Multiple Sclerosis Society of Jersey Autumn Newsletter 2015

Christmas Lunch2015 annual lunch has been reserved for Saturday 5 December 2015. Attendance forms enclosed and need to be returned with the relevant funds by Wednesday 18th November 2015. The Governor, The Dean and his wife and Father France are all attending this year.

Pub FundraisingI would like to thank the committee members who took part in the pub fundraising and a special big thank you to Neil Singleton and Alli for their continued support in coming out to help raise funds.

We have organised another pub collection on 18 December from 5 to 7 pm so please contact Karen Eeles if you are able to help on 07797 721944.

CO-OP CollectionWe have undertaken two collections at the Co-op. The first collection was on Tuesday 28th April at the St Helier Branch and the second collection was on Wednesday 27th May at the St Peter Branch. I would like to thank Margaret , Julie and all of her helpers.

Quiz NightLynne Shaw organised a fantastic quiz night on Friday 2 October and everyone had so much fun that she has been asked to organise another one for next year.

Monthly Prize Draw ClubAnother seven draws have taken place and twenty-eight more lucky participants have now received their winners’ cheque. Tickets are now available for 2016 and make a great Christmas present!

April May June July Aug Sept Oct1st prize 479 398 264 307 323 242 2102nd prize 103 345 406 290 269 211 4323rd prize 185 432 273 155 169 153 3764th prize 105 328 180 424 215 328 254

It is time once again to start seeking members for our monthly draw, which was introduced last year. Tickets are now available at £25 each. There are four monthly prizes as follows 1st prize - £200; 2nd prize -£100; 3rd prize - £50 and 4th prize - £25.

Our objective last year was to get every member involved and for each member to enlist a further four members from amongst their family, friends and work colleagues. This was an ambitious, but achievable target, which would have given us just over 500 members. In the end, we reached just a little over half that target with only 33 out of just over 100 members making a contribution to our cause. We are very grateful to those members who made an effort to make this a success but we need everybody to play their part if we are to have any significant contribution from this important fund-raising activity.

The result of failing to reach our target was that it was necessary to cut the level of assistance to members and further cuts will need to be made if we are to remain viable as an organisation. It is therefore important that everybody plays a part, no matter how small, in making next year’s draw club as big a success as is possible.

To that end we will, once again, be sending each of you five application forms with your annual subscription reminder and we hope that you will be able to spread the word far and wide and make our 2016 draw club the success that will enable us to assist as many members as possible.

Additional application forms can be obtained on request from any of the committee and can also be downloaded from our website www.jersey.org from the Monthly Draw section.

ShopMobility ReminderThis is a reminder that MS members pay a reduced rate of £3 per day for the use of the mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs. That is a saving of £4 per day. All users also get free parking in Sand Street in the ShopMobility area of the car park whilst they are using the scooters.

Funds available for Motor Car AdaptationDuring 2014 a group of young people bravely undertook a Round Island Swim Relay and raised the amazing total of £2,500.  They have asked that the sum raised be used to help any members who need to have their vehicles adapted for the use of hand-controls or by whatever other means in order to enable their continued use. We have had one member looking to take advantage of this assistance.

If you feel we can assist in this regard please do not hesitate to contact Dermot Boylan in the first instance to discuss taking this matter forward. 

Dermot can be contacted on 07797 745417 or email dermot.boylan.55@gmail.com.

Dress Down DaysThank you Kleinwort Benson, the Judicial Greffe and Salamanca Group for organising dress down days on our behalf. Please encourage your firms or ask your family members to organise a dress down day for the MS Society of Jersey, if not for this year consider us for next year.

AGMThank you to the few members who attended the AGM, which was held on Saturday 25th April 2015 at St Clements’ Parish Hall. I hope that next year more of our members will support the AGM as we only just had enough members to proceed. Thank you to Julie Shaw for making the cakes and providing the refreshments on the day.

Anyone wishing to join the committee please contact Helena Eeles on 07700 727800.

It is with deep regret that our committee member Peter Hanning passed away in May and will be sadly missed by all of the Committee. We extend our sympathy and condolences to his wife, Elaine, and family.

Birthday WishesJune Beslievre celebrated a special birthday this summer turning 90. As many of you will know June formed the MS Society of Jersey as a Charity, so is an important member. We wish her a very happy 90th birthday from the Society.

Government HouseWe were again invited to Government House this year for afternoon tea. As you can see by the photo the members who attended had a lovely entertaining afternoon.

MembershipPlease find attached to your newsletter the membership renewal form for 2016. Please note that your membership form needs to be received before 1 January 2016 if you wish to receive MS matters and receive any of the other benefits.