News and events archive 2009
Innovative Technology Award
Our congratulations to Gemma Crane, clinical nurse specialist in Churchill Hospital’s Urology Department, who has been shortlisted for a National Health Service (NHS) 2009 Innovative Health and Social Care Technology Award for her work in developing TV-Nuts, a web-based support forum for people with testicular cancer, which was supported by UCARE. Congratulations Gemma!
TV-Nuts is updated and monitored by health professionals, who receive alerts when new comments are posted on the website. Testicular cancer patients, who can choose to remain anonymous, can visit the site at any time of the day or night to ‘chat’ with each other online. The service has received excellent feedback from patients and from clinicians who want to set up similar resources.
The Red Lion
The Red Lion at Yarnton raised a fantastic £1,000 for UCARE - we would like to thank every one involved in the fundraising.
An evening with the Radcliffe Orchestra.
November 2009
Our thanks to the Radcliffe Orchestra and to all our helpers who made this such a wonderful evening. We hope to have the opportunity to do this again. Our thanks to Cotswold Kids, Witney; Oxford Event Hire, Petals Flower and Garden shop; Baker’s Basket, Thame; Midcounties Coop; McCormick spices; Waterperry Gardens for their support and sponsorship.
Windsor half marathon
Emily and Kate completed the Windsor half marathon for UCARE.
“Now that we can look back on it, it seems like it was good fun, although at the time it felt very hot and very hilly!! We were pleased with our time of 2 hours, 22 given that we are not usually runners, but not entirely convinced we are ready for a full marathon just yet! I attach a photo to prove we got our medals!!”Emily Utley.
Acoustic evening at the White Horse
On the 18th September, the regulars at the White Horse pub in Kings Sutton held an acoustic evening – Chris the landlord, was most helpful and donated a barrel of beer, of which every penny went to UCARE.
Also held on the evening was an auction of promises, which ranged from a ‘car valet’ to a ‘full body massage’. Our thanks to everyone involved.
Charity Golf Day, Studley Wood Golf Course
September 2009
Despite the windy and slightly cool conditions that day, the feedback we have had is that it was a thoroughly enjoyable event, and it is very encouraging that everyone would like to do it again next year.
View the Golf Day photo gallery.
Swallowfields Stud Sponsored Ride
August 2009
Well done for organising the day Rhia – the sun shone, horses looked gleaming and wore UCARE logos and colours - the BBQ and whole day was great.
“I have just completed a sponsored horse ride where we raised over £6000 with nearly 30 horses and riders attending, also we held a BBQ and raffle after the ride where nearly 50 people attended and the day was a huge success in the scheme of things. I do intend to carry on fundraising and do hope I will get better at this!” Rhia Biscoe
Raising funds in memory of his Dad
Louis has been raising funds for UCARE as his Dad had kidney cancer:
I ran 18.5 miles in July in memory of my dad Charlie who I loved very much. I would do anything to have him back and think of him constantly.
Louis Merhemitch
Strictly Sponne Dancing!!
One of our Trustees, Dr Andy Protheroe, recently attended an assembly at Sponne School, Towcester to pick up a funds raised by the School during their Strictly Sponne Dancing competition! Seen here, are Rhia Biscoe, Andy Protheroe and Helen Turton, Year Head.
The competition was suggested by Rhia who sadly lost her Father around Christmas - “It is something I feel very strongly about and even though we couldn't save my dad, if there is any little chance of saving another family suffering then that is surely worth fighting for!”
Blenheim and London Triathlons
Our grateful thanks to every one who competed in the Blenheim Triathlon – a day that turned out to be warmer in the lake than out!
View the Blenheim Triathlon photo gallery.
Our thanks also goes to all the competitors in the London Triathlon who raised money for UCARE - one of the UCARE teams came overall 3rd in the team events!
Walkley Midnight Walk
“My name is Cilla and I will be walking 10 miles in aid of UCARE as without the founders of this charity I simply would not be here.
This sponsored walk organised by The Rotary Club of Swindon Thamesdown for the past 19 years enables you to walk in aid of your chosen charity and provides the only opportunity there is to walk The Ridgeway at night. It is a truly magical experience and to date the walk, named in memory of Brian Walkley whose idea it was, has raised over £160,000 for charity.
This is a unique opportunity so please join me on the walk and raise money for UCARE which is so dear to all of us.
I look forward to meeting up with you on the night. Thank you”
Thank you to Cilla for bringing this walk to our attention and to the intrepid walkers who undertook the challenge!
View the presentation supplement (pdf file) from the Rotary Club of Swindon Thamesdown - see Cilla and Val accepting the cheque at the True Heart pub 24th July [bottom right page 2]. An amazing £1000 was raised for UCARE.
Charity Golf Day and Pig Roast
4th September 2009
UCARE is Gary Cosby's chosen charity for his annual Charity Golf Day at the Three Locks Golf Club, Milton Keynes.
The day begins at 08:30 with tea/coffee and a bacon roll, followed by:
- 10:00 Shotgun Start
- 15:30 Pig Roast
- 16:30 Prize Presentation
- 17:00 Raffle
- 17:30 Entertainment
All this for £50 per player or £200 per team – to enter please complete a booking form (Word document). Hurry, last year’s event was oversubscribed so please send your completed forms and payment as soon as possible [cheques payable to G Cosby]. Gary Cosby: 01525 373253
Players, their partners and families are invited to join Gary for a pig roast, charity raffle and entertainment.
Raffle prizes include a DC25 vacuum cleaner kindly donated by the James Dyson Foundation.
London Marathon
Our thanks to Paul Brame who ran the London Marathon for UCARE and four other charities in a time of 4h 11m 5s.
“I was pleased to have done my best and to have kept going virtually the whole way round………I think I look surprisingly fresh, but I had just poured a bottle of water over my head and had a big hug with my mum! …. The crowd was absolutely phenomenal and all those people screaming my name (often incorrectly) meant that I daren’t stop running and kept going all the way to the finish!” Paul Brame
Engadin Ski Marathon
Thanks to Jonathan and Peter Cranston for their fundraising by completing the Engadin Cross Country Ski Marathon in March.
St Helen’s Church
Our grateful thanks to everyone who attended and donated funds to UCARE at the St Helen’s Church Coffee Morning – 28th March.
Reading half marathon
Chris Ayres and a group of friends and family ran the Reading Half Marathon in support of UCARE
“Completing the Reading Half Marathon is a small way of us showing how much we all appreciate the hard and skilled work that UCARE does. Although the training and race was difficult, we all knew that each step we ran, was a step towards a cure. We have been overwhelmed by the support given from our family and friends and this is shown in the sponsorship we have raised.” Chris Ayres and the UCARE Reading runners!
Kilimanjaro Challenge
The UCARE team have just returned. Read Gemma's account of the adventure. You can still sponsor the team.
News from our fundraisers
We're grateful to all the people who have made a donation or have been taking part in sponsored events to raise money for UCARE projects. We also thank all the organizations and community groups who have held fundraising events on UCARE's behalf, including Daphne Harvey and the Queens Head in Hazlemere, and the High Wycombe Round Circle and Ladies' Circle.
Masked Valentine Ball
Our thanks to the Ladies Circle in High Wycombe who organised a Valentine Masked Ball on Saturday 14th February to raise funds for UCARE. It was a fantastic evening, great company [Ladies Circle and Round Table - these guys know how to party], good music, dancing and lovely food.
From left to right: Val Berry [UCARE], Louise Darvill and Emma Kirk [Ladies Circle]
Adderbury Morris Men
“For a number of years the Adderbury Morris Men have put aside a day to dance specifically to raise funds for organisations that have provided a vital service to one of our team or a member of their family.
This year we have chosen to give a donation to UCARE in recognition of the skill and support provided to us during this year and to help you continue this valuable work in the future to benefit others” Colin Street, Bagman, Adderbury Morris Men
