Autumn 2008

Autumn 2008
Number 107
within
The Official Magazine of the Association for Children with Hand or Arm Deficiency
In this issue
New Patron
Reach Activity
Camp 2008
The Best of
British
Chairman’s
Blog
It’s Ability not Disability that Matters
within
Registered charity no. 278679
Please send photographs and stories for Within Reach to:
Jane Tarrant Editor, Within Reach, 64 Embercourt Road, Thames Ditton,
Surrey KT7 0LW Tel: 020 8224 0961
email: [email protected]
Frank Out
& About
pg 6 - 7
Members’
pages
pg 10 - 11
Activity Week
pg 12 - 13
Thanks
pg 14 - 15
Branch
News
pg 17 - 19
National Co-ordinator: Sue Stokes
Head Office, Reach, PO Box 54, Helston, TR13 8WD
Tel: 0845 130 6225
Fax: 0845 130 0262
Mobile: 07721 929583
email: [email protected]
Office hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Thurs. 8:00pm-10:00pm (mobile only)
www.reach.org.uk
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Comments, articles, requests, ideas:
We are pleased to receive comments, articles, requests or suggestions for future
editions of Within Reach.
Letters: Any letters for publication should
include the name and address of the sender, but these can be withheld from publication if requested.
Advertising: Within Reach has a print run
of 2,500 and is distributed to members,
subscribers, health services and specialists. If you need to reach this key audience call: Jane Tarrant on
0208 224 0961
The views expressed in this journal
are not necessarily those of Reach
and are not intended to reflect or
constitute Reach policy, or in any
way portray an official view.
Closing Date: Material for inclusion in
the next issue must be received by
15th November 2008
Reach Membership
Membership of Reach is open to parents
of children with upper limb deficiency and
other individuals of 18 years and over
who are interested in furthering the work
of the Association. Junior membership is
given to children who have an upper limb
deficiency. The UK subscription is £25.
You will recieve this quarterly magazine
plus you will be afforded access to the
‘members only’ area, including the members’ message board on our website
www.reach.org.uk
Reach carries an insurance policy which
covers the good arm of affected children
who are UK citizens, against accidental
loss. The good arm is covered against
permanent total disablement in the sum
of £50,000. This cover is a benefit to
members and is effective from the age of
2 to 65 provided membership is continuous. Details are available from H. O.
Other publications available from Reach
• Reach – An Introductory Booklet
• The Child With An Artificial Arm:
Guidelines for Teachers
• A Guide to Artificial Arms
by Mark Broomfield
• Pollicisation – clinical notes
• Poland Syndrome: a short
description
• DVD – An introduction to Reach, on short-term loan or to buy for £5
Welcome to our Autumn Issue, number 107!
I am delighted to welcome our new patron Laura Hamilton who tells us more about herself below. I met Laura a few weeks
ago and she is lovely. I am sure all of you attending the AGM will enjoy meeting her along with Kelly Knox who won Britain’s
missing top model, who will also be speaking.
This year 56 children went on the Reach Activity Week and had a brilliant time again. There are photos and testimonials on
pages 12 and 13, I only wish I could fit in more. It was truly action-packed with everything from sailing and skiing to shooting
and archery. Lisa Lisney, who is now a mum herself, went along for the first time and tells us about her experience at camp
and on the Leaders’ weekend.
Our Chairman Gary Phillips has started a blog of interesting snippets and useful bits of information that he has found. Details
and links to useful websites can be found on page 8. On page 9 we learn all about the flying day that some of our members
and their parents enjoyed earlier in the year. Hopefully there will be more such days available in the future.
Frank has been out and about again, fascinating children and adults alike with stories of his life and raising funds for Reach as
he goes. I love all the pictures of him on pages 6 and 7 surrounded by children! Congratulations too, Mr Mayor.
Please continue to send in your stories, letters, pictures and poems. I really love hearing from you and am delighted to include
them in the magazine. I am so looking forward to the AGM and the launch of our fabulous new website and of course, meeting
many of you there. Best wishes,
JANE TARRANT
Welcome to our new patron….
It was a while ago now that an excited trustee Sian Brooks contacted me. ‘Gary, I think I may have found a patron’ she said. Sian and her
family had been chosen to take part in a new children’s TV show called ‘Give them a Break’. Whilst filming in Iceland she talked about Reach
and how we were looking for a new Patron. ‘I know someone who may be interested’ said one the cameramen. A few texts later and Sian
had established that the person was very keen to know more. So after a few telephone conversations, meetings and negotiations they had
agreed to become our next Patron.
On behalf of the Trustees of Reach I would like to introduce our new Patron Laura Hamilton. Laura is currently the female face of the children’s TV channel Nickelodeon and also regular guest presenter for GMTV’s children’s weekend show Toonattik. She is an enthusiastic and
versatile singer, dancer, actress and presenter. She also has experience behind the camera as an Assistant Floor Manager on shows such
as Top of the Pops, The Games and Big Brother’s Little Brother.
We feel that Laura’s TV career is going places and we hope that Reach will grow
with her. Laura will be a great asset to Reach with her enthusiasm and strong focus
on children. We look forward to working with her as a part of the Reach family.
That’s enough from me. I’ll let Laura tell you a little more about herself and why
she has become our Patron.
“Thanks Gary, and ‘Hello’ to you all!
As Gary mentioned, I’m Laura Hamilton, currently working as a Children’s TV presenter;
regularly being covered in slime and custard pies!
Firstly I’d like to thank the team at REACH for welcoming me into the family as the
new patron and will endeavour to be involved as much as I possibly can. From what
I have seen and learnt of REACH so far, I have realised how much of a big family it
really is. The support available and the fun everyone has is fantastic, and I really
can’t wait to be part of it all!
So a little bit about me.....I have been working as a presenter within Children’s TV for
4 years and prior to that I worked behind the camera for 4 years. I spent a year of it
making tea as a runner so I can make a good brew for any of you at the AGM, but from
what I have heard the drink there is somewhat of a stronger kind! I love working with
children as well as acting like one from time to time and hope that my experience at
work will benefit my position within REACH.
I am slightly obsessed with tidiness and cleaning and I like to live by the motto ‘If you believe in yourself and set your mind to whatever you
want to achieve, anything is possible’. It really is ability not disability that matters! I hope to meet you all soon!”
LAURA
News
Reach Trustee Report
Meeting Saturday June 21st 2007
Held at the Marriot Courtyard Hotel, Slough
Off down to Slough on yet another wet June morning for the 3rd Trustees meeting of the Reach year. Luckily, I only have to travel an hour
from Oxford but many of the other Trustees and Sue have already
been on the move for hours, travelling by car, or in the case of Chris,
from Ireland - car and plane! We all meet promptly, have a quick chat
and a coffee and then get down to business.
The meeting has a certain buzz about it this time, as we are to
welcome Laura Hamilton, a potential new Patron. Everyone is quite
excited as it hasn’t been an easy task to find a new Patron, and Laura
sounds ideal. Sian initially followed up a lead and there has already
been a lot of hard groundwork - meetings and telephone calls etc.
Laura is a children’s television presenter and I’m sure she will be
well known to our younger Reach members. She is currently a presenter on Nickelodeon, and has just started doing a bit of work on
GMTV. Laura has been in television for about 8 years, initially working behind the scenes and then presenting. She is really at the early
stages of her career and sees it as a great opportunity to support a
very worthwhile children and family charity, an opportunity to grow
together. Totally at ease with children, (and used to be drenched
in slime!), she appears very enthusiastic and keen to help and get
involved. We all agree she will be a wonderful choice, and formally
welcome her as our new Patron.
Next on the agenda is our Strategy Document, the organisation’s
5 year plan. We have been working on this since last year’s AGM,
but it really follows on from the Members Survey which we carried
out earlier on in 2007. The survey found out from members what
they wanted from Reach, and what should be the future direction
of the organisation. From the survey, our current focus of providing
information and support to families, and activities for Reach children
were seen as the most important activities. Within the Strategy, key
focus areas have been identified and an action plan drawn up to
meet agreed objectives.
Our annual conference always seems to be on our agenda. It takes
months of planning and hard work by Sue and others in bringing it all
together; from choosing a hotel location to arranging speakers for
the day, from planning the children’s workshops to sorting out the
much needed crèche for our younger members. This year’s conference weekend is to be held in Bristol Oct. 24th – 26th. For the majority who attend this is a much looked forward to event, a real highlight
in the Reach calendar. With a very interesting line-up of speakers I’m
sure it will be another great weekend.
Details of how we are preparing and working towards the NSPCC
“Staying Safe Commitment Scheme” were then discussed. Sue and
Gary have been reviewing and updating Reach’s ‘Child Protection
Policy’ and ‘Code of Behaviour for Staff and Volunteers Policy’, in
accordance with the NSPCC’s guidelines.
We then moved on to hear about plans for this year’s Reach Activity
Week, which will be held at the end of July. 55 children plan to attend,
with 12 helpers. This will be the largest activity week ever, a huge
amount of organisation needed here, I’m sure you’ll agree, but the
numbers speak for themselves, what a popular event!
This year’s Leader’s Weekend has already taken place. The weekend
aims to ensure the suitability and train participants for taking care
of children at the Reach Activity Week. Eight people attended and
it was thought to be a very successful weekend. We discussed the
format of the weekend and ways in which we could encourage more
“potential” leaders to attend. More discussion is needed on this, so
we’ll put it on the agenda for September.
On to Payroll Giving which can be a great way of raising much needed funds. We had been approached by a payroll giving marketing
company but concerns were expressed by the upfront costs involved
and the fact that we would be promoted alongside much bigger and
more well known charities. It was decided to investigate further the
possibility of Payroll giving but through our own membership.
Sue, as National Co-ordinator then presented a financial report, which
was analysed and accepted by the Trustees. Sue then gave a report
on her recent work schedule – as busy as ever, representing Reach
at meetings and events, planning attendance at future meetings and
conferences, as well as the day to day running of our Head Office.
So with a lot covered, the meeting came to a close and with final
goodbyes, we all departed in various directions for our journies
home.
JANE BOWEN-MORRIS
Halfway to Venus by Sarah Anderson
Thanks to Kate Meneghetti who wrote to say how much she has enjoying reading this book by Sarah Anderson and recommended it to
other Reach members. The book is described as follows:
‘My mother closed the door and turned towards me, and without
saying anything, she made a chopping motion with her right hand
above her left elbow. I thought my world had come to an end.’ In
this way Sarah Anderson, aged ten, discovered that she was to have
her arm amputated the following day. Halfway to Venus examines
people’s reactions to her having one arm, from the casual to the
more highly charged; she looks at the effect on sexual and romantic
encounters, writing both poignantly and entertainingly about what
she has learnt. She also describes her travels and how she set up
the Travel Bookshop in Notting Hill (the bookshop which features in
the film Notting Hill).
Nicholas Shakespeare said of the book ‘Sarah Anderson lost her
left arm to cancer when she was ten. This is her unflinching account
- a death sentence, an amputation, and then the long slow struggle against other people’s attitudes, namely their own fear. What
she calls her search for her ‘lost’ arm leads Anderson well beyond
a moving personal history and into a broader investigation of the
significance of the hand and arm in art and literature. The result is
absolutely fascinating and empowering book.’
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Frank Out and About
The day after we flew back from Milan I took over as the Mayor of
Crediton and Natalia is the Mayoress. I am very proud to be the
Mayor of this charming town and hope that there will be benefits to
Reach. I have already had several press interviews and always make
sure that Reach gets a mention.
On Friday 23rd we drove over to Tregaron for Rob and Dawn’s annual Tyn Cae Camp. At my age I am no camper but Rob lured me to
the camp with the promise of a caravan. We had a wonderful time
with fine weather on Friday and Saturday; Sunday was the usual
Welsh rain. The camp was officially opened by the Katherine Hughes, the Mayor of Tregaron. Rob, Dawn and the four lads had clearly
put a lot of thought and work into this weekend and are warmly
supported by the local community.
After the madness of March I hoped for a quieter April but as usual
I was soon busy, on the road for Reach. On the 3rd of April Natalia
and I were invited to the annual general meeting of the South West
Branch of the Institute of Lighting Engineers. One of the committee
members was a Rotarian for whom I had done a “feet first” talk. The
venue was the Exeter City Rugby Club’s new conference centre. The
meal was superb and the members generous to the tune of £345.
A few weeks later I was a guest speaker at the Disability Film Festival in Wolverhampton. As much as anything this was a chance to let
people know about Reach.
I recently received yet another cheque for £276 from Dink Bradnock, the queen of bingo. Her village had earlier presented me with
a cheque for £2,600. As you can see this has been a busy and
interesting two months.
On the 26th we went up to Sheffield to talk to the Reach Branch.
I had been invited by the branch co-ordinator, the lovely Klair Whitworth. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Sheffield and only hope
those who turned up found my talk useful and entertaining.
May has been a quiet month but one full of exciting happenings. On
the 15th Natalia and I flew to Milan where I was the guest of our
sister organisation Raggiungere. On the Saturday evening we had a
meeting with the Milan press who asked questions about attitudes
to disability in Britain and asked a little about my life. On the Sunday,
the 18th, I was the guest speaker at the association’s A.G.M. All this
was done in Italian so for the previous 6 weeks I had been looking
over my old university Italian books, I am glad to say my time was
well spent and I got a great buzz from the whole experience.
In June I had just 2 engagements, the first with the Exmouth British
Legion who donated £40 then a trip to Matthew Phillips’ school.
That was great fun, as the boys were very high spirited, interested
and focused. As usual I gave them a chance to ask questions and
they posed some very thought provoking questions such as “Do you
ever get frustrated because you have no arms.”
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Frank Out and About
July saw me at a fairly local primary school in North Tawton. I spent
half a day there talking to the children then went back 2 weeks later
to see the work they had produced that had arisen from my visit. In
the same month I also fitted in a talk in Torquay and a trip to Joseph
Brooks’ school in Sampford Peverell. I had been there earlier in the
year to talk to the whole school and they decided to do a fundraiser
for Reach. All the children got sponsorship to wear their non-writing
hand in a sling for an afternoon. This raised £844 46. What a result!
Later in July I flew up to Newcastle to a film studio in Middlesborough. This was to film me with a special camera so that my body
movements could be used for a cartoon or play station game. I had
to wear a special suit that had 32 mini golf type balls on. I then performed a number of simulated daily, routine actions, driving my car,
showering, peeling a potato and writing. Ten infrared cameras filmed
all this. The finished product is a sequence of dots and lines over
which the animators can put a figure. I don’t yet know whom I shall be
but will keep you posted. You can always Google Frank Letch.
September promises to be a little lighter. I have been to a Trustee
meeting and given a talk to the Ash Priors Women’s Institute. After
my talk I had an excellent W.I. tea and came away with a donation to
Reach of £135.
School donation
I thought you might like to see this. My son’s head teacher, Mr Hunt
would like to donate £50 raised from Year 2’s summer concert. It
was a lovely concert and Mr Hunt announced to all of the audience
that this year part of the profits raised would go to Reach. James
was allowed to take the large cheque home so I could take his photo
and sent it to the magazine! Regards
JOANNE STEWART
Member to member - Any ideas?
Does anyone know of any camcorder that can be used by left-handers? We want to find one that our son could use but with his short
right arm we are not sure that he would be able to use any of the
ones that we have found as they are all right-handed.
Nicola Vaile
Tel: 01633 770433
Email: [email protected]
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Chairman’s Blog
In this new feature our Chairman Gary Phillips has been keeping a blog for us. Here are some of the interesting things that
he has noted for us over the last couple of months.
l Wednesday, 27 August 2008 Natalia Partyka is going for
medals on two fronts
“Natalia Partyka, a 19-year-old from Poland, is one of the most talented young players in Europe. Left-handed, she combines silky strokeplay with a considerable tactical brain, something that has brought
her gold medals at a series of junior competitions around the world.
Her brilliance is such that her opponents no longer seem to notice
that she is disabled. Born with her right arm severed just below the
elbow, Partyka serves by balancing the ball in the tiny nook at the top
of her forearm. She won a Paralympic gold in Athens, in 2004, and
in Beijing has become the first table tennis player to compete in both
the Olympics and Paralympics.”
l Tuesday, 5 August 2008 Organisations voice concerns
over the future of Limb Centres
Following the publishing of the minutes of the April meeting of the
Associate Parlimentary Limb Loss Group Associate organisations of
the Parlimentary group Reach, Steps and the British Association of
Prothetists & Orthotists (BAPO) have voiced concerns over the future
of the Limb Centres in this country. The concerns include lack of
provision for children, lack of funding and a lack of new professionals
coming through for training.
In response to the concerns from these groups the Chairman of the
meeting Sir George Young MP said that the group would draft a letter
to send to the relevant Ministers expressing the APLLG’s concerns.
Related Sites
www.timesonline.co.uk
www.steps-charity.org.uk
www.apllg.org.uk
www.bapo.com
l Sunday, 24 August 2008 Reach is now on Facebook
l Wednesday, 30 July 2008 World’s first double arm trans-
In response to a number of requests from members we have now
created a group on the popular social networking site Facebook. If
you are on Facebook then search for ‘Reach the Association for Children with Hand or Arm Deficiency’ to find the group. It is members
only and anyone asking to join the group will be verified against our
member database.
“The 16-hour operation was carried out last Friday on a farm worker
who lost both arms in an accident. The 54-year-old man was given
the arms of a teenage boy who is believed to have died in a road
crash.”
www.facebook.co.uk
l Wednesday, 20 August 2008 Major Donor Gives Again
The Brownington Foundation from the United States of America have
again donated $10,000 (£5355 at todays currency rate). This organisation have been a regular donor to Reach for some years. We
are grateful for their generousity towards our charity.
l Tuesday, 12 August 2008 Frank is inspiration to disabled
‘A TOWN’S mayor who was born with no arms has become an inspiration to the disabled - after learning to peel potatoes and drink beer
with his feet.”
See a video of Frank by searching for Frank Letch at
www.newsoftheworld.co.uk
l
Friday, 8 August 2008 Tara Flood, disability activist and
award-winning campaigner
“‘The making of a champion’ - The head of the award-winning Alliance for Inclusive Education tells Alison Benjamin how being told at
her special school to act ‘normal’ forged her steely determination to
bring disabled children into the mainstream”
www.guardian.co.uk
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plant as man gets teenager’s limbs
Source: Daily Mail 30/07/2008
www.dailymail.co.uk
Congratulations...
To all our amazing paralympians
Louise Watkin had a stunning games and at only 16 won a silver and
three bronze medals while Claire Cashmore won a bronze. It was
really exciting to witness their successes.
Unfortunately at this point I don’t have full details of how everyone
else performed but I know that they all did really well including several personal bests, even if they weren’t winners of any of the 102
medals that we won. Second only to the Chinese this time it all looks
good for 2012 and bearing in mind that most of our members out
there are still very young we can look forward to cheering them on
in our own country in four years time. I hope that we will have some
reports of their experiences in the next issue.
www.paralympic.org
en.beijing2008.cn/paralympic
Aviation without borders
An air raising day out
On May 17th Reach families were invited to join the people at Aviation Without Boundaries for a smiling wings day. This followed a successful event with our Scottish Branch. The day was age specific so
invites only went to local members between 9 - 15 but everyone who
went clearly had a wonderful time. The President of Aussie Hands the
Australian equivalent of Reach and his family were also invited.
Elizabeth Serpell Vice President of Aussie Hands, wrote: An ‘Introduction to Aviation Day’ was hosted, organised and funded by Aviation
Without Borders and Symantic Aviation. The day began at Fairoaks
Aerodrome with a welcome, brief talk on aircraft and a safety briefing.
Families enjoyed a short joy flight over the picturesque county of Surrey. Lunch was provided, followed by a visit to Brooklands Museum
where families could learn more about aircraft and other modes of
transport. REACH members learnt about AUSSIE HANDS and families
shared and compared their personal stories and ‘accents’. Children
who met each other for the first time compared their hand and arm
differences and made ‘new’ friends.
Follow the link below for a ‘snapshot’ of the event:
www.aviationwithoutborders.org/smile/egtf/awbsmilefairoaks.htm
Andy Wemyss father of Cameron said:
Cameron has been telling everyone about both the flight and the trip
to the air museum afterwards and I know it is a day he will always
remember.”
The Corlett Family, Anthony and Joseph, also had a wonderful day
and wrote to Sue to say:
Oman. Customised with a luxury lounge, bedrooms and the Royal
loo. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in the
organising of the day and to you Sue for letting me know at short
notice.
(Just a footnote, on Sunday Joseph had the privilege to meet and talk
to our Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. Well that’s another story which
rounded off a very enjoyable weekend.)”
Toby Chloe and Tom Lant had a brilliant time as did the Harbut family,
Cain Bethany, Trev and Zoe. They wrote to the organiser Stan and
said:
“As well as providing children, such as our son Cain and the other
Reach children with a fantasic opportunity, you also give them a
chance to forget about their differences and experience the freedom
of flight. This is something that we can honestly say, that we would
not have ever experienced without AWB.”
“Thank you for the invite for the Smiling Wings Day. Joseph and I had
a great day out. The weather was grey in the morning and it did rain
in the afternoon. But it didnt stop a fun packed day. The organising
crew of Adrian, Stan and ‘Goatee’ were fantastic. They were very
helpful and great with the kids.
We were well catered for with refreshments while we waited for our
turn to fly. Stan and Adrian were teaching us all about the concept of
flying and the pilots went through the safety precautions. Flying was
very exciting for Joseph and I, sitting close to the pilot as we spotted
local landmarks like Guildford Cathedral. An excellent experience for
both of us. So different from flying in a large airplane. Just the open
views from the windows made a difference.
Due to the weather the timetable of the day was changed so that
we all got to fly before 1:00pm, have lunch then a trip to the Brooklands Museum down the road. The museum, more famous for cars
has established a large section to aviation, including one of the last
Concorde planes. Joseph enjoyed trying out the pilot seat of a decommisioned Harrier Jump Jet. We also toured a few airline planes,
including the DC777 which used to belong to the Sultan of
Cameron ready for take-off!
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Members’ page
Max - an inspiration
Max is a twin and he and his sister were born by caesarean in 2003.
I heard both babies cry and was thrilled that they were fine. That may
sound pessimistic but I had done a lot of reading about twins and
knew that there was an increased likelihood of disability and stillbirth
and couldn’t really relax until they screamed. I first realised something was not quite right when I noticed the paedetricians moving
away from my daughter and crowding around my son on the resucistaire. I asked what was wrong and the paediatrician came to talk
to me. “Your little girl is fine, she’s perfect,” he started, ‘but your little
boy has his thumb and forefinger joined together on both hands.’ “Oh
is that all,” I said, “bring them both here so I can see them.”
I wasn’t really upset but I was worried about the future. When I looked
at Max’s hands, I felt that they were worse than had been described
to me. He had shorter arms than average, was narrow across his
chest, club hands and although he did have thumbs, they were very
small and didn’t seem to have any bones in them.
As soon as I got home I started researching and met with the genetics team at Great Ormond St. Hospital. They suggested that Max had
Holt Oram syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the upper
limbs and often the heart. Although Max does not have the gene defect that is often associated with Holt Oram, we have accepted this
diagnosis. The genetics team also advised us to have a heart scan
and aged 1 year, we discovered he had an ASD (hole between the
upper two chambers). He had successful heart surgery shortly after
his second birthday.
We then met the plastic surgery team who advised that we should
consider operating on his wrists and hands when they were bigger,
at around 3 years old. Max is now 4 and in the reception class at
Manuden Primary School where he is well supported by the staff
and his peers. He has had four operations on his hands and wrists,
including most recently a pollicisation on his right hand, so that he
now has three fingers and a thumb on that hand. He loves his new
thumb as cosmetically his hand looks more like his brothers’ and
sister’s and uses it for holding pencils and holding a ball. We are now
working hard to increase the strength and mobility of his new thumb
so that he can use it for picking up smaller objects. In the Autumn,
we will make a decision on whether or not to go ahead with pollicisation on his left hand. We know that cosmetically Max will be happier
as his hands will be symmetrical again, however his left fingers are
very strong and so we want to ensure he will have the function he is
used to.
Max lives in a very busy house, with a big brother 18 months his
senior, a twin sister, and two younger brothers where he is treated
the same as everyone else. He has always had to get on with things
and has always managed to find a way to do everything he wants. He
is very precise with writing and has great hand to eye coordination.
Max considers his poor eyesight to be more of a disability than his
hands. He really is an inspiration.
My husband and I would be willing to restart the Holt Oram support group if it would be of help, and if you would like to be included, please contact us on 01279 816817 or philippabennett@
aol.com
ADAM AND PHILIPPA BENNETT
Thanks Danny!
We would like to thank our good friend Danny Coles who asked for
donations for REACH instead of presents for his 40th Birthday and
raised £180. Here is a picture of Cerys with Danny at our local Chinese restaurant the day after his party.
LINDA & MAC MCMEEKIN
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Members’ page
The very Best of British
We are totally staggered by the generosity of our friends and family;
and people like Karen - what an amazing woman she is. In addition
we are taken aback by the number of donations sent by people who
couldn’t come but wanted to show their support, like our friend Harriet who sent the single biggest donation of £100. In addition we had
over sixty really good raffle prizes which greatly encouraged people
on the night. We feel so lucky to know such wonderful people who
gave so much to help raise the money. Best Regards to all!
CHARLOTTE
STOP PRESS: This has now gone up to £4,200 thanks to a
donation from Sue Beadle.
Congratulations to Touch Bionics
I would like to take this opportunity to pass on congratulations to
Touch Bionics for their award winning prosthetic hand - The iLimb.
The Queen of the ball, Charlotte.
I am delighted to tell you that Gary and I raised over £4,000 on Saturday 5th July at our ‘Best of British’ party. It was a superb evening
as it was just such a colourful occasion.
We have so many people to thank with especially big thanks due to
the band, Operation Rewind, who on the night decided to donate
their whole fee of £500 which was just amazing. We owe Karen
Heigham (also a Reach member) and the band such huge thanks for
pushing the amount raised up so much.
A couple more people have promised to include Reach in the future
fundraising efforts so I’m spreading the word! Plus a local glossy
mag ‘Totally Windsor’ which is like the local version of Hello sent their
photographer and will write an article about Reach for us, so all in
all Gary and are very pleased that more people are going to find out
about Reach. And I have really bent my local MP’s ear so next time
the Tories get in we have a friend in Adam Afriyie.
The hand has been hailed as ‘the world’s most advanced, commercially available, bionic hand’ and has recently won the prestigious
Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert award.
I would particularly like to congratulate David Gow, Bio-engineer and
Director of Research at Touch Bionics, as the founder of the company and inventor of both the ProDigits system and the iLimb. I met
David quite a long time ago and feel privileged to have observed his
energy and enthusiasm over the years, culminating in this amazing
development we are witnessing today.
As a Reach member, another reason I feel privileged to see the success of the iLimb and ProDigits hands, is because David was involved in the 1990s in trying to develop a short hand for people with
a long residual limb. A long length, with a wrist joint, makes the fitting
of more conventional components very difficult. Reach contributed
some funding to try to develop what became known as ‘The Reach
Hand’; this early development perhaps played an important part as
one of the forerunners of the ProDigits hand.
Whilst I personally feel the iLimb and ProDigits systems are perhaps
the most advanced and exciting developments for a long time, I must
also strongly emphasise neither of these should be seen as an immediate answer to everyone’s needs. As with every piece of equipment,
a thorough assessment should be undertaken to ensure the right
thing is prescribed for the right person.
Once again – well done to Touch Bionics and the amazing technological advances they have made.
Vivienne Ibbotson
Senior Occupational therapist
Sheffield Mobility & Specialised Rehabilitation Centre
12th August 2008
Operation Rewind getting the party going.
11
Reach Activity Week 2008
Leaders weekend in May & Reach Camp in July
RAW 2008 by Charlotte (A leader at Calshot)
I’ve been a member of Reach since the beginning. I was about 6
years old when my parents joined. I’d never taken the opportunity to
join in the leaders’ weekend before, with my commitments to my own
family, but how I wished I’d done it sooner. I was really nervous about
how I would get on with everyone. I should never have worried. I was
made to feel welcome from the moment I arrived. At the age of 36
I felt like a child away from home, making new friends, learning how
to do to new things, like skiing and raft building. We were helping to
support one another up the climbing wall, on the ski slope and building a raft. We did get wet on the raft, well off the raft, once the water
loosened the ropes which was around the barrels, that’s when we all
fell in and got wet, a dozen adults having a really great time together.
In just one weekend I learnt two new skills, tried two things I hadn’t
done since I was a child, I’d made new friends who knew just what it
was like to be like me and that feeling is priceless.
You guys this week have been so much fun
We have had a great week of activities in the sun.
There have been smiles, yawns, cheers but no tears,
You have worked as a team, solved problems and overcome fears.
Your determination, effort and enthusiasm is the best I have seen,
You are a credit to Reach and yourselves, strong athletes you have
been.
There have been many funny moments that I will not forget,
Such as Dan’s love of the water - he was constantly wet!
Tom is the comedian of the group with his cheeky chappy ways,
He is a bit of a leader and people listen to what he says.
John is mature, well educated and very tall,
On a negative note, he has green hair and makes me feel very
small.
Craig likes a laugh and a joke but is not so keen on heights,
He has now overcome this and has Everest in his sights.
Male Joe is a skilful, enthusiastic guy, who always likes to win,
He would like to be a man but all week a little boy he has bin.
Rich is the movie director, who knows all sorts of strange things,
He should write animated films starring us all with big ears and
wings.
There is no one as active and lively as female Jo,
She never stands still and is always on the go.
Hannah is the bubbly Irish lass with the wonky aim,
It is her first time with Reach so I hope she’s glad she came.
Maya is the girl from London, who knows the guys from the ghetto,
She can be friendly but get on the wrong side of her and she’ll hit
you with her stiletto.
Rosie is the quiet one, who always helps out, gives 100% and smiles
sweetly,
The quiet ones are always the most devious and I can see that in her
completely.
So now it is time for us to say our goodbyes,
Time to go home and drink fizzy drinks and fries.
It has been a pleasure to teach you and you have made it very easy
for me,
Next week I shall probably be with naughty little kids who just cry
and wee.
Thanks for a great week, you’ve been the best.
To top you guys will be a test.
In the evenings we chatted, sharing ways that we over came things
and gadgets we used. As an extra bonus I had gone on the leaders’
weekend in the hope to be able to help at the Reach camp. We had
a few classroom sessions on how to work with the young people
and what was expected of us. I must have done all right because I
had the privilege of being a leader at the camp in Calshot with 56
wonderful youngsters to be proud of and 12 other amazing leaders,
at the end of July. I’m still catching up on my sleep, but it was worth
it. Over the leaders’ weekend I watched some of the other leaders
put their hair in a hair band, something I never really tried because I
didn’t think I could. How wrong was I? I was set the challenge to be
able to put my hair up. By the time camp was here, I had worked it
out and was then able to show and help some of the girls there too.
All of us in Reach find ways to do things in our own way and as a
mother of four I’ve had to find new ways for things all the time, but
I learnt so much from others at the weekend in May and even more
from the week at Calshot.
I had a great time in May with lots of support, which was followed
with a fantastic week with some amazing people at camp. I can’t wait
to catch up with them at the AGM in Bristol in October. If you’ve never
thought about the weekend with the adults, possibly followed by the
camp or even if you have considered it but not got round to it, I can’t
say enough how wonderful both experiences were. Opportunities not
to be missed.
LISA LISNEY
12
ry big
say a ve
to
e
k
li
elpers.
would
e other h
Jack we
f
th
o
ll
lf
a
a
t
d
h
ch an
as learn
“On be
you, Rea
eek, he h
w
to
c
u
ti
o
d
s
y
ma e
nta
thank
e most fa
ities and
v
th
ti
c
d
a
a
h
t
a
s
e
emailed
of gr
Jack ha
ied lots
s already
a
tr
h
,
e
ls
h
il
,
k
s
ndernd
new s
some wo
l new frie
fu
im
r
h
e
d
n
n
e
o
iv
ank you
has g
some w
like to th
. Reach
m
ld
e
u
o
th
f
w
o
e camp.”
some
ain we
go on th
s and ag
to
ie
r
y
o
it
m
n
e
ful m
e opportu
g him th
for givin
umper
- Sam D
“Well, w
e have ju
st got ho
Calshot,
me from
who incid
picking
entally s
and I ju
Amy up
le
pt all th
st wante
from
e way ho
d to say
your lea
me! And
a Big Th
ders for
rew
a
n
the fanta
k you to
the activ
stic week
you, and
ities, wh
y
all
o
u
ich Amy
arranged
seemed to
enjoyed
, and for
have a d
s
a
o
ll
very mu
ull mom
or just b
ch. She n
ent, whe
eing wit
e
v
th
e
r
er she w
h friend
has alrea
as in a c
s. Amy
dy infor
anoe,
had an a
med us
year, wh
bsolute b
that she
erever it
all, and
w
il
l
be going
may be.
friends,
She has
camp ne
and som
made so
xt
e of the
of the sim
me reall
older gir
y good
plest thin
ls
h
a
ve taugh
gs, (like
without
t her som
how to d
it scrun
e
o her ha
ching up
properly
ir in a b
, and ho
). Amy h
o
b
w
b
le
to
a
s said sh
tie her s
she CAN
e has lea
hoes lac
DO AN
rnt from
es
YTHING
a parent
this wee
if she pu
no word
k that
ts
s
can ever
her min
with her
d to it. A
describe
self. This
s
seeing h
was Am
and I wa
er so fulfi
y’s first h
s so plea
ll
o
e
li
d
d
s
e
a
d
y away fr
that she
safe. Am
om home
enjoyed
y would
it, and m
,
really re
thank yo
ost of all
c
ommend
u so very
was
this cam
much fo
p. Once
r everyth
again,
ing” - Jo
ann Mar
ren
ek
great we
t what a
u
e
o
b
th
a
ll
g
a
ith
talkin
s being w
stopped
a
’t
d
w
n
n
s
it
a
a
t
h
a
ip
ll
is tr
w gre
“Mitche
nising th
t and ho
a
o
g
h
r
ls
o
a
r
C
fo
t
ou
he had a
Thank y
Feaver
ch kids.
- Lynn
a
e
.”
R
y
p
r
p
e
a
oth
very h
them all
making
13
Thanks!
Our thanks not only to the following people, but to all those
who give so generously to Reach funds. This list is a selection of some of the donations received in the last months
and is intended to provide a picture of just some of the many
imaginative and varied activities that take place to raise
funds for Reach.
t Matthew Coles and his friends and colleagues at Medical Research Council Shared
Service Centre in Swindon who raised £90.00
by holding a ‘Dress Down Day. Matthew’s
nephew Freddie Palin is a Reach member.
t
OPP Ltd, Oxford for a donation of
£109.60.
t
Jean Button for the extra £5 donation
from a friend who couldn’t make her fundraising event.
t 2nd Company Galashiels Girls Brigade for
a smartie fundraising event, where they had to
eat the smarties and fill the tube with coins.
They raised £100.00.
t Talent Television Ltd for their £2500 donation made in memory of Jeremy Beadle following their program ‘An Audience without Jeremy
Beadle’
t Ted Buckley, Don Potts & Tamworth Indoor Golf Club for their donation of £1100.00.
President Ted Buckley worked tirelessly during his year in office of Birmingham Bowls
Association for Reach and for member Jenny
Potts. The year ended with a casino night at
Tamworth Bowls Club, which was wonderfully
supported by the club members.
t John & Jackie Hargreaves for their donation of £125.00 which they raised by asking
for donations to Reach instead of Golden Wedding Anniversary gifts.
t Pam Webster and her brother Peter for
their continued support and the recent donations of £25.00 and £20.00
t The Women’s branch Littleham British Legion for their £30.00 donation following a talk
by Frank.
t Regular supporters P&H Snacks Direct for
their recent donations of £70.00 & £52.00
t Martin Phillpott for taking part in the Sutton Fun Run raising £80.00
t More of our regular fundraisers, Peter &
Marion Bathe who held their annual fundraising event in South West France and sent us
the resulting donation of £1000.00. This was
their fourth annual Charity Plant Sale and as
in the UK the weather was not kind to them
so they decamped from their garden to the
village hall. This year they expanded to cover
not just plants, cakes and second hand books,
but also handicrafts and an auction of promises, which proved very successful. Peter &
Marion would like to extend special thanks to
all their friends with special mention for Gill &
Jeremy Hill, who organised the auction, Gareth
& Olwen Thomas who looked after the book
stall, Sandra Garner and Margaret Hanley who
sold cakes, preserves and handicrafts and a
special thank you to Sue & Will Sedge who
have supported the event from the very first
year and who excelled themselves with the
plants and tombola.
t Anne Jackson and Pembrokeshire Frame
Ltd for a donation of £10.00
t Sam Mitchell and his class at Clonpreist
National School, Youghal, Co Cork for holding
a jumble sale and raising €400.00
t Anne Jackson for £100.00 in memory of
her mother, Lorna Harding.
t Family and friends of the late John Wilson
for their donation of £133.45 in his memory.
14
t
Susan & Sean Thomson and their family and friends for donations amounting to
£120.00 in memory of Colin.
t Thornton Cleveleys Operatic Society who
allow a member to nominate a charity at each
production, who then receive the proceeds of
the Friday night raffle. Reach was nominated
by Gail Moss, Occupational Therapist at Preston Disablement Services and we are very
grateful for the £150.00 donation.
t Jean Bleach for sending us further donations of £25.00 in memory of her friend Lilian
Goldsmith and £86.50 collected from Boot
Fairs with a great thank you to her neighbour,
Lauren & manicurist Liane for donating their
unwanted items.
t
Ladycross Infants School’s Y2 children
who in support of member James Stewart
sold concert tickets for £1 each at their summer celebration and raised £50.00
t Allerton Church of England Primary School
who at the request on Nathaniel Turgeman
held a bun sale and raised £118.36
t
Craig Mather who ever inspired by his
young daughter Maisie made a further donation of £770.00 raised as part of a year-end
celebration at his company, Simply Cartons
Ltd.
t Barry & Denise Hunt for £185.00 in lieu of
flowers at the funeral of Dennis Hunt, grandfather to member Emma.
t Denis & Jean Button for holding two Coffee Mornings and raising £437.00, Denis &
Jean are grandparents of Reach member
Emma Button who is 7.
t Stephen Renshaw for £60.00.
t
David Kelly, grandfather and Michael
Holmes, father of Jessica Williams, pictured
below who both walked the Dales Way from
Ilkley to Bowness on behalf of Reach and
who jointly raised £548.00.
t Emily & Annie Tisshaw who reading the
plea about a Reach fundraising focus week
through coffee mornings, were both really
keen to do this. However, the week mentioned was already looking busy so mum,
Alison, told them to think of something else
they could do. They came up with the idea of
a BBQ / Garden Party. So, on the first day of
the summer holidays they managed to persuade several of their friends to come along
at a cost of £5 per person, which included
burgers sausages etc. all cooked (some
very well cooked) by mum despite the photo
of Em by the BBQ.
t Gareth & Ann Jones for a £25.00 donation made at the request of Joan Richards in
lieu of piano music for Matthew.
“We were really fortunate to have great
weather and as you can see a great and WET
time was had by all. The girls worked really
hard selling tickets, helping set up and clearing away after. Most importantly of all they
managed to raise £105.00.”
t 3-year-old member Sydney Hewitt who
sent us £287.00 raised by Adrian Blowe,
a friend of his Mummy & Daddy (James &
Jodie). Adrian took part in a sponsored bike
ride from London to Brighton. Our thanks
also to all his friends and colleagues who
sponsored him to do so.
t The Brownington Foundation and their
director Michael Savage for the $10,000 gift
in memory of Ann T Savage and her friendship with Reach member Adam Campbell.
t Alexandra Lovett, who during the REACH
week organised a cake bake at her work
(Kohler Mira Ltd, CHELTENHAM) and raised
£95.79.
t Sampford Peverall School for a donation of £844. 46p following a visit by Frank
Letch earlier in the year.
t Claire Owens who raised £382.00 by
running the Women’s 10K, thanks also to her
sponsors.
t Kathrin Doelle for an online donation of
£20.00
t Dee Simpson who also held an event during Reach week and raised £94.00
t Natalie Golledge who also organised a
cake stall at her workplace during the Reach
week, raising £75.03.
t Jane Elizabeth Parker for an online donation for her daughter of £20.00.
t Karen Ranasinghe for an online donation
for her sister of £25.00.
t Richard Scott for an online donation of
£10.00 in memory of Jeremy Beadle.
t
Delia Thomas for arranging another
Reach Concert raising £1712.00 and also
thanks to her local Waitrose Store for donating the wine and strawberries for the event.
t Charlotte Fielder for organising her Best
of British party and raising a magnificent
£4249.00.
t All of our London Marathon, British 10K
runners who this year have raised so far between them over £13,000, with monies still
coming in.
t All those how have already sponsored
the Great Wall of China Trek or agreed to
take part. We still need more of you.
t Our Weather Lottery participants and all
members who have used either Everyclick or
Ebay for Charities.
Don’t forget you can also raise
funds via our collecting boxes,
saving stamps, saving printer cartridges, using Everyclick as your
search engine, doing the Weather
lottery and making donations or
even running a marathon on stilts!
For further details please see our
website:
www.reach.org.uk
Members’ page
Anna Gill
Maths Whizz Sally Anna won her class
at the Junior International at Milfield a few
weeks ago and was
placed second overall
in the final rankings.
At the Hartbury Nationals recently she again
won her class and was
placed first Junior and
first overall. In her ‘Freestyle-to-music’ class she
won the junior class for
the fourth year in a row
and was placed second
over all.
Here is a picture of my daughter, Sally Crouch meeting with Hardeep
(from BBC Glasgow) when she went on Monday 16th June to join
in the GET 100 maths quiz. The BBC paid all of our expenses, we
stayed overnight on the Monday and the next morning made our way
over the Clyde to the BBC building. The staff were very friendly and
put all of the children at their ease.
Parents could watch the filming in a separate room on a large flat
screen. They all had their own dressing rooms and staff to do make
up and hair etc. Then they went to the studio where there were Glasgow teenagers in the audience. There were four children, each asked
four questions each. You won the amount of points that the maths
answer had been, and could either keep them or give them away.
Sally was very surprised when she won! She chose as her prize a
laptop with Windows Vista.
LESLEY CROUCH
Member to member - bike adaptations.
We would like some advice from other Reach members about the
best way to help Alice ride a bike. This is the one challenge which
she hasn’t found her own way of mastering. Since she was 4 years
old she has always had a myoelectric prosthesis which she likes but
has never regularly worn. We would be interested to know how much
success other children with similar limb deficiciencies have had with
these prostheses.
DIANA O’KEEFFE
To Reach
This is me using my plate made by
David a local potter just up the road
from my house. I am 7 my favourite
colour is gold.
ALICE O’KEEFFE
AGM 2008 24-26 October, Bristol
This year there is a great line up of speakers including our new patron Laura Hamilton and Kelly Knox who won the TV programme
‘Britain’s Missing Top Model’. This was a fascinating TV programme
and it will be interesting to hear how Kelly has progressed since she
won. Full reports and pictures will be in the next issue.
The A.G.M. will also see the launch of our new website which has
been two years in the preparation. A great deal of hard work has
been put in to update the website, to give us a strong presence on
the internet and consequently across the world. It has a bright and
exciting new design, is easily navigable and will give you a chance to
catch up on everything that is happening in Reach. It also has an online shop so you will be able to stock up on Reach fundraising items.
In addition you will be able to make donations online. Please visit the
new site after 26th October. We think you will like it but any feedback
to the Trustees will be welcome.
www.reach.org.uk
16
Branch News Branch News Branch News
Scottish Branch
The now renowned Family Weekend was held in June, once again in
the beautiful Perthshire countryside at Ardeonaig Outdoor Adventure
Centre, Killin. Fourteen families attended this year and we welcomed
the Carr, Wixon and Collie families for the first time. As usual the
weekend was nonstop and mostly very wet with canoeing, gorge
walking, high and low ropes courses, crate climbing, archery and the
famous raft challenge. The kids all had a great time, forged fantastic
friendships and seemed to grow in confidence over the weekend.
Lots of fun was had by all and we are looking forward to seeing you
all again next year!
Thank You
l The Murray foundation
l The Society of One Armed Golfers
l Touch Bionics
l The Tree of Knowledge
l Barry Shafar of Cheezzee Choonz
l Aviation without Borders and all at Perth Airport
l The Abernethy Trust and all the staff at Ardeonaig
l Karen & Michael Moran for again organising the Christmas Party.
l Anthony Baduns, David Cameron, Michael Kempton, Henry Mullen, Carl Roulston and Andrew Roncone who took part in the gruelling 3 peak challenge, climbing the country’s highest mountains, Ben
Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours. They managed to
raise over £1200 and split the total equally between the Scottish
branch and the Downs Syndrome association
New Members
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome back some of
the older members to the Branch and look forward to meeting you
soon.
Forthcoming Events
We are hoping to have an Autumn/Halloween activity on Sunday 2nd
November but are unable to confirm this at the moment. Details will
be available shortly.
Once again the Scottish Branch Christmas Party will be held at Snozone, Braehead Glasgow on the 6th December from 12pm - 3pm.
Karen and Michael will be organising this event so please contact
them directly to book your place. We can guarantee lots of snow,
party games, sledging and a visit from Santa. This is a popular event
so please book quickly to secure your place.
Looking to the future next year, the annual family weekend will be
held at Ardeonaig outdoor centre, Killin Perthshire. The event is very
popular and spaces fill up quickly. The usual booking terms apply, a
deposit of £25 per family (total cost £75) will secure your booking.
Places are issued on a first come first served basis so book early to
avoid the disappointment of missing out.
We are currently setting up a teenage committee to help plan and
organise events for our older members. Details will soon be on the
Scottish Branch website, www.reachscottishbranch.co.uk
If you would like any further information or to get involved contact
us in the usual way.
We are always keen to hear from you. If anyone has any ideas for
future events or for fundraising, please get in touch. More details of
all events etc will be in the next Scottish Branch Newsletter or on the
Website. We look forward to seeing you all soon.
STACY AND CARL ROULSTON
Gloucestershire Branch
Our summer barbeque was a really enjoyable occasion. So many
families travelled a long way to meet up. It was great to have the
opportunity to catch up with everyone’s news and see how all the
children are growing up and developing so many new skills. The children had a lovely afternoon playing on the bouncy castle and enjoying many outdoor games and activities. Thank you to everyone who
came, I know it made a real difference to our newer members. I hope
to see you all at our Christmas party on:
Sat 6th December, 2:30 - 4:30pm
The Reddings Community Centre, North Road West, The Reddings,
Chetenham, Glos
REACH Gloucestershire NEARLY NEW children and baby goods sales
will be held at the same venue on:
Sat 1st November 2008
Sat 21st February 2009
Sat 25th April 2009
Sat 19th September 2009
Sat 7th Nov 2009
If you have not been before, these table top sales involve a seller
buying a table for £6.00 and then selling any children or babygoods
thay may have. Entry for purchasers is 50p and refreshments will
be available. All proceeds go to REACH Gloucestershire to finance
support meetings.
If you are interested in purchasing a table then please contact Katrina Bailey by e-mail: [email protected] or by telephone
on: 01242 575698. If you know anyone who may also be interested
please pass my details onto them.
Many thanks
KATRINA BAILEY
East Anglia Branch
The East Anglia branch will be having a “sporty” get together in the
Autumn with lots of activities to try, followed by pizza. We’re also hoping to book the Panto (Puss in Boots) at Bury St Edmunds for early
in the New Year. If any branch members haven’t had an invitation to
these events, please contact me (contact details on page 3.)
Best wishes and many thanks,
JENNY GRACE
17
Branch News Branch News Branch News
Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire
Our branch met for its annual picnic in June, at the Thames Valley
Adventure playground. The sun shone and we all had a good time
– some of us are gathered in the photo but there is so much to do
there that we lost some members! We were particularly pleased to
welcome Elizabeth Serpell and her family, over from Australia for a
short spell. She set up an organisation called Aussie Hands which is
the equivalent of Reach so if any of you are planning a visit to Australia she would love you to get in touch! Our next meeting will be the
Christmas party. Hope to see you there.
Viv Ibbostson has arranged for a physiotherapist to come and talk to
us all and do exercises with the children, a follow up from our meeting earlier this year with Frank Letch.
October 24th - 26th Reach AGM in Bristol
For more details contact myself or Head Office.
Saturday December 6th 2:00 - 5:00
Christmas Party at the usual venue, more details nearer the time.
For any more details about Reach or our branch please contact me,
KLAIR WHITWORTH
CLAIRE CHURCHILL
Off to camp, Macauley, Jodie,
Meghan and George.
Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire summer picnic.
Chesterfield Branch
Hi to everyone reading this. Since the last issue we have had our
summer outing. We all went to Pleasure Island, Cleethorpes. The
weather wasn’t nice to us at all but we still had a great day. We met
up and had some time in the park before going for a lovely lunch
provided by the park. We all sang Happy Birthday to Meghan Walker’s
little sister as it was her 1st Birthday that day. After lunch everyone
enjoyed the rest of the afternoon in the park and the sun decided to
pay us a well deserved visit! I would like to welcome new member
Jodie Long who joined in time to attend the Reach Activity Week. We
had four children from the branch go to camp this year, Macauley
Whitworth, Meghan Walker, Jodie Long and George Buxey. Well done
to all of you for getting involved in all the activities. I would like to
thank everyone at Reach for organising the week away and for all
your support looking after our children.
South Wales Branch
Reach and ALAS organize a joint bi-annual party for children with limb
deficiencies and their families. The summer event was held on 7th
September at ALAS, Rookwood hospital. This year we said good bye
to Jane Foulner, the regional coordinator for REACH and welcomed
Nicki Vaile to the role. The children enjoyed a magic show, while
parents were able to meet other families and enjoy the social interaction. Staff at ALAS entered into the spirit by dressing in fancy dress
costumes. Christmas party with disco at ALAS Rook wood hospital
on 7th December 2:00 - 4:00pm, contact details on page 3.
Dates for your diary:
Saturday October 11th 2:00 - 4:00 Mobility and Rehabilitation Centre, Northern General Hospital Sheffield
The Davis family above, Helen and Ann right.
18
Branch News Branch News Branch News
On Sunday 4th May a total of 8 families met at Moors Valley Country Park including a few new families. It was nice to meet you. The
weather was kind, it didn’t rain until mid afternoon, which gave the
children a chance to play in the park and have a game of rounders
and football. We had our picnic and had a ride on the steam train.
I am still looking for someone to take over the role of co-ordinator
for this branch. If you would like further information please speak to
either myself or Sue Stokes.
SUNDAY 7th DECEMBER - 3:30 – 6:30pm
CHRISTMAS PARTY @ PLAYSHACK, HEDGE END
This is a children’s play facility with slides, ball pit, and an area for
smaller ones. We will have sole use of the whole facility for three
whole hours! There will be a buffet tea and party bags. We will still
have our special visitor and the raffle. Invites will be sent nearer the
time. If you would like further information please contact me.
WESSEX BRANCH WEEKEND
13th–15th June 2008
We can’t really call it a camping weekend because most of us actually sleep in bedrooms equipped with bunk beds and sinks, quite
civilised really. Out of the 9 families who attended, one was brave
enough to actually pitch a tent and sleep outside.I had packed summer and winter clothes including wellies and rain macs because the
weather that was forecast for the weekend wasn’t very nice. In the
end we were blessed with some lovely sunshine for the best part of
the weekend with only one two minute showers in the middle. Some
fortunate people even managed to go home with a tan.
Friday night starts with everyone settling in and having tea. The kids
are off playing in the field in front of the cabin from the moment they
arrive. They tend only to return when they are thirsty or hungry. The
Chalmers arrived with their usual supply of homemade cakes and
chocolate. We always look forward to their arrival. Thank you! The
Harbuts brought along their bouncy castle which was a great hit with
the kids. Thank you! The kitchen is a constant bustle of grownups
either cooking or washing up. It’s amazing just how quickly it all gets
done with everyone beavering away and chatting.
Saturday the kids go off and well, play. This year the boys and Ellie
took their football matches very seriously and even had half time
for refreshments. The other girls spent most of the time either in
the woods on the swing or face painting. The bouncy castle and
the trampoline were very popular. The parents got a chance to sit in
the sunshine and relax. In the afternoon we had the ever anticipated
tasks to do. The families had to do various things like finding objects
that spelled Reach, bouncing around a circuit, hula hooping, catching eggs using a ‘grab machine’. Every year these tasks are set and
I have to consider how the parents are going to try to cheat as we
have some very competitive families in our group. This year I thought
I had all areas covered but it appeared not. We thought we had a tiebreaker situation between the Harbuts and Chalmers but on further
investigation it turned out that Jim Chalmers had tampered with the
results. He only admitted this fact when he was confronted. SHAME
ON YOU JIM! The genuine winners of the Paulton’s Park tickets were
the Harbut’s. Well done. All of the children received prizes which were
donated by Wilkinson’s.
During the afternoon we took time out to pose for a group photo in
front of our very smart new banner which was kindly donated by the
Fergusson’s. Thank you. Then the water guns came out. The sliding
mat was coated in washing up liquid so we had some soapy but
nice smelling children. After tea we headed off to the bonfire circle
to toast some marshmallows before settling down for the evening
with a glass of wine after putting the younger ones to bed. For the
whole of this period little Matthew Kill had been playing with the Grab
Machine. The music was driving us nuts but Matthew was absolutely
mesmerised by the machine. We know what Matthew will be asking
Father Christmas for this year!
Sunday brings even more time for the kids to go off and play whilst
the adults clear up in readiness to go home. Thanks to my usual
army of helpers who stay late to wash the floors, clean the showers
etc. I do appreciate your help.
HELEN HOOLEY
We all went home very tired but everyone seemed to have a good
time, which is the whole object of the weekend and more importantly
the rain never came. The camp we did this year was a very good
one. The weather was really good, so we could do all the fun things
outside. There was a trampoline up, a bouncy castle, a water slide
and a swing in the woods! The challenges this year were really fun.
We had to get a plastic egg out of a grab machine! The tie breaker
would have been brilliant, but we had cheaters! The camp fire was
really hot and bright. The tasty marshmallows were a nice way to
end the day!
REBECCA
19
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