23/12/09 Ding, dong merrily on high?


This takes an awful lot of concentration!

A number of enthusiastic handbell-ringers congregated outside Squires Garden Centre in West Horsley on a chilly day in early December. Their impromptu concert in aid of the Samson Centre raised £44.66. Well done, ladies!
23/12/09 Inner Wheel of Camberley visit


The ladies of the Inner Wheel with John Hambly & Martin Dent

Back in June 2003, at the invitation of Diana Duckworth, the then President (and aunt of Marion Hambly), John Hamblyaddressed the Inner Wheel Club of Camberley over dinner following their weekly review of Club matters. This was very early on during the fundraising campaign for the Samson Centre, so how fitting it was that the good ladies of the Inner Wheel should be present on 2nd November 2009 when the Centre’s brand new Oxygen Therapy Room went ‘live’.

The ladies were treated to a full demonstration of the workings of the two monochambers by Commander Cyril Lafferty who, along with MSTG(G) Vice Chair Jim Fardell, has been instrumental in establishing this wonderful facility.

The visit was rounded off with the obligatory lashings of caffeine and cakes and a showing of the Centre’s inspiring Powerpoint presentation.
21/12/09 The MSTG(G) Christmas Fayre 2009

Once again an army of volunteers turned up to support this annual event, held as usual in the Milford Village Hall. Thanks to everyone's hard work, around £1,800 was raised for the Samson Centre – and a good time was had by all!


The calm before the storm on one of the stalls

Click here to read a full report of the event by Graham Jelley.
01/12/09 The HBO room is up and running!

Well, it’s been a long, hard slog, but the Samson Centre’s splendid new 2-chamber Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Room is now open for business! Only one chamber is currently in operation, but the other one is expected to come on stream shortly.

Use of the chambers is by donation – click here for full details.
22/11/09 Jan Fowler’s Great South Run

Once again, Samson Centre supporter and keen athlete Jan Fowler has been out raising money for the centre – this time by taking part in the Great South Run on Sunday 25th October.


Jan looks as fresh as a daisy after completing the Great South Run

On a very blustery day, the 10 mile road race through Southsea and Portsmouth took in much of Britain’s naval heritage, including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior. It wasn’t Jan’s fastest time, but she did stop en-route to assist a fellow runner who fell and broke his wrist. Luckily for him, Jan is not just an athlete but also a nurse and was able to assist until a paramedic arrived!

Medical emergencies aside, Jan raised around £400 for the Samson Centre, for which we are truly grateful.
12/11/09 Not so much "Goodbye" as "Au revoir"

Following on from her last working day in September, a farewell retirement lunch was arranged for the MSTG(G)’s former Lead Physiotherapist, Helen Brodbin, on Friday November 6th, when many members and staff enjoyed lunch with a dessert at the Samson Centre.


Long standing member John Hay presents Helen with a bouquet of flowers whilst John Hambly, Marisa Keyser and Carol Kitching look on

Helen was one of the leading lights on the steering committee which saw the Samson Centre transformed from a bit of wishful thinking to the enormous success that it is today, so it was only fitting that John Hambly, former MSTG(G) chairman and fellow member of that same steering committee, should be on hand to present Helen with various gifts reflecting the group’s thanks and affection in which she is held.

The very next working day, Helen was back at work at the Samson Centre filling in for one of the other physiotherapists, just for the day. After many years of dedicated service, the Samson Centre is very fortunate that Helen is still able to help us occasionally!
11/11/09 TheGivingMachine

It’s that time of year again, when thoughts turn to the vexing question of what to give Uncle James and Aunt Betty for Christmas.

If you do any of your Christmas shopping online, why not go via TheGivingMachine, and thereby earn a few pennies for the Samson Centre, at no extra cost to yourself?

Full details can be found on our Support the Centre page on this website. It may be pennies – but every little helps!
11/10/09 Becky’s Great North Run

She’d never attempted it before, but Becky Shuttleworth, the 21-year-old God-daughter of MSTG(G) member Fleur Crowther-Smith, took part in this year’s Great North Run from Newcastle to South Shields on the 20th September.


Becky, as pleased as Punch after completing the Great North Run

In the process, she raised just over £1,000 for the Samson Centre – a fantastic achievement.

She also sent us a terrific account of the run – click here to read it.
08/10/09 These old warhorses just go on and on……

For the past two years, Old Actonians RFC, MSTG(G) chairman John Hambly’s old rugby club, has staged a veterans’ match in aid of the Samson Centre, attended by such luminaries of the game as ex-England prop Jason Leonard and former All Black Zinzan Brooke.


The OARFC Jolly Boys squad, with Zinzan Brooke and Jason Leonard

This year’s match, staged on the 20th September, was to have been the final one but, proving the old adage that you can never have too much of a good thing, the organisers are already looking forward to the next one. OARFC stalwart Tugger Hull sent us this report of the match and its aftermath:

"We had a rugby game on 20th September 2009 as a tribute to all the fundraising done by the OARFC and its members which, according to John Hambly, has raised over £130,000 for the Centre over the years.

The club’s series of Old As’ Jolly Boys v McGee All Stars matches have been nothing short of legendary for the club and for the various charities that it supports. The game on that Sunday was no exception with support from Rugby legends Jason Leonard and ZinZan Brooke and of course big John Hammers himself.

The game was played at a hundred miles an hour with old warhorses thumping around trying to keep up with the young bucks without pulling out the cables of their heart lung machines, and no one putting himself about more than Jason Leonard, who looked in prime condition.

The McGee All Stars stole the game 10-7; this was followed by the trophy presentation by "Hammers" to Captain Brian McGee, which was fitting considering how much he has personally raised for the charity.


Celebrities & event organisers (L-R): John Hambly, Zinzan Brooke,
Michael Dalaimo, Jason Leonard, Tugger Hull, Dave Duff, Gerry King

There was no Auction this year as we thought it was not fitting in the current economic climate but the craic was enjoyed so much by one and all that there will be yet another rematch when times are financially a little rosier and we can thus continue the fundraising.

John was presented with a Rugby Warrior Trophy for being a constant inspiration to one and all."
08/10/09 Tom and Megan’s House Sale


Tom & Megan Davies hand over the cheque to MSTG(G)
chairman John Hambly, watched by proud dad Chris

A few months ago, Tom & Megan Davies told their father Chris that they wanted to raise some funds for the Samson Centre by selling their old and unwanted books and toys, and this evolved into a house sale in the Hampshire village in which they live.

The children, who are already old hands at fundraising, having taken part in Chandler School charity days in aid of the Samson Centre in 2008 and 2009, went on to design, produce and distribute leaflets advertising the event, which took place on Sunday 4th October.

The sale was a great success, and Tom & Megan delivered a cheque for £41.68 to John the following Wednesday. Our congratulations and thanks go to them both for not only their support but also their initiative in coming up with the idea in the first place.
29/09/09 They call it LEJOG - but it looks like hard work to us!

On Sep 4th 2009 Chris and Gerry McGeehan, Norman Johns and Trevor Bashford, all members of the Water Trail Fell and Ice Club, a club formed by staff from Surrey Police, set out to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in an attempt to raise funds for The Samson Centre, and to become members of the End to End club.

Some 16 days later, and after covering just over 1,000 miles, the team arrived having over the course of the 16 days experienced a great time, met some fantastic people, and somehow managed to avoid any rain.

There is no doubt that the trip will be remembered by those who took part for some time. Totally unaided, and staying at a combination of YHAs and campsites, the group carried all their own equipment. On some days they spent eight hours on their bikes and covered in excess of 90 miles. In the course of the journey they experienced both the numerous steep hills that Cornwall has to offer and also the long slow climbs found in Scotland.


Four mightily satisfied cyclists – what an achievement!

The team would like to thank everyone involved for the support they were given – and we at the MSTG(G) would like to thank them for their magnificent effort on our behalf. The final total raised is expected to top £1,000!
28/09/09 The end of an era!

We’ve known it was coming for some time, but Monday the 28th September was Helen Brodbin’s last official day as the Samson Centre’s Lead Physiotherapist, and there were plenty of members on hand to wish her well in her retirement – and avail themselves of the great spread of sandwiches and cakes that had been laid on.

After reminding all present of the enormous contribution that Helen has made to the group both before and since the opening of the Samson Centre, MSTG(G) Chair John Hambly presented Helen with a large bouquet of flowers and a framed photomontage of scenes and individuals from the Samson Centre, to ensure that she won't forget her time with the group in a hurry.


Physio Marisa Keizer hands over the photomontage
to Helen, watched by John Hambly & Carol Kitching

Helen, proudly sporting an "Old Trout" badge – lest anyone else make such a crack – reminded everyone that she will still be a frequent visitor to the Centre, as she will be acting as "bank" physio to cover for the other physios’ absences.


John’s either told Helen a risqué story – or he’s standing on her foot!

John rounded things off by announcing that Helen will be receiving an official send-off on the 6th November, when all are invited to a farewell lunch for her at the Samson Centre.
24/09/09 Christmas Cards now on sale!

Yep, it’s that time of year again, for those of us who like to plan in advance! Christmas cards in aid of the Samson Centre are now on sale at the centre.

They are sold in packs of 10 at £3 per pack and there are 3 new designs this year. In addition, a limited number of last year’s designs are still available.

Click on the links below to see examples of the different cards:

2009 designs
• Christmas Baubles
• All is Bright
• Carolling Choir Boys

2008 designs
• Christmas Eve
• Escape Claus
• Holy Child
• The Night Before Christmas
• While Shepherds Watched
23/09/09 MS Society – Hospital Survey

Have you been hospitalised as a result of your MS? If so, the MS Society would like to hear about your experiences – good or bad! We have received the following request from Rhona MacLean, Strategic Lead (Education) at the MS Society:

"The MS Society, the National Council for Palliative Care and the Parkinson’s Disease Society are working together to improve the care received by people with a neurological condition. They would like to hear about the experiences of people who have been admitted to hospital.

A survey to get this information is available on our website at Long Term Neurological Condition Hospital Survey.

Please pass this information on to any people with MS or PD who have been in hospital within the last two years.

If you know of anyone who is willing to complete the survey but does not have internet access, please contact Naomi Henry by email (nhenry@mssociety.org.uk), or phone on 0208 438 0742, and we will send out a printed version."
10/09/09 All smiles now – but will it last?

On the 4th September, members of the Water Trail Fell and Ice Club (WTFAI) set off on a sponsored cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of the Samson Centre. The riders, novice cyclists all, hope to complete the trip in 15 days.


WTFAI members with John Hambly

Shortly before leaving for Cornwall to start their epic cycle ride, the intrepid cyclists found time to come to the Samson Centre to hand over the money they have already collected to MSTG(G) chairman John Hambly.

We wish them all the very best of luck, and look forward to hearing how it all went.