We are absolutely delighted to announce that the Fountain Centre has a new patron, film and TV actor James Cosmo. He visited us for the first time in October to open the Art and Meditation exhibition (more on p 8 – 9) and subsequently agreed to take on the role. To quote Wikipedia, “A staple of British television, with credits in hundreds of television shows, Cosmo made a name for himself playing Scottish “tough guy” characters, often with a screen dominating charisma.” Those of you who saw his recent performance in the BBC series Silent Witness will second that. He’s not at all scary in real life.

Outside of Britain, he is best known for his film roles in Highlander, Braveheart and Troy – and, without a sword, as Father Christmas in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. He is currently portraying Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, in the acclaimed HBO series Game of Thrones.

James lives locally, is married to Annie and they have two sons. We look forward to getting to know him better.

Father Christmas becomes our new patron

Hasn’t that come round fast, more people than usual seem to be saying…. Christmas is nearly upon us, that time of endless asking and giving. So where is the Christmas begging letter? We have decided not to deliver a specific appeal this year. We want to concentrate on saying a massive thank you to all those who have supported us throughout 2012, rather than trying to dip into your pockets once more. All the usual donation methods are still open, of course, if you feel you really must give us a Christmas present – but your love and good wishes will be gratefully received too. Happy Christmas!

Trevor Mills

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Trevor Mills. Trevor became treasurer to the

Fountain Centre in June 2009, taking over from Brian Lusk. Trevor was a quietly spoken gentle man, but with resolute determination to do things properly without regard to time spent. He was committed to the Fountain Centre and what we are trying to achieve, and played an active role in discussions and debate over the various issues at board level.

Trevor had been suffering from Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia for the last eight years. Recently he had managed to contain the disease, but the last two months proved just too much. He spent his last week at home with his family, and passed away over the weekend of the 27th October.

A family only funeral was held on the 1st November and the current plans are to hold a Memorial Service at Arundel in early December. We send Fiona his wife, and family our love.

Fountain Centre in June 2009

(l-r) Ken Thomas, Fiona Channon, James Cosmo, Carolyn Read, Margaret Dodd

The Fountain Centre – your local charity Charity Number 1089086

Issue No.8

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The Fountain Centre is really pleased to be working with the Macmillan Oncology Dieticians based at St Luke’s Cancer Centre. With them, we will be looking at ways to increase access to nutritional advice for people with cancer. The plan will be to produce a page on the Fountain Centre website to answer general questions on diet and nutrition for cancer patients. Patients will be able to email in questions and be able to access links to Macmillan information.

In addition from January 2013 the Macmillan Dieticians will host a monthly drop in session in the Fountain Centre providing support and advice for patients with cancer and their carers. More information including dates and times will be available in December from the Fountain Centre.

New links with dieticians

Volunteers neededNo matter how much time you have available, you can make a difference to our patients. There are a variety of ways in which you can help. Welcoming visitors to the centre, supporting and listening to visitors, providing complementary therapies, counselling, classes (Yoga, Art, Music), helping with monthly support groups, fundraising, watering and maintaining the garden are just some of the ways in which you can help. Our volunteers are essential to everything we do.

If you are interested in volunteering in the Fountain Centre please contact us on 01483 406619.

We look forward to seeing you.

Neill Parsons resigns from the Board of TrusteesMartin our chairman reluctantly accepted the resignation of Neill Parsons as a director and trustee of the Fountain Centre. Neill had recently committed to setting up a new company, and felt no longer able to provide the time appropriate to fulfilling his duties to the Fountain Centre.

Neil brought considerable experience and expertise in Project Management, and greatly assisted in the planning and monitoring of the refurbishment of the Fountain Centre, the upgrade of the entrance to the Fountain Centre, the new notice boards, and of course the Level A Development. He also contributed to the development of our new Web site and to the implementation of the new data base and booking system.

We will very much miss his expertise, and wish him every success with his new venture.

Anne Good, our new TreasurerAnne Good ACA has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales since 1986, working with a broad range of businesses throughout her career. She is now a sole practitioner, based in Farnham in Surrey, and provides a full range of accounting and taxation services for limited companies, businesses, individuals, partnerships and charities. She joined the Trustees’ Board as Teasurer in November 2012.

3

Our trustee John Wilkinson was presented with several cheques at West Surrey Golf

Club on Saturday 6th October. The total was a splendid £15,250, of which £4,250

came from the Ladies Section.

Mike Harrison, Captain Linda Meadon, Ladies Captain John Wilkinson

Most of you will never meet Charlotte – but she is going to be a very important person in the life of St Luke’s and the Fountain Centre. Her official title is General Manager for Oncology & Medical Physics and Gynae-Oncology. She has over 20 years’ NHS experience both as a nurse and in management roles, and has recently completed a Masters degree in Healthcare Management.

She is looking forward to both the opportunities and challenges her new role will present: “My joblist is becoming as long as four people’s arms! The initial key objective of my role is to ensure we provide the best possible care to patients coming to St Luke’s, making the best use of the resources we have available in the current financial climate. Referrals to our consultants go up

every year, and I know this means that many of our clinics are extremely busy. I hope we can find ways to make these services run more smoothly. Another key objective is to look at how we can improve patient care by providing cancer services closer to home for patients across Surrey”.

The St Lukes team have already started to work collaboratively with the other hospitals in the area in achieving this goal and Charlotte will take a lead role in taking these plans this forward.

Charlotte has a husband and an elderly chocolate labrador

called Henry. She is missing her studies so much that she has decided to start a course on bee-keeping in January. We wish her well in that – one of our Chairman’s passions too – and in the day job.

Introducing Charlotte Freeman

t ibl called Henry She is m

Wig Bank Service

We have a selection of donated wigs available at discounted prices. All wigs have been sanitised by our volunteer hairdresser, who has completed the Trevor Sorbie Wig Course.

We also offer a WIG CUTTING SERVICE for a small donation.

DONATED WIGS URGENTLY REQUIRED

Garden volunteers brave the weather

Barbara Robson, Marta Strammiello, Ruth Punton and Sam Lush

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We were approached a couple of months ago by Marta at VirginMedia, to find out if there was anything useful she and her colleagues could do for the Fountain Centre. Marta’s dear friend and colleague, Julie, is undergoing treatment at the moment and told her about the great support the Fountain Centre has been giving her and her family.

We made a date for them to come in and help get the garden ready for winter.

With the weather we’ve had this year the chances of them getting wet was always going to be quite high – and they got soaked, but remained remarkably cheerful all day. Afterwards Marta wrote to us and said:

“Just a quick note to say that we had a great time on Friday. We worked hard and really enjoyed the time we had with Roy and being shown around the centre by Charlotte.” We are really grateful for their hard work and good spirits.

BB bb RR bb MM tt StSt ii llll RR thth PP tt dd SS LL hh

On my first day at the Fountain Centre I was passed a folder containing the name of three entertainers who had volunteered their services and was told to ‘plan an event’. Phew! Nothing like being thrown in at the deep end! Fortunately, instead of scaring me off, I thought this was why I wanted to work here. My job is made so much easier by the number of people who want to give back to this amazing place. The Centre is full of such people, staff, volunteers and patients alike. Everyone has been very welcoming and kind to this displaced Canadian!

Planning and running events is not something that is new to me. For the past ten years I have worked behind the scenes and acted in all of the Wintershall productions. During this time I was also very involved in my son’s primary school in a role that called for a lot of persistence in fund raising! I am looking forward to applying that same persistence to this new venture and hope see you all at a future Fountain Centre event!

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Gill McCarraher hosted a summer barbeque for Fountain Centre supporters in September, and

raised nearly £200 – she even managed to organise good weather, and everyone had a lovely time.

Pink Day at iHascoAfter their terrific success on Valentine’s Day earlier this year, staff at iHASCO decided it was time for a change. Instead of red, the entire team was required wear something pink – and pay for the privilege! With pink-themed cakes and a raffle, £160 was raised in total.

Jackie Wetherell, a very active member of the Supporters’ Group, works at iHASCO, and explained: “We know the Fountain Centre is a fantastic local charity for cancer patients and it will continue to be iHasco’s nominated charity for 2013. Look out for more innovative and extreme fund raising attempts as we aim to raise as much money as possible over the next year.”

Gwynneth Beck, our new Events Manager

Britain V Cancer

Trekking in 2013 sees a new venture for the Fountain Centre, quite different to the two recent expeditions to Santiago di Compostella –

It is further away – in Jordan

It is just one person, though in a group of over 120 people from all over the country, each raising money for their own local cancer charities. The event has been christened Britain V Cancer.

It is all up hill

On the plus side, the scenery will be spectacular throughout, finishing in the memorable ancient city of Petra – star of many a movie.

On the down side, plumbing provisions in the desert just don’t bear thinking about. The expedition takes place 19 – 26 April, taking 6 days to cover the distance. Irritatingly, a taxi can do the trip in under three hours…..

If anyone would like to support Fiona the Fundraiser, she’d be very grateful – either via www.justgiving.com/fionainjordan or her sponsorship form in the Fountain Centre.

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Isabel Kay works at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford and we were in touch about Hayley Mill’s visit to the Fountain Centre earlier this year. This triggered a thought, and she wrote to us: “A few years ago, you helped a very good friend of mine suffering from a brain tumour. Since then, I made a promise to myself that I would do some type of sponsored event. I have now decided to do The Grim Challenge (yes, it is as awful as it sounds!) in December and wanted to let you know that it will be in aid of the Fountain Centre. I hope I raise plenty of money for the fantastic work you do.”

Twiz goes for the Grim Challenge

The Grim Challenge takes place December 1-2 near Aldershot. The 8 mile route is used to test Army vehicles! It includes a long hill shortly after the start before descending again eventually reaching a water filled ravine, puddle-strewn paths and a crawl under camouflage netting. Torn ankle ligaments messed up Twiz’s training schedule, but she is determined she’ll be fit enough to take part. Find out how she gets on in the next newsletter, or add your support http://www.justgiving.com/grimtwiz

photography courtesy of AE Photos, 5 miles to go

8 December 2012 Collection, Sandhurst High Street

8 December 2012 Christmas Concert, Cranleigh School

10 December 2012 Carol Singing, Guildford Station

8 March 2013 Fashion Show, Mandolay Hotel

7 April 2013 Paris Marathon (Rich Dow running for the Fountain Centre)

19-26 April 2013 Trek from Dead Sea to Petra

5-8 June 2013 Guildford Cathedral Flower Gala

Forthcoming Events

Taking a dip in the Fountain Centre… The Fountain Centre organised an information day on Wednesday September 19, 10.00 – 15.30, to give staff, patients and carers a better understanding of the diverse range of support we can provide. We were particularly pleased to welcome Guildford’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Pauline Searle, on her first visit to the Fountain Centre.

A number of the Fountain Centre’s volunteer therapists provided ‘taster’ sessions, giving people the opportunity to try therapies they had always wondered about but not experienced. There were also stalls and information provided by the many local organisations the Fountain Centre works with across the SWSH region, such as local specialist support groups, the Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary, and the Bluebells Cancer Support Centre. We are very grateful to everyone who gave their time to make this a really successful event.

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Glen Butt and Ray Beard receive their award for the Fountain Centre garden from Guildford in Bloom – a very creditable Silver Gilt (almost Gold) in the class for the Best Neighbourhood Project.

7

Councillor Pauline Searle, Deputy Mayor of Guildford, talks to Angela

Savage of the Bluebells Cancer Centre and Gail Maguire

Therapy Focus – Art and Meditation

Exhibition opened by James Cosmo

8

I run the Art & Meditation sessions at the Fountain Centre on Thursday mornings. The cancer patients and their carers who attend classes find they can reflect their journey over a period of time, highlighting the benefits of meditation and the use of art as therapy.

We focus on letting go of anxieties, self criticism and any judgments of self that can hold us back and we let the art just appear during the meditation. It’s great fun and we all enjoy the relaxation that we get from it.

We then get to work with the paints and a cup of tea and it’s very therapeutic.

Using art as a therapy is a non-invasive way of dealing with any issues. We don’t always understand how we feel and sometimes

On October 11 the work of patients and carers who come to Fiona’s sessions on a regular basis went on display in St Luke’s. The exhibition ran for three weeks. Fiona explained : “On display is their journey – you can see how their work developed and how bold they have become.”

Distinguished actor James Cosmo opened the show and met the artists and staff from the Fountain Centre and St Luke’s. He said “It’s such a pleasure to have been asked to open the art exhibition. There’s a wonderful feeling of positivity about the Fountain Centre and everyone seems so positive for each other. I’m so impressed by the paintings, the idea of relaxation behind the display and the holistic methods of helping people through what I can only imagine is a really tough time.

I hope I can come down again and help a bit more with this wonderful project.”

Fiona, James & Carolyn

And we made the trade press…. 4 Walls, the magazine for art and framing professionals

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Lyn Hall of Fringe Arts Picture Framers is doing her bit to help patients being taught Inspirational and Meditative Therapy Art at Royal Surrey Hospital… by mounting a number of their pictures free of charge.

Asked by customer Fi Channon, who teaches the cancer patients and carers, if she could help with mounting the paste pieces, Lyn was more than happy to oblige, while Arqadia also supplied the mountboard to this worthy cause.

Lyn said: “I have been working with Fi for over 17 years as her framer and during that time we have become close friends. She is an inspired artist with a desire to help others and her work in meditative therapy at the Cancer Unit of the Royal Surrey Hospital has had some amazing results.

“When the opportunity came up for her to exhibit some of her students’ work, I jumped at the chance to help, and Arqadia very kindly came up trumps by providing the mountboard needed. This is a very valid form of therapy

and any support is worthwhile.”

The art therapy and meditation sessions benefit the patients through relaxation and helps them put their feelings into perspective. It is hoped, by displaying their work, other patients will be encouraged to join the class and find some peace while undergoing treatments.

4Walls Issue 7page 3

nal and spital… by f charge.

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pective. It atients will me peace

4Walls Issue 7

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can’t put our thoughts into words, but pictures can evoke feelings and insights without having to name the experience.

They can be used as an aid in counselling sessions or for pleasure but just the experience of putting a brush full of paint onto the paper is a soothing sensation.

In the sessions, we don’t focus on the ‘results’ – it ultimately doesn’t matter – it’s the journey and the sensation of letting go that makes the

difference. By learning to let go you learn to trust yourself and this can benefit you in other areas of your life. If you would like any more information about the Thursday morning sessions feel free to come and ask at the Fountain Centre.

Fiona Channon

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If you would like to sponsor the newsletter

as a one off or on a regular basis

please contact the Fountain Centre

on 01483 406619

Supports the Fountain Centre

June Sandle – our Monday volunteer – who has been Dahlia Monitor each week

Terry Cornell with Mandy Thomas, Carol Morley and Jennifer Korolewicz

Picture © Surrey Advertiser

The County Club held an extremely successful Golf Day to raise funds for the Fountain Centre at West Hill Golf Club in October. So far they have raised over £9,000 which is fantastic – and money is still coming in. We will have a full report in the next edition.

Those of you who have been in recently will have seen the most amazing dahlias on display all over the Fountain Centre. The story of how we acquired them seemed to capture the imagination of a number of local papers, and they have featured in the Surrey Advertiser, the Haslemere Herald and Godalming and District Messenger.

The prize blooms have been donated to us by Terry Cornell, a retired Godalming dentist who has been receiving radiotherapy treatment over the summer. He told the Surrey Advertiser: “When you lie under the radiotherapy machine, you think about all sorts of things, but you think about saying ‘thank you for saving my life. This was my way of doing that. I am so grateful to them for what they do.”

It was Terry’s idea to tell the media – “this is also my way of raising awareness of the centre. It is rather special for me to give them my flowers. I love giving them to deserving people”, he added, “I don’t think many people know how fantastic the centre is”.

Charlotte McDowell told the papers: “Terry Cornell has been bringing us a weekly gift of the most spectacular flowers all through this year’s dahlia season. He is passionate about his blooms, and we have to give them almost as much care as we give to our visiting patients. They give a great splash of colour to our reception area and really cheer people up. They start good conversations, too – many people have asked where they come from. We are lucky to have such a green-fingered supporter.”

Flower power in Fountain Centre hits local papers

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As I pulled up to the Harry Edwards Sanctuary last summer and stepped out of my car, I suddenly entered into another world, where time slowed down and tranquillity was actually palpable. Peacefulness and serenity hung like heady perfumes in the country air. Quietude reigned supreme, punctuated occasionally by the sound of lightly snoring woodland birds. I glided through the Sanctuary’s imposing portals, half expecting to find

Saint Peter behind the reception

desk, but luckily George and Dore en directed me

to the Bluebells Cancer Support

Group meeting room, where I met Angela.

The name Angela comes from ancient Greek and means ‘Messenger of God’. True, she has a halo of golden hair, but also an extremely mischievous grin that remains behind, long after the rest of her has disappeared from the room. She is a mine of ‘healing’ knowledge and a powerhouse of activity organisation. She immediately invited me to sign up for the Positive Health Programme (PHP), which she described as a five day melange of yoga, meditation, and visualisation techniques, plus a multitude of other holistic, complimentary therapy tasters that could seriously enhance my chance of survival. Obviously, I put up no resistance as I was feeling

An Invitation to The Ball

extremely strange, almost light headed, with the potent combination of burning curiosity and acute hope.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am the world’s most cynical person and have a seriously iconoclastic sense of humour. Chakras, crystals, energies and healing had never before entered my logical brain, except as a mental cartoon of saffron-robed baldies chanting ‘Om’ to a cacophony of finger symbols. However, the cancer diagnosis and subsequent standard medical treatment had left me reeling from a raging hurricane of mixed emotions; angry but vulnerable, focused yet confused, controlling but powerless. My world had changed forever. Through the PHP keyhole I glimpsed a distant party in full swing, but I had never been invited before. Poor Cinders! I grabbed my dance shoes and went to the ball.

Seven women sat in a circle. Some wore wigs and head

scarves. Individually they recounted their cancer journey. Some found words difficult and substituted tears. That was day one, hour one.

Five days in ‘The Big PHP’ household saw a packed programme of activities, interspersed with relentless tea breaks and riotous lunches.

Our facilitator was Tony; wearing a dapper suit and sporting a silver ponytail, he led us through, positive thinking methods, centring and grounding skills, emotional freedom techniques, meditation practices and various self-help aids that spanned the entire spiritual and secular spectrum. A lovely lady who talks to flowers took us on herbal walks through the magnificent grounds of the Sanctuary and a tall, dark, handsome fellow taught us Chi Dong. We danced for health with top hats and canes, we screamed, quacked and clucked our way through moksha yoga and we laughed and laughed.

Everyone was so endorphinated by the end of day five that we all hugged each other, danced around singing and formed a Mosh Pit for Angela, ‘the Messenger’, our organiser. Vexingly, only her grin remained in the sunshine that filled the room.

Jacqui C

FREE MONEYIf you are shopping on-line, don’t forget that if you go via www.easyfundraising.org.uk

the company you are buying from will give us a donation and it costs you nothing. How good is that??

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Toria tells her own story on her Justgiving page: “Whilst my Grandad, Bob Brown, was having chemotherapy, my grandma was able to take herself away for the stressful situation and have a cup of tea, a bit of cake and she could watch the tennis or read a book. It helped my Grandma a lot as it was a peaceful place away from the horrible situation. Everybody was in the same boat and my Grandma felt like she didn’t have to pretend, or be strong.

Sadly my Grandad lost his fight with cancer in March 2003.

“I was only 7 at the time, and wasn’t able to help my family at all. The Fountain Centre looked after my family when I couldn’t. I will forever be grateful for that. I won’t be able to pay back what they have done, but I can try. I am raising money by Skydiving, from 12,000ft, for this charity as a way of thanking them.”

As soon as Toria turned 16, earlier this year, she booked her flight and completed the jump in October, at Netheravon in Wiltshire. And if that wasn’t enough of an achievement, she’s almost

doubled her fund-raising target.

She wrote to tell us how it went: “It was the best thing I have ever done! Many people said I was mad, jumping out of a plane, I thought it myself.

“When I was on the ground, I was so nervous. I didn’t think I would be able to do it! But Grandad Bob helped me through it. I knew it was something I needed and wanted to do. When I was in the plane I felt like I was at the top of the world and Grandad was up there with me. For Grandad, but also for you, thank you so much.”

It is us who should be saying thank you,

Toria.

Toria – our youngest skydiver

Tina Ridge is Secretary of the Fountain Centre Supporters’ Group – skydiving is NOT part of her job description!

She described her apprehension on her JustGiving page: “Aaaargh!! I’m going to be jumping out of a plane!! Fingers

crossed for as safe a landing as you have made on my page.

“Mad? maybe a little – but with your help we can help The Fountain Centre continue to help others.

“Along with my daughter Kerrie, I will be jumping from 15000feet. After being bald, let me tell you this is the ultimate ‘feel the wind through your hair’ experience!

“Time to take fear by the hand and have my breath taken away but this time, for all the right reasons so please take a minute – the time I will be in freefall! and help me to help others.”

Tina jumped successfully in August and has gone way over her fundraising target – her page is still open at https://www.justgiving.com/tina-Ridge

And another one…our daredevil secretary

Jeff Humphries, from the Castle Keep

Lodge of Freemasons in Godalming,

presents a cheque for £3515 to Gail

Maguire, the Centre Manager. He selected

the Fountain Centre as his chosen charity

for his year as Master of the Lodge.

T

Gh

So“j

crossed for as safe a

GUNPOWDER RUN – Godalming to Dover

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Philip and Martin finally finish!You may recall that we reached Erith (Kent) on 23rd June, having rowed/sailed down the Wey canal from Godalming and along the river Thames. On Sunday morning Martin awoke feeling very ill, with what transpired to be pneumonia. So on the morning of the 24th, we took ourselves and Grace (our 13 foot skiff) home.

By the end of August Martin had recovered and with the suggestion of a fair weather window we set out for Erith Yacht Club on the 27th August to resume our challenge along the Thames Estuary and the north Kent coast to Dover. It was an overcast day with a gentle south-westerly wind as we launched at 10.15 to catch the top of the tide. After approximately 3 miles we passed under the QE11 bridge and on with a freshening wind, as we passed by Canvey Island to our north and the extensive sand flats off the Isle of Grain to our south - complete with basking seals. The wind continued to freshen and backed more to the south as we approached the dangerous wreck (SS Richard Montgomery) which lies due north of Sheerness. We should mention that this wreck has been stuck fast since 1944 still full of 1,400 tons of ordnance that was due to support the war in France. It is still visible above the water line and is well marked and monitored. It is said that if it blew it would shatter every piece of glass in Sheerness, creating a tidal wave that could swamp nearby low-lying habitation. Due to the sand flats off the Isle of Grain, we were now some two

miles off-shore, and with the conditions worsening and to avoid being blown across to Norway, we decided to down sails and row directly into the wind and a steep chop to make landfall on the Isle of Sheppey. The decision was encouraged by a large goffer braking over our stern which highlighted the need for caution. Grace was definitely out of her comfort zone! It took us three hours of hard rowing and constant bailing to make landfall. We were relieved to reach the beach, and finally selected our landing and camp site at the Eastern end of the sea wall, some two miles East of Sheerness. Having hauled Grace above High Water we pitched our tent, lit a fire to dry out, had a snack and went to bed to the accompaniment of mosquitoes.

Next morning was bright with a fresh breeze from the south west and we were up, packed and ready to catch the tide at 09.00. We made very good progress along the Kent coast, passing Whitstable, Herne Bay, sometimes doing up to 8 knots on the GPS in perfect sailing

conditions. We reached Margate after a very enjoyable sail at about 16.00 - at low water. Having hauled Grace 300 yards up above the high water mark we pitched our tent in the rather incongruous setting of a holiday beach amidst the sand castles and wind breaks, in anticipation of our first hot meal. We had been living off Yompa Bars which although high in energy, did not have the allure of crispy fish and chips! They were disappointing – soggy and sandy! (We have crossed Margate off our list of possible holiday destinations.)

We were up at 05.20 to hauled Grace back down the 300 yards to the water’s edge (low water again) to catch a favourable tide around North Forelandand . We set sail at 06.30 under jib with a favourable tide and a south westerly breeze. On rounding North Foreland we had to row, keeping close inshore to avoid the chop. At about 10.00 the tide turned against us and we had another hard row with the wind now dead against us down to

continue overleaf

14

Broadstairs, which we reached at about 11.30. We were now at the tip of Spring Tides, and with the tide not due to turn in our favour for another five hours, and our decision throughout not to undertake night passages, we pitched camp again under the sea wall, above the high water mark. The following morning we took stock of the forecast for the next few days and concluded that with the wind forecasted to strengthen to Force 6/7 we would not be able to continue. Reluctantly with the Cliffs of Dover in sight some 16 miles away across Pegwell Bay, on the morning of the Thursday 30th August we decided to head for home and wait for the weather to change.

Saturday 1st September looked a much better proposition with forecast winds 5 – 10 knots from the west backing south west later in the day. An early start at 05.00 from home was called for and we were in the water again at Broadstairs by 07.30 with a wind Force 2 – 3 from the west. We managed some sailing for a while but half way across Pegwell Bay (south of Ramsgate) we were back to rowing again with the wind backing South West. We past Deal Pier and rowed until the tide turned foul on us at Kingsdown where we put ashore at 12.30 to waite again for the tide to turn. After a relaxing picnic provided by the shore party (wives) we launched again at 16.45 with 6 miles to go. We were headed all the way due to the effect of the cliffs, and due to increasing chop causes by wind against tide, decided to make our final landfall at St Margret’s Bay, just North East of The Harbour. We stepped ashore at 18.15, relieved, and very pleased

GUNPOWDER RUN continued

we had eventually reached our destination, having rowed / sailed 157 miles over a total of 5 days

Thanks to all of you who have contributed to our charities. It was the commitment that you have made that spurred us on to complete.

For those who were waiting to see if we would finish, now is the time!! Select whichever charity you prefer from the three below:

For Royal Marines Benevolent Trust Fund – www.justgiving.com/Philip-Greig

For Fountain Centre – www.justgiving.com/MartinRead-GunpowderRun

For St Peter’s Lifeline – www.stpeterslifeline.org.uk

With best wishes

Phillip & Martin.

PS. NEXT YEAR!!

We welcome anyone to join us next year. We think however it would be more manageable to limit the trip to run between Godalming and Chatham. Not so weather dependable.

Our Unsung Hero The Royal Surrey’s Staff Recognition Awards includes a category for Unsung Heroes – acknowledging the contribution and achievement made by someone who provides voluntary support to the Trust or its patients. And this year it was awarded to Brian Capp, one of our Monday volunteers. We are delighted and very proud of him.

Brian commented: “I am very honoured and surprised at receiving the Unsung Hero Award. Since joining the Fountain Centre I have loved every minute. I enjoy meeting and talking to patients and try to put their minds at rest. The team makes it a pleasure to come to work and I could not have wished for a better role. I hope I can live up to this honour bestowed on me”.

information for

your calendarThe Fountain Centre is open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.

Please contact us on 01483 406618 to make inquiries or a booking.

Weekly Activities Monday Acupuncture, Bodytalk, Counselling, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), Hypnotherapy, Reflexology, Yoga

Tuesday Acupuncture, Counselling, Massage, MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage), Reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu

Wednesday Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Benefits Advice, Counselling, Craniosacral Therapy, Hydrotherm, Hypnotherapy, Meditation Visualisation, MLD, Massage, Reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu, Wig bank and cutting service

Thursday Acupuncture, Art with Meditation, Counselling, CranioSacral Therapy, , Hydrotherm, Indian Head Massage, Massage, Reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu

Friday Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Counselling, Hydrotherm, Indian Head Massage, Massage, Meditation, Pilates, Reflexology, Reiki

Monthly Look Good Feel Better Look Good Feel Better is always on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month

Hascombe Oncology Support Group – Hascombe Oncology Support Group – for parents of children affected by cancer

Meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month in the Creative Arts room.

Contact Melanie Popham on 01483 571122 ext 4071 for times each month.

Book Club Meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month, 10.15-11.15. For more information contact Maria Wakefield on 01483 406619.

20/12/12 December by Elizabeth Winthrop. The list for 2013 will be available in December

Young Women’s Support Group For women aged 20-45; meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month in the Creative Arts room from 12.30 – 3.00. Contact Anne Pike for more information on 01483 416619 or anne.pike1@nhs.net

Brain Tumour Support Group Meet on the 1st Thursday of each month, 12.30 – 3.00 in the Creative Arts room. Contact Dorrie (dorriewill@aol.com) or Ann (01252 834784) for more details.

Ovarian Cancer Support Group Last Friday of the month – every other month

Contact Fiona Thompson on 01483 571122 ext 2038 for more details

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Main Hospital

BeaconCentre

NuffieldHospital

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Radiotherapycar park

St Luke’sCancerCentre

Level B entrance

exit

Gill Avenue

University,Cathedral,

A3

Accident & Emergency

The Fountain Centre

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Visitors Car ParkStaff Car Park

The Fountain Centre, St. Luke’s Cancer CentreRoyal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust FoundationEgerton Road, Surrey GU2 7XXOpen Monday to Friday 9am -5pm

Telephone: 01483 406618 | Fax: 01483 408321Email: rsc-tr.fountaincentre@nhs.net Website: www.fountaincentre.org

Where to find usBuses A number of buses go to the hospital which is situated just off the A3, the Royal Surrey is clearly signposted from all directions of travel. For the latest timetable please contact Arriva 01483 505693 or visit the website on www.surreycc.gov.uk/buses.

Train information 08457 484950 (24hour) or www.nationalrail.co.uk

The Fountain Centre is located in the St. Luke’s Cancer Centre, which is situated in the grounds of the hospital, please see map on your right.

Our warm thanks go to:Action for Carers Surrey

Arqadia

Bluebells Cancer Support Centre

The Beacon Service

The Brigitte Trust

Castle Keep Lodge of the Freemasons

Chris & Sarah Churchill

Citizens Advice Bureau, Guildford

The County Club

Crossroads Care

ESPA

Ewell Parochial Trust

Farnham Golf Club

FD Solutions

Fi Channon

Joseph Strong Frazer Trust

Fringe Arts picture framers

Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary

The Highways Agency

iHasco

Jackie Wetherell

James Cosmo

Jane & Jeff Humphries

Karen Batterson

Lyn Hall

Merrist Wood Golf Club

National Council for Palliative Care

The Olive Tree

Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church, Frimley

Pride’s Farm Shop

Rotary Club of Guildford

Rudgwick Music Festival

Samaritans

Sigvaris – Life for Legs

South West Surrey Lodge of the Freemasons

St Catharine’s Hospice

St Luke’s Dieticians Team

VirginMedia

West Surrey Golf Club

West Hill Golf Club

Witley Wines

Woking Hospice

4Walls magazine

And all the therapists and volunteers who participated in the Patient Information Day on September 18.