| 28/06/09 |
Another way to support the Samson Centre It’s that time of year again, when we should be thinking of completing our tax returns and sending them off to the tax office, in the hope that we paid too much tax last year and are due a rebate. If you do happen to find yourself in that happy state, why not consider donating some or all of this windfall to the MSTG(G)? HM Revenue & Customs have made it really simple, with a scheme called SA Donate. Click here for further details, including a link to the HMR&C site where you can donwload am application form. |
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| 26/06/09 |
Surrey Stumble update The Surrey Stumble, the sponsored walk in aid of the MSTG(G) organised by the Surrey Police, which took place in mid-March, was one of the most successful fundraising events in the group’s history. As was mentioned shortly after the event (click here for the original report), it was hoped that well over £5,000 would eventually be raised. In fact, following the recent receipt of a cheque for £680 from Paul Beard, the grand total comes to a magnificent £6,402.44. A huge thank-you to Paul, and to everyone else involved. |
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| 15/06/09 |
More green shoots? We seem to be forever reading about the green shoots of economic recovery these days, but on this occasion the metaphor seems apt: Patricia and Pat Coles opened their beautiful garden at Upper Ridgeway Farm in Thursley, near Godalming, to the public on Sunday 14th June, and raised an incredible £1,253.50 for the Samson Centre.
One of the visitors was MSTG(G) member Robin Bannister, who described the afternoon thus:
"This was a very enjoyable afternoon on a perfect English summer day. The garden was quite beautiful with all the flowers we would expect to see, and also a few we did not recognise (which is unusual as my wife is a keen gardener). There was also a large vegetable patch tucked away behind one of the perfect lawns.
After a while we went inside the house to be served with tea or coffee with jam scones and cream and a selection of delicious cakes (all included in the modest entrance fee), and sat at one of the outside tables in the shade. The house itself was very attractive and fitted perfectly with the surrounding gardens." Our thanks go to Robin for his report, and also to the Coles for their very generous support of the Samson Centre. |
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| 13/06/09 |
Guildford comes up trumps! Funny things, street collections. One can usually gauge how well things are going, and most of those taking part in the collection in Guildford town centre on Friday 12th June felt that pickings had been pretty slim, and that we’d be lucky to take £700 – way down on last year’s total of £1,482. However, the count proved us all wrong: instead of a drought, we had a bumper financial harvest, and the final tally came to a record £1,562.44! Well done and a big thank you to all involved, especially organiser Carol Kitching – and not forgetting the generous folk of Guildford! |
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| 09/06/09 |
Effingham Garden Party The Church Hall in Forest Road in Effingham once again played host to the ever-so-slightly misnamed Garden Party in aid of the MSTG(G) on Saturday 7th June. This event started life as "Pat’s Garden Party", when it actually was held in a garden – that of long-time MSTG(G) supporter Pat le Sueur. Pat is now enjoying a well-deserved rest from running the event, which has been "adopted" by David Williams, Margaret Lee and Sheila Thorogood of the Forest Road General Stores, together with a band of willing and very hard-working helpers. An entrance fee of £3 entitled visitors to a cup of tea and as many slices of home-made cake as one could get away with without frowns of disapproval from one’s better half. Inside the hall were various stalls selling yet more cakes, home-made jams, books, cards and toys, while a bewildering array of plants, many of which had been raised from seeds by local gardeners, were displayed outside. Fortunately the weather was kind to us! The hall was buzzing with people for most of the afternoon, and many people commented on the sense of community it generated. It was also good to see a number of MSTG(G) members at the hall. Guest of honour was Pat le Sueur, who should take much satisfaction in seeing that the small fundraising event she started many years ago has become so well-established. From a fund-raising perspective, the party was extremely successful, raising the grand total of £1,041.96 for the group, made up as follows:
Immense thanks are due to all involved for all their hard work in making the event such a success. We understand that planning has already started for next year’s event! |
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| 04/06/09 |
If I knew you were comin’ I’d have baked a cake…… ……and that’s exactly what happened at Ashton Hair Design in Aldershot on the evening of the 11th May, when MSTG(G) member Heather Ashton and her daughter, who runs the salon, hosted a cake break in aid of the Samson Centre. Heather takes up the story:
"Firstly, I would like to thank my daughter for the use of her salon for the charity cake evening raising money for the MS Therapy Group, but most of all to thank all our friends and neighbours for their very generous donations, which amounted to £180!
We all enjoyed the friendly atmosphere of the evening, and of course the lovely selection of cakes and biscuits. We also had a raffle, which my grandson James arranged. Thank you again!" |
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| 04/06/09 |
Different ways to support the centre This is just a reminder that there are a number of different ways in which supporters can make a contribution to the Samson Centre:
All of these are explained in more detail on the "Support the Centre" page. In addition, volunteers to take part in our regular street collections are always welcomed with open arms! |
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| 04/06/09 |
Now here’s a novel idea! Caroline Johnson recently contacted the MSTG(G) to let us know that she runs a wheelchair dancing group and wondered if any of our members might be interested. More information about wheelchair dancing can be found at www.alyas.eu/bbc.wmv or www.wheelchairdancing.eu. Caroline herself can be contacted on 01483 861466, or via email at carolineatparkhouse@yahoo.com. |
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