Fifty people attending the Annual General Meeting of the West Sussex North branch of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association at the Redwood Age UK centre on Tuesday 24^th April heard the Chairman, Carol Rieley, describe the last year as one of change. The treasurer, Alf Bodimeade, who has been a highly successful fundraiser, has moved away from the area and been replaced by Mike Abbott, a local actuary. There have other changes to the committee and she announced that she herself would be leaving the committee after next year’s AGM, hopefully with a smile on her face knowing that new volunteers had stepped forward and that she was able to introduce the new chairman.

As well as thanking all the helpers and fundraisers Carol singled out Rebecca Woodrow, Elizabeth Carter and Emma Buckland who had between them raised over £2000 running the Brighton Marathon the previous week.

The new treasurer was able to announce a most satisfactory income of over £46,000 of which £25,000 had spent on helping local people living with Motor Neurone Disease and £12,000 had been sent to the National Office of the MND Association.

The speaker, Dr Belinda Cupid, Head of Research Development at the MND Association, was able to give encouraging news of the progress being made in finding the causes of MND, although finding a cure was still elusive.

After the close of business the meeting became more of a party with drinks and food provided by members of the branch.

Carol Rieley and Belinda Cupid

Our three Brighton Marathon runners.

Left: Roberta Woodrow

Centre: Elizabeth Carter

Right: Emma Buckland

Congratulations to our Marathon Runners.

Elizabeth Carter, our secretary, finished in 4 hrs 3 minutes. Her friend, Emma Buckland, came in at just under 4 hrs and Roberta Woodrow, after three previous attempts, finally managed less than 5 hrs knocking 37.5 minutes off her previous best to come in at 4.49.

Elizabeth raised around £1000 and Roberta around £680

Picture shows Elizabeth Carter going well at 18 miles

We have two people running the Brighton Marathon on the 15th April on behalf on the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Please help if you can

The first is our secretary Elizabeth Carter who writes

‘In a moment of madness and an attempt to come to terms with turning 40 I have entered the Brighton Marathon.  I will be pounding the streets for a full 26.2 miles on 15th April 2012, raising money for the West Sussex North Branch of the MND Association.

Please sponsor me and help to support our amazing charity.

And the second is from Bobby who writes

‘As it is now less than 6 weeks to the marathon, I thought that I should get
my finger out and go some fundraising, as the marathon training (as a lot of
you will have seen in my dull pink top!) has been going quite well and along
with Martine we have clocked up 16miles max and shall be attempting 18 this
weekend, eek!

If any of you are able to spare a few pennies and would be able to donate
such to my website that would be fab! I am raising money for the local Motor
Neurone Association as a good friend passed away from this horrid illness in
2009 and the local association were great at giving the family equipment and
the use of a car that meant she could be easily transported around in her
wheelchair.‘

www.justgiving.com/goBobbygo

Bobby

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!