 or
MS Support Centre
01244678619
Make 2014 your year to make a difference!
Join a challenge and raise money for the MS Support Centre.
Running Opportunities in the Area
If you are a keen runner or you fancy having something to train for, some of these suggestions may be for you whether it’s your first race or you are a keen competitor:
Chester Half Marathon - Sunday 18th May Entries for this one are £30 before the end of the month and £32 from April 1st. Visit www.activeleisureevents.co.uk/half-marathon.aspx for more details.
Sport in the Port 10K Sunday 15th June Starting and finishing on Civic Way in Ellesmere Port, there are options to run 10K or 5K. For details see www.activeleisureevents.co.uk/sport-in-the-port.aspx
MBNA Chester Marathon – Sunday 5th October Entries for this one are £46 until September and then will go up to £49. Details here www.activeleisureevents.co.uk/full-marathon.aspx
Local Walking Opportunities
Sport in the Port 1 mile - Saturday 15th June Starting at Civic Way and ending at Whitby Park this walk is suitable for all ages and pushchairs. A day for all the family to take part! For details see: www.activeleisureevents.co.uk/sport-in-the-port.aspx
Chester Business Walk - Sunday 7th September Our members and volunteers are regulars at this annual 6 mile event, which includes a bacon butty stop and a G&T to finish! The Centre will pay your registration fee of £10 leaving you free to concentrate on sponsorship. (All Walkers raising over £100 will be entered into a Prize Draw). Contact Angela if you are interested in joining the team on 01244 678619.
Zip-Wire Challenge – Saturday 31st May
MS Support Centre member, Annette Lawrence, has started the year by
encouraging her fellow members to join her in a challenge which will see her
face her greatest fears – all to raise money for the Centre they rely on.
Annette and her comrades are being sponsored to do the longest Zip Wire in
Europe to raise funds for what has become one of the most popular pieces of
equipment in the Centre’s gym. The Thera-trainer exercise bike is designed
for wheelchair users and helps to promote fitness and mobility. Its biggest
appeal is that most people can use it regardless of the severity of their
mobility problems or lack of muscle strength. It also incorporates a bio-
feedback system giving the user clear visual displays of how well they are
performing and which limb is working the hardest. The money raised would
enable the Centre to purchase a second exercise bike which would be of
great benefit to its members.
“The Thera-trainer is something that wheel-chair bound members like myself
can use” explained Annette. “It is really popular and there is often a queue to
use it, so having a second one would mean that more of us would get the
opportunity to have a go. It is of great benefit to us all as exercise really
makes a difference to how we are able to manage our conditions – making
life bearable.”
MS Support Centre member, Annette
Lawrence, with Support Worker, Sian
Evans and Fitness Instructor, Dorian
Brightmore, with the current exercise bike.
“Under the supervision of our qualified Fitness Instructor, members challenge themselves, and each other, to go further,
faster and for longer in order to reach the targets they have set themselves, and to achieve higher levels of fitness and
mobility” explained Centre Manager Jane Johnston-Cree. “The exercise bike is one of the most fun and popular pieces of
equipment in our gym, so to be able to buy a second one would be a delight to our members. If the team are successful in
their ambitious target we may also be able to afford a specially designed chair to accompany the bike which aids members
using the equipment and improves the gym experience for all.”
To sponsor Annette and her team visit https://mydonate.bt.com/events/zipline10/110995 or if you are interested in
taking part and raising money yourself for the Centre call 01244 678619 or e-mail [email protected]
Fancy something different?
The MS Support Centre has teamed up with Global Adventures to offer some unique
fundraising experiences!
Global Adventures have over 10 years’
experience of helping people to take on
amazing challenges whilst raising
money for their favourite charity.
Perhaps a motor cycle challenge in
India appeals or you’ve always wanted
to walk the Inca Trail. Or maybe you’d
like to cycle around Europe visiting the capital cities of London, Amsterdam and Brussels. There are a whole host of
international challenges awaiting you with Global Adventures.
Or perhaps you’d rather a UK based challenge – there are trekking and cycling challenges across Britain including climbing Ben
Nevis or doing a coast to coast cycle ride. To find out more visit www.globaladventurechallenges.com and click on either UK
or International Challenges and then Open Challenges, so that you are able to choose to support the MS Support Centre,
www.globaladventurechallenges.com/choose-charity/ms-support-centre/
Dodgeball Tournament
The Centre’s first Dodgeball Tournament took place last month (Sunday 23rd February). The Dodgeball Tournament was held at Airbus Sports Hall and ten teams of six took part.
Angela had previously organised a Dodgeball Tournament when she was on her events management degree. It is a competitive elimination game which involves
two teams throwing soft balls at each other while avoiding being hit themselves.
If you would be interested in taking part in a future Dodgeball Tournament to raise money for the Centre, let us know.
Looking for a Swimming Challenge?
Dive in and join us with our sponsored swim. Staff,
volunteers and friends of the Centre are taking part in a
21 mile swim in order to swim the equivalent of the
English Channel.
It is taking place at the King’s School in Chester on
Sunday 6th April.
If you would like to take part contact Angela on 01244
678619 or e-mail [email protected]
Challenges not for the faint hearted!
Tough Mudder, Cholmondeley Castle- 13th & 14th
September Sprawled out over acres of rigorous terrain
peppered with obstacles designed by the UK’s very own
Special Forces, this is a true test of endurance (entries are
priced at- Saturday - £79 Sunday - £69). Find out more here
www.toughmudder.co.uk/events/2014-north-west-uk
Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon – Sunday 29th June All races start by launching into an open water swim in the Deer Park Mere Lake, transitioning into the technical cycle circumnavigating Bickerton Hill. The run passes through the stunning estate grounds. Prices vary depending on the competition that you choose to enter and range from £30 for 8-10 years, to £160 for Adults undertaking the most difficult race. For details see www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk/cholmondeley-castle-race/
Don't forget to nominate the MS
Support Centre as your chosen charity
when you choose your challenge.
MS National Challenge
Saturday 28 June 2014
Each year a fundraising event takes place in the
Brecon Beacons where teams accept the challenge
to carry a person with MS around a demanding
course in a wheelchair.
Teams need to consist of a minimum of 10 people
and a maximum of 12 people, plus their MS
passenger. Entry fee is £150. The object of the
Challenge is for a team to complete an orienteering
type course, of approximately 10 Miles on Forestry
Commission land in the Brecon Beacons. Each team
carries a person with MS in a wheelchair. This gives
the person with MS the chance to enjoy the sort of
fun which is not normally available to them and at
the same time help raise much needed funds for
their Therapy Centre.
If you would like to book your team in for this
challenge contact Angela on 01244 678619.
News about the MS Support
Challenge
All teams had an enjoyable but challenging time at Capel Curig again in the summer of 2013 whilst raising important funds for the Centre. The team members battled their way through forests, bogs and hills to give their passenger the experience of a lifetime. Unfortunately it has been decided that last year is to be the final time that we are able to run the challenge event at Capel Curig, the location is now unsuitable to use due to further work being undertaken by the Forestry Commission at this site. Teams wishing to take part in a similar challenge are able to join us for the MS National event at the Brecon Beacons, ask Angela for details if you are interested. Plans are underway to organise the challenge event again in the local region, if you have any ideas for suitable sites or have contacts who may be able to help us plan a course and oversee the supervising of the route, please get in touch with Angela on 01244 678619 or e-mail [email protected]
Isle of Man Parish Walk
Kieran Richards, a friend of the Centre, is
taking part in the 85 mile walk around the Isle
of Man on the 21st June in aid of MS Support
Centre. To complete the challenge, which
consists of walking around each of the 17
parishes situated on the Isle of Man, he will
have to finish the walk within 24 hours!
To sponsor him visit his My Donate page at
https://mydonate.bt.com/events/parishwalk
Three Peaks challenge
Why not challenge yourself to climb the Yorkshire 3 peaks to raise
money for the Centre?
Organised challenges are held on 19th April, 26th July, 6th September
and 11th October. You'll need to stay locally the night before as they
start at 7am, and you'll also need to bring food for the day. The
organisers provide water top-ups at the two meeting points during
the walk, and include refreshments at the second meeting point.
The challenge starts in Chapel le Dale, Yorkshire, in order to avoid
the many others who start in Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
Entry is £70 per person, find out more at
www.thethreepeakschallenge.co.uk/yorkshire-three-peaks-
challenge/
Our Centre members really appreciate the efforts
of our fundraisers – keep up the good work!
Fundraising highlights from 2013
Car Charity Challenge
MS Support Centre member, Les Durrant accompanied by his wife, Therese, embarked on a European adventure in August and raised over £10,000 for Parkinson’s UK and the MS Support Centre.
The couple travelled in their 1974 Ford Escort Mark 1 across Europe on a journey which was over 4000 miles on minor roads, with an average mileage of 250 miles a day. The 14 countries visited in 15 days were Wales, England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Luxembourg, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, and Monaco.
The couple started their trip from the Centre in Saltney on Friday 2nd August, when members and staff, their family and friends and members of the North Wales Classic Car Club gathered to wave them off.
“Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009, our lives have changed considerably” explained Les Durrant. “Amongst the changes we needed to make to our lives was to our holiday choice. In the past we have done European tours on our motorbikes, where we have visited many countries, on trips often covering around 3000 miles each, but this is now no longer possible. We bought the classic car to replace the bikes.”
“Everyone has been so generous, we’ve received donations from organisations as well as individuals and have managed to exceed our target” said Therese Durrant.
The couple have owned the car for nearly 4 years and went all the way to Ireland to secure the one that they wanted. “We have a real love of Ford cars and this model is the one that we owned when we first got married. We searched long and hard to find the right one and knew that this one was for us as soon as we saw it” said Les Durrant.
They are now busy planning their next adventure – there is talk of tackling America!
Keen cyclist, or just need a new
challenge?
Why not participate in a sponsored cycle in aid of the MS
Support Centre?
There are many cycle routes in and around Cheshire!
With many of the routes being traffic free and already
set out, you can choose a date and difficulty level which
is ideal for you!
Traffic free routes suggestions
Chester railway path 8 Miles
Canalside path 10 Miles
Middlewich Canal 3 Miles
Biddulph Valley Way 6 Miles
Find out more here: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport_and_roads/cycling/cycle_routes_in_cheshire_west/traffic_free_routes.aspx
General cycle routes- http://www.cycle-
route.com/routes/Cheshire-Routes-66.html
We hope that you have found something of interest you in this newsletter, so that you are
able to get involved in raising funds for the Centre. If you have any other ideas for
fundraising that you would like to talk through, Angela would be happy to speak to you.
Contact her on 01244 678619 or by e-mail at [email protected]
Fundraising highlights from 2013
Total raised through fundraising in 2013 was £48,000 – thank you!
Contact Us
01244 678619
Find Us on Facebook ms.support.centre and Twitter @mschester
Successful challenges
Lindsey, Sally and Kate (aka the Blister Sisters) raised the fabulous a amount of over £2000 for the Centre. They took part in the Thames Path Challenge in 2013 and completed it in a great time of 10 and three quarter hours.
Also Dave Lee from St. Helen’s, Merseyside travelled to the Cholmondeley Estate near Malpas, Cheshire to take part in the hardcore challenge Tough Mudder. Tough Mudder is a 12 mile obstacle course which has been designed by ex marines and involves completing a series of challenges which include mud, ice, fire, barbed wire, high walls and electric shocks. The course tests all around strength, stamina, determination, and camaraderie to the maximum.
Dave has raised nearly £600 for the Centre after choosing to raise money for us as the Centre helps his partner’s mother and he is aware of what challenges she and many others have to face on a daily basis having MS.
Auction Success
MS Support Centre Support Worker, Sian
Evans, is celebrating after an Auction of
Promises event that she organised to raise
funds for the Centre exceeded her
expectations.
Sian, from Llanarmon-yn-Ial, near Mold, who
was diagnosed with MS twenty years ago and
has been in remission for the last nine years,
was overwhelmed on the night when her
event raised over £6500 for the Centre. “It
was unbelievable” she said. “I’m so grateful
to everyone for the support I was given and
people were so generous in their bids.”
During 2013 we were also lucky to have two runners complete the London Marathon to raise money for the Centre. Sarah Guinan completed the run in 4 hours 8 minutes and Daniel completed it in 4 hours and 15 minutes.
We’d like to say well done and a huge thank you to all participants – all your efforts really do make all the difference to the work of the Centre.
Over 100 people attended the event which
took place at Ruthin Rugby Club in October
and 70 items were auctioned to raise funds
for the Centre.
“Organisations and individuals gave some
great items which helped to raise interest in
the auction and created some bidding wars
on the night.”
Signed football shirts, meals out, theatre
tickets and short hotel stays were all up for
grabs alongside smaller items such as
decorated cakes, baskets of local produce
and flower arrangements.
Even if people were unsuccessful in winning
an item, they were able to take part in
competitions and a raffle that were held on
the evening.