Tree of Light 2016 Cheque Presentations

With over £6,000 raised by their Tree of Light Appeal 2016, a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Oswestry confirmed the donations to be distributed to a dozen local charities over the next few months.

May 19th - Midlands Air Ambulance £600

After an early Christmas gift of £200 raised by Oswestry Rotary Club from the collection and sale of old and unwanted foreign currency, a further £600 was donated to the Midland Air Ambulance Charity from the Club's Christmas Tree of Light Appeal recently when members visited their base at RAF Cosford to meet some of the pilots and see for themselves the helicopters supported by the charity.

President Ian Haigh said "It is an invaluable service that we have in the Midlands.  The fast and targeted reponse to incidents mean that lives can be saved and injuries controlled giving accident victims the best outcome possible if they are attended by the Air Ambulance.  We can all see the benefits of the public's support for this essential charity."

Did you know that you can also support the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by downloading their A.I.R. Ambulance - Augmented Reality Helicopter by Midlands Air app and explore their newest helicopter G-0MAA in stunning 3D?

You can download it from here:

To experience the magic of Augmented Reality take a £5, £10 or £20 note from your wallet (or use Midlands Air Ambulance Logo), and open the App, choose "Explore the helicopter in Augmented Reality”.  Find out more here.

May 16th - St John Ambulance (Oswestry Branch) £120

Over the past few months, the Oswestry Unit of St John Ambulance has been raising funds to purchase and equip a mobile First Aid treatment unit to be used when they attend events.

The donation received from the Tree of Light, presented recently, has been used to purchase the table and chairs seen in the photograph where patients can sit and be treated.  The balance will be used to purchase a flag to signal the presence of the First Aid post which is now on order.

Look out when you see the St John Ambulance attending an event - you may have helped purchase their tent!

March 6th - Lingen Davies £725

The final presentation in Shrewsbury was to the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, a charity committed to supporting high quality cancer services for the people of Shropshire, Telford and Mid Wales. "Since 1979 the charity has contributed the equivalent of £18 million in today’s prices to improve cancer services in the local area" said Fundraising Manager Louise Dawson. "Around 75,000 people have had their cancer treatment and care improved through the impact of the Fund. Following the huge success of our ACTION Appeal, which reached its £750,000 target for a Linear Accelerator 4 months early, we are now raising money for a specialist couch to accompany the new LINAC machine when it becomes operational in summer 2017. The couch will cost £166,000 and we are on target to reach this by the end of this month" added Louise, "We are very grateful for donations to the Fund which keeps improving our services for those in this area.  Thank you!"

March 6th - Severn Hospice £725

The Severn Hospice in Shrewsbury provides specialist care and support free of charge to families across Shropshire and Mid Wales who are living with an incurable illness; 2,800 local people are helped each year.

"As an independent charity we must raise two thirds of our running costs - around £7 million each year - which is only possible thanks to the generous support we receive from the communities we serve," said Lucy Ruff, Fundraising Manager at Severn Hospice.  "Donations like this are extremely valuable to us.  Many thanks to the supporters of the Tree of Light Appeal."

March 6th - Marches Riding for the Disabled £400

The Marches Riding for the Disabled Association group is part of the national Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), one of 8 groups in Shropshire.  Meeting at Penycoed Stables, Pant on a Thursday morning during termtime from 10.30am, the group currently provides riding lessons for 5 riders with disabilities, giving them the chance to take part in events such as the annual Shropshire fun day and RDA competitions as they improve.  "It is recognised that there are significant therapeutic physical benefits for the disabled rider and they make friends in the group" commented volunteer Clare Bellison.

"Although the riders make a contribution to the cost of each session, we have to cover horse hire, insurance and equipment costs so, although we fundraise, donations like this from the Tree of Light are very valuable" said Natalie Sheehy the Marches Group Chairperson. "We are also reliant on volunteers such as side walkers or leaders who do not ride but concentrate solely on the rider or horse. We could always do with more people who have horse experience as we are sometimes short of leaders."

For any enquiries about riding or volunteering please contact Natalie Sheehy on 07487 711340.

March 6th - Oswestry Stroke Club £400

For over 35 years Oswestry & District Stroke Club, a self help and social club for people who have suffered a stroke and for their carers, have been there for people in the Oswestry area to provide information about stroke and local services plus support through a range of social activities.  The Club helps members regain their confidence after a stroke, offering a warm welcome and a friendly face and the chance to talk to someone who understands because they have also been there.

Receiving their cheque, Stroke Club President Mike Garratt said "The Rotary Club does wonderful work and gives support to many different charities.  It is very much appreciated and helps us no end. A BIG BIG thank you from members of the Stroke Club!"

Oswestry & District Stroke Club meet on the 2nd Thursday of every month at Oswestry Senior Citizens Club on Lorne Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1ND from 2.00-4.00pm.  If you want to find out more about the Stroke Club please visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/oswestrystrokeclub/ or contact Mike Garratt garratt36@talktalk.net or 01691 238768.

February 27th - North Shropshire Special Olympics £700

Two more presentations were made at Oswestry Leisure Centre during a North Shropshire Special Olympics table tennis training session.  Offering sporting activities for children and adults with physical and learning disabilities, members of the group looked on as their Chairman Brian Johnson accepted their cheque and thanked the Tree of Light donors for their continued support.  "We will be able to make good use of this donation" Brian said. Coach Graham Poole added "Looking towards the summer, 17 of our members must raise funds to attend the Special Olympics GB Summer Games 2017 in Sheffield and this will make a valuable contribution."  The members returned to their training with a purpose as the group were organising a tournament for 92 players from around the country in Wrexham the following weekend.

February 27th - The Cricket Federation for the Disabled £700

For the final presentation of the week, three members of The Cricket Federation for the Disabled (Oswestry) dropped into the Special Olympics training session to receive their donation.  This group gives people the opportunity to develop their cricket skills, for Club to County to Area and on to International competitions, regardless of the severity of their disability.  Coach Graham Furber introduced Paul Evans and Rachel Evans, both selected for the England team for an indoor T20  match against Wales at Lords later this month, to receive their cheque and said "We are very pleased to receive this donation from the Tree of Light to help towards our running costs."

February 20th - Hope House £700

On an afternoon visit to Hope House, Morda's children's hospice, the Tree of Light group met Lynsey Kilvert, Hope House's Area Fundraiser, who introduced them to patient Kiki Thomas who received their cheque.  For many families like Kiki's the staff at Hope House become like their own family, providing respite care for both the patient and their families. "Donations from the Tree of Light help us to continue to provide care and support for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families too of course.  We are very grateful" said Lynsey.

February 17th - Transhouse Trust £500

Oswestry's Transhouse Trust helps patients with life-changing spinal injuries by providing short-term accommodation and support to enable them to leave hospital whilst providing assistance as they prepare for their maximum level of independent living and quality of life. "The Trust is an independent charity funded mostly by its tenants' housing benefits so, with 3 properties in Oswestry to maintain now, there is an increasing dependence on donations such as the Tree of Light Appeal - thank you!" said Suzanne Smith Transhouse's Housing Support Co-ordinator.

February 17th - Age UK (Oswestry Day Centre) £250

Age UK's Oswestry Day Centre at Monkmoor Court, Oswestry meets on Thursdays between 10am and 2pm and, for a small charge to help cover costs, provides activities such as cards and games, Boccia, 10 pin bowling, quizzes, crafts, guest speakers and armchair exercises to a dozen elderly and isolated members of our community.  Transported to the centre by Dial-a Ride, the members also enjoy a hot 2 course meal delivered by Brooks Restaurant and tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the session whilst looked after by volunteers Sue, Bob, Maud-Ann and Mary Harley. Mary thanked the Tree of Light donors for the monies received "We have bought equipment for our users to enhance our time together in the sessions" she explained.

February 6th - Connect For Life Dementia Support £325

Established in Autumn 2016, the Oswestry charity Connect For Life provides a support service for mainly older people, in particular those with memory difficulties or dementia.  Between 10.30 and 14.30 each Wednesday, up to a dozen people take part in the activities provided by the group at the Gatacre Pavilion. Providing respite for carers, stimulating activities for those with cognitive difficulties and a lunch supplied by Woodside School's caterers, this shared time gives an opportunity for a person to feel they are contributing to the group activity and not just being the one who is receiving or listening.

Donations to the Tree of Light have bought specialist reminiscence resources including jigsaws, books, films and DVDs on familiar themes such as The Beach, The Garden and Sporting Fun.  "Talking about the past can recall happy memories and good feelings", said Alison Humphreys one of the two women behind Connect For Life as she received their cheque. "A person with dementia can usually recall things from many years ago rather than recent memories. Reminiscence can give them a sense of competence and confidence," added Carolyn Lewis co-founder of the group, "These materials will be very useful for our users. We are very grateful to the Tree of Light sponsors."

Charging only £10 for each session including lunch, the number of people using the group has doubled in the five months since it started.  "More volunteers to help would be welcome and would allow more people to access the sessions," commented Alison.

If you would like to know more about Connect For Life they can be contacted using connectforlife@hotmail.com or 07582 207972 or find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/connectforlifeoswestry/