Newsletter - 43rd Edition - December 2007
The committee would like to wish all our group members, a very merry Xmas, and happy, healthy New Year.
Wednesday 10th October
It was another good turn out for the A.G.M. with 56 members turning up. The chairman said it has been another very successful year for the group, thanks to the support of the members. He said he was especially pleased with the members who risked life and limb driving through heavy snow to get to the February meal.
Brian was impressed with the support the group members gave Jenny Ashman from the ‘County Air Ambulance’ at our August meeting. The group have made donations during the year to the B.H.F., the Alex Rehabilitation, the County Air Ambulance and the E.C.G. Department.
Brian thanked the Committee, all Group Members, our exercise instructors and the Tea Team he also thanked his wife Pat for all her help and support over the year.
The Treasurer passed copies of the annual accounts to members. Bob informed those present that the group’s funds were healthy, and that the exercise classes are doing well.
He updated the members on the new Web site and defibrillator training.
The committee stepped down and Dr Melley was invited to take the chair. It was proposed that the committee be re-elected en-bloc and Dr Eddie Melley was voted back as President.
The members then went on to enjoy the ‘Cheese and Wine’ evening.
Special thanks must go to all the helpers who worked hard to put on such a lovely spread, and to the bar staff who kept the glasses full.
Wednesday 12th December 7.30pm
I hope you are all in good voice for the Sherry & Mince Pie evening.
Linda and Brian, with their angelic voices will be leading the Carol singing and Norman will be accompanying them on the Keyboard.
Unfortunately Jane will not be able to join us.
We will also be having the Christmas raffle the prizes include, a portable T.V./D.V.D., fresh turkey, leg of pork, bottle of brandy, bottle of whiskey, sherry, wine, chocolates, fruit basket and many more fantastic prizes.
Thursday 14th February 08 @ 7.30pm
This Valentine’s Day we will be having our ‘Annual Meal’ at the Eagle & Sun, the room has been preliminary booked, please don’t be disappointed, and book early. The price of the meal will be £7.50 per head.
We will probably be having the B.H.F. Valentine Appeal again this year which is a great way of raising funds for this very worthy charity.
Cardiology Department. E.C.G.
The group has once again been able to help out The Alexandra Hospital Cardiology Department (E.C.G.) by donating a hydraulic couch and training reference books.
We have received a letter from Julie Caulfield, Senior Chief Cardiac Physiologist, thanking Hale & Hearties for their help and support, as these items have made such a difference to the comfort of the patients and the members of staff performing the investigations. She has asked us to pass on her thanks to all our members.
* * *
Why is Christmas like a day in the office?
Because you do all the work and the man in the suit gets all the credit.
Cardiac Rehab Sponsored Walk
On 14th October the Cardiac Rehab team from the Alex organised a 9 mile sponsored walk to raise funds primarily for a 24-hour tape monitor.
The weather was perfect for walking. The Staff were joined by 15 ex patients, most of which were Hale & Hearties members. They all did fantastically well and the majority managed the full 9 miles.
Over £2700 was raised so we can afford the 24 hour tape and can also boost our funds which are used for gym equipment and training courses and indeed everything used in Cardiac Rehab.
A really big THANK YOU to all of you who walked and made the day so enjoyable and worthwhile and also for all of you who raised funds, including Hale & Hearties who gave a donation.
(Write up sent in by Linda Barratt)
BHF asks for gift of life
The British Heart Foundation is urging people to help give the gift of life through the use of their new celebration website.
CELEBRATE WITH THE BHF is a site, which asks friends to mark special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings etc, by donating to the nation’s heart charity instead of buying gifts.
The BHF uses donations to continue funding research, educating people on how to prevent heart related illness or providing care for people with heart problems.
For further information on the website call the BHF on 020 7487 9404 or visit www.bhf.org.uk/celebrate
The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam:
A card is posted through your door
from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they
were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906
6611911 (a premium rate number). DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam.
If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will
already have been billed £15 for the phone call.
If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655
Cardiac Care that depends where you live.
Heart patients across the country face huge differences in levels of care, it has been revealed.
A British Heart Foundation study found vast discrepancies in areas of England and Wales between the numbers receiving cardiac rehabilitation after suffering a heart attack or having surgery.
Cardiac Rehabilitation, costing £600 per patient, gives a 26% greater chance of surviving in the five years after diagnosis but in some areas just one in seven receives the treatment.
Professor Bob Lewin, of the foundation’s cardiac care and education research group, said a lack of funding and understanding had compounded the situation. He added: ‘With cardiac rehabilitation lives can be saved and quality of life can improve dramatically.
I think we can think ourselves very lucky to have the Rehabilitation Team at the Alex.
Questions & answers on Quiz Shows.
Presenter: What’s another name for the green-eyed monster?
Contestant: The sugar plum fairy.
Steve Wright: What is a female sheep?
Contestant: A goat.
Les Dennis: Name a part of the body every-one has one of.
Contestant: Big toe.
