November enews
Dear supporter
Welcome to our latest edition of our enews, where you can read all about what's going on at IRGH. You'll see that in the run up to Christmas there are plenty of festive fundraising events to enjoy!
Firstly, a message from Robert Breakwell
“I've decided to step aside as Chief Executive of IRGH in order to take up the new post of Business Development Director for the charity. Our Deputy Chief Executive, Mark Lister , took over as Chief Executive from 17 th November 2011.
“The key aim of our merger with Grove House is to maximise our skills and resources in order to deliver the best possible care to the growing number of patients who need our service. To achieve this, IRGH needs to increase its annual income significantly and sustainably and, as Business Development Director, this will have my complete focus. I believe that my skills, experience and successful track record in income generation developed over more than 20 years in the hospice world put me in a strong position to achieve this.”
“ Mark Lister has my complete confidence and support and I am certain that IRGH will achieve great success under his leadership. Mark has been Acting Chief Executive over the last few months during my recovery from a period of illness and this means that the transition will be seamless.”
Mark Lister said, “I am delighted to be taking up the position of Chief Executive on a permanent basis and I look forward to working with our excellent nurses, clinicians, staff and volunteers to do even more for patient care across our area.”
IRGH Chairman of Trustees, Steve Cuthbert , said, “The trustees have no doubt that these moves are very much in the best interest of Iain Rennie Grove House as we work to deliver more care for patients and families. We are delighted that Mark Lister will be leading IRGH forward. Robert's decision to take on the role of Business Development Director plays to his considerable skills and he has the trustees' respect and total support.”
Contents
Nursing news
Other news
Get involved
Forthcoming events
Festive fundraisers
Planning ahead
Shop Talk
Thank you
Christmas appeal: help more families spend this Christmas together at home
We're asking supporters if they could make a Christmas gift to help more patients spend a peaceful and pain-free Christmas at home with their family. Visit www.irhh.org/christmasappeal to find out more or use the ‘donate now to our Christmas appeal' button on www.irhh.org
Contract Renewed with Pepper Foundation
The Trustees of the Pepper Foundation and Iain Rennie Grove House Hospice Care have renewed the contract enabling the two charities to continue caring for local children with life-limiting illness as well as supporting their families. Read more here: http://www.irhh.org/sitehome/newsandevents/archive2011/nov/PepperFoundation.html
Nursing Recruitment
We are seeking registered Band 5 Nurses with excellent communication skills and a special interest in palliative care to join our hospice at home teams in St Albans, Harpenden, Wycombe, Risborough, Wendover, Great Missenden, Aston Clinton and surrounding areas. We also need bank nurses who can offer cover at weekends and overnight. Click here to read more.
Specialists in community nursing and palliative care gathered at this annual event hosted by the National Association for Hospice at Home, an organisation chaired by our own Sue Varvel . IRGH staff gave ‘poster presentations' – one of which focused on our night nursing pilot and new way of working to meet rising demand for hospice at home. Read more about the pilot here: http://www.irhh.org/sitehome/newsandevents/archive2011/nov/Pilot.html
Other news
Accumulator Challenge
This is an exciting way for teams to work together to raise vital funds for IRGH. We're looking for businesses to put together teams of no more than eight people (you can enter more than one team!) to take up the challenge of turning an initial sum of £50 into at least £1,000 in aid of a really worthwhile cause. Visit http://www.irhh.org/sitehome/fundraising/doingyourownthing/CoAccChallenge.html or contact Linda on 01442 820721 or lpetrons@irhh.org
Path of Life
TV star Larry Lamb has helped launch a new fundraising idea at Grove House. It offers supporters the chance to dedicate a lasting message to a loved one as part of the brick pathway that curves along the side of the hospice. It was originally laid last year as part of the newly created garden area, but now IRGH is inviting people to create a personal message, which can be engraved and hand-finished on a brick or stone to become a permanent feature in the Path of Life. Visit http://www.grove-house.org.uk/News-Events/News/Grove-House-Path-of-Life-a-permanent-way-to-remember for more details and call Alli on 01727 731010 to make a dedication.
Siberian Marathon
Two IRGH supporters, Philip Blazdell and Trevor Rackley, are in training for the 8 th Annual Ice Marathon across the frozen surface of Lake Baikal in Russia on 8 th March next year. To prepare for the minus 20 degree C temperatures, Phil has enlisted personal trainer, Trevor of Design for Life Fitness, and visited the Snow Centre in Hemel to launch his fundraising challenge to raise £10,000.
The pair rowed a total of 174,239 metres – or 108 miles – on rowing machines last week as part of their fundraising efforts . They were joined at Trevor's gym in Bicester by young adults from the G arth Park Adult Care Centre, who are supporting the duo's fundraising by being sponsored themselves to run or walk a marathon on the gym's treadmills.
Follow Phil's progress at http://siberiaicemarathon2012.blogspot.com and sponsor him here: http://www.justgiving.com/Philip-Blazdell
Trekkers' stories
We'll bring you more tales from our intrepid trekkers in the New Year – but for now you can get a taste of their travels from these fabulous photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iain_rennie_grove_house/sets/72157628026024497/
If you are inspired then check out our Transylvanian Trek for 2012: http://www.grove-house.org.uk/News-Events/Events-diary/Trek-Transylvania-2012 - the trip of a lifetime and the chance to change hospice care at home and overseas.
Chilling out to raise funds
A far more relaxing fundraiser saw local ladies enjoying treatments at Grove House courtesy of Barnfield College and the hospice's volunteers and volunteer therapists. By paying for treatments, attendees raised over £2,500 at the ‘Chill Out Sunday'. If you'd be interested in coming to a similar event in future, contact Liz on 01727 731008
Volunteer Vacancies
Could you help us fill these positions as a volunteer?
Finance Support, Tring - helping to count and bank cash donations.
Van Drivers – working with a Driver's mate and starting from Tring to collect and deliver furniture.
Database Administration – our Raiser's Edge Team in Tring need skilled support from one or two volunteers with good IT skills.
Shop Volunteers – particularly in our shops in Chalfont St Giles and Little Chalfont.
Please contact Jane Carruthers on 01494 877200.
There are many other opportunities to volunteer for IRGH. Visit www.irhh.org/volunteering or http://www.grove-house.org.uk/Get-involved/Volunteering for full details.
Taking place at Ashlyn's School in Berkhamsted on Wednesday 23 rd November from 7:30pm, our first AGM as IRGH is open to all. Please contact Chris Young on 01442 890222 if you'd like to attend.
Forthcoming events
Make Your Will Month
The solicitors signed up to this scheme are filling up their appointments, but some still have slots so why not book up with one if you need to write or update your Will? Several local solicitors are waiving their legal fees for a basic will-writing service, in return for a donation to IRGH. In doing so you'll be providing for your family and supporting local families coping with life-threatening illness. Contact Alli on 01727 731010 for more details and visit www.grove-house.org.uk/makeyourwill or www.irhh.org/makeyourwill for a full list of participating solicitors.
Light Up a Life
Make a dedication in memory and join us at one of our services. For full details visit www.irhh.org/lual or ring 01442 890222 and ask for a copy of our leaflet. Light Up a Life services follow our annual thanksgiving services in Tring and High Wycombe, plus new for this year a Light Up a Life service following the mayor's Christmas Carol Concert in St Albans .
Dance Extravaganza
At The Shelley Theatre , Court Garden, Marlow on Saturday 19 th November. Ann Turley , from our Beaconsfield Fundraising Group will be performing in this special show, which features performances from various local groups. Includes tap, ballet and modern dancing. Tickets £8, under 10's £5; available from Judy Watts on 01628 523025
Bridge Night
At The Polish Club, Amersham on Friday 25 th November . Organised by our High Wycombe and Amersham Fundraising Group, with special guests Sally Brock, England International and Women's Gold Medallist, and Colin Simpson, Senior World Champion. Tickets £15, to include a hot supper, available from Margaret Emery on 01494 863859 or margaretremery@googlemail.com
Mr Kite's 20th Anniversary celebration
Join Mr Kite's Benefit Band for this birthday and Christmas celebration at Dean's Hall, Berkhamsted on Saturday 17 th December. As well as music from the Band, the evening includes a special visit from Father Christmas, a raffle and licensed bar.
Tickets £10, available from Dennis Pearman on dennis.pearman1@ntlworld.com or 07708 439641.
Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra performing at St Peter and St Paul Church in Tring on Saturday 14 th January 2012. Tickets £12. Contact fundraising@irhh.org or 01442 890222 for more details.
Visit http://www.irhh.org/whatson for details of these and other exciting events.
For further details of events in Bucks and Tring, contact Louise or Jenny on 01442 820716. For details of events in other areas of Herts, contact Liz Hizli on 01727 731008
Christmas shopping opportunities!
- Late Night Christmas Shopping at our Holmer Green shop in Pond Approach on Thursday 24 th November from 5:30pm till 9pm
- Tring Traditional Christmas Festival , Friday 25 th November, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
- Harpenden Ladies Circle Christmas Gift and Craft Fair, Harpenden Public Halls, Friday 25 th and Saturday 26 th November
- Stokenchurch Christmas Fair, Saturday 26 th November
- Childwickbury Christmas Market , weekend of 26 th and 27 th November, 10am – 5pm, St Albans
- Shop in Style from an exclusive selection of independent retailers at Sopwell House, St Albans , Thursday 1 st December, 10am – 4pm
- The Robin Hood Pub Christmas Draw, Tuesday 20 th December, festive music from Tring Silver Band and carol singing, tickets available from the pub.
- See Santa on real snow – weekends from 3 rd to 17 th December and all week 19 th to 24 th December at the Snow Centre in Hemel. To book visit https://booking.thesnowcentre.com – all proceeds will come to IRGH.
Festive fun runs!
- Santa Dash , Saturday 3 rd December, The Rye , Wycombe, 12pm
- Jingle Bell Jog, Saturday 11 th December, St Albans , 11am
Contact Clair or Jo on 01442 820717 for more info or click here . Both routes are 5km but include a Reindeer Run: a 1.5km route for youngsters.
Letter from Father Christmas
- Order your personalised letter before 9 th December from www.irhh.org/xmasletter and make someone's Christmas extra-special.
Come Dine at Mine
Sign up for our new scheme, which celebrates good food and good company. And what better time to do just that than Christmas and New Year? You can raise funds in any way you like: running a raffle during your dinner party; competing with friends in a festive ‘Come Dine at Mine' contest… However you help, your efforts could help more families coping with life-threatening illness spend Christmas at home together. Visit http://www.irhh.org/sitehome/fundraising/DineAtMine.html for more details.
Planning ahead
Could you make a ‘Rennie Resolution' for the New Year and enter our 2012 active challenges as an incentive?!
Bucks 10K
We are excited to announce a BRAND NEW event taking place on Sunday 4 th March 2012. The Bucks 10K starts and finishes in Chalfont St Giles. The beautiful countryside route runs through the spectacular Hodgemoor Woods. Entry is £15 per person to include a t-shirt and medal.
Please come along and join us for this exciting new event raising funds for Iain Rennie Grove House Hospice Care. Please contact Sinead in Fundraising for more information on sinead.grimes@grove-house.org.uk or call on 01727 731002.
Ride the Rennie Way - The Chilterns Cycle Challenge is back for its second year on Sunday 25 th March 2012. Sign up before 19 th December to qualify for our EARLY BIRD discount – adults £12.50, children £5. Visit www.rennieway.org for more information or contact the fundraising team on 01442 820740
Brighton Marathon
This is a hugely popular event for which online entry has already closed. But we have some places available! The race takes place on 15 th April 2012 and starts with a loop of gorgeous Preston Park and then takes in the best of the city centre including Brighton Pavilion and fabulous stretches of coastal road, including stunning panoramic views. W e are asking for minimum sponsorship of £500 to secure one of our places. Contact Clair or Jo on 01442 820717
London Marathon 2012
Although this might seem ages off, long-distance runners know that training starts in earnest now! If you've been lucky enough to secure your own place in the ballot, please join our team! We'd love to have you on board. Our fabulous marathon team raised more than £56,000 for our nursing service in 2011. Contact Clair or Jo on 01442 820717
Bourne End – our latest shop opened in Bourne End near Marlow on Friday 4 th November. Fern Britton declared it officially open; view the opening celebrations here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iain_rennie_grove_house/sets/72157628052118382/
Chalfont St Giles – just down the road from our Chalfont St Giles office, where two of our nursing teams are based, this shop enjoys a great location on the High Street. Bill Giles joined IRGH President Moira Rennie to declare it open in the autumn.
Fashion Show - our Downley shop near High Wycombe hosted a fabulous evening of fashion on Thursday 10 th November - showcasing a range of wonderful Christmas Party outfits, pretty dresses and stunning evening wear. It's not too late to bag a bargain though: visit any of our 13 shops to treat yourself to some great quality and brilliant value items, some even sold as new. Shop locations: http://www.irhh.org/sitehome/contactus/contactinfo/shoplocations.html
Or visit our eBay store: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Iain-Rennie-Hospice-Shop
Christmas cards – purchase yours now from:
o the annual Court House sales in Berkhamsted 26th November
o our online shop www.irhh.org/onlineshop
o any Iain Rennie or Grove House shop
o Grove House or Iain Rennie office receptions
Christmas gifts – purchase your A5 desk diary from our Rhyme & Reason fundraising group. Each page features poems and prose from their annual writing competition on the theme of time. Visit www.irhh.org/onlineshop to buy this and other gifts, including our extended range of virtual gifts for the person who has everything!
Shopping elsewhere online?
If you're buying from the big brand names this Christmas, don't forget you can create an account on the Giving Machine and they will donate a percentage of your purchase to IRGH. It costs you nothing but an extra click – but it will help us help families in need. Sign up here: http://www.thegivingmachine.co.uk/create_profile.php?outgoing
… for all your ongoing support. We couldn't continue to help families coping with life-threatening illness without your generous contributions.
Don't forget that you can choose where your donation is spent – by location and by service. For example, you might wish to earmark your contribution for Day Hospice in St Albans , Hospice at Home in Dacorum or Paediatric patients in south Bucks.
…to walkers, runners, marshalls and more!
We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make our recent active challenge events a great success. More than 700 walkers took part in the Chiltern 3 Peaks Challenge and we're thrilled to have already received pledges in excess of £65,000. Read more about the event here: http://www.irhh.org/sitehome/fundraising/Chiltern3Peaks.html
The Herts10K was hugely well-supported once again with 3,000 runners creating a tremendous atmosphere on the day. We hope they will raise in the region of £100,000. See www.herts10K.com Don't forget to send in your sponsor money!
Hospice Lottery
Would you like to win £1000 every week? Join The Hospice Lottery to support IRHH –
or buy their Superdraw tickets at
www.hospicelottery.org.uk or 01442 891459. You could win prizes ranging from £50 up to a fantastic £5,000!!
Click here for more details.
Charity Flowers
Charity Flowers supply high quality flowers by post anywhere in the
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call 01442 890222 or write to The Iain Rennie Grove House Hospice Care, 52a Western Road, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 4BB.