Today started with rain and it ended with rain with rain pretty much all the time in between.
Following breakfast we were glad to leave the building site that was our hotel. Thankfully the builders were not doing a night shift.
A short walk to our bus for Plymouth which arrived on time in a deluge…we rushed to the nearest cafe for respite.
The rain appeared to stop and we decided to make a break for our b and b..big mistake we arrived wet through. Thankfully the b and b took pity on us and let us in early and enabled us to dry off.
Our evening was spent at Plymouth College OPM Suite where we were entertained by Sunny Side Up?
During the evening we met with members of The Ginger Prince Challenge who are raising funds in memory of a former colleague. To date The Challenge has raised over ? 500,000 by running various events including The 3 Peaks and Coast to Coast cycle rides. Truly inspirational men.
Members of Ginger Prince Challenge with Clive &Lynn
Thanks to Sarah and Natalie for organising the event
After a good night’s rest we had a leisurely breakfast and since we overlooked the bus station we had a short walk to catch our bus which took us to Torquay.
On arrival in Torquay we had a quick lunch before walking to Torquay Town Hall, where we had a reception.
Ray Hill, Torbay Councillors and One Accord
We were introduced by Ray Hill Chairman of the council, who invited us to say a few words.
We were entertained by One Accord a delightful choir who performed several pieces from forthcoming show on July 2nd. Anyone who enjoys singing should try to get along to their concert.
We were delighted to see many Torbay Councillors who we were able to talk with at length, about our road trip and about services for PwMND. Torbay council has adopted our Charter but the Councillors were acutely aware of the need for full implementation.
Another fantastic event. Thanks to Sarah Hampton for organising everything.
Our day started with a rush to get to the bus station where we boarded National Express Bus bound for Bournemouth.
Soon after were we under way We encountered our first major delay due a coach fire on the M27.
Thankfully the delay only meant we had to go direct to ZipMND, before checking into our hotel.
We met with the volunteers of MNDA Bournemouth and East Dorset at the pier, where a great stall for information and tombola had been set up.
Dorset Fire Brigade joined us parking a magnificent fire engine next to our stall. Participants for Zip4MND were being registered and issued with a pack including an MNDA tee shirt. It was fantastic to see over 70 shirts around and on the pier.
Conor Burns MP talking to Pam Fry and Terry Owens
We were joined by Conor Burns MP. Thank you Conor for your support it means a lot to all our members and volunteers.
In harnesses ready to ascend for the Zip Wire Challenge
Those of doing Zip4MND had to be weighed and I only just squeaked inside the upper weight limit. We were then trussed into a harness. Once trussed the hard bit began … ascending the tower for our launch over the sea to the beach below.
We were hooked to the zipwire and ready to plunge We had to put our weight into the harness and jump off the tower.
It seems impossible to control movement and much of the descent I was facing out to sea knowing soon I would suddenly brake and having no idea of how I was landing.
Thankfully I was soon on Terra Firma together with my Zip Companion Claire Tuckett.
MNDA Bournemouth and East Dorset with Clive and Lynn and Karen Pearce
Huge thanks to MNDA Bournemouth and East Dorset for organising such a splendid and enjoyable event which raised over ?2000 for the local branch.
We made our way from our hotel to the Hard Interchange in Portsmouth city centre, where we met with Ashley Morgan and Shane Dickson our travelling companions for the day, and Pam Fry.
The journey to Southampton was uneventful but bumpy. Upon arrival we made our to Guildhall Square after stopping briefly for refreshments.
At Guildhall Square we met with Councillors Paul Lewsey , Dave Sanders and Warwick Payne. We spent some time in conversation with them and we felt confident of their support for efforts to get Southampton City Council to adopt Our Charter.
Liberty Pride Cheerleaders with Fun Bus behind
The fun bus arrived and after some discussion we were shown where we might park it and then children were allowed on to enjoy the play area.
We were then entertained by Liberty Pride Cheerleaders who gave a delightful display of cheerleading and then happily distributed leaflets to onlookers around the ?square.
Thanks to all the volunteers ?and MNDA staff who came along, thanks to Liberty Pride Cheerleaders, thanks to the Funbus, thanks to the councillors and finally huge thanks to everyone who generously donated.
Fantastic day, once again we were blessed with good weather.
We were dropped off by our host Kate Taylor at The Pink Pub near Bognor for our journey to Portsmouth via Chichester.
In the garden of the Rose in June
From Portsmouth we caught another bus to our hotel in Southsea. We had some lunch and explored the area around the pier. We found a big wheel which had a wheelchair gondola. Good access and great views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight.
Claire Tuckett, Councillor Luke Stubbs and Lynn
More buses to get The Rose in June. Nobody told us bus 1 is a loop so rather confused to see buses going both ways to the same destination. ?Sorted that out and arrived on time at the venue.
Recommend The Rose in June to everyone, it is a great local pub with a fabulous garden. The garden was set up for music and a barbecue. Thanks to landlords Paul and Paul
We were entertained by two artists and enjoyed the most wonderful burgers.
MNDA Portsmouth
The Portsmouth volunteers and all the guests were so friendly we felt like we had known them for years.
Thanks to Luke Stubbs and his colleagues from Portsmouth Council for supporting us.
Our day started with breakfast together with an old work colleague of Lynn’s who quite by chance was staying in the same hotel.
We then walked across the road to the bus stop for Worthing, ?and after just a few minutes wait the bus arrived 25 minutes later we alighted right outside our venue for lunch.
With an hour to spare we explored Worthing pier and had coffee.
The Beach House Caf? with West Sussex South
At midday we walked to Beach House Cafe where we enjoyed a delightful buffet lunch. We were joined by Councillor Val Turner, Pam Fry, Rae Martin-Smith and members of West Sussex South.
Councillor Val Turner with Rae Martin Smith
As ever there were interesting coincidences. A recently diagnosed person living with MND turned out to be related to the landlady of The Wrotham Arms where our launch party was held a week ago.
We enjoyed supper in the sun at The Lobster Pot, where we found a table right by the beach, in the company of Kate Taylor and Sue Kruger of West Sussex South Branch.
Kate Taylor, Lynn and Sue Kruger
Kate kindly hosted us for the night.
Thanks to everyone from West Sussex South for most delightful day.
Short walk to our event this morning following a superb breakfast at Coast B and B.? This is a superb B and B, sadly not suitable for wheelchairs.
We were entertained by Doghouse, a really good rock and blues band, great music an very supportive of MND Association. Bernard Duncan past chair of East Sussex MND Association spoke about MND and the aim of the South Coast Trip to raise awareness and funds.
The members of East Sussex held a bucket collection which raised ?270.81.
This means that so far events and donations on our trip have raised over ?3000 for the MND Association.
We enjoyed the afternoon exploring Bexhill and found some fabulous Jazz music at a small pub called The Harp. ?The young man on the left is barely 15 and already playing like a seasoned professional.
In the early evening we met with Douglas Graham, Director of Fundraising, David & Helen Setters and Rae Martin Smith.? We had an enjoyable supper before walking to The Wrotham Arms.
Flashback on StageCathy and Tim Finnis
The South Coast Road Trip?launch party at the Wrotham Arms in Broadstairs, was a huge success with music provided by?Blue on Black?and Flashback.? Our MC for the evening was Adrian Powell who thanked everyone for coming.
Our Chair Gaynor Lloyd spent the evening getting everyone present to sign our souvenir t-shirt while wearing it.
We left after 10.30 to be rested for the farewell breakfast at The Old Curosity Cafe in Broadstairs in the morning.
Special thanks to Jackie at the Wrotham arms, the bands Black on Blue and Flashback and Adrian Powell our MC.
Huge thanks also to Douglas Graham, David and Helen Setters and Rae Martin Smith for making long journeys to share the event with us.
During the course of the evening we sold tickets for 100 squares and raised ?300.? Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket.
Mary, Keith and Gaynor enjoying the party. Gaynor is wearing the signed shirt
?This idea for the trip began when?we moved to Broadstairs, the town at?the east?end of the South Coast.? We?wanted to travel by bus all the way to Land’s End.
It was planned as a holiday, but after becoming involved with MNDA in East Kent, we thought it could be turned into a fund raising and awareness event.
We will travel the entire route using public transport and we hope to have travellers from the various Branches/Groups along the way travelling part of the journey with us.
We understand many HO staff will join in for part of the journey as well as some local dignitaries.
Our?journey will take place?from?June 3rd?until June 18th 2016.
Tue 14th June???14.00 ?Torquay,?Reception, Town Hall, Castle Circus, TQ1 3DR
Wed 15th June?? 12.00 Plymouth,?College House, Ford Park,?PL4 6RN
Thu 16th June???12.00 ?St Austell?, Greeting Bus
Fri 17th June??????14.15?Truro?, Tour of Truro Cathedral, 14 St Marys, Truro
Sat 18th June?????12.00 Land?s End, Cornish Tea,?TR19 7AA
We?hope to?raise funds in excess of ?10,000, to support persons living with MND in East Kent.? Any funds raised by Branches and Groups on our Journey will be used by the local branch/group to support persons living with MND locally.
It is with great pride that I can announce that the campaigning toolkit has been published by the MND Association.?
I had the idea to support people with their MND campaigning by producing a series of information sheets about different aspects of campaigning. This was last June so it has taken time to accomplish but is well worth the wait.?
Within the toolkit folder are leaflets on Meeting with Councillors, Using Social Media, Craftivism, Meeting your MP, Engaging with Healthcare Providers and many more.
There is also a badge on the front which prompts people to ask why you campaign??
Katy Styles MNDA East Kent
This has been a labour of love with Rae Martin-Smith, Campaigns Manager for the South, along with Raj Johal, National Campaigns Manager and all of the External Affairs team contributing huge amounts of time and effort.?
These toolkits will be sent to Branches and Groups and Campaigns Contacts; indeed any one who wants to do some campaigning but doesn?t know where to start.??
I hope people will find it really useful.
The tool kit is live and available for download at the following URL
