The League of Friends of the QEQM
The League of Friends of the QEQM has recently paid for the provision in the Hospital’s Emergency Department of a Chest Compression System.
The equipment, which cost £9,300, benefits patients who have suffered a cardiac arrest by delivering high-quality chest compressions, even under difficult conditions, and for extended periods of time – giving the patient the best possible chance of survival. It allows the Emergency Team members to work more efficiently without having to compromise their own safety and can be deployed quickly with minimal interruption to patient care.
Joanna Williams, Senior Sister in the Emergency Department, said: “This equipment is a real asset to our Department, allowing us to deliver high-quality lifesaving care. It enables nurses to provide additional treatment to the patient whilst it’s in use and also to liaise with patients’ families at such a difficult time for them.”
The League of Friends is a registered local charity that raises funds to buy medical equipment, amenities & facilities to benefit patients and those visiting our local hospital. More information is available by visiting their page on Facebook, at www.leagueoffriendsqeqm.nhs.uk or by ringing their 24-hour answer machine at 01843-234507.
The charity is currently regularly selling Christmas cards and raffle tickets for its Christmas Draw near the Hospital’s Ramsgate Road entrance (almost opposite the Fracture Clinic) and on Thursday 18th December will be holding a collection at Sainsbury’s.
Westgate & Birchington Inner Wheel
On November 15, Westgate & Birchington Inner Wheel Club enjoyed a French style buffet meal at their regular meeting place, St Augustine’s in Westgate, and as you can see, some of the ladies dressed up in French costume. We were a little concerned to see a French gentleman garlic-seller, arriving for the meeting, but soon realised it was only our Welfare Officer, Susan, playing a trick on us!
We were treated to Boeuf Bourguignonne, Coq au Vin and Fruits de Mer au Vin Blanc, with Ratatouille or Petits Pois a la Francaise, and Pommes Puree or Lyonnaise. For dessert we were indulged with Fondant au Chocolat, Tarte Citron or Plateau de Fromages.
President Lily was delighted to induct another new member, Jean Beech, who is Iris Harvey’s sister. Iris is one of three founder members who are still active in our club. Jean is the third new member that we have inducted since the start of the Inner Wheel year in July.
President Lily has chosen to support the Minnis Bay Community Hub as her charity this year, and our International Service Organiser, Gill, has chosen to support the international charity trying to assist girls and ladies out of ‘Period Poverty’, ‘Saafkins’ LivingGuard Technology and the District International Charity ‘Care International’.
We have already held a stall at the District International Rally selling hand-made items such as key rings, cards, coasters and ‘lighted bottles’ all with a ‘Coastal’ theme, which raised £200 for Care International.
Forthcoming fund-raising events will include a 10 day E Bay auction of a ‘Minnis Bay-themed Jumper’ in January, (more details soon!), a 70’s night with a quiz and sing-song, a Fashion Show at Kearns Hall in May, which will all be in aid of the Minnis Hub, and ‘Our Ascot Ladies Day’ in June raising funds for ‘Livinguard Technology’.
Inner Wheel is the largest International Voluntary Women’s organisation in the world, and its objects are; to promote true friendship, to encourage the ideals of personal service and to promote International understanding. Westgate & Birchington Inner Wheel welcomes like-minded ladies to join us for fun, friendship and fund-raising. We meet on the third Thursday of the month, except in December and August. If you would like to know more please contact Janet on 01843 841043.
Isle of Thanet Photographic Club
Thanet’s Camera Club triumphed in the Ross Cup Competition organised by the Kent County Photographic Association in November. Club member Terry Scales won the coveted Lakeland Holidays Landscape Trophy with his print entitled “Pathway to the Summit – Cumbria” and Jean Seddon won a Merit Award for her image of Spoutcrag Quarry Cumbria.
The competition attracted 288 entries from 36 clubs. Thanet was awarded 143 points and joint 3rd place, up from 20th position in 2017.
John Sammonds, Club Chairman said “This was a great achievement for the club and shows how we have improved over the last year. We are looking forward to building on our success in 2019”.
For full details of our programme and membership please visit: www.isleofthanetphotographicsociety,co.uk
Encl. Photographs:
1.Pathway to the Summit – Cumbria by Terry Scales
2.Terry Scales with the Lakeland Holidays Landscape Trophy
East Kent Mencap
People with a learning disability are hoping their project will attract lots of support after being chosen as one of the local causes by the Co-op Local Community Fund. Local learning disability charity, East Kent Mencap, is raising funds for a Summer Festival in 2019 and Coop Members can choose to support the project every time they shop by going online at coop.co.uk/membership and making it their cause.
Fundraising Manager, Jane Brooke, said: “Our Summer Festival is a celebration of all the fantastic activities that people with a learning disability in Thanet can participate in. We start planning months in advance and the money raised by the Coop Foundation and their Members will mean that the 2019 Festival can be bigger and better than ever!”
Since its launch in 2017, Co-op members have raised £39 million pounds for over 12,000 local causes. Every time their members shop at the Co-op, 1% of what they spend on Co-op branded products and services helps fund community projects.
Members can shop at any Co-op Group stores across the UK to raise money for your cause.
Westgate Beacon Lighting
The Beacon Lighting Event took place on Sunday, November 11; the evening was a commemoration for the end of World War 1 and to remember the Fallen Men of Westgate-on-Sea who gave their lives 100 years ago.
The Town Council is proud to have facilitated and organised this event with the support of local community groups who gave their time and support to make the event the roaring success that it was.
Poignant moments included the carrying of lighted lanterns by local children representing each of Westgate on Sea’s Fallen Heroes and local residents dressed in full Burma Uniforms.
The event also had performance and participation of the Thanet Big Sing Community Choir, 438 and 2433 (Thanet) Squadron Air Training Corps, 1st Westgate-on-Sea Scout Group, Revd. George Kalu, Revd. Andrew Way, P Wave Medical Limited, Millie’s Beach Bar, Mr Joseph Fairbairn, Mr George Andrew and Mr Terry Pankhurst. This event would not have such a success without the participation of the above and we thank them for their time and all their efforts.
The event was sponsored by the Kent County Council Combined Members Grant Scheme – with support from Cllr Emma Dawson and Cllr Liz Hurst plus the Westgate-on-Sea Heritage Centre Committee with support from Dr Dawn Crouch.
Special thanks to our local Community Warden – Laura Bungard and local PCSO – Suzie Waldie-Temple who stood in the cold to help with the stewarding for the event.
This was really a true community event and we hope that everyone who attended enjoyed the experience and we look forward to working with the local community on our planned future events and initiatives.
We raised £55.34 during the evening; this will be donated to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund which is the leading Air Force welfare charity.