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Your place for news and information

Events Diary...

I have been at the Charity for 12 months and it has been a real pleasure to see the positive impact we have on so many people who live with long-term health conditions and to get to know our service-users, volunteers and staff.

It is particularly rewarding when taking healthcare professionals and other visitors around the Centre – people are incredibly impressed by what we do and the positive impact we have on so many lives.

This year has not been without its difficulties though. The Charity has been struggling for several years to generate enough income to meet the rising costs of funding the many services that have developed we now see significantly more people and more conditions, so it is not surprising that our running costs have increased.

We do need to find innovative ways to raise income, not just from traditional fundraising methods but also by working in partnerships with businesses and the NHS. This is very much our focus now and over the next few years. Recently the emphasis has been on getting the hydrotherapy pool built and while sorting out the issue is at the top of the agenda in the short-term, it is equally important for me as Chief Executive to look at a Charity model that has a sustainable future.

May I thank all of you for your understanding and patience during this difficult period.

Alana Timmins, Chief Executive

Welcome The closure will be for at least six months to get the Charity in a more secure financial position; to resolve all the building defects and to reduce the energy consumption of the pool building.

While this decision was heart-breaking for clients, the running costs were crippling and putting us at severe financial risk, which could impact on other services we provide. It is essential that we have the time to raise significant funds from voluntary sources; to seek commercial partnerships and to ensure our running costs are economical and efficient.

Chairman of Trustees to Step down

After 11 years as Chairman of Trustees Simon Sherrard has decided to step down and will be taking up Chairmanship at the National Maritime Museum. We would like to express our gratitude to Simon for everything he has done in this volunteer role and wish him luck for the future.

We are delighted to welcome our new Chairman, Tom Sneddon. Tom moved to Cornwall nearly 25 years ago to take up a European Director role with ECC. Since 2001 Tom has developed a successful consultancy business, primarily working with charities throughout the South West.

He has also been a non-Executive Director of Cornwall NHS for eight years. In his spare time he enjoys rugby and walking his dogs.

Are you a member of our 100 Club?

Signing up for a "100 Club" monthly prize draw would mean you could win big prizes for only £2 a month.

Our 100 Club raises vital funds to help us provide thera-pies, care and advice for service users. It's a fantastic way to support the work of the charity and potentially get something back in return.

You don’t have to use Centre facilities to be a member, so please tell your family and friends. It would also make a great Christmas gift for a loved one.

For a regular monthly donation of £2.00 per entry, pay-able by standing order, you will become a member of the "100 Club", and your lucky personal number will be entered into the monthly draw. You can have as many £2 chances as you wish.

The draw takes place on the last Thursday of each month. There is no limit to the number of entries you may have.

The "100 Club" is regulated by and subject to the provisions of the lotteries and Amusement Act 1976,

AlanaClosure of Hydrotherapy Pool

Many of you will have heard about the need to close our hydrotherapy pool temporarily – the Charity has now appointed Independent engineering consultants to resolve some outstanding issues. The company is providing its expertise and services free of charge

A delay of more than seven months on completion of the project due to building issues, energy costs significantly more than that originally estimated by professional contractors and an over-run on the project costs have used up funds that the charity had set aside for running costs.

Completion of the pool was due in October 2018 but the handover was delayed by two months to December 20 and therapy staff were unable to use the pool facility for a further five months due to significant and unprecedented building problems.

However, all the time the charity was still paying for the various utilities and other costs – which are over £4500 per month. This delay and ongoing issues are currently subject to negotiation with the various contractors and other professional services.

DECEMBER 2019Saturday 7th 10 - 4pm – Christmas Fayre @ St Austell Brewery

Friday 13th Mince Pies and Carols

Monday 16th 6.30pm – Christmas Bingo

MARCH 2020Saturday 14th Well-Being DayAPRIL 2020 TBC Spring FayreMAY 2020 Friday 22nd Golf Day JUNE 2020 TBC Zip Wire

Events Diary... If anyone can help at any of these events, can attend a store collection or would like to set up their own fundraising group or event, please call the team on 01726 885530Times and Dates may be subject to change.

30mm

A place of support, therapy and information for Cornwall

A place of support, therapy and information for Cornwall

30mm

A place of support, therapy and information for Cornwall

A place of support, therapy and information for Cornwall

30mm

Volunteering

Donating pre-loved items

Mick will be walking on air!

Centre user and adrenaline junkie Mick Gibson has never been one to shy away from a challenge. Previous fundraisers include a parachute jump, racing along a zip wire and a mile swim. However, in 2020 he will be taking on his biggest challenge yet. A sponsored Wing Walk!

Mick was diagnosed with MS in 1995 and been coming to the Centre since it opened. He has come a long way from having to rely on the use of a wheelchair and the transport service to get him to the Centre. He now drives himself for his weekly physio sessions which have increased both his physical strength and confidence so much, that he is determined to take on this daring challenge.

Exercise classes for all

Did you know the therapy team offer a variety of weekly exercises classes?

• Tuesday 10am Ready, Steady Stand to Walk • Tuesday 11.30am Movement to Rhythm • Wednesday 9am Bootcamp • Wednesday 11am circuits• Thursday 11am circuits• Friday 10am circuits • Friday 12pm low level circuits

Please call the team on 01726 885530 for more information.

New Oxygen Generator for Centre

Thanks to a generous £65,000 grant donation from the Band Trust, the Oxygen Department will soon be able to produce its own oxygen from an onsite Generator. The Generator will significantly reduce long-term costs (purchasing oxygen and equipment hire is currently £13,500 per year).

It will also help reduce the charity’s carbon footprint and increase sustainability. Producing oxygen on site allows the department to produce only what is needed without having tostore large volumes.

Charity Golf Day Truro£1791

Coast to Clay in March£5983

Success at MSNTC Performance Awards

Alana and Sarah attended the Multiple Sclerosis National Therapy Centre’s (MSNTC) annual conference in July. It provided an excellent opportunity to talk to other volunteers and staff at the other Centres, hear from key-note speakers and keep up to date with developments in the sector.

“It was really encouraging to know that what we provide here in Cornwall is seen as one of the best in the countryby our colleagues in other areas,” said Alana.

During the evening the MSNTC Performance Awards were presented and we received the following:• Highly Commended Volunteer of the Year: Bev Burt, Paul Spencer and Edna Liddicoat.• Highly Commended Trustee of the Year: Mike James.• Highly Commended Most Innovative Initiative: The Sensory Space

Finally, the icing on the cake was the award for Best Event for activities relating to our 10th anniversary celebrations, including achieving a 12-month media partnership, the design and production of our special recipe book, £10 challenge boxes campaign and our range of merchandise. Alana was presented with a beautiful glass gift which is on display at the Centre – Thank you for making this a year of celebration.

Christmas at the Brewery

Working in partnership with St Austell Brewery, there will be a Christmas Fayre on Saturday 7th December 10-4pm at the brewery’s visitor centre in St. Austell with festive gifts, crafts, food stalls, a chance to visit Father Christmas in his magical grotto and musical entertainment throughout the day. Tickets for the event which includes a mince pie and a drink cost £5.00. For more details please please contact Laura on 01726 885530 or keep up to date with details on social media.

Don’t take the biscuit...donate instead

Each Christmas service users and supporters kindly bring in gifts of appreciation. While we all love a treat, the team has asked for your generous gifts to be swapped for a cash gift – this is much needed as the Charity has faced some very difficult financial pressures over the past few years. Donations help us to support more people.

Trelissick Fun Run£1386

Open Garden Scheme£3410

Saying I Will

Following her retirement from Penwithick Post Office, which she ran for 15 years, Catherine decided to become a volunteer and has now worked on reception, in administration and currently in the fundraising office for the past four years. Her mum’s closest friend had Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and she also knew other family friends with MS.

When Catherine and her husband Simon sold their business, they needed to rewrite their Will and Catherine decided to take advantage of the partnership between the Merlin MS Centre and McClure Solicitors which offers clients, volunteers, staff and their friends/family members a free will writing service.

While there is no obligation to do so,Catherine decided to leave a gift in her Will to the Charity. “Peter from McClure’s came to visit me at home and was able to answer all my questions. I felt really comfortable dealing with him,“ said Catherine.

“Our children will of course benefit from our estate, but I decided to leave a gift to the Merlin MS Centre – I know it didn’t matter what the actual amount was but giving something was important to me,” said Catherine.

If anyone wishes to discuss leaving a gift in their Will, please contact Sarah Snell on 01726 885530 or arrange an appointment with McClure Solicitors by calling 0800 8521999

Sticker Rally £9159

Banger Rally £8957Luxulyan Ladies

Cycle Challenge£7408

Bev's Facebook £6000

Volunteer News

A huge thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who have supported us throughout the year. A special thank you to the team of Cafe volunteers – it can be a particularly tiring and busy role. All the volunteers regularly do four-hour shifts, some two to three times a week. The cafe simply would not run without you all. We have had some great feedback, particularly the quality of your Barista coffees!

We now have two Welfare Support Volunteers, Alison (who originally volunteered in the cafe) and Sue who together offer benefit support and advice to our service users two half days a week.

We would also like to thank Jonty who at 17 is our youngest volunteer. Jonty, who wants to work in medicine, undertook both his Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) volunteering as well as his college work experience here at the Centre. He has chosen to complete his award with us and volunteered in the gym over the summer period. Best of luck with your future studies and career Jonty.

Friday 13th Lucky for some

Friday 13th may be unlucky for some but it provided clear blue skies and perfect conditions for eight brave individuals who jumped out of a plane for Merlin!

Catherine Hanniford, Fundraising Volunteer, Paul Bond, fulltime carer to his wife Janet, who uses oxygen therapy, jumped from the air field at Perranporth. Service user Michael Bradford completed his jump at Honiton.

It was an early start, arriving at the air field for 8am to register and receive a safety briefing before their daring 15,000ft descent!

So far £3450 has been raised with sponsor ship still coming in. Thank you to all who took part.

Thursday 7th November 12pm ‘Secure Your Future...and Ours’

Join us for a special celebratory presentation where we will be joined by Peter Harrison, Specialist Estate Planner, McClure Solicitors as well as Ian Dibb, Founder of Once I’ve Gone, a unique online platform for securing important documentation.

See poster on back page for more details.

£5BOX OF

BISCUITSwill pay for lunch for a

Respite Service User

£10BOX OF

CHOCOLATES

will pay for three

exercise noodles

£15BOTTLE OF WINE

will pay for a seat cushion for

oxygen therapy or Three Pilates balls for the gym

Pamper Day£3038

Events Round-UpTo all our lovely fundraisers – your help is invaluable. Thank you.

Summer Fun Day £1057

Mick on the Anti Gravity Treadmill

Taking exercise outside

Do you have a personal challenge you would like to do for charity? Our Events Team would love to hear from you...

After jump celebration

All smiles for Michael

Alana receiving the ‘ Best Event’ Award

Are you a Friend of the Centre?

Our Friends are a group of people who share a common goal.... helping to make a difference through a regular monthly donation. As well as receiving the newsletter you will also be invited to our annual BBQ and social committee events. If you would like to become a Friend of the Centre please complete the enclosed form.