24/08/09 New therapies – complementary and complimentary!

The MSTG(G) is very fortunate to have obtained the services of two complementary therapists:

• Zoe Allen is offering reflexology to MSTG(G) members from 10am to 1pm on Tuesdays.
 
• Mascha Mieris is offering head massage to members during the same hours on Thursdays.

Time slots for both therapies are 10:00am, 10:45am, 11:30am and 12:15pm.

Please contact the office if you would like to take advantage of these FREE sessions.
24/08/09 Recent visits to the Centre

MSTG(G) members can be rightly proud of the Samson Centre – it’s a fantastic resource which makes a real difference to the lives of people with MS in South-West Surrey, so it’s great to be able to show it off to some of the many supporters who do so much to keep it going.

The centre hosted a visit from children & teachers from Chandlers School, Witley, strong supporters of the Samson Centre in the past, on the 8th July.


Chandlers School pupils & staff with MSTG(G) chairman John Hambly

Then on Monday 10th August, the Mayor of Guildford, Pauline Searle, managed to fit a visit into her busy schedule. Guildford Council were very supportive of plans to develop the Centre, and Pauline relished the chance to see for herself how the dream has become a reality.

She wasn’t the only visitor that day: magician Chris Dugdale, star attraction at the Cabaret Evening organised by the Buffs on Friday 14th, popped in to see what the Samson Centre is all about – and even gave a taster of what those lucky enough to have tickets for this event could expect to see, with an impromptu performance in the Centre’s reception area. It was……magic!


The Buffs’ Paul Cook with Chris Dugdale, Mayor Pauline Searle
and John Hambly in the Centre’s soon-to-be-opened HBO room
23/08/09 Fundraising updates

The Centre may be closed for the annual summer break, but fundraising has continued apace. Recent highlights:

• Samson supporter Kevin Walters went for a short cycle ride in June – from London to Rome by way of Paris! In the process he raised just over £1,400, once Gift Aid is added to qualifying donations.
 
• 8 intrepid souls braved a damp and drizzly Lingfield Racecourse on August 7th to collect for the Samson Centre on the course’s Family Fun Day. The combination of the weather, the recession, and an afternoon meeting with no post-racing entertainment meant that takings were down on last year’s collection at the same venue, but the event still realised a very creditable £524.02.

As MSTG(G) chairman John Hambly put it: "It’s £524 we didn’t have this morning, the sun finally came out, and the kids enjoyed themselves." What more could one ask for?
 
• As a result of a nomination from Richard Tye of City derivatives brokerage firm Freight Investor Services, the Samson Centre was the beneficiary of an extremely generous donation in late July.

FIS held a Charity Day in June, when all commissions earned that day went into a charity pot which was then divided between 15 worthy causes – one of which, thanks to Richard’s nomination, was the Samson Centre.
 
• Some 18 people gave up part of their Saturday afternoon to do a street collection in Godalming on the 25th July, which raised the healthy sum of £559.85, despite the distractions afforded by a number of competing stalls in the town.

Our deep gratitude goes to everyone involved – when you are self-financing, as we are, every penny counts!
16/08/09 Oops!

Thanks to all those who pointed out the error on the Events page, which stated that the Samson Centre will reopen after the summer break on Monday 1st September. It should have read Tuesday 1st September, Monday 31st August being a Bank Holiday. The Events page has now been corrected.
21/07/09 Easy-peasy?

Samson Centre physios Helen Brodbin and Marisa de Muinck Keizer, together with Helen's daughter Alison Ward, were among 20 runners who took part in the British London 10k Run on the 12th July in aid of the Samson Centre.


Nothing to it – just a stroll in the park!

Our photo above, taken after the race, shows the three of them looking remarkably fresh. Rumour has it that they paced themselves extremely well, so as not to do themselves any damage – or to show up the elite athletes!

The money is still pouring in, but already over £1,000 has been raised by this trio alone. Well done all!
18/07/09 Row, row, row your boat……

One of our members who is a wheelchair user is being coached by Robert Hall from the Guildford Rowing Club to row in a specially adapted scull. She has been using an adapted rowing machine in the gym for a while and now is actually on the water.

Robert is keen for other disabled people to take up this sport and invites anyone interested to give their name to the Samson Office. Taster sessions can be organised, and can be progressed to training sessions on the rowing machines before venturing onto the water.

This is a wonderful opportunity for both men and women. For further details, please contact the office, or check the notice board at the Centre.
14/07/09 London to Paris – they did it!

Hot on the heels of Kevin Walters (see report below) were cyclists Russell Fletcher and Andy Stacey, who set off from London on the 1st July, arriving in Paris on the 4th – in time to watch the British & Irish Lions beat the Springboks in the final test match in Johannesburg.


Go you Lions!

The pair of them must have very generous friends and colleagues (or know an awful lot of secrets!); the final total is not yet in, but already they have raised in excess of £9,500 for the Samson Centre. What a fantastic effort!

Click here for their own account of the trip.
07/07/09 Benvenuto in Italia!

Kevin Walters, nephew of MSTG(G) member Barbara Keene, recently completed an epic trip to raise funds for the Samson Centre, cycling from Kingston in Surrey to Cana Sannita in Abruzzo, Italy, where he has a house.

As the photos below show, he was received by the Mayor of the little town and presented with a plaque commemorating the event.

Kevin Walters in Canna Sannita   Kevin Walters in Canna Sannita
Saddle-sore, but proud! Kevin receives his plaque

Kevin, we salute your efforts, and hope that you’re now able to sit down again!
07/07/09 MS and swine flu

In answer to a query raised by one of the UK MS Specialist Association nurses requesting details about swine flu and MS, the MS Trust (http://www.mstrust.org.uk/) has provided the following information:

"The indications are that people with MS are at no greater risk of contracting the H1N1 virus (swine flu) than the general population. However, as the effects of flu may worsen MS symptoms, it is sensible for people with MS to try and reduce their risk of infection.

At present, there is no specific information about swine flu for people with MS. The general advice from the Department of Health (DH) is to try and prevent the spread of germs as much as possible by washing hands regularly with soap and water, keeping surfaces clean and using tissues to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

The DH also advises that people prepare now in case the swine flu becomes widespread by:
• establishing a network of 'flu friends' - friends and relatives who can collect medicines and groceries for you if you fall ill;
• making sure that you have an adequate supplies of cold and cough remedies in your medicine cupboard;
• people who act as carers considering contingency plans in case they are unable to carry out this role for a time.

People taking immune suppressant drugs should talk to their neurologist or MS nurse about any changes to dosage that may be required. Medication should not be stopped before speaking to a doctor.

The beta interferon drugs (Avonex, Betaferon, Extavia and Rebif) and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) are immune modulators and not immunosuppressants and so do not raise the risk of contracting the virus in the first place.

The beta interferon drugs can cause flu like symptoms as a side effect. If this occurs, contact your GP or MS nurse.

Antiviral medication is currently only being given to people in close contact with people who have contracted swine flu. When a vaccine becomes available, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has advised that people in clinical risk groups, which include some people with a long-term (chronic) condition and their carers, will be priority groups for treatment.

Experience with vaccinations for seasonal flu vaccines suggest that is safe to takes these whilst still receiving disease modifying drugs for MS."

Further information on swine flu can be found on the Department of Health’s own website – click here.
02/07/09 London to Paris Bike Ride – the prequel


All togged out, fit and raring to go!

On Wednesday, 1st July, Samson Centre supporters Russell Fletcher and Andy Stacey set off from London en route to Paris, all in aid of the Samson Centre.

To date they have already raised a staggering £7,035.00 between them – and that’s not counting the Gift Aid that will be added where the contributors are UK taxpayers!

We’re hoping to receive a blow-by-blow (or should that be blister-by-blister?) report of the whole trip, which they hope to finish by Saturday afternoon, but in the meantime, click here for an eve-of-trip report penned by Russell.

Well done, guys – a fantastic effort!
02/07/09 Forthcoming visits

The following visits to the Centre are coming up in the next few weeks:

Day Date Time Visitors
Wed 08/07 11:30 Chandlers School – 3 teachers, plus 6-10 children who have played a big part in fundraising for the Samson Centre.
Wed 22/07 a.m. Inner Wheel of Godalming Woolsack Rotary – presenting a cheque to the centre in respect of funds they have raised.
Mon 10/08 11:00 The Mayor of Guildford, Pauline Searle.

We are so dependent on our many supporters that it’s great when they want to come down to see the work that’s done here for themselves, and to see exactly how the funds they’ve helped to raise benefit the group’s members. If at all possible, do come along to the Centre on these days to make them welcome and show them our appreciation.
02/07/09 Get your dancing shoes on!

Those who attended the dance at the Samson Centre on Saturday 27th June were transported back in time by The Xenons, a four-piece band who gave a superb performance with a medley of songs from the 60s.

Whilst many were content just to sit and listen to the music, there was also a flurry of activity on the dance floor, with impressive moves from many, especially the King and Queen of the floor, David and Carol Kitching, who really got down to it!

A raffle took place later in the evening – our thanks go to the many people who kindly donated prizes. Thanks are also due to Robin Bannister for bringing the band to us, his lovely wife Jo and Carol for their help on the door, and David Kitching and Jim Fardell for running the bar.

All in all, a most enjoyable evening, which raised a very healthy £648.00 for the Centre.