ÿþ<html><head> <META name="keywords" CONTENT="Press release, Registered Charity, Cancer, raffle"> <META name="description" CONTENT=" The Ron Smith Cancer Appeal is a registered Charity based in North Wales. Its aim is to support the new Radiotherapy Cancer Treatment Centre at Bodelwyddan"> <title>Newsletter 2008</title></head><body background="bg.jpg"> <p><h3><span style='font-family:Arial'>Newsletter March 2008</span></h3></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>The Appeal continues with the work of our late president Margaret Smith MBE.</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>Following the sudden death of Margaret Smith, a decision was taken to include her name with that of her husband and rename our registered charity as The Ron & Margaret Smith Cancer Appeal. Margaret s name was synonymous with that of the Appeal and Cancer Centre by members of the public.<br> It is proposed that some form of memorial will be placed in the Cancer Centre as a tribute to Margaret s enormous dedication and commitment to support the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre established at Glan Clwyd Hospital.</span></p> <p><h3><span style='font-family:Arial'>Current Fundraising Project Radiotherapy equipment</span></h3></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>The Cancer Centre is in the process of ordering the new equipment which has been funded by the Appeal. The Appeal has committed £100,000 for the following equipment. <ul TYPE="disc"><li>High precision immobilisation masks to be used for patients with head and neck cancer related illnesses</li> <li>Updating computer software for the continuous improvement in treatment plans for patients attending the centre.</li> <li>Provision of specialist training in the development of IMRT.</li></ul></span></p> <p><h3><span style='font-family:Arial'>Fundraising & donations</span></h3></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>During the period 2007 (February 2007  February 2008) A total of £19,944 was raised from donations and fundraising with a further £1000 gained from legacies.</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>Donations from a variety of sources have been received and all are very gratefully accepted. We are unable to publish the details of each and every donation; we do however, a receipt and personal thank you letter is always sent to the donor (s).</span></p> <p><h3><span style='font-family:Arial'>London Marathon Runners</span></h3></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>Five runners have been selected for the 2008 London Marathon which is on Sunday 13th April. The Appeal s Golden Bond Entry for five runners costs £1,400. Runners are therefore expected to raise a minimum of £750 each to cover the cost of the bond and raise funds for The Appeal.<br> We wish our runners the very best of luck and will be watching out for them on TV!<br> Sponsorship is most acceptable.</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>Volunteers with collecting tins will fundraise at a number of supermarket sites during the year.</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>More details of donations and fundraising can be seen on our <a href="press.htm">Press Release</a> page</span></p> <p><h3><span style='font-family:Arial'>Newsletter/Mail shot</span></h3></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>A newsletter has been produced by Mrs Barbara Riches, Publicity Officer. This will be sent to Funeral Directors, Solicitors and other organisations to inform them of the continuing work for the Appeal, and provide a point of reference in the event of enquiries about donations or legacies. Thank you to Barbara for her efforts in producing this document.</span></p> <p><h3><span style='font-family:Arial'>Committee matters</span></h3></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>Committee meetings are now held bi-monthly on the second Tuesday at Glan Clwyd Hospital. The next meeting Tuesday will be held on Tuesday 13th May at 7.00pm.</span></p> <p><h3><span style='font-family:Arial'>The Annual General Meeting</span></h3></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>The Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 10th June 2008 in the lecture theatre, Post Graduate Centre, Glan Clwyd Hospital at 7.30 pm. A warm welcome is extended to members of the public.</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>The Committee has recently welcomed Mrs Hilary Stevens, retired Chairman of The Conwy & Denbighshire NHS Trust. Mrs Stevens has shown an interest in the work of the Appeal and is our representative on the Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council. <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>Mrs Margaret Sumner, a veteran volunteer with The Appeal has joined the small team who serve on the charity desk in Glan Clwyd Hospital. Her help and interest is very much appreciated.</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>Sid and Guinevere Blumsom have been committed volunteers with The Appeal since it began in 1991. In addition to fundraising, charity desk work, tea bar duties in The Cancer Centre and long-serving committee members, Sid has also been our Publicity Officer and Guin has made many artistic contributions to raise funds. <br> We are sad to hear that Sid and Guin cannot give of their support for the time being but we look forward to seeing them on an  as & when basis in future and would like to record our grateful thanks for the many years of hard work and commitment they have given. Our very best wishes go to both of them.</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>The Chairman, John Hunt, attended The St Asaph Mayor s Charity Ball in Oriel House Hotel. The Appeal received a cheque for £800 from Councillor Cowie, shared proceeds for the evening.</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>Committee members John & Isla Kirkwood attended an evening with  Touch of Class entertainment Group and were presented with a cheque of £600 towards the Appeal fund.</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>Doris Roberts and Stevie Boyd attended a  Public Giving & Fundraising day organised by The Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council. The day was most informative and gave a greater understanding of charity fundraising and responsibilities.</span></p> <p><span style='font-family:Arial'>For more information about the work of the Appeal please contact Mrs Doris Roberts, Deputy Chairman/Secretary on 01745 812504.</span></p> </body></html>