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Charity Mail Box

Some letters received from people about the work we do raising money for children's charities.

We have received some lovely ‘thank you’ letters since the last magazine was published and existing charities keep in touch, usually through their newletters. Leicester Downs Group’s (LDG) new newsletter is particularly exciting as this first edition has only come about through the hard work and enthusiasm of Bears members, matched only by Angela’s driving force at LDG.

Angela sent us their first draft - all part of the bigger plan! They have gone from a two-sided A4 handout to an eight page publication. They are working so hard using the monies donated from Dream Rides that we all worked so hard to raise last year and have included an article about the Sporting Bears in this first edition, describing the wonderful time they all had, not least the children, when they visited the NEC as our guests.

You have already met Lucie - our cover girl. Lucie attends the Dorothy Goodman School, who were delighted with the money we raised for them last year. We have received a letter from the school thanking all the Bears for everyone’s hard work and generosity. The specialist equipment they were able to buy makes such a difference to Lucie, her friends and all the children at the school. They would be delighted to welcome and Bears visitors, we just need to let them know when, and they’ll get the coffee on! Tony and Kate have kindly agreed to co-ordinate a visit, so I do hope some of our members will be able to go and see, at first hand, just what our efforts mean to children like Lucie.

Bob Smith passed on heartfelt thanks from the Association for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (ASBAH). The association received ‘another marvellous donation of £500’ raised on Bob and Mary’s ‘Caper T’Other Way’ earlier in the year. It is this on-going generosity that they rely on so heavily to enable them to continue to offer such a variety of high quality services to the many babies, children and young people living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus in the West Cumbria region. Members of ASBAH wished us to pass on their warmest appreciation to all the members of the Sporting Bears Motor Club.

The Polars have been working really hard, and lunching even harder! (Someone’s got the right idea up there!!) to raise money for St. Oswald’s Hospice, who sent a thank you letter directly to us after receiving £750 that was raised by the Polars at their recent ‘Bears Who Lunch’ events. This included a £25 donation from Polar Bear, Professor Nimal Jayaratne, and the money went to St. Oswald’s Jigsaw Appeal - especially for children. St. Oswald’s is currently able to welcome 15 children to stay with them each month, for a specialist short break. As with many charities they write ‘without the ongoing support of donors like you, we simply could not continue to care. Thank you for continuing to support St. Oswald’s by very kindly making a wonderful contribution to Hospice funds as a result of your Dream Rides activities’.

Haven House were very pleased to have received our £500 donation - this is the first time we have supported them and their good work at this children’s hospice in Woodford Green, Essex. They provide care 24/7 for children with life limiting conditions, and thank the Bears for their generosity in supporting their continued success.

Children’s Hospice are all celebrating!

This year most of these special charities will be celebrating 25 years of the Children’s Hospice Movement. Children’s hospice week will see events taking place across the country between 15th and 23rd of September. The Association for Children’s Hospices will be co-ordinating many events - their symbol is the butterfly.

Helen House was the first dedicated children’s to be built. The start of the anniversary year was launched in the company of 250 Oxford primary schoolchildren, who helped them create a living version of their ‘hearts’ logo. The cheers were loud as two children from Helen House released a cloud of coloured balloons into the spring sky! Their celebrations have already included a visit from the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and they are also planning a makeover of their garden.

Richard House is having an open day on 18th September. Crossroads Children’s Group are holding a Charity Challenge day on 22nd September, and Naomi House are holding at ‘Invitation to tea at 3’ between the 21st and 23rd September to name but a few.

There will be much celebrating and publicity so do let us know if you come across any worthy causes for the Bears to support - we love to hear from you.

Mike and Caroline McSean

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