Life Summer 2013
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Hospice wins awards
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Big Fun Walk success
Caring for my husband
Our Marathon Runners
Your donations make our work possible www.northlondonhospice.org 020 8343 8841
North London Hospice in Finchley 47 Woodside Avenue, London N12 8TT North London Hospice in Enfield 110 Barrowell Green, London N21 3AY Registered charity No: 285300
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message from the Chief executive
Walkers step up the fundraising
Welcome to our Summer newsletter
A beautiful spring day provided the perfect conditions for North London Hospice’s annual sponsored walk. The Hospice held its Big Fun Walk, one of the charity’s most popular fundraisers, on Sunday 7 April with more than 1,200 people putting on their walking boots.
Some exciting developments have taken place at North London Hospice since our Spring edition.
“The extra support we want to provide will need funding so please continue to support our work.”
I am delighted to report North London Hospice has been awarded a £385,000 grant from the Department of Health to improve and expand our care facilities. The Hospice has been handed a share of £60 million awarded to 176 hospices in the uK to improve the physical environment in which we provide care. The focus of the grant will be on the refurbishment of our Finchley reception area, transforming the existing space into a diverse ‘home from home’ space, which all patients, families and loved ones will be able to utilise. There will also be additional clinical rooms to expand the community support we are able to provide from our Finchley site, once funding for these additional activities is forthcoming. In the meantime the space will provide improved facilities for all those visiting the inpatient unit.
Part of this improvement will be an extended role for our reception volunteers who will provide emotional support to visitors when needed. While the grant will provide the facilities, the extra support we want to provide will need funding so please continue to support our work.
Participants set out at east Finchley underground station and made their way through many of London’s royal Parks before being welcomed to the finishing point at Storey’s Gate in Westminster with a range of entertainment including a jazz band, face-painting and refreshments.
Our Sow a Special Sunflower event is fast approaching and is a particularly poignant occasion in the Hospice calendar. It is a time for remembrance. Hundreds of wooden sunflowers will be planted in the Hospice garden, each one representing someone special.
The event, now in its 19th year, attracted both young and old supporters with even a number of four-legged companions completing the route.
Thank you for your continued commitment. Our work would not be possible without you.
Hospice community nurse specialist Susi Greham, who completed the walk with her family, said: “What an amazing day. We loved every second and are already talking about next year’s event. There was a real family atmosphere and fabulous team spirit. Fab route, lovely scenery and all for a great cause.”
My best wishes,
Douglas Bennett
Some of the walkers were surprised to bump into Little Britain star and comedian David Walliams. David kindly posed for pictures before encouraging them on their way.
North London Chief executive Douglas Bennett said he was delighted to see so many people take part in the walk and thanked everyone who turned up. He said: “Thanks to
everyone who made the event such a success. It was a real team effort involving over a thousand walkers and a team of dedicated volunteers and Hospice staff. “This is a vital event for the Hospice raising about £120,000 every year. In such a challenging fundraising environment and with more than £6.5 million to raise every year to continue to provide our specialist care, every walker and every penny raised really counts.” All money raised will go towards providing specialist care and support to terminally ill patients and their families in the boroughs of Barnet, enfield and Haringey.
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North London Hospice is delighted to have picked up two prestigious architecture awards. The Hospice was recognised by the Civic Trust Awards at a ceremony held at City Hall in Cardiff on Saturday 10 march. From 263 national and international entries North London Hospice’s day services building in Barrowell Green, Winchmore Hill was one of just 32 projects presented with the highest level of award as an ‘outstanding example of architecture and environmental design.’ The building also scooped a further honour, the ‘Special Award for Sustainability’, for demonstrating ‘excellent sustainability credentials in terms of overall design parameters, material selection, construction methods and long term energy consumption.’ The Civic Trust Awards recognises projects that have made a difference to local people and their communities through design and facilities. Judges felt the facility, which offers patients and their carers a range of care and support services such as physiotherapy, symptom assessment, advice and counselling, creative activities and complementary therapies, was very well constructed with careful and thorough detailing throughout. 2 LiFe @ NORTH LONdON HOspice
Jonathan Knight: #BigFunWalk complete. Thankyou @NLondonHospice for a wonderful day Amanda Jackson: @nlondonhospice Great to see so many smiling faces pass my marshalling post #BigFunWalk Caroline Carter Taggart: Was a great day...yep aching today but def worth it..North London Hospice is an amazing place xx Danny Clarke: What a fantastic organised day it was too. Can’t wait for next year’s Hayley Gorry-Sansom: Had such a good time we laughed from beginning to end Russell Hennessy: Absolutely wonderful. Huge congrats to all who conquered!
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A hospice is more than a building, it is a way of caring for people North London Hospice isn’t just about inpatient care. Hospice care is also provided in people’s own homes, in outreach settings like care homes and through our day care services. Despite the challenges of living with a life-limiting illness, day services, run from our site in Barrowell Green, are often characterised by the sound of laughter and a strong sense of hope. A variety of services are provided – ranging from nursing and medical assessment to creative activities, complementary therapies, advice and
“I am just so relieved to have the support of North London Hospice. I can relax knowing that without a doubt Patrick has the best care possible in this world for him.”
information. But perhaps most important is the relationships that individuals make with each other and the staff and volunteers involved in their care. Through these friendships people share all sorts of stories, memories, thoughts and ideas. We recognise that it is not just patients who need care but also the people who are caring for them. Here Ursula Corrigan shares her life as a carer and how using North London Hospice day services has helped her and her husband Patrick. “Patrick has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and as a result has respiratory failure. He is dependent on oxygen to help him breathe and cannot be left on his own. “When Patrick’s condition deteriorated last year his respiratory nurse suggested he should be referred to the Hospice for specialist palliative care. I had already heard of North London Hospice and neither of us were scared as we knew it would be a great help to us both. Being a carer is difficult. You need a lot of stamina, energy and patience. As well as a wife, I am a nurse, carer, cook, cleaner.. I am everything. “Patrick was one of the first patients to use day services, in Barrowell Green when it opened in September last year. He loves it. He takes part in the art classes, he has Reiki and joins in with the relaxation sessions. What he enjoys the most is being able to meet and talk to other people. “Caring for someone with a life-limiting illness can be very stressful. North London Hospice has a carer’s group where I can find emotional and practical support. We chat about so many different things. It’s an opportunity to relax, unwind, make new friends and talk to someone who appreciates the challenges of being a carer. “I won’t usually leave Patrick anywhere but I know he’s well looked after and they understand his condition. When I first walked in, it felt so calm and relaxing. I know he is safe. “I have benefitted from it too. I can do things like go to the dentist, have a physiotherapy appointment and get my medical needs sorted out. Or some days I just come home and sleep.”
In the news... Thanking our nurses International Nurses Day was celebrated on Sunday 12 May this year, the anniversary of Florence Nightingales’ birth. North London Hospice marked the occasion by holding a special tea party to thank our team of nurses for the vital work they do. North London Hospice’s Nursing Director Pam McClinton said: “That extra mile our nurses are prepared to go to never ceases to impress me, each and every one of our patients is unique, and the way our nurses adapt to individual needs is something that cannot be taught in the classroom or learned from a book, it is something that comes from a deep rooted sense of compassion, care and understanding.”
Retiring Trustees It is with great sadness that we are losing three of our long-standing trustees from the Board. Chris Page, Penny Gluckstein and Jerome Karet will be retiring from their positions this summer. Chris Page joined the Board in 1995. Together with his wife Lorna, Chris has organised a plant and cake sale in his garden for the last 20 years in aid of the Hospice. This now raises around £2000 each year. Chris will continue to chair the North West Support Group.
Pamper evening a sparkling success More than 100 people attended an evening of glitz, glamour and pampering at Pearsons of Enfield on Wednesday 17 April. The event raised £1,633 for North London Hospice. Organiser of the evening Clair Wills, Pearson’s perfumery and cosmetic manager, said: “We are delighted to have raised such a great sum for such a worthy cause. “North London Hospice provides such love and support to people at a very difficult time in their lives. We look forward to supporting the Hospice again.” Guests were treated to make-overs from consultants from each of the beauty ranges and a selection of sweet treats and a fabulous raffle.
Penny Gluckstein has been involved with the Hospice since setting up a fundraising group in 1989 to finance the building. She joined the Board in 2003. She has particularly enjoyed her work as a volunteer in the wards, fundraising and hearing from individuals how much the Hospice has meant to them. Penny will continue to support the Hospice, both as chairman of the Mill Hill and Totteridge support group and as a ward volunteer. Jerome Karet joined the Board in 1998. Jerome has provided legal advice to the Hospice on many issues and was responsible for drafting the Memorandum and Articles of Association. He enjoyed meeting the Duchess of Gloucester when she visited the Enfield building last year. He feels he cannot adequately repay the Hospice for the way his late wife was treated during the last two weeks of her life. Chairman of the Trustees John Bryce said: “Chris, Penny and Jerome have all given valuable and dedicated service to the Hospice. In thanking them for all that they have done, we need to recruit new trustees to take their place. We have already appointed Lesley Ann Nash, who has had a distinguished career in the City, and further appointments will be made soon.”
“I am just so relieved to have the support of North London Hospice. I can relax knowing that without a doubt Patrick has the best care possible in this world for him.” 4 Life @ NORTH london hospice
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Our Shops Crouch End 21 Topsfield Parade N8 8TP 020 8340 3269 East Finchley 123 High Road N2 8AG 020 8883 6493 Enfield Town 60 Church Street EN2 6AX 020 8366 1297 Finchley Central 15 Ballards Lane N3 1UX 020 8349 0290 Golders Green 41 Golders Green Road NW11 8EE 020 8731 7807 Hendon 65 Brent Street NW4 2EA 020 8202 7499 High Barnet 94 High Street EN5 5SN 020 8441 3325 Muswell Hill 44 Fortis Green Road N10 3HN 020 8444 8131 New Barnet 63 East Barnet Road EN4 8RW 020 8440 8424 North Finchley 839 High Road N12 8PR 020 8445 5148 North Finchley (furniture shop) 987 High Road N12 8QR 020 8343 6814 Palmers Green 377 Green Lanes N13 4JG 020 8447 8884 Southgate 71 Chase Side N14 5BU 020 8886 4342 Turnpike Lane 19 High Road N22 6BH 020 8889 0660 Whetstone 1297 High Road N20 9HX 020 8343 9888 Winchmore Hill 743 Green Lanes N21 3RX 020 8360 5220 Wood Green 212 High Road N22 8HH 020 8365 8622
In more news... Shop News
Dancing Strictly for North London Hospice
Thanks to…
Our Palmers Green shop marked a very special occasion in February when volunteer Eileen Fox turned 80-years-old.
Dressed to the nines in their sequins and dancing shoes, ballroom hopefuls performed with passion and pizzazz in aid of North London Hospice on Saturday 9 February.
North London Hospice would like to say a special thank you to the following organisations who made the evening possible:
Crabtree Property for organising 14 members of staff to complete the London to Brighton walk.
Studio45, Dream of Dance, Queen Salsa, Gold Radio, Barnet and Southgate College, Matthew J Photography, Enfield Independent,Times Series, Embrace Nutrition and Aford Awards.
Michael Anvoner Solicitors for raising more than £1,000 after asking for a small donation to the Hospice in exchange for duplicate documents and witness signatures.
Eileen, who has volunteered at the shop for just over two years, was treated by her colleagues to a celebratory meal out. She said: “I absolutely love working at the shop. The girls are great and I enjoy meeting new people and of course supporting such a fantastic cause.”
In other shop news North London Hospice is due to add another shop to its expanding portfolio by opening a branch in Mill Hill Broadway. The new addition brings the total number of Hospice shops across the boroughs of Enfield, Barnet and Haringey to 18. The shop, which aims to open at the beginning of June, is now appealing for stock such as accessories, shoes, handbags, homewares, books, CDs and DVDs. Items can be taken directly to the shop at 18 The Broadway, London, NW7 3LL 020 8959 3162 Or contact our collections number 020 8343 6813 if you: • would like to arrange a house collection, • are a company that would like to donate end-of-line, samples or surplus stock, • have any particularly large items to donate that you are unable to bring yourself.
Well done and thank you to our marathon runners In total 22 runners completed the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 21 April in aid of North London Hospice. The hard work and determination of the team has so far raised an impressive £44,000. It was such an inspirational day and we are so incredibly proud of all our runners. Thank you also to the record number of supporters who came to cheer along our runners. Their enthusiasm was a welcome boost to all participants. We wish to thank each of them for all their support and hard work: James Arrowsmith, Jonathan Barr, Lauren Barr, Graham Bellamy, Sarah Bouette, Robert Candler, Michelle Caulfield, Toby Clarke, Ian Franklin, Lee Harrison, Ben Jacobs, Karl Koroscik, Donna Lee, Marc Leslie, Luciano Macis, Kate ConnellWynne, Nic ConnellWynne, Sarah Overall, Elisa Pinon, Stuart Waldman, Karly Welch, Kris White.
Cheered on by a 362-strong crowd, 11 couples graced the stage in the Dancing Strictly finale at Millfield Theatre. For seven weeks the competitors were put through their paces by professional instructors who taught them all they needed to know about fancy footwork before the big night. From a romantic waltz to a sexy salsa the couples gave it their all to impress a panel of judges.
The team of 12 skydivers who completed a 10,000 ft jump for the Hospice in April. Sue Bullimore and Dawn Hockley for organising the spectacular Sunflower Ball raising around £7,000.
But at the end of the night it was contestants Tom McClorry and Thelia Farago who topped the leaders’ board with their fast-paced cha cha cha. Tom and Thelia were crowned king and queen of the dance floor.
William Hill Head Office in Wood Green for hosting a ‘Donate don’t Dump’ day. The goods they donated will raise approximately £1,400.
Thelia from Palmers Green said: “We’ve raised £1,900 which is really great. My parents died when I was in my twenties it was a really difficult time but a hospice helped me through my bereavement.”
London Youth Symphony Orchestra who raised £750 at a fabulous concert what a talented group of young people.
The evening, sponsored by the Times Series and Enfield Independent, helped raise a staggering £22,820 for North London Hospice.
X Factor star drops in for a cuppa Hundreds of beautiful home-made cakes and coffee made for a very successful morning at North London Hospice. In total £239 was raised at the coffee morning on Friday 8 March held to mark North London Hospice Week - a fundraising and awareness raising week. Members of the public, staff and volunteers were also joined by special guest X Factor star Melanie Masson, who popped into the hospice in Woodside Avenue to support the event. Mum-of-two Melanie, who lives in nearby Bounds Green, said: “I am so pleased to have met nurses, volunteers and staff who show so much compassion and are a huge source of comfort to patients and their families. I am so humbled to support North London Hospice Week.”
The Lions Club of Enfield for their generous support this year. Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents who have agreed to Sponsor both ‘Sow a Special Sunflower’ and the Annual North London Hospice Golf Day at Hendon Golf Club. Stewart Wernham and Totteridge Millhillians Cricket Club for agreeing to host a fabulous family cricket day. …and a massive thank you to all the companies, businesses and generous individuals who support us in so many ways. Life @ NORTH london hospice 7
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@ For further information on any of these events please contact the fundraising team on 020 8446 2288 or visit www.northlondonhospice.org
Dates for your diary Saturday 8 June Three Valleys Male Voice Choir present music from the stage and screen St James Church, Muswell Hill Tickets: Adult: £15 Concessions: £12 Children (under 6): £5
Sunday 9 June
Thursday 11 July
On Yer Bike A 20 or 40 mile family bike ride around the Hertfordshire countryside starting from and finishing at Queenswood School in Brookmans Park Adults: £15 Children (under 16): £5 Family (2 adults and up to 3 children): £35
Hendon Golf Day
Sunday 9 June Open Garden (64 Fitzjohn Avenue, High Barnet, EN5 2HW) Wander around a beautiful organic garden. Tea, cakes, fresh lemonade and live music. Admission: £2 Children: Free
Friday 21 June Teddy Bears’ Picnic and Toddle Waddle Join Baxterbear for a picnic in Swan Lane Park, Whetstone. An afternoon of family fun including a sponsored Toddle Waddle.
Sunday 30 June Sow a Special Sunflower Come and view your sunflower in memory of a loved one planted in the Hospice garden
Sunday 30 June Cricket fun day at Totteridge Millhillians Cricket Club
Saturday 6 July Summer Bash, Barrowell Green Winchmore hill Family fun afternoon to celebrate our first anniversary of the opening of our Day Services Centre in Enfield. Music, entertainment, refreshments and much more! Admission: Free
Sunday 14 July Hillyfields Bandstand Concert, Clay Hill, Enfield Kindly supported by Barnfields Estate Agents The Soul Agents - playing authentic 50s, 60s and 70s rock and roll - guaranteed to get you dancing!
Sunday 14 July British 10k Run Places are still available for the British 10k London Run staged on the world’s greatest road race route through the heart of central London passing many of the capital’s truly world class historic landmarks.
Saturday 21 September Twilight Walk Enjoy a seven mile evening walk around Barnet, starting and finishing with music from Rock Chorus at Finchley Rugby Club. Registration fee: £20. Minimum sponsorship: £30
Sunday 29 September Skydive We are looking for people to make a sponsored 10,000 feet freefall parachute jump on our behalf.
Saturday 23 November Sir John Tomlinson EXCLUSIVE performance An exclusive event for North London Hospice including a VIP reception and performance followed by a unique opportunity to ask questions. £100 per ticket
Sunday 24 November Light up a Life
Your donations make our work possible www.northlondonhospice.org 020 8343 8841
North London Hospice in Finchley 47 Woodside Avenue, London N12 8TT North London Hospice in Enfield 110 Barrowell Green, London N21 3AY Registered charity No: 285300
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