Mike Tant - Master of the Web Seated in the study of his delightful home, tucked away in a sleepy Buckinghamshire village, Mike Tant is very much a hidden volunteer. Yet, whether you are an IRHH patient, relative, donor, supporter, employee, volunteer or simply on the Doorstep mailing list, you will have benefited from his immense contributions to IRHH's computing function.

"My involvement with Iain Rennie started when the nurses looked after my first wife in 1993-4 and gave bereavement support to me and the boys, who were then aged 17 and 21 years," Mike remembered. "In 1995, Robert Breakwell joined the organisation and wanted help with computerising IRHH's systems. Since I have a background in computing, and had just taken early retirement, he asked me if I would become involved. I had time on my hands and wanted to put something back in return for all the help we had received. So it was all a happy coincidence."

"Back then, information was stored all over the place and Robert decided to consolidate everything onto one large contacts database." Mike smiled ruefully. "I still remember my very first meeting with Robert. As I left, he gave me an armful of computer manuals and it was then that I realised this was serious!"

Since then, Mike has contributed many thousands of hours to IRHH and the database he set up has grown into a vital tool holding information on each of the IRHH's 15,000 fundraisers, supporters and friends. The level of detail held, and the user-friendly nature of the database, allows IRHH to communicate with all their many contacts in a highly individual, yet economical, manner, despite the vast numbers involved.

One example is the mailing of this magazine, Doorstep. "When the system prints out Doorstep's mailing labels, we programme it to print them in postcode order which gives us a big discount on postage costs. It also automatically sorts out those that can be delivered by hand" Mike noted. "Also, some people prefer only to receive the Christmas edition and, because this information is recorded on the database, those individuals are saved from receiving unwanted editions and IRHH saves unnecessary printing and postage costs."

Mike also looks after Iain Rennie's website, www.irhh.org. "The main thing with a website is to get people to revisit regularly." Mike explained, "We do that by keeping it regularly updated so that the information is topical, immediate and up to date. For example, this week we had runners in the Flora London Marathon, held on Sunday. On Monday, Robert sent me copy and a selection of digital photographs and by Wednesday I had laid the article out and posted the story up on the web. Very quickly, the runners could tell their friends that the pictures were up there and it just encourages more people to log on and have a look."

Mike continued, "Although my involvement as a volunteer with Iain Rennie started largely as a means to pay something back, it has turned out to be stimulating in its own right: an intellectual challenge where I have had the opportunity to learn new skills and put them to good use."

The Iain Rennie organisation, its patients, families, friends and supporters, can only be thankful for Mike's enthusiasm and commitment. He may be hidden, but Mike's impact has been immense and is very much appreciated.

IRHH Church Links

Could you help us by keeping your congregation up to date with news from the IRHH? We have a growing number of Church Links who put up posters, replenish leaflets and generally act as a point of contact for church members on behalf of the Hospice At Home. If you can help, please contact Rozina Ahmad rahmad@irhh.org on 01442 890222.

Mobile Information Unit

Our new volunteer MIU Co-ordinator, John Clark, would love to hear from anybody who can spare a few hours to either tow or man the unit as it begins its 2003 programme of events. Call John jclark@irhh.org on 01442 890222.

Tring Reception Can you spare a half day a week to join our team of volunteer Receptionists at our Tring office? Our excellent team has a couple of vacant slots and would also benefit from a couple of people who would help cover holidays and absences. If you are interested, contact Delia Orbell dorbell@irhh.org on 01442 890222 or call in to our Western Road office.	Tring receptionists

FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS

Thames Traditional Boat Rally - Sunday 20th July

Enjoy an idyllic day on the banks of the Thames at the heart of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally at Fawley Meadows, Henley. Sponsored by the Michael Shanly Group, tickets for this prestigious occasion are £55 or £550 for a table of 10 and include a Champagne Reception, 3 Course Lunch, Afternoon Tea in our private marquee and a cruise on the river in the traditional wooden Thames launch, Lady Florence. Contact Steve Grudgings sgrudgings@irhh.org on 01442 890222 for details.

Lady Florence

Charity Gourmet Night at Forno Vivo - Sunday 12th October

If you enjoy Italian food, then make sure you book early for what promises to be a memorable evening at Tring's most popular restaurant. Forno Vivo has generously invited IRHH supporters to a special Charity Gourmet Night with the entire ticket price coming to the IRHH! If you would like to receive an invitation then call Suzie Lalé slale@irhh.org on 01442 890222 or contact Forno Vivo direct on 01442 890005.

Roll Up for Pepper's Rock Circus!

Sgt Pepper's 15th Summer Concert hits Berkhamsted for only 7 performances this July at the Collegiate School all in aid of the Pepper Nursing Service and other sick children's causes. There'll be 4 stupendous Pepper bands, 21 fantastic vocalists, 122 exhilarating members of Pepper Youth and the phenomenal Mr Kite fully supported by a team of jugglers, acrobats, Blue Angel Majorettes and of course the Flying Elvis's! Tickets go on sale on Sunday 8th June at Berkhamsted Town Hall from 10am to 12noon and "What's On" lists full details of performances and ticket prices. More...

Charity Golf Days 2003

Click here for further details and application forms or call us on 01442 890222.

Friday 6th June
The Rotary Club of Berkhamsted Bulbourne
11th Annual Charity Golf Day
Mentmore Golf & Country Club
18 hole Stableford competition for amateur golfers. Open to Ladies, gentlemen and mixed teams. Buffet supper.
12noon - 8.00pm
Teams of 4 £240.00
Further details from John Simpson on 01442 234347

Friday 20th June
Berkhamsted Lions Club
Charity Golf Day
Whipsnade Park Golf Club, Dunstable
9.00am - 10.00pm
£300.00 per team of 3. Details from Peter Gent on 01442 864472

Friday 27th June
Hemel Hempstead Community Police and IRHH Hemel Hempstead Fundraising Group
3rd Annual Charity Golf Day
Mentmore Golf & Country Club
Please call Nick & Dee Potts on 01442 871466 for further details

Friday 19th September
Chris Mullan Memorial Charity Golf Day
Bushey Hall Golf Club, Bushey
Teams of 4 play 18 holes. Running buffet with entertainment.
Further details from Marion Mullan on 01494 786132

Tring Midsummer Fun Runs - Wednesday 18th June

The 3rd annual Tring Midsummer Fun Runs at Tring Park Cricket Club will be a great opportunity for runners of all ages to enjoy a great running occasion. We are grateful to Tring Running Club for organising this increasingly popular event. Be sure to join us this year; you will get a medal and you may win a prize!

Flora Light Challenge For Women - Sunday 14th September The search is on for runners for the increasingly popular Flora Light Challenge for Women, which takes place in London's Hyde Park and Birmingham City Centre.

British 10k London - Sunday 13th July

How about a nice gentle 10K run (only 6¼ miles) around some of the best streets in Central London? The course starts at Hyde Park Corner and takes in Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, Embankment, St Paul's Cathedral before finishing opposite the London Eye. The IRHH has 12 guaranteed places. More..

New York Marathon - Sunday 2nd November

The IRHH has guaranteed places in this world class event and we already have one runner travelling to the Big Apple as part of the IRHH/UK Hospice team. More..

For further details about any of these events, contact Tony Yates tyates@irhh.org on 01442 890222.

Free Wine Tastings 2003

We are already taking Wine Tasting bookings for this year. The idea is simple: you provide the venue and the guests and we provide the wine and Champagne. We also provide a magnum of bubbly for a raffle, print invitations and posters, and bring along a team of people to run the evening for you. Last year we organised successful tastings for clubs and organisations as well as private events. Please contact Robert Breakwell rbreakwell@irhh.org on 01442 890222 for full details. More..