Marie Curie People June 2013

People Marie Curie

Meet our star volunteers – pages 14-15

Marie Curie Cancer Care’s newspaper for staff and volunteers

June 2013

PATIENTS’ NEEDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT An investigation of patients and carers’ needs is helping Marie Curie Cancer Care to develop its new strategy for 2014-17.

Researchers from Oxford SM carried out original qualitative research into end of life needs and attitudes, as well as a review of existing literature. They interviewed 28 patients, current carers and bereaved carers.

They found that patients and carers identified three types of support that are often lacking.

They were: • someone who can access practical support in a complex system • a holistic approach that embraces patient, carer and family • a person who stays with them from the start of the final stage and throughout Interviewees said that relationships are changed by the process of dying, and a conspiracy of silence can exist as the patient, carer and family try to protect each other. Even healthcare professionals can hold back on the truth, they said.

DEATH Failure to have conversations about death can leave bereaved people in a state of anxiety long after their bereavement, carers said. Patients who are able to accept a terminal diagnosis or interpret it as a ‘new life’ seem happier in themselves.

Bereaved people said that they are often be left in a vacuum after

a loved-one dies – a sudden silence follows, and the people who helped – including professionals – stop making contact.

Marie Curie was well known, and associated with daffodils, yellow, cancer, and nursing and hospice care at the end of life. But there was little understanding of its role or services, and access could be patchy.

Before carrying out the interviews with patients and carers, the researchers carried out a literature review of 70 key sources on end of life care needs and attitudes.

STRATEGY Director of Policy and Public Affairs Imelda Redmond is leading the development of Marie Curie’s new strategy for 2014 –17. She said: “Marie Curie Cancer Care exists for patients and families. It is vitally important that our organisational strategy is built around their needs – and this research provides invaluable insight into what those needs are. This research will help us understand whether the evidence base supports the thoughts and ideas that are emerging from our wider consultation with staff, volunteers and other stakeholders.

“People were keen that conversations around death took place. There needs to be effective signposting and guidance though a very complex care system. End of life care should encompass the he whole person.

The name of the game for Marie Curie – see page 5

“And we need to beware of tokenism. Almost any organisation can claim that they are meeting these needs – but we won’t solve these issues by producing another leaflet.

REVOLUTION “When people pinpoint an unmet need, they are looking for revolution, not more of the same.

“We need to decide where we should be aiming to have an impact, and how we can best use our resources to help patients and families.”

• For more about the development of the charity’s strategy for 2014-17, see page 13.

Stars turn out for auction

The research • 28 patients, carers and bereaved carers • 50% patients and current carers, 50% bereaved carers • 70% with cancer-related conditions, 30% other terminal illnesses • 50% recruited by Marie Curie and its partners, 50% recruited externally • 60% interviewed face-toface, 40% by phone • Conversations approximately two hours

David Bailey and Kate Moss are pictured at a star-studded auction at the Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge, which raised over £70,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Marie Curie Ambassador Heather Kerzner hosted the event, and guests included Graham Norton; Sarah, Duchess of York;

Su Superfit fu fundraisers – pages p 10-11

her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie; and Sir Philip Green.

The auction was the culmination of a project between Samsung and fashion photographer David Bailey, where a selection of his works were sold along with some images by photography enthusiasts, also called David Bailey.

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JUNE 2013

Make a difference, step by step Walk Ten, our 10k twilight walk, returns next month – and you’re invited. This is your chance to see your area in a whole new light. To gain exclusive access to some of the UK’s most stunning locations.

To enjoy live entertainment as the sun goes down. To share an unforgettable summer’s evening with your friends and family. And, most importantly, to raise money for people with terminal illnesses.

So take your first step now and sign up at mariecurie.org.uk/walkten.

Or call 0845 052 4184 to find out more.

PARTNERING WITH UK BORDER FORCE

Nominate a nurse Marie Curie Nurses do so much for so many. We think they deserve more than just a payslip, a thank you or a box of Roses as a token of our appreciation. That’s why we’ve launched the Peacock Awards to celebrate the hard work of our Registered Nurses and healthcare assistants across our nursing service and hospices. If you’d like to nominate someone you know, just head to mariecurie.org.uk/peacockawards by 28 June.

Speak up about Expert Voices You’ve probably heard of our Expert Voices group. You may know it’s made up of people with experience of end-of-life care who give us feedback and advice. But what you probably didn’t realise is just how helpful they are to staff across our charity. Our Expert Voices get involved in everything from reviewing marketing materials to helping write strategies. But right now we need more people to join the group.

So if you know any patients or carers who might be interested, or you want to consult our Expert Voices, don’t keep it quiet – email Claire at claire.oneill@mariecurie.org.uk

Make sure you’re word perfect Did you know we have a writing style guide here at Marie Curie? This is a mine of information about everything from common mistakes to terms that relate specifically to our charity. And it’ll help you make sure your writing is as consistent as it is on-brand. To get your copy of our handy style guide, visit our intranet and head to the Communications section of the Document Libraries today.

Thank your volunteers 1–7 June isn’t just any week – it’s Volunteers’ Week. So please, take some time to thank your volunteers. You don’t have to make a massive effort. Why not send them a card telling them how much you appreciate their support, dedication and talents? You can get a specially-designed one from Manisha Patel at manisha.patel@mariecurie.org.uk. And if you’d like more ideas, resources or just some advice, check out the Volunteers’ Week folder in the Volunteering Document Libraries on our intranet.

Marie Curie People is the charity’s official newspaper for staff and volunteers. It is published monthly.

Editor: Nick Moulton Writers: Lara Jennings, Clair Whitefield Designers: Artful Dog Publishing and Marie Curie Creative Services Repro by: Selsey Press Printed by: Mortons Managed & distributed by: CDL Circulation: 6,500

Marie Curie People needs your news.

Send stories to Editor Nick Moulton, Creative Services, Marie Curie Cancer Care, 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TP. nick.moulton@mariecurie.org.uk Or phone me on 020 7599 7706 and I’ll draft a story from your call.

Director of Fundraising Fabian French, Marie Curie Nurse Sue Stirzaker, Marie Curie Nurse Michael Hugh and UK Border Force Director General Sir Charles Montgomery

Marie Curie Cancer Care scooped more than 50% of the vote in a staff poll to become UK Border Force’s first-ever charity partner.

Three charities – Marie Curie, Barnardo’s and ABF the Soldiers’ Charity – made it through to the staff vote to choose the force’s partner.

Staff voted on the basis of a brief summary of each charity’s work.

A launch event held in Liverpool was attended by UK Border Force Director General Sir Charles Montgomery.

Corporate Development Manager Peter Lee said: “We are delighted with the result – it’s a really big success for us. Now we are looking forward to an exciting year working with UK Border Force

o n e xc i t i n g f u n d r a i s i n g a n d volunteering opportunities.”

The Border Force has more than 7,000 staff. It is responsible for securing the UK border and controlling migration at air, sea and rail ports nationwide. The force is part of the Home Office and separate from the UK Border Agency.

Latest decisions from our trustees The Marie Curie Trustees meeting in May made key decisions on major projects and issues £1 million investment for direct mail

Funding for university Chair gets go-ahead

A proposal to invest £974k in a Christmas direct mail appeal was approved by trustees. An analysis showed a return on investment of 1.8 over five years.

The proposed expenditure had been excluded from the charity’s original 2013/14 budget, but trustees had always planned to review the decision at their May meeting.

Funding of £3.2 million for a new Chair at UCL (University College London) Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Unit had been approved.

The investment will cover a 10 year period and will support the appointment of a Clinical Chair, a senior lecturer and two PhD students.

Strategy and brand update

It was agreed that no more Life Vice Presidents of Marie Curie should be appointed in future, in line with best practice around corporate governance. All future Vice President appointments will be reviewed every five years. The proposal does not affect anyone currently holding either position.

Trustees discussed an update on progress in developing the charity’s new strategic plan for 201417. The high level of engagement in the consultation process from staff and volunteers was commended.

Trustees also discussed issues around aligning the Marie Curie brand with the new strategy and supported the move to bring in an external agency to help with the work.

Future Life Vice President posts abolished

Finding the perfect partner Trustees approved the introduction of a Partner Qualification Tool which

will be used to assess the suitability of partners the charity may wish work with in the delivery of end of life care services. The assessment tool will cover a range of issues, including the reputation, experience, quality and financial strength of potential partners.

Other issues Also discussed at the meeting were the following: • Five-year review site visit to the Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre at the Wales Cancer Trials Unit at Cardiff University • Historical and projected returns from face-to-face fundraising • Financial performance for the year to date • The Supportal project, where the charity is using funds from the government’s Nesta Innovation in Giving initiative to develop a new online gaming portal

JUNE 2013

How’s that for high tea?

Aerial artist Nicoleta Adina joined Marie Curie Nurse Catherine Le Roy for a cuppa at Paulos Circus in Keynsham, Somerset. Catherine and Nicoleta were launching Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Blooming Great Tea Party, which runs throughout June and July.

For more information and to sign up for your free Blooming Great Tea Party fundraising pack, visit mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty or call 0845 052 4184.

• Paulo’s Circus is on tour – for more details visit pauloscircus.co.uk

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JUNE 2013

Chief Executive Dr Jane Collins writes: We all know that Marie Curie is an organisation doing wonderful work helping people at the end of their lives. We are incredibly fortunate to have the expertise of so many staff – staff in our hospices and nursing service, fundraising, research, policy and support – working across the four countries. We are also fortunate to have nearly 9,000 volunteers, without whom we would not be able to function. But – as you know – I am sure we could do more for people at the end of their lives, building on what we do already and also thinking of new ways to support them.

The discussions about what “more” looks like forms part of what will be included in our next strategic plan. By the way, I am absolutely delighted how many of you have sent your thoughts to us or attended workshops to share your ideas for the future.

I am also sure that there are things we can do better. We need to become an organisation that is always looking at how we can do better. Just saying we want to do better though is not enough, though – and we will need more leadership, management and knowledge skills, as well as to listen to our patients, carers, commissioners and supporters in order to deliver the improvements.

Making sure we have these capabilities will also form part of our strategic plan.

From the many conversations I have had so far I am delighted that so many of you share this ambition to be part of an organisation that is always looking at how it can do even better.

The most important skill we will need to have to deliver this vision

is leadership. As an organisation we have been far too top-down, in my opinion, and it will take time to change that culture. The first step is to develop our leaders throughout the charity, so I was delighted that for a number of years we have been doing some leadership development as part of the Marie Curie Cancer Care Talent Management Programme. There is something very much to build on.

Over the last few weeks I have joined the two groups who are currently on the programme for a few hours to talk and hear about leadership from them. Some of us have what is called positional leadership because of our roles, but we also need to develop our personal leadership skills, without which it is not possible to be an effective leader.

It is not being a leader to say ‘just do it because I say so!’. In fact, on the two occasions that I have ever done that, I have rightly seen myself as failing. That is not the leadership we need here at Marie Curie, and nor is the traditional view of a leader, which

can be the heroic leader. We are a good organisation and heroics are not required.

The skills that I think we need our leaders to have passion and vision for the future as well as the ability to discuss and listen, trying to get agreement but also taking a decision when needed to deliver our plans. But I am interested to hear your views so please contact me.

We have also had what we called a Leadership Summit for the 50 or so of the most senior people, discussing some of the same things and hearing about the importance of focussing on the future. As an organisation we tend to focus on the past, which completely confused me when I first started as people referred to things as if they had happened weeks ago and yet it turned out to be five years ago!

Having said that, we need to learn from what has worked and what hasn’t worked. I am very sympathetic to some of our nursing service staff who have had to put up with more change than most.

Five new appointments Marie Curie Cancer Care has appointed five of its seven new Divisional General Managers (DGMs) for its caring services.

The five are: Nichola Summers (Scotland), Karen Torley (North East), Andrew Wilson-Mouasher (Wales and South West), Trevor Arnold (London and South East) and Joanne Stradling (Central and Eastern).

Divisional General Manager roles for Northern Ireland and the North West are still to be filled.

Director of Services Caroline Hamblett said: From left to right: Karen Torley (North East) Andrew Wilson-Mouasher (Wales and South West) Nichola Summers (Scotland)

“Congratulations to the new Divisional General Managers, and especially to Nichola, Karen and Andrew, who have moved internally. Their role will include the management and leadership of all patient services activity within their geographic area.

They will also lead locally on bids for new services, contract negotiations

and identifying opportunities for partnerships and alliances. Hospice Managers, Regional Managers and the regional Service Development staff will work together and report in to their relevant DGM.” • Karen Burfitt takes up the role of Regional Manager (South West) for the Marie Curie Nursing Service from 1 June.

Senior managers focus on leadership Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Executive Board and 35 senior managers met to discuss how to get themselves and the charity fit and ready for the start of the charity’s next three-year strategy.

The one-day meeting took place at the King’s Fund in London. Speakers included Chief Executive Dr Jane Collins, Director of Public Affairs Imelda Redmond and leadership expert, coach and author Steve Radcliffe, who donated his time to run an interactive session on what good leaders focus on.

Topics discussed included what success would look like for Marie Curie in 2017, and how to achieve more of a one-charity approach, with everyone working better together. Imelda Redmond also shared hot-off-the-press, in-depth research on what patients and families want (see cover story).

The summit ran in parallel with the charity’s consultation process about

the content of its new strategy for 2014-17.

The summit was organised by Business Partner – People and Organisational Development Nicky Watson. She said: “It was an excellent opportunity for the people who are going to lead on our new strategy to get together to think about leadership, and about development and delivery of the strategy.

“We know the new strategy is going to be ambitious in trying to better help patients and families, and this summit was organised to help inspire our leaders to step up to the challenge of leading its delivery.

“Our keynote speaker – Steve Radcliffe – was first-rate. He’s a straight-talking Yorkshireman, whose refreshing style avoided the usual business jargon about leadership Feedback from the event has been very positive.”

Guest speaker Steve Radcliffe at the meeting

Nursing admin processes move back into regions Marie Curie Cancer Care is currently in the process of transitioning the administrative processes (apart from rostering) currently carried out by the Nursing Support Centre in Pontypool back into its nursing regions.

Staff at the Nursing Support Centre are working closely with colleagues in the regions to ensure a smooth transition, and administration will be run by both teams for two weeks before being formally transferred on the week commencing 17 June.

Additional regional administration support is being recruited to work alongside the existing regional office administrators. There will also be five additional Clinical Lead Nurse posts across the UK, and a new central rostering team based in Pontypool.

Line management of Marie

Curie Nurses was transferred back to Regional Managers in December 2012.

Director of Services Caroline Hamblett said: “I am very grateful to everyone who has provided feedback on what worked well and what needs to change. We have listened very carefully, and concluded that despite the best efforts of everyone concerned, centralised management does not work well for the Marie Curie Nursing Service.

“Your views and experiences have been crucial in developing a new structure which will support our nursing staff and help them provide the best possible care.”

Yo u c a n p r o v i d e f e e d b a c k by emailing CSFeedback@mariecurie. org.uk

JUNE 2013

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Marie Curie Cancer Care was given naming rights to the 2013 Irish Cup Final by the Irish FA. Marie Curie is the IFA’s official charity partner.

The Marie Curie Irish Cup Final took place at Windsor Park on 4 May between Cliftonville and Glentoran, with Glentoran winning 3-1 in extra time. The final was the 133rd of Northern Irish football’s knock-out cup competition since its introduction in 1881.

Chairman of the Challenge Cup Committee, Gerard Lawlor, said: “The Cup Final is always a special day for players and fans from both clubs, and it creates a huge amount

of media coverage around the game, including live television and radio broadcasts.

“This provides a tremendous platform for Marie Curie to raise awareness and spread the word of the great work they do, and I am glad that we can play a part in that.”

Corporate Development Manager Anne Hannan said: “We were delighted that this year’s Irish Cup was called the Marie Curie Irish Cup. “It was a fantastic opportunity for us to help create awareness of the support we can offer to those who need end of life care and their families and carers.”

Picture Credit: Matt Mackey / Press Eye

WE NAME IRISH CUP

Glentoran’s Aubry Ralph, Marie Curie Nurse Katarzyna Patynowska, Marie Curie Corporate Development Manager Anne Hannan and Gerard Lawlor (Chairman of the Challenge Cup Committee & Cliftonville FC)

There’s still time to Walk Ten Places are filling up for Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Walk Ten events this summer but there is still time to sign-up and gain exclusive access the UK’s most breathtaking scenery after-hours.

Wa l k Te n , s u p p o r t e d b y HomeServe, challenges supporters to walk 10k in iconic locations across the UK. The first walks start in July and will be held at 17 venues across the UK until September.

Walk Ten Product Manager, Naomi Kibrit, said: “This year, we have kept the old favourites such as Hill of Tarvit, site of the first Marie Curie Home; Castle Howard, one of England’s finest baroque mansions; and the historic Tatton Park estate

in Cheshire, but also boosted the lineup with six new venues – including Althorp House, the stately home of the Spencer family and Princess Diana’s resting place. This is a particularly exclusive walk as places are limited and it’s not normally open to the public during September.

“What’s unique about Walk Ten is that people can experience their local area in a new way. They may have walked around these estates and venues during the day, but never during the evening or when access has been reserved,” said Naomi. “Once the walk is over at 10pm it transforms into a festival-like atmosphere with people enjoying their picnics, soaking up the surroundings and watching

the fire show or firework display.

It’s also a wonderful occasion to remember and celebrate the life of a loved one.”

Brenda Carpenter, whose dad was cared for by Marie Curie Nurses, took part in the Walk Ten at Denbies Wine Estate in Kent last year. She loved it so much she will be doing it again with her friends and family this year. She said: “It was a very memorable evening, surrounded by so many people all there for the same reason, to support the work of the Marie Curie and to remember friends and family members. The atmosphere was amazing with people from all walks of life walking together for a purpose.”

You can sign up today at mariecurie.org.uk/walkten or call 0845 052 4148.

Imelda Redmond

Marie Curie welcomes new Care Bill for England Marie Curie Cancer Care has welcomed the publication of the Care Bill and the modernisation of England’s social care legislation.

The bill was published on 10 May. The charity’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs Imelda Redmond said: “Under current legislation, which has been widely acknowledged as not being fit for purpose, those needing end of life care have found it complicated and time consuming to access the care they need – when time is a precious and limited commodity.

“The current system leads to poor co-ordination, slow decision making and inequitable access to care. We know people often get stuck in hospital at the end of life. This is because the system can’t move quickly enough to put in place the right care package to enable them to be cared for and die in the place of their choice.

“We now have the opportunity to address many long-standing issues and ensure that people who need social care, including those at the end of life, get the care and support they need at the right time and in the right place.

“We believe that those who need end of life care deserve the best integrated health and social care and should be able to receive that care in the place of their choice.

“We are pleased that the bill will provide a framework which puts individual choice, control and rights at the heart of legislation and puts an emphasis on people being treated with dignity and respect. And that it recognises the important role carers have to play and the need for them to be properly supported.

“We are glad to see that it recognises the importance of a skilled and valued workforce. We also welcome everyone being able to have a personal budget being enshrined in law, rather than left to local authority discretion. We see the introduction of portable care assessments which are able to move with people as an important right.

This particularly significant when people only have a short time to live.

“We’ll be scrutinising and providing input into the development of the bill to ensure those who need end of life care and those who care for them, get the best possible support.”

JUNE 2013

Asking is OK Marie Curie is one of many organisations to support a new campaign led by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

The “It’s OK to ask about clinical research” campaign was launched on International Clinical Trials Day. It aims to encouraging patients and their carers to ask their doctors about clinical research and whether it is right for them.

Quiz night A charity quiz night at the Ship Hotel, Newhaven, in Sussex raised £150 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Highlights included a quiz, music and raffle.

Mayor’s support Marie Curie Cancer Care is one of the chosen charities of the new Mayor of Eastleigh, Hampshire. Councillor Malcolm Cross is also supporting and Eastleigh Young Carers.

Dungeness B Staff at Dungeness B power station raised more than £600 in a month to support EDF’s new three-year partnership with Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Wo r ke r s a t t h e a d v a n c e d gas cooled reactor plant in Kent carried out a range of fundraising activities.

Christie’s view A record 500 guests viewed 19th century paintings and Chinese porcelain while enjoying champagne and canapes at Christie’s Auction House, London.

The preview of Christie’s summer sales raised a recordbreaking £45,000.

Corporate Fundraiser Amelia Renshaw said: “This was a fantastic result for the new chairman of the Christie’s committee, Fiona Barclay.”

Tractors attract Seskinore YFC Tractor Run, in County Tyrone, attracted a t o t a l o f 110 t r a c t o r s .

Supporters lined the route, as the agricultural convoy drove through the village streets, revving and hooting.

Competition for prizes was stiff, with the award for best-presented tractor going to Stephen Marshall’s New Holland.

Ol’ Blue Eyes tops poll Frank Sinatra’s My Way is the pop song the nation would most like played at their own funeral, according to a new survey carried out by Marie Curie Cancer Care as part of Dying Matters Awareness Week.

The 1969 classic beat off competition from You’ll Never Walk Alone, the show tune and football anthem, and the Monty Python comedy number Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, in the poll of 2,427 British adults.

Alongside more moving and emotional popular music choices, a number of humorous songs performed strongly in the findings.

Going Underground by The Jam, Bat out of Hell and Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust were all amongst the top 25, indicating that some people would prefer a more light-hearted send off.

Dying Matters Awareness Week (13-19 May 2013) aims to encourage people to talk more openly about death, dying and bereavement and to take small actions to be ready for the end of life, such as writing a will, making funeral wishes known and letting those close to them know how they would want to be cared for.

Marie Curie’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs Imelda Redmond said: “It’s clear from our survey that many people have thought about what music they’d like to have played at

Top poll results: The nation’s top 10 funeral songs* 1 My Way 2 You’ll Never Walk Alone 3 Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life 4 Time To Say Goodbye 5 Don’t Stop Me Now 6 Going Underground 7 Who Wants To Live Forever 8 Comfortably Numb 9 Bat Out Of Hell 10 In My Life

Image William P. Gottlieb Collection

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Frank Sinatra at Liederkrantz Hall, New York c. 1947

their funeral. Yet we know that many of us find death a difficult subject to talk about and don’t discuss things like where we want to die or plan for our care at the end of life. We know that most people say they would

*Pop songs people mentioned spontaneously when asked “What song, hymn or piece of music if any, would you like to be played at your funeral?” ComRes surveyed 2,427 British adults on behalf of Marie Curie Cancer Care in May 2013.

like to die at home for instance, but the majority of deaths still occur in hospital, the place they least want to be. It’s important that people are open about their end of life wishes, so that these wishes can be met.”

About Dying Matters Dying Matters (dyingmatters.org.uk) is a national coalition that aims to help transform public attitudes towards dying, death and bereavement.

It is led by the National Council for Palliative Care, and has over 30,000 members including charities, care homes, hospices, GPs, funeral directors and legal and financial organisations.

To mark the week, Marie Curie Cancer Care also asked celebrity supporters what their funeral song choices would be: Gangnam Style – John Bishop Because on my way upstairs I can hear it and thank God that by being dead I will never have to hear it again.

The Lark Ascending – Mick Hucknall It gives me a strong sense of peace, beauty and tranquillity. I hope it would inspire the people sending me off!

Fire (Kasabian) – Rankin Because it’s uplifting, I love it and play it at least three times a week and I think it would be funny for the people at my cremation!

Tu Viendras from The Double Life of Véronique – Sir Ranulph Fiennes The music from this movie soundtrack was my late wife Ginny’s favourite song.

Penny Lane – Edwina Currie Because that’s where I – and Paul, John and George – grew up.

Silence – Arlene Phillips I wouldn’t want music at my funeral, as music affects people in very different ways and for me silence is the music of the soul.

Paul takes on Head of Estates Services role The former Associate Director of Strategy and Business for Oxford Brookes University has joined Marie Curie as Head of Estates Services.

Paul Cross takes on the new role, which involves heading up the charity’s estates team and facilities team. It includes responsibility for the charity’s 180 shops, nine hospices; Marie Curie offices and lock-ups; and the charity’s fleet of vehicles.

“We’ve got a number of big tasks ahead - especially the Department of Health funded projects at our hospices in Bradford, Hampstead and Newcastle,” Paul said. “It is going to be tough to deliver these projects within the Department of Health’s timescale. But we will do it.

“Our hospice staff, volunteers, patients and carers all love the hospice buildings and look after them. That’s half the battle – although we can make improvements, and that’s what these grants are about.

“I am putting together a capital programme for hospices which will cover the next five to 10 years. When we get the opportunity to apply for funding – such as a grant or a big gift - we will be able to put together a project quickly.”

Acquiring new shops – and looking

There’s more about Paul in our 60 Second Interview – see page 19.

The Marie Curie Hospice, Bradford

after existing ones – is a major part of the team’s responsibilities. The charity plans to expand its shops estate to 200 shops by March 2014.

Each new unit involves a contract with a landlord, and significant work from Estates Services.

“Once we spot a suitable site, we need to grab it,” Paul said. “There is competition from other charities.

The retail guys look at the site; we do a structural survey to make sure it’s safe for us to occupy and we negotiate with the landlord over lease terms. That’s what Kevin Brereton, the charity’s Acquisitions Manager, does.

“The moment we start paying rent, we want to get the shop up and running so we can start making money. When the lease is signed, our Property Surveyor Stuart

Paul Cross

Anderson will be in there to fit it out.”

Estates Services also looks after ongoing maintenance of shops – including unplanned reactive maintenance and planned work such as replacing ceilings or refitting ‘tired’ shops.

Marie Curie Cancer Care has a big fleet of vehicles – and an even bigger ‘grey fleet’ (vehicles belonging to staff and volunteers who drive them on charity business).

Keeping the charity on the road

is part of the estates function.

“We look at all our fleet contracts to ensure we get the best deal,” Paul said.

“We are currently looking at driver training opportunities, which would enable us to reduce our insurance bill. The fleet is a source of carbon emissions and we need to encourage the use of videoconferencing where we can – my role also incorporates sustainability, and I’m a bit of an environmentalist. But sustainability has got to suit the bottom line.”

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CYCLING EVENT IS ON COURSE TO RAISE £350K Saddle sore but exhilarated was the consensus of the 1,111 fundraisers who completed the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia.

Cycling some 81 miles, riders sped along traffic-free roads and through the stunning scenery of Highland Perthshire during the day-long event which is set to raise £350,000 for the charity.

Isobel Paul, Regional Events Manager, said: “Some 5,000 cyclists took part in the Etape. It was such an energising and exhilarating event and everywhere you looked you could see smiling cyclists and rainbow coloured Lycra. We kitted our fundraisers out in special cycling shirts and bib shorts, so there was also a vibrant sea of yellow in the mix.”

The Etape started at 5.45am, with the first wave of cyclists departing Pitlochry at 6.35am. Cyclists were then given just over six hours to complete the course which took them around Tay Forest Park and Loch Rannoch. The weather remained dry but overcast with a few showers to add to the challenge.

“So many people said how liberating it was to be able to cycle down traffic-free roads without the worry of cars and how electrifying they found it being part of such a huge group of cyclists heading out along the route.

“The Etape Caledonia was one of the first UK closedroad events and it’s brilliant to be able to offer this high performance, high profile event to our supporters.

It really is the best road cycling event in Scotland, and if you are a cyclist it’s such a memorable event to take part in and a great way to combine

Assistant Director Carers Services and Development Gerry Mahaffey

Prepared for Carers Week

Cyclists in action in Caledonia

your passion with raising money for a good cause,” said Isobel.

Teacher David H e d l e y, 3 3 , f r o m Bishopbriggs completed the etape and raised £3,500 for Marie Curie.

He said: “It was great.

The atmosphere was electric, and the event was so well-organised.

The number of daffodil team tops was lovely – it was so good to see so many in yellow and white.

If you are a cyclist it’s such a memorable event to take part in and a great way to combine your passion with raising money for a good cause.

“The weather was a godsend – dry with not a lot of wind – so I was able to keep up a good speed. And the scenery was absolutely beautiful.

“My mum was cared for at the Glasgow hospice. She passed away three years ago. It was only when we had that support that we realised that David Hedley completed Etape Caledonia Marie Curie Nurses are superhuman – Mum described them as angels. and raised £3,500 for Marie Curie

“A couple of years afterwards, I got the Marie Curie brochure, looked for things I could do to support the charity, and set up my JustGiving page.”

As well as Etape Caledonia, David has completed the Whole Hog Challenge and Etape Pennines.

Etape Caledonia is set to run again next May - but there are still places on the Marie Curie Etape Mercia in August. This new event will take riders through 69 miles of glorious West Cheshire. It could be good preparation for the toughest event in the series which takes place in October, Etape Pennines, which is 78 miles through Country Durham.

Marie Curie Cancer Care will be participating in a range of local and national events during Carers Week (10-16 June) to support and provide information to people caring for friends or loved ones.

The theme for this year’s campaign is Prepared to Care?, which looks to address the challenges of caring and to improve the lives of carers and the people they care for.

Marie Curie is part of a consortium of nine national charities, which work together to fund and organise this annual awareness campaign.

Assistant Director Carers Services and Development Gerry Mahaffey said: “National Carers Week is a great opportunity to work together to ensure carers’ needs and rights are better met and understood.

“We know through experience that the needs of carers are best met when they are recognised as carers and given the proper support. We also know that the majority of people wish to die at home surrounded by their loved ones, but this is not possible unless carers are properly supported.”

The consortium will launch a report at the start of Carers Week 2013 which will identify recommendations that the campaign will focus on in 2014 and 2015 .

As part of the week Gerry Mahaffey, Marie Curie colleagues and carers will be attending a Question Time event at Portcullis House, Westminster.

The charity will also be attending a networking event at the Palace of Westminster.

Inaugural Fundraising Groups sessions offers fresh ideas Marie Curie’s first-ever Fundraising Groups forum to be held in Scotland took place at the charity’s hospice in Glasgow.

The one-day event included talks from Nurse Manager (in-patient unit) Shona Robinson from the Hospice and Nursing Service Manager Margaret Lambie.

It was organised by Fundraising Group Development Manager David Grout. He said: “The event went very well – we had 50 people representing 21 Fundraising Groups. There as a lot of discussion, sharing of ideas and

swapping contact details, so more groups are in touch with one another.

“The aim was to get groups together and give them an update on the services we’re offering, as well as the chance to meet one another.

“The highlight was a talk by the Chair of the Melrose Fundraising Group, who spoke of his personal experience of Marie Curie when his father died.”

All Marie Curie Fundraising Groups in Scotland were invited to the event.

A similar day is planned in Aviemore (in Northern Scotland) on 8 June.

Fundraising Group reps at the forum

8

JUNE 2013

PENSIONS AND YOU: READ THE FACTS HERE

Since November last year, Marie Curie People has been counting down the months to the charity’s pension automatic enrolment staging date, 1 June 2013. This is the date by which the charity has to communicate its plans for auto enrolment to all its employees. Here’s the latest on what will happen in the coming months.

Victoria Wood

Victoria’s ad Victoria Wood recorded a 30 second radio advertisement for Marie Curie’s Blooming Great Tea Party. The ad was broadcast on Heart, Capital FM and Gem 106 commercial radio stations for two weeks in May.

Payroll award Marie Curie has received a government award for making payroll giving available to its staff. The charity was awarded the Bronze Quality Mark Award for 2013.

The Bronze Award is given to employers where 1-5% of staff participate in payroll giving.

Marie Curie currently has a 2% take up.

For more information on Payroll Giving, please contact Arti Rughani in the Individual Giving Team on 020 7599 7209.

Ladies’ lunch The Marie Curie Hospice, Bradford first-ever Ladies’ Lunch in conjunction with the Hospice Development Board has raised £24,000. The lunch was attended by 210 people and held at the world heritage site of Salts Mill, Saltaire, in Yorkshire. Guest speaker was June Kenton, board member of lingerie specialists Rigby & Peller.

Highly commended The Marie Curie and HomeServe corporate charity partnership was highly commended at the Third Sector Business Charity Awards.

The partnership has raised more than £1million since it started three years ago and has supported many patients and their families through the provision of a complimentary HomeServe home emergency policy.

The government has introduced automatic enrolment to help millions of people build up a pension, to help them improve their standard of living when they retire. Most colleagues who are already in one of our pension schemes will not be affected.

At the end of May 2013 we will be sending you a letter to formally explain how our automatic enrolment scheme will work. The key points are: • We will tell you if you have to be automatically enrolled into the pension scheme.

• We will tell you when you will be automatically enrolled (there is a three month waiting period).

• We will provide an idea of the costs for you and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

• If you don’t have to be automatically enrolled we will tell you how you can join the pension scheme if you wish to join.

We will be auto enrolling employees into our Scottish Widows pension scheme on 1 September 2013.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Question: I am already a member of one of the Marie Curie Cancer Care Group pension arrangements. Do you need to write to me?

Answer: Yes. We are required to write to all employees to tell them about what is happening. This could be to confirm that they are in a compliant pension scheme already and don’t need to take any action, or that they are not in a pension scheme and we are having to put them into one, or that they are not being automatically enrolled but have the right to join a pension scheme.

Question: What happens on 1 September 2013?

Answer: You will get a further communication if we have to automatically enrol you into our chosen pension scheme with Scottish Widows. The communication will be sent by email for employees where we hold a valid email address and by post where we do not. The communication will confirm the following.

• Why you are being automatically enrolled into the pension scheme • Details of the Scottish Widows pension scheme and where to get further information • That you have been auto enrolled and the amount you have to pay

• That you have the right to opt out of the scheme, and that this is done by contacting Scottish Widows Question: How does this affect me as an ‘as and when’ employee – as my pay can vary month to month? Also if I don’t meet the criteria to be auto enrolled on 1 September 2013, could I meet the criteria another month and therefore be auto enrolled?

Answer: Yes. Marie Curie Cancer Care has to assess all its employees every month and automatically enrol anyone that meets the enrolment criteria. The assessment process looks at your age and monthly earnings as these are the two criteria stipulated by the government. The government wants to make sure that everyone between the ages of 22 and State Pension Age, earning more than £9,440 does not miss out on a pension contribution.

T N A T R O P IM S I H T D A E R (this will be 0.8% of your gross pay, while the government will pay 0.2% and Marie Curie Cancer Care will pay 1%) • How your contributions have been invested, and how you can change this if you wish to

The government wants to make sure that everyone between the ages of 22 and State Pension Age, earning more than £9,440 does not miss out on a pension contribution.

Question: How will this affect me?

Answer: If you are an employee who is not already a member of one of the Marie Curie pension arrangements, and you are aged between 22 years and State Pension Age, and earning at least £9,440 a year (or £787 a month) then you must be automatically enrolled.

Question: How much will this cost me?

Answer: The table below provides example cost for two different salary levels.

Salary

Monthly cost – 1 September 2013 to September 2017 (your 1% contribution, Marie Curie’s 1% contribution)

Monthly cost – 1 October 2017 to September 2018 (your 3% contribution, Marie Curie’s 2% contribution

Monthly cost – 1 October 2018 onwards (your 5% contribution, Marie Curie’s 3% contribution)

£12,000 per year

You Tax office Marie Curie

£8 £2 £10

You Tax office Marie Curie

£24 £6 £20

You Tax office Marie Curie

£40 £10 £30

£22,000 per year

You Tax office Marie Curie

£14.66 £3.67 £18.33

You Tax office Marie Curie

£44 £11 £36.67

You Tax office Marie Curie

£73.33 £18.34 £55

When you retire you may need more to live on than the State Pension alone. The future state pension is now being capped at £144 per week so most people need to save more if they want to be able to do the things they enjoy in retirement.

Your details It is important that your personal details are up to date on Marie Curie’s systems – so if you have recently moved house or changed your name and not told HR, please get in touch.

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JUNE 2013

Bloggers report on our care Marie Curie Cancer Care invited top bloggers to visit its hospices and report on their impressions of its work as part of a day of blogging and tweeting.

The bloggers were all impressed with the charity’s work and wrote enthusiastically online about what they had seen.

Social Media Manager Stuart Witts said: “The idea was to try to give people a flavour of what happens during a day at Marie Curie. We especially wanted to raise awareness of some of the less wellknown aspects of what goes on in our hospices – things like beauty treatment, gardening and pet therapy.

“We picked a number of wellknown bloggers around the UK who talk about related areas – beauty, pets and gardening. They visited our hospices and had a tour and an opportunity to look at how we relate to the topic that they blog about.

“Then, on one day – 15 May – we told their separate stories, and gave our fans the opportunity to comment.

Jeanne Socrates

Jeanne heads for record Seafaring supporter Jeanne Socrates has crossed the equator in the final leg of her non-stop solo unassisted circumnavigation in support of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

If she succeeds in completing the voyage non-stop, she will be both the oldest woman, at 70, to have done so, and the only woman to have done so starting from North America.

Jeanne, who is sailing yacht Nereida, crossed the equator on Friday 17 May 2013 (day 208) at 1453 GMT (2:53 AM local time). She had spent over three

months in the southern ocean.

“I can’t believe how slow these last few weeks have been and how far west of my planned route I am now,” she said.

Jeanne left Victoria in British Columbia (Canada) on 22 October 2012. Her route took her through Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.

Jeanne has had to navigate with extreme care to avoid the many reefs, atolls and islands in the region – she is not allowed to use her engine except in neutral to charge batteries.

She has had to cope with equipment problems - including total failure of her computers.

She is now heading to the squally conditions of the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone). Then comes the final major obstacle negotiating the reefs, seamounts, and atolls of the extensive Hawaiian Island chain out to beyond Midway Island in the central Pacific.

On 17 May, she had travelled 20,744 nautical miles, with 286 nautical miles to go.

Camila Fernandez, who blogs for running group Run Dem Crew, spent time with the physiotherapist at the gym in the Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead.

Camila said: “My motivation for supporting Marie Curie came when my father was diagnosed terminally ill with stomach cancer at the end of last year. My father chose to spend his final month at home and was cared for by Marie Curie Nurses.

“I was intrigued to see how extensive Marie Curie’s work is, especially the idea of improving patients’ quality of life through fitness and physio in their hospices. I was concerned that with my own memories of my dad’s final

“The day of blogging ran across all of our regional pages, and on Twitter and Facebook, with content tailored to each of the different platforms.”

Director of Fieldcraft Liz Scarff put the project together. She said: “Marie Curie Stories will enable the audience to walk in the shoes of nurses, carers and patients. The bloggers were carefully chosen and matched with an activity that would appeal to both them and their large audiences.

“The stories will exist on a hyperlocal level on the new Marie Curie regional Facebook pages and local hyperlocal websites. They will also be featured on the charity’s national social media channels and on Storify.

“The project is designed to raise awareness of the new regional Marie Curie Facebook pages. These new Facebook pages aim to put Marie Curie at the heart of the local community bringing hyperlocal news about services, events and fundraising.”

days I would find it painful and depressing.

“Surprisingly, I felt none of these feelings. I was surprised by the positivity and camaraderie displayed by patients, the level of support offered by the staff and volunteers and the variety of activities from gym sessions and relaxation techniques to makeovers. The hospice seemed to be a place where patients could take their minds off their current situation, as well as being supported at what must be an extremely frightening time.”

Camila Fernandez

Two projects shortlisted for finals of Care Integration Awards Two Marie Curie Cancer Care projects have been shortlisted for the Care Integration Awards.

The North East Glasgow Palliative Care Fast-track Discharge Service and the Somerset Delivering Choice Programme (DCP) have been selected by judges to go through to the finals.

The North East Glasgow Palliative Care Fast-track Discharge Service was developed by Marie Curie in conjunction with the NHS and other partners to provide co-ordinated care between health and social care services to people whose wish is to die at home.

It facilitates their safe and timely discharge from hospital or hospice where they can then be supported at home by a team of Marie Curie Health and Personal Care Assistants.

Last year the service helped 113 patients, enabling them to spend more of their time at home and with their families rather than in hospital at the end of life.

Business Development Manager Diana Hekerem said: “It’s a huge honour and recognition for the staff that deliver this excellent service and for the multi-agency collaborative

work we have done with the NHS and local authority in Glasgow.

“But perhaps the best evidence of the impact the project has had was summed up in the words of a patient who managed to get home shortly before her death. She thanked the nurse for enabling her to watch Strictly Come Dancing at home and enjoy a Chinese meal before passing away at the end of that week.”

Based on research from the Marie Curie Delivering Choice Programme the project began in February 2012 and operates from

the Marie Curie Hospice Glasgow.

It involves the supported discharge of older people over 65 years, at end of life, who want to die at home.

The Somerset Delivering Choice Programme involves more than 23 organisations from across the health and social care community working together to improve end of life care in Somerset and North Somerset.

An independent evaluation carried out by the University of Bristol showed that patients accessing DCP services in Somerset were 80% less likely to die in hospital than those

who did not access the service.

Families and carers and professionals have consistently reported excellent quality, co-ordinated care.

Head of Service Design (West and North) Karen Burfitt said: “We are very pleased to be shortlisted for these awards. This is the first time there has been an end of life care category in these awards. They are looking for end of life care, social care and health providers coming together to provide the best possible care for patients – and that is what this service aims to achieve.”

10

JUNE 2013

FIT TO RAISE FU Splashing out…

More than 23,500 swimmers jumped into 615 pools across the UK as part of the Swimathon, which raises money for Marie Curie and the Swimathon Foundation.

Senior Fundraising Product Manager (Events) Jenni Thompson said: “It was amazingly successful weekend – we had 5,500 more swimmers than we budgeted for.

Fundraising is still coming in, but we are confident that we will beat last year’s record total of £1.2 million.”

Swimmers included Bretton Jones, who lost a leg in a shark attack in South Africa in 1975.

He swam in aid of the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and the Vale, which cared for his father.

Getting in their stride…

A total of 170 runners took on the Virgin London Marathon for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The charity’s volunteers turned out to support the charity’s runners at five cheer stations along the course. Runners were also welcomed to a post-race reception at Charing Cross Hotel, where they were treated to massages.

Regional Events Fundraiser Steph Crack said: “We were really well supported by volunteers across the charity – a lot of staff volunteered for the day. The cheer stations were amazing – people love being in the heart of the marathon. A lot of our runners commented on how well-supported they were.”

Fundraising Product Manager Tresa Gillam was one of the team at the hotel. She said: “The atmosphere was great – a lot of people had beaten their personal bests. There were a few tears, too – runners were overcome at what they had achieved.”

UNDS

JUNE 2013

Marie Curie supporters have been swimming, running, hiking and paddling to raise money for their favourite charity – with the Swimathon, the Virgin London Marathon and the Great Escape Challenge all taking place in recent weeks.

…And getting ahead Corporate teams took on hiking, cycling and canoeing, as well as a host of mental and physical activities at Marie Curie’s Great Escape Challenge at Bewerley Park Outdoor Education Centre in North Yorkshire.

Senior Fundraising Product Manager (Events) Jenni Thompson said: “It was a brilliant weekend– despite the ghastly weather. Our teams did really well – they took on some tough challenges and a tricky bike course, and persevered in cold and wet conditions. They kept on smiling, and were duly rewarded with a great night of partying at the end.

“We are especially grateful to all our volunteers, who kept their spirits high whilst mainly being stationed in unsheltered locations in grim weather conditions.”

Specialist insurance company Catlin entered six teams, including the overall winners (Top Cats), who also took home trophies for most intelligent team and fittest team.

11

12

JUNE 2013

STRATEGIC update Results are in from the final quarter – so the whole financial year 2012/13 is under scrutiny in this edition of Marie Curie People’s regular performance update. Finance Director Andrew Whitehead reports on progress against the charity’s current strategic plan for 2001-14.

lan 2011-2014 P ic g e t a r t S known Being better od o and underst

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c Plan

14 2 011- 2 0

lan 2011-2 P c i g e t tra

Patient numbers +14%

Patient care hours +3 %

014

ality roving qu p im s y a Alw

• Our annual research conference was held in March, with more than 200 participants.

• There were 27 publications arising from research funded by Marie Curie compared to 28 in the previous year.

lan 2011-2014 Strate gic P e raise

• The Health Assure system for monitoring quality standards is being implemented.

• Surveys continue to report positive patient experience of services.

14

w

Fundraising income

+2% • Fundraising income is 2% ahead of budget and 11% ahead of last year.

• Fewer new fundraising groups were started but those that did raised more money than expected.

• We have recruited over 50,000 new regular donors – slightly below the target.

• Shops sales and profits in the final quarter were affected the weather – the profit for the year was £4 million for the year – £228k below budget.

• Patient numbers were 14% for the year.

• Hours of patient care were up 3%.

S

lopment and deve Research life care e end of to improv one for every

e money Increasing th rvices se r to fund ou

014

, in the right care e e th g n ri Delive right tim e, at the right plac

• Website visits are up 21% from prior year.

• Online income increased by 26% – target 20%.

• Six reports aimed at end of life care commissioners and policymakers have been published, and over 46 briefings prepared, on key issues.

• We influenced the draft Care and Support Bill and the Wales End of Life Care Plan.

Strategi

lan 2011-2 P c i g e t tra

Shops profit

£4m

lan 2011-20 P c i g e t a Str hub of being the Hospices ies communit

their

• The new Marie Curie Hospice, West Midlands opened for patients in January, and the sale of the former Solihull hospice site was completed.

• The Big Build Capital Appeal for the Marie Curie Hospice, West Midlands has largely raised the funds it needs for the new hospice.

• Hospice occupancy (at 76%) was lower than the target level as it was affected by the transfer to the new Marie Curie Hospice, West Midlands and the refurbishment of Edinburgh and Penarth hospices.

• Homecare visits were up 11%.

Looking ahead

Overall, the outlook for Marie Curie continues to be positive. Significant changes to the NHS in England have so far not significantly affected our services, although we are expecting greater impact after 2014. The economic outlook continues to be tough, but our fundraising team is doing well in a difficult climate. The Blooming Great Tea Party and Swimathon will be the key fundraising events in the next quarter – and the charity will also be receiving Great Daffodil Appeal unmanned collections.

JUNE 2013

13

Ant and Dec on Text Santa

Employee survey supports strategy

after costs was higher in income compared to than budget. last year was Individual Shops profits fell Giving which contributed slightly short of the a record-breaking target to raise £4.2 £23.3 million. million, and contributed “This shows that efforts £ 4 m i l l i o n . “A g a i n to recruit new donors the weather played a are really paying off and role in the last quarter having a positive impact on the charity with more Andrew Whitehead a n d a f f e c t e d s a l e s , along with lower than investment planned for expected sales of Christmas cards,” 2013/14,” explains Andrew. said Andrew.

Major Gifts were also a key In terms of where the money was contributor, raising some £6.1 million. allocated, spending on the Marie Funds from corporate partnerships Curie Nursing Service increased also achieved their target, raising by 10% on the previous year to £3.7 million for the charity, in large £31 million while spending on part secured through the Text Santa hospice care remained at a similar Christmas appeal on ITV. level of £36 million. However Legacy income was 5% higher occupancy rates were lower due to than budget. the refurbishments of the Marie Curie Community Fundraising income Hospices in Edinburgh and Penarth was lower than budget, but this and the transfer to the new hospice in was more than offset through lower the West Midlands. expenditure such that the net income Although the charity made a deficit in the last year and expects a further deficit in 2013/14 it is confident it can continue to meet its financial targets through investing in growth.

“We have a strong level of reserves and an on-going strategy to grow our income through investment in fundraising, particularly in donor recruitment and we are on target to eliminate the deficit within in two years,” said Andrew.

“If you are having any meetings in the coming weeks with external stakeholders and you would like to engage them in the discussion about the future strategy, please do. There is a link below to a short guide to the questions you might like to ask them.”

• For more about strategy, see our cover story. mariecurie.org.uk/Documents/ Plan17/Engaging-with-ExternalStakeholders.pdf

P l e a s e e m a i l s t a ke h o l d e r s ’ answers to these questions to imelda.redmond@mariecurie.org.uk

SA Y

Individual Giving saw the greatest income increase

Imelda Redmond, Director of Policy and Public Affairs

TS T GH GH I OU S TH IN

Marie Curie Cancer Care has beaten its budget for 2012/13. The final result was still a deficit - the charity having spent more than its income this year.

Finance Director Andrew Whitehead said: “We raised £82 million last year. This is a 2% improvement on budget and some 11% higher than the previous year, but we still incurred a loss of £2.9 million.

“The trustees had authorised a deficit budget as a reflection of the fact it’s not an easy climate for fundraising but that there is an increasing need for our services, particularly the Marie Curie Nursing Service.

“Approving the deficit budget was not something our trustees did lightly but it was a carefully considered to enable Marie Curie to maintain its service commitments and invest in fundraising to recruit new donors.”

The fundraising area that saw the greatest increase

HA VE YO UR

Charity beats budget

Marie Curie staff and volunteers have continued to respond to the charity’s consultation on the development of strategy for 2014-17.

Director of Policy and Public Affairs Imelda Redmond said: “We have had really good engagement from all parts of the organisation.

“A total of 937 people completed t h e q u e st i o n n a i re . We h ave completed most of the 26 events that have been held around the UK. Thank you to all who have participated.

“We wanted to make sure that the needs of terminally ill people and their families are at the centre of any planning and so we commissioned in-depth qualitative research with families. The findings from this research will help ensure that our next organisational strategy is built on the needs of families as well as the expert knowledge of our staff and volunteers.

“During the coming months, our attention will turn to gathering the views of external agencies.

We will be carrying out a survey with a range of commissioners and holding meetings with key external stakeholders.

Community fundraising net income beat budget

14

JUNE 2013

CELEBRATING OUR This week is National Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), and that’s why we would like to take a moment to celebrate the individuals who donate their time and talents to Marie Curie and ensure we can provide care and support to the people and families who need us.

Without our dedicated volunteers, Marie Curie would not be able to provide many of its services.

Volunteers are an essential part of the charity, providing their time and specialist skills for free to support the charity’s work. Without

volunteers we would not be able to run our shops, provide a range of services in our hospices or raise as much money as we do.

Some 8,500 people regularly volunteer for Marie Curie, but we have more than 25,000 occasional volunteers. Their dedication, commitment and abilities are invaluable to the charity.

“They really are the cherry on top,” said Wendy Halley, Volunteering Development Manager. “They are the added extra. They supplement what the charity does and enable us to go

the extra mile. They enhance what we can achieve and give us an incredible pool of specialist skills and a larger network to draw upon.”

R u t h B r a v e r y, D i r e c t o r o f Volunteering, said: “Volunteers are vital to Marie Curie. They help us to deliver care and support to patients and families and help us to raise the money we need to do that. They should be thanked, celebrated and recognised for the contribution they make, and the energy and commitment they give Marie Curie.”

There are a variety of ways in which people can volunteer for Marie Curie, from working in a Marie Curie Shop to working as a therapist in one of our hospices or volunteering at one of our events. Whatever skills you have, Marie Curie will use them in a way that is as rewarding for you as it is beneficial for the charity.

Across the country this month, Marie Curie managers will be holding events and parties – or taking the time to say a special thank you – to recognise the contribution volunteers make to their teams.

If you would like to host a party or event to say thank you to your volunteers, you will find all the resources you need on the volunteering documents library on the Marie Curie intranet.

Kevin uses event management skills to help Kevin Mills, 54, from Chandler’s Ford has been a Marie Curie volunteer for the last four years.

He has volunteered at a wide range of fundraising events and at the Walk Ten in Beaulieu for the last three years.

“I approached my local Marie Curie fundraising office because I felt I had time to give. Although no one in my family has ever had cancer, given the statistics it is

possible that in the future someone may, and if they do, then I would definitely want them to be cared for in their own home. That’s why I decided to support Marie Curie.

“I have experience in running events and event management. I was in the Royal Navy for 26 years, from the age of 16 till I was 42 and I would sometimes help with large scale event organisation, so using these skills to support Marie

Kevin Mills

Curie made sense. These days I am mainly office based – so it feels good to get outside into the fresh air when I’m volunteering.

“I’ve volunteered at several events for Marie Curie from the New Forest Bike ride to the Great South Run and now at Walk Ten in Beaulieu. The New Forest Bike Ride was great fun; I love cycling and I got to participate as well as help set up the event. I was the tail-end marker responsible for going at the pace of the slowest rider and making sure no one was left behind. At Beaulieu I have helped set up the base and put up the signage and I have loved being in the great outdoors. I have also walked the route in previous years – it really is glorious scenery.

“I would encourage anyone to volunteer. It’s very rewarding and gives you a real sense of achievement knowing that any time you can give will indirectly help provide more nursing hours to someone in need.”

These days I am mainly office based – so it feels good to get outside into the fresh air when I’m volunteering.

Alyson Walsh Volunteers Belinda Copland, Susan Walsh and Alyson Walsh

All the fun of the fairs Alyson Walsh is a member of the highly successful fundraising group for the Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead.

“I used to work for Marie Curie’s Marketing Department, back in the 1990s, and I’ve collected for the Great Daffodil Appeal since then.

“But about seven years ago, I made cakes for the hospice Summer Fair.

The year after that, they had no-one to organise the fair, so I offered to help.

“Since then, I’ve done every Summer and Christmas Fair, with a group of fabulous ladies. We run fairs at the hospice and in the local town hall, as well as lots of other events.

“My marketing background helps, as I have a slightly different approach to fundraising.

“I have opportunities to work with suppliers who have donated fantastic goods. If I meet someone who’s involved in manufacturing, I’ll always ask them ‘have you got any samples?’

“I’ve been given hundreds of Gu puddings, and bottles of flavoured vodka. Last Christmas, we were able to sell 200 ponsetia plants.

“Last year, our group ran a Zumbathon. It was fantastic to see 120 women zumba-ing with daffodil headbands on.

“We also run stalls all around North London, including a very successful wine tombola, thanks for former colleagues in the wine business and which my mother runs with my sister – my family are fantastic.

“It’s a great group – currently the other members are Maggie, Deirdre, Julie, Farida, Dave and Hildegard.

We have an absolute hoot – on one occasion we were locked out of the town hall in the rain just hours before our fair was due to start, so we ran around looking for tables and chairs to set up the event in the car park.

And we’ve raised around £65,000 over the years.”

JUNE 2013

15

VOLUNTEERS

Advice gives local perspective

Carol Dobson

Offering patient support from head to toe Carol Dobson, 63, from Ponteland is a volunteer complementar y therapist at the Marie Curie Hospice, Newcastle. She has been volunteering for the last seven years. In 2010 she won a Marie Curie award for Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering with patients, carers and families.

“When I was ill in hospital I benefitted a lot from complementary therapies. When I had recovered from my illness, I heard a radio advert saying the hospice needed volunteers to provide its Headto-Toe service. I was a hairdresser before I retired, so I thought this

would be a great opportunity for me to help. It was a wonderful way to put my skills to use, helping people with hair loss, who needed hairpieces and giving them advice on how to take care of their scalp, what fringes might suit them and what hats they could wear.

“But I’d always been fascinated with reflexology, and decided to train so I could offer this service to patients. One thing led to another and I am now trained in Reiki, Indian Head Massage, hand and foot massage and body massage as well.

“I see six people every week and it’s tremendously rewarding

knowing you can do something for someone when they need it the most. Most therapists train so they can work in a spa but if you work in a hospice, you are really helping people. You want to contribute so much and give your patients all the support you can at a time when they need it the most. The patients are so grateful and they get so much from it. It’s lovely to see a smile on their faces after a treatment.

“My favourite therapy is Reiki.

It’s such a special caring treatment and you can feel the person relax immediately.”

Bernard Mitchell, from Belfast volunteers on the Northern ern Ireland Advisory Board.

Bernard He has been a member of the board for the last twoo Mitchell years. revised model for the “I spent my whole career reer a rev delivery of integrated working in health and social cial deliv care throughout Northern Ireland. care and when I retired a “As part of this we sought to colleague suggested that I could support staff from Marie Curie in use this experience to support developing proposals for healthcare Marie Curie by being part of its commissioners that illustrate Marie Advisory Board in Northern Ireland.

Curie’s ability to provide community I am really pleased to have had the care and end of life care at home. I opportunity to do so.” am delighted that this has resulted “The board’s role is to support in a local pilot scheme which offers Marie Curie’s work across the great potential for the improvement province by providing advice on of services in line with Marie Curie’s local issues and perspectives. This strategic vision and values. Seeing means providing input to issues these kind of concrete outcomes is such as national and local policy, very rewarding for all of us on the strategic planning, the development Advisory Board, especially when you of proposals for service delivery, know the support Marie Curie offers, communication and fundraising. the quality of its nurses and frontline “There is a huge amount of staff and the warmth of feeling the experience at a senior level around public has for the charity.” the table from across the public and private sectors in areas such Seeing these kind of as clinical services, primary and community care, management, concrete outcomes is very commissioning, marketing and rewarding for all of us fundraising. A lot of our recent w o r k h a s f o c u s s e d o n h o w on the Advisory Board, the charity can positively and especially when you know proactively respond to the changes the support Marie Curie and challenges brought in by the Transforming Your Care reforms offers, the quality of its of December 2011, which outlined nurses and frontline staff.

Shop work is positive experience Mexico insight supports training programmes Edgar Rodriguez, 36, from Mexico, has been volunteering for Marie Curie at Albert Embankment for two and a half months. He supports the People and Organisational Development department.

“I worked as a project manager in a consulting firm in Mexico City. I was the link between the technical IT team and the end user and a have been able to put into practice the systems and project management expertise I gained there to support Marie Curie Cancer Care. I have been in London for six months and volunteer for the charity three days a week. I support process design and develop documents that help communication between the technical people and the service users. The work I’m doing will help make sure that the charity’s training processes are efficient,

effective and make things as easy as possible for learners.

“Marie Curie is a great organisation, and as far as I am aware there is nothing like it in Mexico. I have had friends who have lost friends and family to cancer and I think the work that Marie Curie does to support people who want to die at home and their families is really important.

That’s why I wanted to volunteer in any way that would be useful.

“I wanted to give the charity my time while I was as in London and not working king full-time. I really enjoy oy volunteering here, Edgar I have been able to Rodriguez use my skills in a valuable way and also improve my English.”

Frances Nolan volunteers at the Marie Curie Shop in Trinity, Edinburgh.

“I have been volunteering ever since the shop opened – going on 20 years,” she said. “I like the company. I’m doing something worthwhile. It gets me out of the house, and gives mee a focus for my day. It’s all positive. ve.

“I work downstairs rs 90% of the time, handling Frances donations, preparing goods for or Nolan going upstairs and culling ulling items from the shop floor. Goods that haven’t ven’t sold here are still worth and tea breaks breaks, and when we’re moving along to another shop to short-staffed. I enjoy that, too. sell. Those jobs take up most of “I do a full day on Monday, and my time.

I fill in if we’re short staffed. It’s “I also do short spells upstairs a busy shop, and we’re constantly on the shop floor to cover lunch on the go.”

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JUNE 2013

INSIGHT INTO WHAT SUPPORTERS WANT Most of us have our own picture of a typical Marie Curie supporter. It’s probably based on people we know through our work and people we’ve met at events.

And it’s quite possibly wrong. The charity’s Insight Team – Senior Insight Manager Ann Davison and Analyst Tim Harrison have been building up a picture of different groups of supporters and what we might be able to offer them.

“Every supporter is special and different,” Ann said. “But people with experience of end-of-life care and women over 55 are especially interested in what we do. We can help colleagues use research to establish key characteristics of people supporting us through particular events.

“For example, a typical Walk Ten supporter is attracted by access to beautiful venues and walking at twilight more than the cause.

She likes to keep fit, enjoys good food and makes it social, bringing friends and family.

“She is very moved by the Marie Curie Nurse speaking at the event at 10pm. I know this because I’ve talked to our walkers. They said the nurse and the in-memory walkers made them realise why they were there. We can gain understanding from what psychology tells us about people’s preferences in general. For example, people are

What makes supporters tick?

One third of 65 – 74 year olds have never used the Internet

£15,000 The approximate cost of running the Hampstead hospice every day

influenced by the messenger – they trust nurses.”

The information that Ann has gleaned about supporters who take part in Walk Ten is being used to fine-tune both the event and how the charity publicises it. The charity’s direct marketing campaign – sample headline “See Harewood House in a whole new light” – emphasises the venues and the unique experience of walking by twilight.

Talking to supporters – often at events or in groups – is an important part of Ann’s work.

GIFT AID Recently, she met the carers and patients group at the Marie Curie Hospice for the West Midlands and discussed Gift Aid – why people do and don’t use it. She confirmed that some supporters worry about the paperwork, so they need good explanations that put their minds at rest and build trust.

She also recently met potential

legacy pledgers visiting the Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead for a Gift for the Future event.

“What really attracted them was that they admired the hospice. They enjoyed being able to find out more and look around. The hospice manager told them the cost of running the hospice every day, around £15,000, and that had a big impact,” she said.

SOLICITOR “They were impressed that we had a solicitor to advise on the things that can go wrong and about different types of gifts you can leave in a Will. For example, it can be better to include a share of your estate rather than a lump sum, as a share will increase with inflation and a fixed lump sum won’t.”

As well as meeting supporters face to face, the Insight team, which includes Tim Harrison, also conducts surveys and carries out other research into supporters’ views, sometimes commissioning bespoke work for

Marie Curie, sometimes working with other charities and often using internet tools.

COMMUNICATION “One example we have looked at is how much communication needs to be digital and how much more conventional. We know that most people are comfortable with online communication, and we want to be good at what we do online, without forgetting people who are not yet comfortable with it. One third of 65-74 year olds have never used the internet, but access improves year by year,” she said.

“Tim and I work to identify the background, like this, against which supporters find themselves.

The differences between people are important – different types of people like different ways of helping Marie Curie. Things that might influence that include age, gender, different hobbies, attitudes and communication preferences.

“For example, some people are born organisers – they might want to set up or join a fundraising group.

So I’m always asking the question ‘what can we do for our supporters?

How can we do the extra mile to make events and communications really great?’”

FINDING One significant finding of the Insight team is that nearly half of Marie Curie supporters have some direct experience of the charity’s services. And around 40% of Great Daffodil Appeal collectors are supporting the charity in memory of someone. “We didn’t know that about our collectors before.

“The charity is doing more work now to enable supporters to remember a loved one while supporting us,” Ann said.

Ann started her career at Which? magazine – and carried on campaigning for consumers and supporters throughout her career. She was consumer adviser to DEFRA, advising on customer focus and insight. She also co-founded the Fairtrade Association, and led its consumer work.

“I see myself as the champion of members and speaking up for supporters,” she said. I’ve always been on the side of the consumer.”

And how do they communicate?

And around 40% of Great Daffodil Appeal collectors are supporting the charity in memory of someone

Ann Davison and Tim Harrison

JUNE 2013

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Could you be a Marie Curie Rep? Do you fancy taking on Kilimanjaro, cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats or trekking in the Himalayas?

Would you like to meet some of our most dedicated supporters? And can you talk enthusiastically about the work of Marie Curie Cancer Care?

Marie Curie Cancer Care is appealing to members of staff to take on the role of Marie Curie Rep for its overseas challenges in 2014 and 2015. The deadline for applications is 10 June.

The role is open to members of staff who have been working for the charity for a minimum of six months.

Applicants must be supported by their managers.

Events Project Fundraiser Janine Goddard said: “Reps need to undertake the challenge; support and motivate the participants; and talk to the group about the work of Marie Curie Cancer Care. You need to be genuinely enthusiastic about the charity.

“You need to be fit and prepared to

train – you will have to keep up with the group on a physically challenging trek or cycle throughout the day, and be ready to do presentations and support people in the evening.

You’re first up in the morning, and usually last to go to bed. It’s not for the faint-hearted.

“However, you’ll get to meet a unique group of people; get an understanding of our supporters’ motivation for raising money; and hear their stories first-hand. It’s also an opportunity to take on a personal

challenge and to visit a destination that you might have dreamed about.

It’s the experience of a lifetime.”

Janine has completed two Marie Curie overseas challenges – cycling in Jamaica with Mr Motivator and trekking on the Great Wall of China.

“Both challenges were hard work, but they were brilliant,” she said.

“In China, we visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the underground market. And cycling with Mr Motivator was fantastic.”

New reps will be partnered with someone who has been a rep before. All overseas challenges are accompanied by a doctor, guide and support team.

• Members of staff who would rather be a participant than a rep can sign up and get half price registration fee on any overseas trek or cycle (including the Land’s End to John O’Groats Cycle).

The Great Wall of China Trek

Janine Goddard with Mr Motivator

Tough conditions for Ireland cyclists User survey to highlight A team of 58 Marie Curie supporters took on tough conditions to complete the charity’s Malin to Mizen Cycle Challenge.

The event took them 430 miles from Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head, County Donegal, to its most southerly, Mizen Head, Cork.

They started the challenge with ‘an easy little 30 mile half day’ and then cycled between 50 and 84 miles every day for six days.

The cyclists were accompanied by Marie Curie Reps Vonnie Carson and Lou Stone. It was Vonnie’s fifth time on an overseas challenge. She said:

“It was a great week – absolutely brilliant. It was windy, wild and very wet, but you don’t expect Ireland to be like the Bahamas. The first 30 miles was a horrendous start for the group - very exposed and windy, so it was hard to keep their spirits up but it didn’t take long for the group to bond and start working as a team to get through the lows.

“It’s a fabulous event – there’s a diverse group of folk who are cycling for all kinds of reasons. Everybody looks after everybody else, and friendships are formed forever. At the end, we had grown men sobbing.

“As ever, we have a group of people who have taken on a very tough, emotional challenge, and they are engaged with the charity. Now is the time for our community team to make contact with them and develop their relationships with the charity. Some are looking for another challenge.

Many would love to set up or join a Fundraising Group – they are lovely people with drive and enthusiasm.

“If you are a fundraiser, and a participant from your area has taken part in this event, do give them a call. These guys are so committed to Marie Curie.”

Home and not so dry – Marie Curie cyclists at Mizen Head

experience of patients Marie Curie Cancer Care is set to run its annual user survey in the last two weeks of June.

The charity plans to survey more than 620 patients who are being cared for by the Marie Curie Nursing Service and Marie Curie Hospices (including in-patients, day patients and outpatients). Last year, 520 patients and carers took part in the survey.

Project Manager (User Survey) Malvina Rossi said: “This is an important survey that we have to run every year – it’s a requirement of our regulators.

“We have the support of Zurich Community Trust (UK) Ltd volunteers who will help with the survey of patients who are being cared for by the Marie Curie Nursing Service and hospices. They will telephone patients and ask them a set series of questions.

“We have worked with Zurich for several years – their volunteers are experienced telephone staff who do an excellent job.

“Each hospice has a volunteer team who will carry out the survey face-to-face with in-patients.

“When we are unable to talk directly to patients, perhaps because they are too tired or too ill, we will speak to a family member or carer.”

The survey asks patients about their experience of the service; the information they have received; whether they are treated with dignity and respect; their level of involvement in their care; management of symptoms, such as pain; and whether they felt the carer received sufficient support.

They are also asked what else Marie Curie could do to make their life easier and for suggestions about how to improve the service Results will be published on the Marie Curie website and used to improve Marie Curie services.

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JUNE 2013

THOUSANDS FLOCK TO SCI-FI CHARITY FUN DAY Science fiction loving families had an out of this world experience at the annual Corsham Sci-Fi Family Fun Day in April.

The annual event, organised by Charity Sci-Fi’s Chairman Adrian Davies, raised £6,855 for Marie Curie Cancer Care and three other local charities. Fundraising revellers arrived dressed as their favourite sci-fi characters and blended in with the event’s volunteers who were also dressed as extra-terrestrials from Star Wars and Doctor Who. Adrian said: “It’s a sci-fi fete that’s fun for the whole family rather than a sci-fi convention. We raised a fantastic amount of money this year – it really was our best yet.”

Around 4,000 people plus a variety of sci-fi heroes from popular culture attended the event at Corsham School including Darth Vader, Planet of the Apes chimps, Star Wars actor Brian Wheeler and Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Anthony Head.

I chose Marie Curie as one of the beneficiaries because I’ve had family with cancer and friends with cancer so I know the amazing work the charity does.

Senior Healthcare Assistant Diane Simpson encounters the dark side of the Force

The chimps even stopped for a spot of tea to support the Blooming Great Tea Party.

“I chose Marie Curie as one of the beneficiaries because I’ve had family with cancer and friends with cancer so I know the amazing work the charity does and I want more people in this area to receive the specialist palliative care that Marie Curie can provide to people in their own homes coming to the end of life,” said Adrian.

A Judoon and a Wookie visit Corsham

Samantha Podmore

Jennifer MacLennan

Samantha Podmore, the Chairperson of Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Tewkesbury Fundraising Group, has died in a tragic accident.

Samantha, 34, became involved with the Great Daffodil Appeal in 2012. Later in the year, she joined the Tewkesbury group as a member. After running a highly successful Great Daffodil Appeal in 2013, she was asked to chair the group.

Community Fundraiser Catherine Butt attended her funeral along with members of the Fundraising Group at the invitation of Samantha’s mother.

Catherine said: “Samantha was the perfect volunteer. She was really enthusiastic and motivated. She made a huge effort to support the Great Daffodil Appeal, and did a really good job.

“She was a pleasure to talk to and wanted to do everything she could to make the group a success.

“Our sympathy goes to her family and friends.”

charities, schools Jennifer MacLennan, and organisations. who died recently, Manager Caroline was a Marie Curie Costello said: volunteer at the “Jennifer was a charity’s shop in the one-off – she was a Springburn Shopping wonderful person.

Centre in Glasgow.

S h e w a s l i ke a Last year she received mother to us. She a 25-year long service was very good at award. Jennifer Jennifer MacLennan advising customers.” began volunteering Pamela Neeson, Assistant in the local fundraisers’ shop Shop Manager, said: “She used before joining the Marie Curie to go through the donations Shop in Springburn. and price clothes and shoes, She decided to volunteer after and you’d always hear laughter her husband Charlie died of from the back room when she cancer. As well as volunteering was in. She was a real gas.” one day a week in the shop, she She leaves her second ran a fundraising Christmas husband Victor, and two sons. concert with her church choral She will be greatly missed by group every year. She also her friends and colleagues at raised funds and used her Marie Curie. time to benefit other local

Samantha Podmore

JUNE 2013

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Hatched and matched is Marie Curiee People’s spot for your wedding, civill partnership and new baby photos. Iff you’re a newlywed, or a proud parent,, we’d love to see your photos. Pleasee send us up to three (maximum) high h resolution (300dpi+) Jpeg or Tiff filess by email only (don’t send us yourr precious prints). For identification n purposes, it would help if you could d ensure the filename of the photo o matches the subject’s name.

PR Manager Rachael McCormack gave birth to Moya Rose (below) on 9 April. Moya was born at 10.45pm, weighing 8lbs 13oz. Rachael said: “She is a wee dote (I am a bit biased) –a very placid and chilled out baba so far. Her big sister Aela has taken to her really well and is helping Mum and Dad out.”

Paul Cross is Marie Curie Cancer Care’s new Head of Estates services. He has been with Marie Curie for seven weeks.

Georgina Burke, Community Fundraiser for Cardiff and the Vale Hospice gave birth to gorgeous Elinor Marie Ackland (right) on 25 November 2012. Weighing a tiny 5lbs lbs Elinor was born four weeks early. Mother her and baby are doing very well and Elinor nor is fast becoming Marie Curie’s youngest est Great Daffodil Appeal volunteer.

Eryn Eryn Amelia Grace Scott (left) was born on o 27 February 2013. Her proud parents are a Richard and Anny Scott. Richard is Community Fundraiser – Herefordshire, C Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

W Eryn weighed in at 8lb 1oz.

E

Fundraising Group hits £100,000 target The fundraising team at The Marie Curie Hospice Cardiff and the Vale hosted a drinks reception and buffet to celebrate the Penarth and District Fundraising Group reaching their target of £100,000 over 10 years of fundraising for the charity. Five year long-service badges were presented to Magi Vaughan, Jan Moxham, Jane Streeter, Elizabeth Gelsci, Carol Haus and Pam Protheroe; and 10 year badges went to Jo Thompson, Nerys Thomas and Julie Griffiths. Anita Morgan received a 15 year badge.

Student S duo put best feet forward Students Chloe Banks and Annissa Beil provide pedicures to volunteers Marion Grey and Jill Arkell Wilson at the Marie Curie Hospice, Newcastle. The Health and Social Committee at the hospice enlisted students from NEETA Training academy to visit the hospice once a month to provide free pamper sessions for volunteers and staff. Facilities Manager Gill White said: “It’s a win-win situation with volunteers and staff enjoying a little pampering and the students gaining some experience.”

Q: What did you do before?

A. Associate Director of Strategy Business and Finance for the Estates and Facilities Management Directorate at Oxford Brookes University Q: What are the three most important aspects of your job?

A. Our people, our aspirations as a charity, our built environment.

Q: What’s your typical day (in 30 words)?

A. Emails and Spotify on the train to Paddington, wonderful bike ride to 89 Albert Embankment, talk to many people, get as much done as I can, second bike ride, consolidate on the train home.

Q: What do you do when you’re not at work?

A. Kids, kung fu, music.

Q: When was the last time you laughed?

A. Just now trying to find something fascinating about me to say.

Q: If you were an animal what would you be?

A. A red kite.

Q: What makes you happy?

A. Lots of things, three examples are: my family, my job, the kindness of strangers (like the person who found my document wallet on a train and delivered it to my house).

Q: What makes you sad?

A. Not much.

Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?

A. Lots of things.

Q. What’s your favourite pudding?

A. Something with cognac – I’m not big on deserts.

Q: What was your favourite childhood TV programme?

A. Tom and Jerry.

Q: Tell us a fascinating fact about yourself.

A. We keep hens in our back garden (not overly fascinating, sorry).

Q Which five people, alive or dead, would you like to invite to dinner?

A. Fergal Keene, my grandmother in her prime, Sue Perkins, Andy Hamilton, Mick Jagger.

Charity reg no. 207994 (England & Wales), SC038731 (Scotland) S109