ST CLARE HOSPICE'S CELEBRATES 20th BIRTHDAY

Founders, trustees, staff and long-standing supporters of St. Clare Hospice have attended a special reception at the House of Commons to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the charity, hosted by Harlow MP, Bill Rammell and Epping Forest MP, Eleanor Laing.

The Hospice, which provides care for people with life-limiting diseases, such as cancer, end-stage neurological, cardiac, renal or lung disease, was first established by a group of local Councillors, healthcare professionals and business owners. Essex Radio presented the first cheque for £5,000 and a trustee, John Carr, raised £100 by placing a pint glass in a local pub, which raised enough money to register the charity formally. Since then, the hospice has gone on to help over 280,000 people in the local area.

During the reception, Richard Cowie, the current Chief Executive spoke about the plans for expansion and service development after which tours of the Parliamentary Estate were provided.

At a recent visit to the Hospice in Hastingwood, Mrs. Laing explained: “I am delighted to celebrate the Hospice's twentieth anniversary. So much good work has been done here over these twenty years and so many, many people have been helped. St Clare is one of our most popular local charities. It deserves lots of support and I look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength."

THE REMARKABLE LEGACY JADE LEAVES BEHIND

Local resident Jade Goody's high-profile battle with cervical cancer has led an extra 400,000 more women to be screened for the disease in the past year.

A report released by the NHS Information Centre this week shows the number of women aged 25-64 having smear tests rose by 12% from 3.2 million to 3.6 million. The number of women being tested had been falling and this is the first rise since 2002. The most significant increase was among the younger age groups, clearly highlighting the effect Jade Goody‘s experience has had. As well as smear tests girls aged 12 and 13 now receive the HPV vaccine in school which provides protection against getting cervical cancer later in life.

Jade, 27, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008 and died in March this year after the disease spread to her bowel, liver and groin. Before she died she spoke about the importance of the screening procedure which is thought to save around 4,500 lives a year in England.

Health Secretary, Andy Burnham MP said: "Jade's bravery and openness in her fight against cervical cancer has brought home to young women across the country the importance of regularly going for these checks.”

CHARITY FUNDS PRESENTED TO ST CLARE HOSPICE

Today, Keeley and I have had the pleasure of visiting St. Clare Hospice in Hastingwood to present a cheque for £2,775.00 to Richard Cowie, the charity’s Chief Executive.

The funds were raised by Keeley and I during my term of office as Mayor of Epping where I pledged to support this amazing charity which desperately needs to grow and develop its facilities to cope with the overwhelming number of patients who wish to use the Hospice as their final resting place.

The money has been used to purchase new flat screen televisions for each of the 8 patients bedrooms. The previous TVs had become very out of date and took up an enormous amount of room which is often needed for bulky equipment and space for relatives to be close by.

Thank you to everyone who supported my charity and for those of you wishing to learn more about St Clare Hospice or to make a donation, please click here.

SUPPORTING HAVEN HOUSE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

Today, Keeley and I have had the pleasure of visiting Haven House Children’s Hospice in Woodford green to present a cheque for £2,775.00 to Ian Sparks OBE, the Chairman of Trustees and Chief Executive and his colleague Christine Twomey, the Director of Care.

The funds which were presented were raised by Keeley and I during my term of office as Mayor of Epping where I pledged to support this amazing charity which has seen a financial impact from our troubled economy, but cannot afford to let the services it provides alter, because they are so very vital.

The money has been used to completely refurbish a ‘messy play’ room for the children which is accessible to all. The thought of helping children who are facing some horrific conditions and illnesses have fun brings an enormous smile to my face.

Thank you to everyone who supported my charity last year and for those of you wishing to learn more about Haven House or to make a donation, please click here.

DATE FOR THE DIARY - Saturday 11th July 2009

Epping Forest Rotary Club are hosting "The Last Gig in the Garden" on Saturday 11th July 2009 from 5pm at Acreage, Harlow Common, Harlow, Essex CM17 9NF to raise funds for a number of local charities, including Haven House Children’s Hospice.

Entertainment will be provided by ‘Stoned Again’ (a tribute to the Rolling Stones), ‘Noasis’ (a tribute to Oasis) and ‘Freebird Antique Monkeys’ (a tribute to the Arctic Monkeys). A Beer Tent, BBQ, Hog Roast and Champagne Bar will all be available.

Tickets are £25.00 each and can only be purchased in advance by calling Tel: 01279 422653 or 07855 911323. For more information, please contact Penny Sturdy at Haven House on 020 8506 3633 or email her at pennysturdy@havenhouse.org.uk

DATE FOR THE DIARY - Sunday 5th July 2009

Epping-based charity, the Rhys Daniel's Trust is once again hosting their Family Fun Run on Sunday 5th July 2009 to raise funds for their 'Home from Home' appeal. This year will celebrate the 14th year of the 5 mile race taking place, which starts at Epping Sport Centre in Hemnall Street and progresses through Bell Common and into Epping Forest in a loop ending back in Hemnall Street. I had the honour of starting last year's race which was won by Snooker World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and also saw an entry from 101 year old Buster Martin.

If you would like to enter this year's race or could help the charity on the day by acting as a mashall, please call 01992 570550 or email info@rhysdanielstrust.org or for further information on last year's race, please click here.