Doesn’t time fly.  Already six months since our last newsletter.  So much has happened it is difficult to know where to start.

Soon after the launch party, one of the Physiotherapists and her husband took part in the Great South Run on a very wet, cold and windy day in Portsmouth. There were plenty of spectators but it was a horrible day. They completed the run, but it took a little while to get over the blisters. Thanks to them both for their tremendous effort.

A car boot sale raised over £600.00 for our charity. Between the Lines shops in Haslemere, Chichester, and surrounding towns made counter collection for us.

In November a very well organised Football Tournament took place at Goals in Southampton.  Teams of various abilities took part - Occupational Therapists and student nurses (they drew the largest audiences dressed in short shorts and pigtails!), Paramedics (a little more fitness training needed lads) and Solicitors to name but a few.  It was great fun and eventually won by the team from D Young & Co., Solicitors. Start training for this year!  Click here to view the pictures.

Two of Anna’s friends did a sponsored slim and donated the proceeds to Anna’s Room.

In December we held a Christmas Draw which was very profitable and well supported. Donations were received from John Lewis, Between the Lines, Marks and Spencer, and many individuals. Thanks to them all.

Also staff from Stanley Graveson Ward and Victoria House Rehabilitation Unit sold Christmas wishes that were placed on a Christmas Tree. This was an emotional, but very enjoyable time. Click here to view the pictures.

Individuals and a choir, each donating their time and money to Anna’s Room, also sang Christmas Carols.

2008 - Another year - where has time gone.

A pamper day at Shirley Infant School was held. Over twenty practitioners of alternative therapies gave up their time to treat ladies and gentlemen to relaxing and stimulating treatments.  Bookings were taken and we were nearly fully booked for the whole afternoon.  There was a pamper tombola, a Virgin Vie stall, Avon and Body Shop also attended.  Refreshments were provided by one of the mums!  We all had a lovely day and I have never seen so many smiling, relaxed people all in one place at one time!  Anna was able to be there and obviously enjoyed being there with her friends. The day ran like clockwork and we have been asked for a repeat performance!

 Click here to view the pictures.

One of our nurses persuaded her brother-in-law to run the Reading half marathon for us.  He completed the run and to greet him at the end were his two daughters dressed as butterflies.

Click here to view the pictures.

So much is planned for this coming year - a Netball Tournament in June, Pampered Chef evenings, the Zambezi Challenge, a cookery book and much, much more.

We are delighted to have been able to give the Qualia Unit to Stanley Graveson Ward.  All the equipment was set up in the ward, lights dimmed and turned on! The atmosphere was wonderful. Staff, patients and visitors in awe.  Relaxed and happy.  One special patient’s face lit up when the bubble tube was turned on in his room. A smile that was rarely seen in other circumstances.  That’s why we are working so hard to hopefully provide a sensory environment in Southampton General Hospital. Equipment requested by the Neurological Paediatric Ward has been ordered as have other items requested by other wards in the Wessex Neurological Centre.

Click here to view the pictures.

Possibly our biggest fundraising event this year will be the 1st Birthday Party that we will be holding to celebrate twelve months of hard but very successful work by all our supporters. Hopefully we will reach our target of £30,000.00 by then.

Please keep supporting us and raising as much money as you possibly can. We have now donated portable sensory equipment to each ward as promised and are well on our way to being able to equip a sensory environment when space becomes available.

Sue

Chairman