Westgate & Birchington Inner Wheel
Inner Wheel is one of the largest international voluntary service organisations in the world and will celebrate 100 years since its formation in January 2024.
We are delighted to be led by Joint Presidents Margaret Hawkins and Lily Doody for the 2nd year.
As usual we shall meet for dinner on the 3rd Thursday of the month (except December and August) at 6.30 for 7pm at St Augustine’s, 125 Canterbury Road, Westgate on Sea, CT8 8NL.
At our meeting in September, we welcomed guest speaker, Amanda Harris, from Macmillan Cancer Care to talk to us, and after her talk Joint President Lily Doody was delighted to present her with a cheque for £2377.43. Amanda told us that our cheque would pay for 80 hours of nursing care for a patient.
We have raised this amount by a Fish & Chip Supper, a Quiz, and a Beatles tribute band evening with a Grand Prize Raffle. One of our newest members, Nursemin, ran a Half-Marathon in aid of Macmillan, raising £145 plus a further £180 from Just Giving which went directly to Macmillan. In September last year, we also raised £198.93 for Macmillan by holding a coffee afternoon in a member’s garden. That was sent directly to Macmillan.
We were also very pleased, that evening, to induct a new member, Pauline Burleigh. Pauline had previously been in Inner Wheel when she lived abroad and has now retired to Birchington.
We celebrated our 40th Anniversary on Thursday, October 19th, with a lunch at St Augustine’s for 62 people. Joint Presidents Margaret and Lily welcomed guests from many other Inner Wheel clubs in the District, and also some Rotarians from Thanet and beyond, including Bob Hinge, President of Westgate & Birchington Rotary club.
The tables had been set with a red rose as a gift for every lady present, kindly donated by Treasurer Kath Porteous. A three-course lunch was enjoyed by the assembled party, followed by a musical interlude from ‘The Serenaders’. District Chairman Chris Head-Rapson congratulated the club on its 40th anniversary and presented the joint presidents with a certificate.
Founder member Iris had donated a beautiful cake decorated with the Inner Wheel logo, and our 3 founding members cut the cake together. Iris Harvey is still an active member and Liz Hobcraft and Chris Wilkinson are honorary members, but all three support all our events and activities. We are privileged to have 3 founder members of our club still closely involved with it. The cake was served with coffee.
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, November 16th when we shall welcome a speaker.
If you are interested to find out more about us and what we do, please contact Hazel on 01843 833565 or 07889655497 or [email protected]
Chartwell House
Chartwell House by Boutique Care Homes has had a successful Breast Cancer Awareness Day. This important event, held in support of Breast Cancer Now’s Wear it Pink campaign, not only raised an impressive £336 but also highlighted the critical importance of regular breast checks for all genders.
Wear it Pink, one of the UK’s most significant fundraising events during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, has witnessed thousands of people across the nation coming together to support the cause. Over the years, this campaign has raised over £39 million, and the fight against breast cancer continues.
Residents and team members at Chartwell House collaborated to create unique hand-printed t-shirts. The t-shirts were not just items for sale but symbols of unity, proudly worn by everyone in attendance, symbolising their unwavering dedication.
An eye-opening showing of an NHS breast screening video, projected on the large screen in the Bistro. This informative session provided the perfect backdrop for guests to immerse themselves in knowledge about breast health, stressing the importance of regular screenings & breast checks, regardless of gender.
Chartwell House offered delicious pink milkshakes and pink-frosted cupcakes, enticing attendees to savour a taste of pink while supporting the cause. The day was not only about awareness but also engagement. An array of interactive activities, including a breast screening treasure hunt and a sweepstake also took place.
Jude Coveney, Admissions Manager at Chartwell House, said: “The success of our Breast Cancer Awareness Day goes beyond the funds we raised. It showcased the incredible spirit of our community, coming together for a meaningful cause. We are proud to have made a difference.”
Breast cancer is a disease that knows no gender boundaries. Early detection is the key to improved outcomes, and events like this play a crucial role in raising awareness about the signs and symptoms.
Diane Collins, Home Manager at Chartwell House, stressed the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness, saying, “Our commitment to this cause is unwavering. Breast cancer affects many lives, and by spreading awareness, we contribute to the mission of ensuring that everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives well.”
The fight against breast cancer remains a critical cause, and the support of all individuals is essential. To learn more and support Breast Cancer Now, please visit www.breastcancernow.org.
East Kent MS Group and the Grove Ferry Inn
As with most volunteer charity organisations that rely on public donations, the East Kent MS Group of the Multiple Sclerosis Society are only slowly recovering from the loss of donations that occurred during the pandemic.
All Area Groups are self-funding and receive no income from the Society, so the East Kent MS Group, who represents and helps sufferers of MS in the East Kent area, are very grateful that the historic Grove Ferry Inn at Upstreet haschosen the group as their charity of choice.
The Grove Ferry Inn is arranging several events in the coming months from which the Group will financially benefit. The first of these is a 3-day Halloween event from the 27th to 29th October, which coincides with school half term. There will be a great variety of entertainments from 10am to 8pm ideal for all the family including garden games, stalls, raffles, pick your own pumpkins, costume competitions, live music, food and much more.
All money the Group receives from these events will be used to help the members by financing social events, outings, games afternoons and annual events such as the summer picnic and Christmas Party, which are so important for members enjoyment and mental health. Money will also be used to subsidise a range of treatments such as exercise, massage and reflexology that have been developed with the Herne Bay Holistic Clinic, and which Group members are finding most beneficial.
Thanet U3A
Members of Thanet U3A met at the Selina Hotel, Cliftonville, on the morning of 16th October to present a cheque to Prostate Cancer UK.
Thanet U3A had previously organized a fund raising quiz to raise money for the charity in memory of the life of Steve Handley who was a very valued member of the U3A quiz team.
Steve sadly succumbed to a form of aggressive and late-diagnosed prostate cancer.
Terry Potter from Prostate Cancer UK was presented with a cheque by Geraldine Handley, Steve’s widow.
Tery spoke to the group about the value of screening tests for prostate cancer and the need for males over 50 years of age to be “prostate cancer aware”.
He is a volunteer for Prostate Cancer UK and is in long-term remission from his cancer. As a volunteer he talks to companies and voluntary groups across Kent and Sussex.
People’s Health Alliance Thanet
On 27th October, Practitioners will be in Windmill Community Gardens in Margate, for the Pumpkin Party, where they will be offering the same opportunities for shifting the emphasis from treating disease to creating health.
£3.00 entry