Thank you Freya and Friends :)

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Posted on : 24-07-2013 | By : admin | In : Uncategorized

Dear Brian

I first heard of the charity ‘Alec’s angels’ when my Nan and Grandad told me about ‘Its a Knockout’ in 2012. I was intrigued to find out more.

Then earlier on this year my class were choosing a charity to raise money for and I suggested ‘Alec’s Angels’. After explaining what the charity was about and why it started, they loved it. ‘Alec’s Angels’ became our chosen charity.

We went on to organise a ‘5k fun run’ and raise money. The run took place in June.

The run was 17 laps around our school field and then a barbecue afterwards, it was great fun. Although I was tired, remembering what Alec and his family had been through kept me going until I had completed it.

After all of this I went on too ask Brian (Alec’s Dad) to come into my school and give a presentation to my year. At the end of the assembly we handed Brian a cheque of £441.02 which was the total amount we had raised for Alec’s Angels.

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 (Mr Njani Form Tutor and Maths Teacher a great sport who will be missed by them as he is leaving to go to another school they all wish him well.   Freya Hudson, Clare Croome, Haleema Sultan, Catherine Duke, Mark Croome, Christian North, George Bis, Jacky Jacob, Kieran Ohara, Charlie Walton, Marcelina Halatyn, Kelsea Young-George, Shamel Hamid, Patryk Kus and Candice Childress)

 A few people in my year who did not participate in the ‘fun run’ have said to me that they would love to get involved and help raise some money.

I have since found out that the money my class raised is going towards making a young girl smile, which is what Alec wanted to do.

Freya Hudson

20th July 2013

 

 

Milton Keynes Marathon

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Posted on : 20-07-2013 | By : admin | In : Uncategorized

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Our team of six Alec’s Angels Marathon runners, From left to right, Neil Morton, Ben Cassidy, Ian Dunn, Sophie Walton, Rob Taylor & Rory Caveill in this picture being flanked by two trustees, David Beale & Brian Jarvis braved the red ways and completed the MK Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday raising more than £2,000 for Alec’s Angels, with sponsorship money still being collected.

Donned in their orange vest tops the Alec’s Angels runners ran 26.2 miles in glorious sunshine along the red ways, cheered on by the crowds & friends & families who came out to show their support. Rob Taylor completed the course in less than three hours and this was Sophie’s second marathon for Alec’s Angels, in total she has raised more than £1300.

We were delighted that once again so many individuals took up this demanding challenge and would like to thank all the runners for their dedication and hard work.

 

It’s a knockout 2012 where the money went

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Posted on : 15-05-2013 | By : admin | In : Uncategorized

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Last year the people of Winslow and surrounding villages & towns came out in force to support Alecs Angels on June 24th 2012. Over 2000 people raised in excess of £7,000 with Graham Fisher’s International It’s a Knockout as the main event.

The money raised has gone to support families and children who are receiving treatment for cancer. This provided practical support and helped to bring a smile to their faces, whether in hospital or at home.rsz_img_2958

Below are details of where your money has gone:

The Alec’s Smile fund which was set up to brighten the lives of children on Kamran Ward at The Children’s Hospital in Oxford, were happy to receive a cheque for £2000. This is the most direct way that we can support the dedication of the medical team there, who strive to ensure that both children and their family remain paramount during treatment. Some of this money was used to provide a special gift to a terminally ill teenager. The family had hoped to attend the Winter Wonderland in London, but when this was not possible medically the money was used in part payment for a laptop so that the teenager could access social networking and the internet from the comfort of her room. Her mum was delighted that this was made possible, but not as delighted as the teenager, who continues to make daily use of the gift.

Helen & Douglas House Hospice in Oxford were also delighted to receive a cheque for £2000. This money has helped to fund volunteers to assist with the practical things when a family goes home after their child’s stay at the Hospice. The volunteers help out with everyday chores such as gardening, cleaning and tidying, things that can often overwhelm families caring for their child who is terminally ill. Helping with these tasks means that the families can concentrate on the important things.

Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund make a positive difference to the lives of children suffering with cancer and leukaemia throughout the Uk, by offering practical, financial and emotional support to the whole family. They were also happy to receive a cheque for £2000 which has been used to provide a range of projects such as care grants and respite breaks. One of the projects is the holiday home hamper scheme, which consists of hampers made up and sent out to the holiday homes – containing all the essentials like tea bags, milk & bread to keep them going, allowing the families to relax and enjoy the time without the worry of food essentials. The money has also funded special days out, such visits to the seaside.

Clic Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children & young people, and helps families and supports children and young people from birth to 24years old. They .received a cheque for £500 which has helped with funding free accommodation close to the hospital , nurses & social workers to support parents & siblings & the patient in hospital.

Sarah & Michael Rego, are the parents of an 8 year old boy, Antonio.who had terminal cancer. They also received £500 which helped towards funeral costs and enabled them to give their son the best send off .

So a big Thank you from Alec’s Angels, with your continued support we can make the smiles keep on coming.rsz_img_3015

The Gawcott Mile

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Posted on : 14-05-2013 | By : admin | In : Uncategorized

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Alec’s Angels would like to thank the people who took part in the Gawcott Mile on Saturday 16th March, and raised over £1000. Some of the money was used to buy Easter craft kits from Hobby Craft in Milton Keynes. A special mention must also go to James the Manager who gave us a sizeable discount too.

 

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The Craft kits were then taken to the ‘kamran Ward’ at the John Radcliff Hospital and Helen & Douglas House in Oxford. The items were greatly received as the children who are currently undergoing treatment for cancer, could then join in the Easter fun from their beds. The play assistants have reported that they thoroughly enjoyed the activies and it brought many a smile to their faces.

With the continuous support we can keep those smiles coming!

Its a knockout

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Posted on : 31-03-2013 | By : admin | In : Uncategorized

Due to the success of last year’s ‘It’s a knockout’ event we are holding our second it’s a Knockout Competition run by the truly original touring Graham Fishers International It’s a Knockout. The theme for this year’s event is Family Fun on Father’s day.

rsz_1untitled_panorama1-1024x367Once again the whole day will be very much centred around family fun and lots of it, in addition to the It’s a Knockout challenge, there will be a wide variety of activities including amazing helicopter rides, soak your dad in the stocks, race him on the Scalextric or capture that family moment with a studio photo as a memento of your day, and not forgetting all the many craft stalls, bar & hog roast.

If you would like to enter a team, of up to 10 competitors, it is a minimum donation / sponsorship of £500, and why not make it even more fun and come in fancy dress? Contact Brian Jarvis for more details on 07761661777

We hope you are able to support us in raising money to provide practical everyday help for families supporting children with life shortening conditions, whilst enjoying all the fun of this fantastic family fun day.

So put the date in your diary and come and join us in the fun, on Father’s day.

Date: Sunday 16th June 2013

Time: 10am/6pm

Venue: Winslow centre

Gawcott Mile

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Posted on : 31-03-2013 | By : admin | In : Uncategorized

Alec’s Angels would like to thank the people who took part in the Gawcott Mile on Saturday 16th March, and raised over £500. Some of the money was used to buy Easter craft kits from Hobby Craft in Milton Keynes. A special mention must also go to James the Manager who gave us a sizeable discount too.

The Craft kits were then taken to the ‘kamran Ward’ at the John Radcliff Hospital and Helen & Douglas House in Oxford.  The items were greatly received as the children who are currently undergoing treatment for cancer, could then join in the Easter fun from their beds. The play assistants have reported that they thoroughly enjoyed the activies and it brought many a smile to their faces.

With your continuous support we can keep those smiles coming!

New Office

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Posted on : 31-03-2013 | By : admin | In : Uncategorized

Alec’s Angels are pleased to announce the opening of our new office in Harold Wood, Essex.  This is a new venture dedicated to the ‘Name The Teddy Bear’ raffle, where all money raised goes directly to the families of children, who are suffering with cancer.

We are also liaising with staff at Centre Parcs, as we are looking into providing short breaks for these families. This will enable them to take time out from their intensive treatment and join in the fun with the whole family.

If you would like to know more about the ‘Name the Teddy Bear’ raffle, please Email: lisa@alecsangels.co.uk

Tel:   01708 345268

Family Christmas Quiz Night

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Posted on : 25-11-2012 | By : admin | In : Uncategorized

Hi People  come on all you ‘Eggheads’ to Gawcott Village Hall  join in on our quiz night bring friends and family young or old to make up teams of between 6 and 10. Don’t forget to make up team names a prize for the most obscure (keep it clean though it is a family thing) £5 per head includes jacket spud with filling please bring along your own drinks This all kicks off at 7pm on the 8th December to book your teams in contact Brian on 07761 661777 or email on brian@alecsangels.co.uk

Christmas Coffee Morning

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Posted on : 25-11-2012 | By : admin | In : Uncategorized

Hi everyone please come along and show your support at our Christmas Coffee morning at Gawcott Village Hall. Bring friends and family along there is something to do for everyone 11am start on Saturday 8th December until 3pm the more the merrier, there are Refreshments,Cake stall, Raffle, Christmas crafts and Tombola. Don’t forget to put it in your diary.

Alec’s Smile Fund – Spring/Summer Update 2012

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Posted on : 01-11-2012 | By : admin | In : Uncategorized

It has been a pleasure to be able to make use of Alec’s Smile Fund for our children and their families this year, and we are very grateful for the creative ways it has allowed us to support those in need of a smile whilst enduring the trials of gruelling cancer treatment.

In April it was extremely exciting to see a group of our teenagers aged 12-14 years head off for a weeks skiing in France with other young people from around the south east.  Through Alec’s Smile Fund we were able to contribute some money to each teenager towards the costs of their travel insurance and individual goggles and gloves., whilst another charity organised board, lodgings and tuition.  The week was a massive success and a chance for our youngsters to regain some independence and confidence in the wake of their diagnosis and treatment.  In fact one young lady who had not been able to talk about her treatment or her future came home from the trip and the following day completed a piece of homework in which she was able to describe her cancer journey and look forward positively to the future.  What price can you possibly put on enabling a child to believe in their future again?

Alec’s Angels also came to the rescue both financially and in person to help one of our young adults facing terminal cancer, marry her partner.  Not only did Alecs’ dad Brian chauffeur the groom and best man to the church and deliver  the bridesmaids safely back to the reception after the service, but Alec’s Angel’s also ensured the bride and groom had a wedding cake on their special day.  The wedding was described by the bride as ‘the best day of my life’ and the pictures now adorning their walls simply say it all.

The fund has ensured that we have been able to provide family days out for those whose children have been too poorly to enjoy a holiday this year.  And for those children on the ward, we were able to host a lovely Jubilee party on Kamran’s Ward that involved cake decorating, non alcoholic jubilee cocktails and a sing song of the National Anthem!

Special thanks must go to the supporters of Alec’s Angels and The Smile Fund for the gift of a specialist Apple Ipad for the children on Robin’s ward at The Children’s Hospital, Oxford.

Alec himself benefitted from, and enjoyed, this kind of technology as he recovered in from his surgery and treatment and so it seems a fitting tribute that other children facing similar challenges to him are able to benefit for such an important communication and entertainment tool after invasive neurosurgery.

Finally, whilst the fund was always designed to bring a smile to the face of children, at the most challenging times this is sometimes done by relieving huge financial burdens on parents.  Three families in particular, who by pure coincidence all have children with brain tumours, have benefitted from the Fund in recent months to address significant hardship because of a change in their child’s condition.  For each of these cases, income had reduced as parents spent precious time with their children and in doing so lost out on paid income.  To be able to offer this without delay and to see the relief on parent’s faces is something we are incredibly grateful for and something that we know we are very lucky to have.

And so once again, thank you Alec, for having a heart and soul big enough to see the needs of others, and to those who loved and cared for him enough to  make his desire a reality.

Gemma Downes
CLIC Sargent Social Worker, Oxford