Another six months have flown past! We have been busy over the summer.
In June we held a netball tournament. Several teams, experienced and inexperienced took part on a very hot, sunny day. Anna came along and threw the ball several times - she loved being involved. Some of us haven’t played since school days (which for some of us was a long time ago!), but we all got caught up in the fun and enthusiasm. Didn’t we ache the next day? This was great fun and extremely well organised by Tasha once again. We provided a BBQ and medals were presented. Definitely an event to be repeated. Many thanks to Southampton University, where Anna studied, for letting us use their facilities.
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for Netball Gallery
We have been able to donate items to the Neurological Surgical Paediatric Ward at Southampton General that they requested. A wall cog board and free standing tube and ball board. We have heard that these will be in use once redecoration on the ward has been completed and that they are delighted with them.
As many of you will know in July we held a very successful Anna’s Room 1st Birthday Party. The sun shone and we were even worried this year about sunburn!! The garden at Hold Cottage was filled with friends who have supported us over the last twelve months. We had a bottle stall, bookstall and also a football draw. We sold our Christmas Cards and teddy bears much to the delight of several children. The caterers were excellent once again and we all ate and drank well. Our auction was great fun, thanks to Dan, and many people went away with some excellent prizes. Kylie tickets were very popular as was Rachel’s flower school day in Bath, portrait sittings, and meals at two excellent restaurants, toys, and alternative therapy sessions. I could go on.
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for 1st Birthday party gallery
We were delighted to present another bubble tube to Stanley Graveson Ward testament to the popularity of this piece of equipment. Helen Saberton and I made our television debut. Meridian News interviewed us and showed a very good, short piece a few days later.
Thank you everyone for a very enjoyable day - we made over £3,000.00 to swell Anna’s Room’s fund.
August saw Lucy Westlake, a young woman touched by Anna’s story, raising money for Anna’s Room by taking part in the Zambezi Challenge. She raised the money to go by fundraising hard and then continued to raise more money to donate to our charity. She succeeded and thoroughly enjoyed herself even though it was hard and sometimes dangerous.
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for Zambezi challenge gallery
Anna has now moved on for further rehabilitation at Glenside Manor near Salisbury. We all miss Southampton and will always be grateful for all their care. We keep popping back to see them all and she still sees Dr Prevett, her consultant, regularly.
In October, a day came that I never thought I would see. Anna, fundraising herself for Anna’s Room. It was decided that as part of her and other service users rehabilitation that a sponsored walk would be a good idea. Anna had to choose her charity, ask for sponsors, practice walking and eventually ask for the money. Anna chose Anna’s Room and also Pets as Therapy as her charities. For the last two and a half years, Cognac and his owner Sue Cole have visited Anna. Cognac is a border collie who visits patients in Southampton General Hospital as part of the PAT dog scheme (Pets as Therapy). He initially saw Anna while she was still in a comatose state. We held her hand on his fur and to start with there was no response whatsoever. Then slowly over the next months she interacted with him even though we had no response. She started to make sounds into his neck and smiled when he came in the door. Now she is able to play with him, throwing his ball and giving him treats. She welcomes him and Sue with open arms. Cognac loves her as much as she loves him.
The day arrived and although damp, enthusiasm ran high. All set off at different paces. Some were hardly able to walk at all, but Anna, as usual set off like a shot out of a gun. She, along with Cognac finished in record time, very proud of themselves. Tea was served and certificates presented. All had a thoroughly enjoyable time and Anna and Sue Cole raised £564 to be split equally between the two charities.
Well done Anna, we are so proud of you.
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for Anna's sponsored walk
Kirsty and Dan made over £900.00 by selling all sorts of bits and pieces donated by friends and family at car boot sales. - Thanks to both of them.
Our next big event is the Football tournament to be held on Sunday 23rd November at Fleming Park, Eastleigh. Hopefully there will be lots of teams all having a great time. Please contact us if you would like to enter a team or if any budding Theo Walcotts would like to play.
The big build up to Christmas has started. Our Christmas Draw tickets are now on sale as are our Christmas Cards. We will be selling Christmas wishes outside Asda in Southampton on the 6th and 13th December (the first two Saturdays in December). Volunteers are required if you could spare some time.
Maybe the most exciting piece of news is that the Anna’s Room recipe book will be on sale very soon. It is to be called ‘A Tale of Two Pavlovas’ (and other recipes from around the world) and all proceeds will go straight to Anna’s Room. RRP £7.50! This will be the ideal Christmas stocking filler so please buy several to give to all your friends and relations.
If you would like to purchase any of the above or help in any way please contact us on
sue.annas-room@hotmail.co.uk
or through the web site.
Thank you to everyone once again and keep it up!
Sue Gilchrist
Chairman
Tel 01962 793494
Registered charity1121464
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