TOUGH TIMES

A Huge Thank You…

The news of our financial difficulties reported in the last edition of "Doorstep" has met with a wonderful response from our supporters and the general public. We are grateful to the local press and radio stations for highlighting the work of our nurses and the vital care they provide for patients and families. The publicity helped to focus attention on the urgent need for funds to keep our nursing teams on the road.

Within days of our announcement, letters of support began to arrive. To date, we have received more than 80 pledges from people who have decided to make a regular monthly donation. We are also grateful to everyone who made a donation - the amounts have varied from 50p to £6,000 - and every penny has made a real difference to the care we can offer to our patients. As the weeks have passed we have received funds from scores of fundraising events organised by local people and a number of trusts have given us grants. Extra NHS funds have been received via the Primary Care Trusts and we have also benefited from a substantial legacy.

This all means that cutbacks in our nursing service have not been needed and we have been able to recruit new nurses to fill vacant posts.

But We Need Your Help More Than Ever…

Raising enough money to balance the budget in the year ahead, which started on 1st April, presents us with very considerable challenges. National increases in nurses' pay and other costs mean that we must raise about £1.4million in the coming year - around £100,000 more than we spent this year. Whilst appreciating their support, NHS funding from Primary Care Trusts will account for just 16% of our income budget for 2001/2002, and our reliance on donations and fundraising is therefore even greater than ever.

We welcome all offers of help and support and appeal to everyone to do what they can to help us. Anyone wishing to donate should complete and return the Pledge Form on Page 2 or telephone us on 01442 890222. Pledge Forms and on-line donation facilities are also available on our website: www.irhh.org.

FLORA LONDON MARATHON TEAM TRIUMPH


IRHH team members Nigel Baker and John King take a well-earned break.

 

15 runners took to the streets of the capital on Sunday 22nd April to raise funds for the IRHH. Months of arduous training and the stress of obtaining sponsors paid off as all our team members completed the 26 mile route in commendable times. We congratulate them all and will announce the amount raised in the next edition of Doorstep. Full details and more pictures of the team and their times can be found on our website www.irhh.org.

Credit must also go to volunteer Tony Yates who organises the Marathon Team for us and the team of supporters who helped with training and who were on the streets cheering for the team on the big day. Thanks also to the Kings Arms in Tring for hosting a Pasta Night to help the team get off to a carbohydrate-charged start.

More on the Flora London Marathon.

COME ALONG TO A FUNDRAISING EVENT….

Our Summer "What's On" diary is bursting with brilliant fundraising events - all in aid of the IRHH! From Celebrity Golf Days to Nature Talks, Concerts to Sporting Events, Garden Sales to Balls - there really is something for everyone! Supporting your favourite charity has never been so much fun.

TOUGH TIMES - HOW YOU CAN HELP

A MESSAGE FROM MOIRA RENNIE

I am so grateful to everyone who has helped us through troubled times. I send my thanks to all our supporters for helping in so many different ways. Our appeal has resulted in fundraising events of all types and offers of help in a multitude of ways. And of course, we are so well supported by our fundraising groups and volunteers who play such a vital role in the life and survival of our Hospice At Home.

I know that the year ahead is going to be challenging but I feel very confident that all our loyal supporters will continue to do whatever they can to help. You may choose to help through a donation, by giving of your time and talents or simply by spreading the word about the important work done by our nurses. By doing what we can, together we will be able to continue to meet the needs of our patients and their families. As always, they must be our top priority.

GIFT AID BOOSTS DONATIONS

Changes to the Gift Aid scheme in last year's budget have boosted our tax reclaims substantially. It is now possible for us to reclaim tax (Income or Capital Gains) paid on donations of any amount adding 28p to every £1 donated. All we need is a simple Gift Aid declaration confirming that you are a tax payer and that you wish us to reclaim tax. The form takes just seconds to complete and you can even give us the details over the phone or download a form from our website www.irhh.org.

LET GORDON BROWN PAY FOR YOUR SUNFLOWER!

June is Sunflower month and Hospices throughout the UK will be raising funds through sunflower events and campaigns. As it was so successful last year, we are once again enclosing a sunflower for you to wear with pride throughout June. If you wish you can send us a 50p coin. If you can also complete the Gift Aid Declaration the 14p we can reclaim from the Chancellor of the Exchequer will pay for your sunflower and every penny of your donation will go towards patient care.

 

NURSING, STAFF & VOLUNTEER NEWS

COMINGS & GOINGS

We are pleased to welcome back Claire Finch and Jo Preston to the South Bucks team although Jo will be leaving us on 6th June to spend more time with her new family.

With so few nurses looking for jobs, recruitment can be nerve-racking as our nursing teams need to be fully staffed in order to operate a 24 hour on-call service. We are therefore delighted to have taken on Ann Collins (Dacorum), Maureen Easy (Ridgeway), Caroline Franklin (Paediatric), Cathy Trinder, Sally Cresswell and Carol Hobson (Wycombe).

Julie Farris, Sue Howse and David Purdy are all moving on to pastures new and we wish them well in their future careers.

At Tring, we welcome a new volunteer receptionist, Mary Philpotts and we are delighted that Andrew Chapman has agreed to be our volunteer Webmaster, supervising our website. We are also pleased that Paul Goode has volunteered to help us with legacy promotion and our roundabout scheme. Amanda King has volunteered to be Editor of the volunteers’ newsletter, "Involve", and contributions are very welcome. We have also welcomed Janet Shaw who will be co-ordinating Iain Rennie’s application for the Charter Mark award.

PETER GELL

Iain Rennie Trustees serve for a maximum of six years and this year we have to say goodbye to our Chairman, Peter Gell. He has in fact been with IRHH for seven years but stayed for an additional year to ensure continuity of handover.

Peter has undoubtedly changed the face of IRHH. He has helped us to adapt to a changing environment whilst never losing sight of our absolute priority which is patient care. He has been both a caring and businesslike Chairman who set a number of high standards for us and managed to give us the impression that we had set these ourselves. Council meetings have been very focussed and Council members well prepared. He has been a visible chairman and made sure that he knew everyone throughout the organisation. Peter has given IRHH copious amounts of time resulting in a broad knowledge and understanding of every aspect of IRHH.

A strategic thinker, Peter has been good at keeping IRHH on track and knew our strategic aims from memory. Lines of management have been important to him and lack of clarity an anathema.

Peter has a wicked sense of humour and will often play the innocent in order to gain time in negotiations and trick the unsuspecting. He pretends to be old fashioned and out of touch but beware, this is tactical.

He is famous for a small pocket notebook which is generally crumpled and stuffed in a rear trouser pocket. This however ensures that nothing is forgotten.

Peter manages to have another life as well and continues to travel the world, enjoying opera and choral music as well as skiing, tennis and white water rafting on occasions.

Seven years have passed very quickly and so much has been done in the time. Peter will be greatly missed but we have a lot to thank him for. This year's AGM on 4th July will be an opportunity for people to say thanks and farewell to Peter who will be handing over to Valerie Gunn, the current Vice Chairman.

We will profile Valerie Gunn in the next edition of Doorstep.

Tyrell Gillman is another Trustee who is standing down at this year's AGM. Tyrell came into contact with IRHH as a user of the service and therefore had a valuable understanding of the issues for patients and carers. He used this understanding in his role as a Trustee and represented the users of the service.

Our thanks go to Tyrell for his time and participation over the years.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

We extend an invitation to all our supporters to attend our Annual General Meeting on 4th July 2001 at the Fitzwilliam Centre, Beaconsfield. Anyone wishing to come along can obtain full details from Sarah Rothwell on 01442 890222.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - CAN YOU HELP?

Iain Rennie still needs volunteer Receptionists to help answer its nursing calls and with general nursing administration particularly on a Wednesday and Friday although ideally we need volunteers who may be able to cover other days as and when the need arises.

The shops need a volunteer Driver who would be willing to transport goods and internal mail between our offices and shops, and if possible from people within the area who cannot take their donations to our shops. Iain Rennie will reimburse travel expenses although the Iain Rennie Saab could also be used.

The 3 volunteer Boxes Scheme Organisers would be very grateful if someone could join them to help with their increasing workload. Based at Tring, the person in this role will liaise with the home box collectors and co-ordinate collections as well as ensure that records are regularly updated.

The Home Volunteers training course has now finished and we are currently planning a new course to run over two Saturdays for those who work. Please get in touch if you would like to know more.

We are currently planning a pilot programme for Bereavement Visitors with the first course starting in September. If you would like to know more about the programme and the next course, which is planned for next year, please get in touch.

If you can help with any of the above then please contact Volunteer Co-ordinator Emily Smith on 01442 890222.

IAIN RENNIE'S EXPANDING VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY

There are now 700 volunteers working for IRHH which is incredible. We’d like to thank them all for their help, without which the IRHH literally would not be able to offer its service. As a small token of thanks, Iain Rennie is subsidising the volunteer outing this year to Hampton Court Palace which is proving to be very popular with a second coach having to be booked.

UNSUNG HERO(INE)S

Some highly skilled volunteers have been working quietly behind the scenes to help us reclaim an extra £10,000 of Gift Aid over the last year. Mike Tant developed our computer database to enable us to track and reclaim tax paid on donations, Joyce Smith has taken charge of entering all the information and preparing the claims which are then submitted and monitored by Derrick Ball. We are really grateful for their help.

NEWS AROUND THE NURSING TEAMS

Dacorum Team

The care provided by Iain Rennie nurses is not always about medication and nursing. We recently lost a patient after 15 months of support. Weekly respite care was all that had been required as his wonderful wife devoted herself to the 24-hour care that he needed. She also ran a children’s nursery in their home which was filled with fun and laughter.

The nurses had great admiration for her enormous strength, courage and energy. They recognised her deep sadness when her own health needs necessitated his temporary admission to a nursing home. One evening their daughter rang the on call nurse to tell us that Dad had deteriorated and to ask if we could bring him home as soon as possible. Sadly he died one hour after this phone call. The Team is very grateful for the faith and trust this family had in us and the District Nursing Team. Given the opportunity, we would have gladly brought him home to die.

Sue Jarvie, Dacorum Team Leader

Ridgeway Team

We would like to welcome Maureen Easy, who joined us in March, to the Team. She joins us at a very "showbiz" time as all the nurses have had their pictures in the papers at various times following the publicity about our funding difficulties. The press coverage about one of our local GPs, Dr Craig White, who dyed his hair red, has even inspired one of our patient’s granddaughters to do the same to raise funds for us.

We are all very proud of my son Mark (and all the Iain Rennie runners) who successfully completed the Flora London Marathon to raise funds. It certainly has been a team effort, from helping with training and raising sponsorship to a post-race aromatherapy massage! Mark and my daughter Nicola are now hoping to complete the Marathon together in 2003.

The nurses are regularly involved in helping patients and families to apply for grants. Unfortunately one of our elderly patients became unable to climb the stairs and ended up sleeping in an armchair. She could not afford to buy a new single bed for downstairs. Fortunately one of our nurses was successful in obtaining a Community Nursing grant and a new bed was purchased for her. Our delighted patient has since commented that she had "the best night's sleep" and is "very reluctant to get up in the morning". We are always pleased to help find any way of improving the quality of life of our patients.

Jane Westall, Ridgeway Team Leader

South Bucks Team

We feel privileged to be welcomed by patients and families into their homes in sad and sometimes difficult situations. They share so much, often over weeks and sometimes over months and years. As we care for them, they care for us.

The team has been able to provide care over a period of four years for one lady living alone in Chesham who had loving support from family, friends and neighbours.

The IRHH nursing team worked alongside the GP, District Nurses, St. Francis Hospice, Social Services, Home Carers and the Community Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist - a truly multidisciplinary approach. This enabled flexible care to meet her needs around the clock and she was able to remain at home throughout her illness and die as she wished, in her own home.

The annual service was well attended by our families who appreciated meeting with the nurses and having time to talk over a cup of tea. This annual event is an important part of the Iain Rennie calendar.

Sadly, we say goodbye to Jo Preston who leaves us to devote more time to her new family, but we are pleased to welcome back Claire Finch from her maternity leave.

Sue Wright, South Bucks Team Leader

Wycombe Team

It is as if the High Wycombe team is standing at a crossroads. Behind us are valued colleagues who have moved on to new jobs, and ahead are new staff and fresh beginnings. Julie Farris has left to become a Sister in a local nursing home, David Purdy is leaving to join the Macmillan team in Windsor and Sue Howse is soon to join the Peace Hospice. We will miss them but wish them well in their new ventures and we eagerly await the new nurses to join us for the next stage of our development in Wycombe.

Along with all the comings and goings we have been steadily working, not only caring for patients in their own homes, but also in supporting bereaved families. The nurses feel that this element of their work is an enormous privilege. A part of this support was the service of remembrance recently held in Holy Trinity Church, Hazlemere for the bereaved relatives of patients nursed by the South Bucks and Wycombe teams between 1st July 1999 and 8th January 2001. The service ended with Sue Howse and her sister singing John Rutter’s "A Gaelic Blessing". This was a moving conclusion to a very special service. It was lovely for the nurses to share this time with the many families and friends who attended.

At the end of April we had an afternoon to commemorate the life of Philippa Critchley, who had been a nurse with IRHH for many years and was loved and valued by both colleagues and patients. When she was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease she sadly became one of our patients. Philippa was an inspiration to all of us who had the privilege of caring for her.

Jackie Honeycombe, Wycombe Team Leader

Pepper Paediatric Team

The Paediatric team was pleased to welcome Caroline Franklin in March. Following recent interviews a new nurse has been recruited, so we will become a team of five by the summer. The growth of our service means that we can provide care for an increasing number of children and families.

The Linus character in the Peanuts cartoon is famous for his addiction to his blanket. Project Linus has adopted this image and its group members make very special and individual blankets for sick children. Every blanket is hand made and no two items are the same. Project Linus has given us some of the blankets to distribute to families and they are proving very comforting and popular with the recipients. The photograph does not do justice to the wonderful stitching and detail on each one. A big thank you to Project Linus for these unique gifts.

Gwyneth Wray, Pepper Paediatric Team

Report from Sue Grace, our new Family Support Co-ordinator

I took up this post last December and since then I have been involved in designing a course for Bereavement Volunteers. The first group will commence in October 2001.

More recently I have started to work with some young bereaved clients. I have met with them both in their homes and within their schools. This has helped me forge relationships with various schools and I have been asked to work with staff to devise and implement bereavement policies.

My time has also been spent with the planning team for Chrysalis Club - the annual event for bereaved children and their parents.

I am very much enjoying my new role and look forward to taking new bereavement initiatives forward. We have discussed producing a specific bereavement leaflet which would introduce people to the services we can offer.

  NEWS & VIEWS

SHOP TALK

The Home Secretary, Jack Straw, stopped off at the IRHH shop at Warners End, Hemel Hempstead on 27th February. Our picture (courtesy of The Gazette) shows Mr Straw with MP Tony McWalter chatting with Rowena Dean, our Chief Executive and Shop Manager, June Coyle. (Photograph courtesy of The Gazette).

New Books

Two new books have been published with proceeds benefiting the IRHH. Serving Bluebird Pie is a collection of poetry, short stories and articles by Jan Moran Neil drawn from her published work over the last 12 years. The book is £4 with £1 benefiting the IRHH.

David Simmons' A Gateway To Heaven explores the hope that can arise from bereavement from a Christian viewpoint and is based on his personal experience. The book costs £5.99 with all proceeds from the first 40 copies coming to the IRHH.

Both books are available from our offices and shops and can be purchased on-line at www.irhh.org.

Fill A Basket

Tring Shop will be organising a stall at the Lions' Fete in Berkhamsted on 27th August and are requesting people to fill a small basket with goodies (soaps, chocolates, candles etc) for them to sell on the day. Please drop your basket into the Tring shop.

Thanks to our brilliant team of volunteers (pictured) led by Manager, Mick Freeman, (sporting the scarf!) the Wycombe Bookshop is off to a great start.

ROSE & CROWN

Geoffrey Palmer, our good friend and patron, spent a convivial evening at the Rose & Crown in Ivinghoe on 28th January when landlord Terry Payne and Manager Phil Clarke, handed over an enormous pile of cash. The cash, given by generous locals, had been amassed around a pillar of the bar behind sheets of perspex. Geoffrey cut the straps and £1,371.25 tumbled into a sheet held out by willing volunteers who counted the cash in under 2 hours. We thank everyone who contributed!

MIU Makeover

The IRHH Mobile Information Unit is having a refit courtesy of our good friends at Colossal Colour in Chesham. Look out for it at events across the area.

SPONSORED PARACHUTE JUMP

A number of people have expressed an interest in a sponsored Parachute Jump. A freefall jump from 10,000 feet is planned for September 2001 and will be open to anybody. Insurance and full training will be provided. Please call Carol Parkey on 01442 890222 for details.

STAMPS & QUESTIONNAIRES

A huge thank you to everyone who completed the questionnaire we sent out with the Spring edition of Doorstep or sent a book of stamps.

NEW LEAFLET

A new full colour leaflet about the work of the IRHH will be available from our offices and shops from the beginning of June. If you would like a copy, please give us a call.

QUIZ

Joyce Bailey (left) and Irene Cammegh have devised a fascinating quiz to raise funds for us. There are 8 sections including questions on Nursery Rhymes, Couples, Decades and Places. You can get hold of a copy at any IRHH shop or office and you have until February 2002 to complete it. The quiz will also be available on our website www.irhh.org.

FOOT & MOUTH

Our hearts go out to the farmers who have been affected by the epidemic. Across the country, a large number of charity fundraising events had to be cancelled or postponed, including five in aid of Iain Rennie. Whilst disappointing, we feel that this has been a small price to pay to ensure that the epidemic is brought under control.

The two biggest casualties were our annual Three Peaks Challenge which we had hoped would raise £20,000, and a charity Clay Shoot organised by Norman and Francis Grundon which also had to be cancelled but through their great generosity and that of their guests, over £17,500 has still been raised!

The Hemel 10k Road Race was cancelled and we are grateful to the organisers for presenting us with a cheque for £1,000 from their funds. IRHH Trustee

Mike Warburton had to abort his sponsored "Short Winter Walk" along the Pennine Way in blizzards on Saddleworth Moor where the path had been closed. Once again, we were grateful to the many sponsors who chose to make good their pledges.

Tom and Helen Getley's annual Charity Horse Ride was also cancelled for this year.

HIGH FLIERS

We are constantly amazed by the enthusiasm and ingenuity of Iain Rennie supporters. We recently celebrated the huge achievements of a number of people who walked, danced, golfed, exercised, ran, climbed, rode, drank, rafted, and motorcycled to raise over £150,000 for us over the last 2 years. The IRHH is privileged to have the support of these - and many more - remarkable people whose efforts have provided a huge amount of care for patients and families.

CALLING ALL BRIDGE PLAYERS

Are you interested in joining a Bridge Club? If so please give Carol Parkey a ring on 01442 890222.

WHITE GOES RED

Aston Clinton GP, Craig White, responded to our appeal for funds by dyeing his hair red! In the process he raised over £2000 in support of our work.

FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS

QUILT RAFFLE

The draw for the beautiful "No Place Like Home" quilt was won by Mrs Ann Trotter. The raffle, which was organised by Berkhamsted Quilters, raised the fantastic sum of £6,027. Our thanks go to all the quilters and to everyone who bought a ticket. Our picture shows (L to R) Ann with the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of the Borough of Dacorum, Derek and Janet Townsend, with Sylvia Morgan from Berkhamsted Quilters.

BEAUJOLAIS CHALLENGE 2001

The BP Beaujolais-Champagne Challenge for 2001 was launched recently and we enclose a Response Form to enable you to sponsor home supplies of quality wine and Champagne in good time for Christmas.

We are thrilled to report that £17,614 was raised by the 2000 Challenge thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and good friends at BP.

FUN, FACTS & FIGURES

It is impossible to list every event and donation that we receive and the following is just a small selection. We are incredibly grateful for every gift and constantly marvel at the generosity, ingenuity and imagination of our supporters.

JOIN A FUNDRAISING GROUP

Our quest for new fundraising groups goes on and we are delighted to report that Audrey Spellman and friends have formed a new group in "The Farnhams". Their first event will be a Beetle Drive on the 19th June - see What's On for details.

Aston Clinton Janet Watson 01296 631014

Beaconsfield Mary Bischoff 01494 671441

Hemel Hempstead Maureen Flint 01442 391411

High Wycombe and Amersham Christine and Richard Nisbet 01494 812458

The Farnhams Audrey Spellman 01753 644262

If you would like to join a group, you can contact the groups directly on the numbers above or give Carol Parkey a call on 01442 890222. Our picture shows members of the High Wycombe and Amersham group with their latest contribution: a cheque for £7,450.

BSI CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

We were delighted to accept an invitation to join staff and pensioners at the British Standards Institution in Hemel Hempstead to celebrate 100 years in business. We were thrilled to accept a cheque for £1,000.

BLOOMING BRILLIANT!

Neil Gurney's friend and confidante, Miss Dorothy Wright, displayed her ample blooms in front of a highly appreciative audience at the Pendley Court Theatre recently and raised £1,073 for IRHH in the process.

MR KITE'S BENEFIT BAND

Mr Kite's Benefit Band has been raising funds for charity (well over £80,000 raised in total!) since it was formed after the Sgt Pepper concert in 1991. The band, which is named after one of the songs from the Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album, has pledged to devote its fundraising efforts to the IRHH over the next year.

The band has a reputation for getting crowds on to the dance floor with a diverse mix of music from 5 decades. If you book them for an event, the band will donate their fee back to the IRHH and a splendid time is guaranteed for all. Please contact Alistair Hodgson on 01442 875011 for details.

TO BALDLY GO…

Rock legend Iron Maiden helped us with a spectacular fundraising event at the Produxion Show at Olympia recently. Tony Laurenson and 5 friends and colleagues, had their heads shaved by members of the band raising over £10,000 in the process. More about this event.

TOGETHER FOR PLEASURE

Dacorum Team Leader, Sue Jarvie, and I were thrilled to be invited to go along to the Victoria Hall in Tring to experience a very special evening hosted by the members of For Pure Pleasure. We enjoyed an excellent buffet listening and dancing to music played by The Aylesbury Concert Band. The evening was great fun and a huge success raising a fantastic £1,200!

Sue Rhead, Fundraising Secretary

WHAT'S ON

Saturday 26th May

IRHH Aston Clinton Fundraisers at

Wilstone Village Fete

Many stalls including Handicraft, IRHH Merchandise and games.

Everyone welcome

2.00pm - 5.00 pm

Sunday 3rd June

Kaleidoscope

The Swan Theatre, High Wycombe

Jackie Palmer Stage School Dance & Drama are performing in a Dance & Singing Show, "Kaleidoscope"

Tickets £10 from the Box Office at The Swan Theatre 01494 512000

8.30pm

Sunday 3rd June

Cholesbury Teas

Visit Cholesbury Village Hall and enjoy teas, stalls, plants, homebaking, bric-a-brac and the beauty of Cholesbury Village.

Everyone welcome

2.30pm to 5.30pm

Saturday 9th June

IRHH High Wycombe & Amersham Fundraisers

Sunflower Saturday

All Saints Church, High Wycombe

9.00am - 12 noon

Saturday 9th June

The Celebration of Love in Words and Music

St John the Baptist Church, The Lee, Great Missenden

An evening concert of music including Cole Porter, Rossini, Bach, Lloyd Webber Beethoven.

Jennifer Partridge, Piano : Bill Houghton, Trumpet : John Heley, Cello and Kathy Heller Jones, Soprano. Readings by Geoffrey Palmer and Mavis Armitt.

Adults £20

Under 19s £10

For tickets, please phone 01494 837757

7.30pm

Sunday 10th June

Finger Buffet Lunch

Helen Harris-Burland is holding a finger buffet lunch in aid of IRHH at

High Cedar, 69 New Rd Little Kingshill

For further information, please call 01494 864350

12noon - 3.00pm

Tuesday 12th June

IRHH High Wycombe & Amersham Fundraisers

Amersham Market Stall

All day

Friday 15th June

Mentmore Charity Golf Day

Mentmore Golf & Country Club

9th Annual Golf day organised by the Rotary Club of Berkhamsted Bulbourne.

Includes Buffet lunch and supper.

£55 per person

Please contact John Simpson on 01442 234347. Buffet Lunch at 10.45am

Sunday 17th June

IRHH Hemel Hempstead Fundraisers

Tudor Revelry

Hemel Hempstead Market, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead

Organised by Dacorum CVS, the IRHH will have a stall and the MIU will be present.

Everyone welcome

12 noon - 4.00pm

Tuesday 19th June

IRHH Farnhams Fundraisers

Beetle Drive

Verdon Court, Farnham Royal

Beetle Drive with refreshments.

Come along and enjoy the afternoon.

Tickets £2.00

Contact Audrey Spellman on 01753 644262

From 2.00pm

Wednesday 20th June

Tring Midsummer Fun Runs

Tring Park Cricket Club, Tring

Tring Running Club is holding its inaugural Tring Midsummer Fun Runs.

Distances, Entry Fees and Times:

Senior Run (age 15+) 5km, £5.00 or £6.00 on the day. Start time: 7.30pm

Under 11s 1km, £2.00 or £3.00 on the day. Start time: 6.00pm

Under 13s 2km, £2.00 or £3.00 on the day. Start time: 6.30pm

Under 15s 3km, £2.50 or £3.50 on the day. Start time: 7.00pm

Contact Carol Parkey on 01442 890222 or visit www.tringrunningclub.org.uk for details or if you would like a Sponsorship Form.

Friday 22nd June

Berkhamsted Lions Charity Golf Day

Whipsnade Park Golf Club, Dunstable

Teams of three players £300. Texas Scramble in the morning; Buffet lunch and Stableford in the afternoon. Dinner and Prizegiving.

Proceeds split between Hospice of St Francis and IRHH.

Further details from Peter Gent 01442 864472

Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th June

Great Missenden Craft Fair

Annual 3 day craft fair held at Great Missenden. A really good day out. IRHH Mobile Information Unit will be attending. Everyone welcome

Friday 22nd June

Coffee Morning and Art Raffle

Berkhamsted Civic Centre

Midsummer Draw & Coffee Morning at Berkhamsted Civic Centre in aid of IRHH. Draw at 11.45am for a Framed Original Water Colour painted by the late Donald Walton

Raffle tickets available from Tring Shop, Tring office or call 01442 864122

10.00am - 12noon

Friday 22nd June

Three Favourite Romantic Piano Concertos

Beaconsfield High School

David Meacock will play Liszt No. 1 in Eb; Grieg A Minor and Rachmaninoff No. 2 in C minor Op.18.

£10 for Adults and £4.00 for students which will include a glass of wine.

Tickets please call 01753 886005 or 01442 890222 or on the door.

8.00pm

Sunday 24th June

30 Mile Charity Cycle Ride

30 mile cycle ride starting and finishing at The White Hart, Chalfont St Giles.

There will be a barbecue in the afternoon.

Application form and further information from

"The Shieling" 81 Bottrells Lane, Chalfont St Giles HP8 4EH Tel: 01494 872147

10.00am start

Thursday 28th June

IRHH High Wycombe & Amersham Fundraisers

Summer Luncheon

£15.00 per ticket. Please call Christine Nisbet on 01494 812458

12noon - 3.00pm

Saturday 30th June

Booze and Real Ale Festival

Organised by Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead Hockey at their Club at Cow Roast, near Berkhamsted.

Tickets £12.50. Please call Peter Elsworth on 01442 875319 for details.

Everyone welcome

2.30pm - 11.00pm

Saturday 30th June

IRHH Aston Clinton Fundraisers

Wigginton Craft Fair & Classic Car Contest

Wigginton near Tring

The Show is built around an arena. There is professional entertainment, stalls and a craft fair. IRHH stall.

Everyone welcome

All day

Saturday 7th July

Millionnaire Team Quiz

Chesham Preparatory School

19 tables of 6. Price to include a luxury ploughman's supper.

Tickets £10 available from Tring Office 01442 890222 or Nina Ford 01494 774317

7.00pm prompt.

Tuesday 10th July

IRHH High Wycombe & Amersham Fundraisers

"Hidden London" Coach tour

A surprise tour of London by coach

Further details and tickets £18.00 from Christine Nisbet 01494 812458

Thursday 12th July

Ploughman's Lunch

Fred and Hazel Connor are holding their Annual Ploughman's Lunch (includes dessert & glass of wine) at 15 Stepnells, Marsworth.

Rain or shine lunch will be served!

Good raffle.

Tickets £6.00

Phone 01296 668263 to book your place!

12noon - 2.00pm

Sunday 15th July

Hemel Hempstead Carnival

Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead

Hemel Hempstead & District Carnival Society in conjunction with 'Carnival for Life' - Circus, Crafts, Exhibitions/Displays & lots more. IRHH Mobile Information Unit will be attending.

Free Admission!

Procession through Town Centre starts at 12.45pm

Saturday 21st July

Organ Recital

St Nicholas' Church, Hedsor

Organ Recital and Concert. The High Sherriff, Alexander Shephard, will invite all those attending to Hedsor Park for an early evening lakeside drink.

To receive an invitation, call John Lunnon on 01628 520355.

Lakeside Drinks Reception : 6.15pm

Concert : 7.30pm prompt

Tickets £10

Sunday 22nd July

British 10k Open Road Race

The race is around central London and will start at Hyde Park Corner. The IRHH has places available. Phone Tony Yates or Carol Parkey on 01442 890222 for details.

Friday 17th August

IRHH Hemel Hempstead Fundraisers

Celebrity Golf Day at Mentmore

Mentmore Golf & Country Club

Ronnie Corbett & Jimmy Tarbuck will take part and there will be a prize of a Mercedes Car for a 'Hole in One'! Tickets from The Bookstack, 248 High Street, Berkhamsted. Telephone 01442 864559.

£240 for a team of 4.

Friday 5th October

Chris Mullan Memorial Golf Day

Bushey Hall Golf Club

Teams of 4 play 18 holes. Running buffet with entertainment. Please call us on 01442 890222 for further details.

Saturday 27th October

Make a Difference Day

Go MADD in the Garden or go MADD in the home. If you enjoy gardening or housework, why not volunteer for a day in the homes of patients and families. Call Emily Smith on 01442 890222 for details.

Saturday 27th October

IRHH High Wycombe & Amersham Fundraisers

Nature talk

Coleshill Village Hall

Another interesting nature evening, learning about the Red Kite and a talk by a National Trust shepherd. Keep the date free in your diary and we will advise you of the details at a later date. Price includes Ploughman's Supper.

Tickets £9.00 available from Christine Nisbet on 01494 812458.

Everyone welcome

7.30pm

Friday 2nd November

Shipwreck Ball

At the Spread Eagle at Thame

Great Missenden Rotary Club & the Inner Wheel Club of Aylesbury are hosting a Shipwreck Ball at the Spread Eagle in Thame. Dinner & dancing. Dress as you were when the ship went down or dinner jackets.

Tickets £30 from Alan Jones 01494 863887 or Sandra Maizels 01296 613901

FLAG DAYS - CAN YOU HELP?

As well as raising valuable funds, flag days really help with raising public awareness about our work. Collections are normally between 9.00am and 1.00pm. If you can spare an hour or two, please give us a call on 01442 890222.

26th May Hemel Hempstead

2nd June Bourne End

14th July Hazlemere

28th July Berkhamsted

18th August Beaconsfield

1st September High Wycombe

8th September Little Chalfont

29th September Chorleywood

13th October Chesham

BOOK EARLY FOR PEPPERSHOW.COM

Tickets for this year's Sgt Pepper Concert, PepperShow.Com, will go on sale at The Bookstack, 248 High Street, Berkhamsted Telephone 01442 864559 in June. Berkhamsted's annual festival of rock & pop classics with stupendous sound and lighting will run from the 12th to the 14th and 18th to 21st July at the Centenary Hall, Berkhamsted Collegiate School, Kings Road, Berkhamsted. Tickets start at £10 (£7 concessions) and full details can be obtained by ringing 01442 275272 or from the Pepper Foundation's website www.pepper.co.uk. The Pepper Foundation funds the posts of 3 IRHH paediatric nurses and our Family Support Co-ordinator.

KNOCKOUT CHALLENGE

Eight adult and five children's teams took part in our second Knockout Challenge event on The Rye at High Wycombe on a dry but cold Sunday 6th May as part of the Wycombe Charity Carnival. The "Latimer Loonies" held on to their title as winners of the Childrens' Competition and "The Legal Eagles", a team from Blaser Mills Solicitors, beat off stiff opposition to win the Challenge Trophy and a magnum of Champagne. Everyone had a great time and a very worthwhile sum has been raised through sponsorship. Further details and photos can be found on our website www.irhh.org.

ROUNDABOUT SIGN SPONSORSHIP

Local companies are supporting us by sponsoring signs on roundabouts. We are just completing two roundabouts at Princes Risborough and Askett with help from Lawrence Landscapes and we have plans for several more. As well as raising funds, the scheme helps to promote the IRHH as well as the sponsor and the roundabouts have been given a first class makeover. If you would like further information call 01442 890222 or email roundabouts@irhh.org.

IAIN RENNIE ON-LINE

The IRHH website is currently being given a major overhaul which will be completed in time for a relaunch at our AGM on 4th July. All the latest information and pictures of fundraising events appear on the site which is updated every week and you can donate on-line using your credit card. Current and previous editions of Doorstep can be accessed, you can find the latest Hospice Lottery results and read the latest news. Over the coming weeks, we will be adding more information about the nursing service, introducing our on-line Christmas Card catalogue and updating the "What's On" pages.

A number of people have expressed an interest in keeping up to date with our news by email and we hope to launch this facility in the summer. If you would like to receive information in this way, please email doorstep@irhh.org and we will make sure that you receive information in due course.