Worcestershire Branch Online News Page

The Branch Annual General Meeting held in March was well attended and it was good to see so many friends old and new.

The business part of the meeting reported back on the activities of the year. Here are some of the main points:

• The work of the Branch was recognised at the National AGM and we were commended in the OSCARR “Branch/Group Achievement” category.

• This year, the Branch has been able to adopt a more pro-active approach to supporting people with MND, their families and carers, through the work of Barbara Phillips, Branch Contact.

• The Branch has met all requests to help provide equipment and financial support.

• We have started having regular Get-Togethers, so that people affected by MND can meet.

• Despite the terrible flooding this summer, the Branch was able to attend two high profile events to raise awareness of MND, the Spring Garden Show and Three Counties Show at Malvern.

• We continue to build links with Health and Social Care Professionals and other voluntary organisations that support people with MND.

• Sheila Williamson presented the accounts and we are pleased to report that in 2007/8, the Branch raised over £63,000, an amazing amount and the most that the Branch has ever raised in a financial year. Thank you to everyone who has supported us.

As well as using funds locally to support people affected by MND, the Branch has donated £42,000 to National Office to go towards funding Care Services and Research.

‘My name is Margaret McIntosh and I am the new Regional Care Development Adviser for the West Midlands South area. I am a Registered Nurse and for the past four years I have been working at Myton Hospice in Warwick, and have also worked in community nursing in the South Warwickshire area.

In the past I have worked as a District Nurse in various nursing posts mainly in the Bristol area. I have lived in Coventry for the past six years with my husband and two daughters. I have got to know Warwickshire reasonably well, and I am looking forward to discovering the rest of the ‘patch’. More importantly I am looking forward to working with you all to ensure that people affected by Motor Neurone Disease, together with their families are well supported and are able to achieve a better quality of life. I realise that the Association, Branches and Groups together with the huge number of volunteers and supporters, have a very important role to play in making a difference to those affected by MND, and in shaping the future.’

Volunteers play an important role in the MND Assocaition. The Worcestershire Branch is looking for more volunteers to get involved to help ensure that people with MND and their families receive the support and servcies they need.

You could be one of the volunteers! You don't need personal experience of MND - just the desire to help.

Please can you spare an hour or two to help at special 'one off' events or collections? Volunteers are needed for the following forthcoming events:

13 - 15 June Three Counties Show, Malvern

21 June 8.30am - 5pm Collection at Morrison's Supermarket, Malvern

The more the merrier! Come along and make new friends. If you are able to help in any way, or would like more information, please do get in touch.

At the AGM meeting, Angela Lea, Volunteering Development Co-ordinator presented long service awards to Anne Newton, Tim Stavert and Sheila Williamson in recognition of five years' service to the MND Association.