Mike Abbott has agreed to  take over the role of committee Treasurer.

Mike, a resident of Lindfield, is an actuary who has spent his career in Financial Services.  After qualifying, his corporate life was spent with a major unit trust, life insurance and pensions company where he became a director and  Group Actuary.

From mid 1990s Mike was involved in a number of projects which led him to set up his own company specialising in the management of insurance schemes.

Today Mike’s company business is active in several countries in the EEC as well as in the UK.

Mike has been involved in a financial capacity with a number of clubs and charities including; a local football club, a residents association and the National Childbirth Trust.

Nearly 50 people came to a most enjoyable  meeting at the Ark where entertainment was provided by ‘The Bells of Hammerwood”, who played carols on their handbells.

Afterwards Carol Rieley, the chair,  made a presentation to the outgoing Treasurer, Alf Bodimeade, and thanked him for all he had done for the branch, particularly for his fundraising activities. His “Quiz in the City” has raised tens of thousands of pounds over the years.

Saturday November 19^th saw 99 people, making up 18 teams, at the Branch Annual Quiz Night, held at the St.Francis Social Club. Wide-ranging questions were set by the Branch’s retiring Treasurer, Alf Bodimeade, and Adrian Carter agreed to be Quizmaster for the evening, bringing with him a new, high-tech, method of recording and displaying the results after each round.

After a very enjoyable quiz, with a delicious supper at the halfway point, three teams tied for first place. To the embarrassment of the Branch Chairman, Carol Rieley, who supplied the answer to the tie-break question, her team regained the title they had narrowly lost last year.

At the end of the evening, Ron Stevenson gave a presentation to Carol, paying warm tribute to the different ways in which the Branch helps local people living with Motor Neurone Disease.    The event raised a magnificent total of £980 which will be used to continue the assistance the Branch is able to offer.

Our search for a new treasurer has ended. Mike Abbott has taken over the post, subject to approval from Head Office.

Mike lives in Lindfield and is an actuary.

Stephanie has just joined us as an Association Visitor

The football match organised by the friends of Darren Stone has raised £2,405 so far

Sam Hopkins half marathon run has raised £2,457

The collection at Tesco, Burgess Hill raised 579.58

The Horsham street collection raised £1073.47

Sue Sheppard persuaded her company , SAS Global, to make the Motor Neurone Disease Association one of their charities of the year and we were given £12874.45

Alf Bodimeade, the organiser, reports  ‘ the total, when all received, should be £6,760, which, in view of only 42 teams  (as against last year’s 52, which made £7,940) and a new and completely untried venue, without any fancy technology, was not a bad result.  Everybody seemed to prefer the new venue, which was more personal and friendly and certainly less chaotic. ‘

Well done Alf!

Congratulations to Jo Stone, who completed her run in the London Marathon in 5 hours, exhausted but triumphant.

This is her description of the event

‘I decided last year when I watched the marathon that I was going to run it in 2011 for MNDA.  I knew that Darran would want to be there to support me and I wanted him to have an “aim” as well as me.

I started my serious training in December once I had been given my golden bond place.  Sometimes it was hard making myself go out of the house at weekends – 4 hours running is a long time to be out when you have so many other things to do.  I have had so much support from my family and friends who came and looked after Georgia and Darran while I was training and they continued that support on the day.

The day itself was one of the most amazing experiences.   I felt scared being on my own – but I met two people, Dave and Kylie, at the start who were also running for MNDA and we swapped stories. From then on it was like running with friends on a Sunday morning.  I absolutely loved it – it was hard at points but I was lucky enough to see my family and friends at four different places along the route. This gives you such a boost, and when you run the last bit down Birdcage Walk and can see the finish I cannot describe the elation that you feel.  Having said before I ran the London Marathon that this was a one time experience – I have changed my mind and will run it again.

I have raised approximately £2,600 – but I think the final total will be higher as a couple of sponsor forms I have no idea at the moment how much money is on them.’

43 people attended the AGM

The chairman, Carol Rieley, gave her report highlighting the work of the branch over the past year.  The report covered how the branch raises awareness of MND, fundraises and provides support for people living with MND.

Emma Stolton from Bluebird Care was presented with an Extra Mile Award by Kirstine Knox.

Following the AGM Kirstine Knox  gave the following informative and interesting talk about the history, work, achievements and aspirations for the MND Association.

‘The Association has 3,500 volunteers and 155 staff and has two main focuses; to promote research around the world to stop the disease; and providing care support and information for people with MND and their families.

Top priorities for the Association are; research; lobbying the health care providers; and raising awareness at a public level and at a political level.

The research highlights from last year include Martin Turner’s work to develop a diagnostic test for MND, the funding of international stem cell research at Edinburgh University ,the creation of a Chair in Motor Neurone biology at Oxford University and the opening of two additional research centres – Edinburgh and Oxford (to join Sheffield and Kings).

Kirstine highlighted the importance of the work of the branches in providing support and care for people living with MND and reported that last year the branches raised over £2 million.

The Association is working hard to raise awareness of MND at the national and political level.  This is being achieved through the Association’s new campaigning website and national campaigns such as Sarah’s Story, Patrick the Optimist, the Stephen Hawking garden at the Chelsea Flower Show and through events such as the End of Life Care Summit hosted by the Charity’s patron, Princess Anne.’

Following the talk there was a question and answer session during which Julia Franklin paid tribute to Kirstine’s leadership of the MND Association and concern was raised about the imminent changes to the NHS and how people living with neurological disorders will be supported.

Finally Dr Steve Dyer, our new Branch President gave an overview of his work and what is important to him, his work and his patients.  He focussed on the importance of communication, how listening can transform lives and how he can help people to overcome fear through translating medical knowledge in to language that can be easily understood.