Swansea Children's Therapy Centre Support Group

CHAIR’S REPORT 2008

Once again, the Support Group has enjoyed a very successful year. In addition to some excellent purchases, we have been able to introduce new initiatives and build on old ones. For the second year running, we were able to organise a trip to the pantomime, which proved very popular. An innovation has been the Group’s ability to help some families in the purchase of bicycles for their children and activities are in great demand.

An outstanding contribution from last year was the effort by the Rev Pete Orphan and the players, management and staff of Swansea Rugby Club. Those who have read the website will see that the Hipocampe all-terrain amphibious wheelchairs have been a major hit with the children who have been able to use them at the beach. The carol service, the quizzes and other activities indicate that once again Pete and the Whites are going to exceed their target, with a fashion show, a bucket collection and the end of season dinner to come. Funds from this quarter have been boosted even further with contributions from Pete’s congregation at Pantygwydr Baptist Church and a really thoughtful Christmas whip-round from the family of official photographer Dave Dow, who already does so much for us, as well as the Gladiators’ Rugby Team. Pete, players and Dave were there as well for our Christmas Party at the Ramada Jarvis, another great success.

Last year we mentioned the Lions Club of Swansea and the Cameo Ladies Club and we are very grateful for their contributions. The Cameo Club made well over £1,000 and there were some additional individual contributions. On the subject of individuals, we must remember Mrs Llewellyn, who has regularly given to us for no reason other than her kindness. Our friends from Pontlliw Soccer Club came up with another great cheque and boosted that with a raffle for a prize offered by the Buck Inn.

A group of seven hardy souls braved foul weather to abseil from Newport Transporter Bridge and raised over £800.00. We had another good turnout for the 10K, with its usual significant contribution to our fund and we cannot fail to highlight that physiotherapists Kate and Wendy have never yet missed the run for us. Similarly, we have a local hero in Simon Lane, who once again was both our fastest finisher and our champion collector of sponsors for his run.

Many individuals and companies have earned our thanks and praise and this week we have received news of a new and excellent set of contributors. Just before Christmas, we heard from a Robert Richards, based in Pontlliw. Once again, they are based at the Buck Inn and have an annual Duck Race and Charity Auction. They contacted us and said that they expected to raise about £700.00, a sum to which we readily allocated needed items. However, this week’s news is that the figure has exceeded £1400.00!!! Based on this, the therapists are appraising other equipment that could be really appropriate and we shall report on this on the website. I only know their email address as ‘kezandrob’, but we are all looking forward to meeting them in due course.

Happily our Patron, Anthony Clement, has confirmed his support for another year. Clem tells me that he is more than happy to lend support whenever and wherever he can and we’ll hold him to that at every opportunity. It was a shame that our fete was called off this year – no doubt we can make the next doubly successful.

Wendy, who has for so long been in charge of Paediatric Physiotherapy and run the Centre since it was just that one room years ago, has at long last decided to retire. Being somewhat close to her, I know that she has very mixed emotions and will miss everybody, but, as most of you know, it has been a difficult year for her own health and she feels that now is the right time. It is certain that she will think deeply of her many friends and colleagues but, most of all, of ‘her’ Special Kids over many years. I am sure that she will express herself when the time comes. In the meantime, I know I speak for the whole Group in wishing her well.

We are also sad that Clare Whatty will be stepping down as our Secretary and I would like to thank Clare for all her efforts, particularly in the last, very difficult, year. Clare has worked very conscientiously with us for a long time and she will be very much missed in this role by her friends on the committee. We shall be needing more support on the committee in time to come and the days of my own tenure as Chair will not be many more, so I hope we shall get some volunteers. The work done is invaluable and I would like to make a personal special mention to those who have given up so much of their time for so long. It is not easy to single out anybody, but I cannot resist highlighting the work of Helen Houlton, both in her artistry and handiwork at the Centre and her support for every project. John Salter is always our cheerful Santa at the party and seldom misses a meeting; neither do Mel, Andrea, Kate, Wendy and Ceri. Our Christmas party also relies on the help of Julie and we have support from all the family of Josh Standen (both other generations!) Helen’s Dad, by the way, takes all those super photos of the Children at the party and makes a copy into a little folder for every child, year on year. Thanks again for such painstaking work.

Towards the end of the year, it seems that the work done by our superb Centre will be integrated, at least accommodation-wise, into the Children’s unit at Morriston. The parents and committee have expressed a strong desire to keep this Support Group going. Naturally, support will be used in a slightly different way, but we shall be looking to continue with support for the excellent work that contributes to the health, wellbeing and pure quality of life for our ‘Special Kids’. Once again, thanks to all our friends, to our hard working committee, to all the parents and carers and, above all, to the wonderful staff of the Children’s Therapy Centre. Here’s to another great year.

 

Roger Gadd (Chair, Swansea Children’s Therapy Centre Support Group)