Your latest Newsletter:
April Newsletter 2012
If you find you are unable to view the newsletter via this link please email christine.reid@blf-uk.org to receive a personal copy via your inbox. If you wish to unsubscribe to the newsletter please also use the above link or telephone 0117 300 4080/3.
LIGHT BUFFET AND DANCE
In the marquee of
THE SPEECH HOUSE HOTEL, COLEFORD
On FRIDAY 22nd June 2012 from 7.30 to 11.00
Entertainment by
ANDY MAX
(50s, 60s and 70s music)
Tickets £10 in support of
The British Lung Foundation Breathe Easy Forest of Dean Group
For more detail telephone: 0117 300 4080
South West’s Beauty Spots now open to all.
The Countryside Mobility scheme, run by Devon charity Living Options Devon, is working to make the South West a truly ‘accessible’ visitor destination by improving access to the countryside for people with limited mobility.
Based on the principle of urban Shopmobility schemes, ‘Tramper’ all-terrain mobility scooters and wheelchair accessible ‘Wheelyboats’ are now available for hire at over 25 countryside locations across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Somerset with more to follow.
To hire Trampers people need to join the Countryside Mobility membership scheme which is £10.00 per year or £2.50 for 4 weeks. Becoming a member means people receive proper training in how to use the equipment safely and includes use of all Tramper sites in the South West.
The equipment can be used by anyone who has a permanent or temporary mobility impairment that makes walking difficult. People do not have to be registered as disabled or have a Blue Badge.
Full details about the scheme, the sites, and how to become a member can be found on the website www.countrysidemobility.org or by telephoning 01392 456522.
**Stop Press** Linda, who helps organise the BLF North Bristol support group meetings, has arranged for a FREE four week course for anyone interested in learning more about complementary therapy. This starts on 8 May, to be held at the New Bruswick Church, Southmead, Bristol. To find out more, please ring Linda on 07837 256 708.
**New BLF Satellite Group Meeting**
Cirencester in Gloucestershire -
Where: The Wheatsheaf Public House, Cricklade Street, Cirencester,
When 2nd Wednesday of each month,
Time: 2-4pm
New groups forming:
We have two new groups forming in the South West, Christchurch in Dorset and Launceston in Cornwall
BE Launceston
Will hold their first meeting on Tuesday 8 May, 2-4pm at The Storm Venue, Pennygillam Industrial Estate, Launceston. Meetings will subsequently take place on the second Tuesday of each month. Many thanks to the Storm Venue for providing premises at a discounted rate. We’re delighted to be starting a new group in Cornwall; well done to all those involved.
BLF North Bristol support group
Who meet at the New Brunswick Church, in Southmead have secured £468 from Waitrose Community Funds. Thanks to staff and customers at the Henleaze and Clifton branches in Bristol for their support. Please visit the Breathe Easy pages to find out more about this and all the other support groups in the South West.
For more information of when these groups will be meeting and where please contact Marilyn Crump on 0117 300 4084
Recognising our local supporters
Dianne accepted a cheque for £1,500 for BLF from Mole Valley Farmers in North Devon, a supplier to the farming industry all over the south west. The staff, suppliers and customers 
raised funds for Chris Axberg who had to retire with ill health because of his lung condition. The funds were for oxygen equipment so that Chris and his wife can continue to camp and holiday. The remainder was donated to the BLF.
Nailsea Bowls Club send the funds rolling in!
Idris Lewis and the members of Nailsea Bowls Club near Bristol have been raising funds for us over the last 4 years and during that period we have received several cheques totalling more than £2000. The ladies and mens captains had both been diagnosed with lung conditions, Idris also suffers with lung health problems and it was this that prompted them to raise money for the British Lung Foundation, which they continue to do after several years of making us their charity to fundraise for.
Torquay Supporters raise £800 with a James Bond 007 Evening
Bridget Day and friends have once again showed fantastic support to BLF South West by holding a James Bond Evening which raised the profile of BLF as well as achieving a fabulous donation towards research.
Bert Davy and the whist team raise funds for BLF
Bert cancelled all gifts for his 80th Birthday and asked that he got donations for the BLF in their place. Burt suffers from "Farmers Lung" and thought he could help the BLF by obtaining donations rather than presents for his birthday. He raised £500 but he felt that wasn't enough, so he and his brother who are part of a "Whist card team" asked that the Whist club help further BLF's funds, which they did adding another £500 to the total £1,000 donation received.
Local fundraiser Sarah aiming for a target of 100 charities!
BLF South West office staff were very pleased to meet Sarah Williams "voice of Pickles in the Wallace and Gromit films" and her trusty dog Ozzie in September 2011, when she presented a cheque to staff for £150 as part of her charity fundraising efforts.
Sarah herself has disabilities including Marfan and blindness, yet when we spoke to her it was clear she was a truly inspirational woman who despite her disabilities wanted to do as much as she could to help others. Her daily life is filled with challenges, and when asked "when do you have a rest", her clear answer was "I don't rest, I like to keep busy".
Sarah's boyfriend wife died from a lung condition, and it was this that inspired her to yet another goal. Sarah climbed Ben Nevis to raise funds for The British Lung Foundation and to date has already raised £13,000 with 60 charities benefiting so far.
With a clear list of what she wants to do in the future, and who will be the beneficiaries, we feel very privileged to have been a recipient of some of those funds.
We would like to thank Sarah and wish her all the best in her ongoing challenges to help others.
Elvis Tribute Night Friday
2 September 2011 - update
Elvis was definitely in the building on Friday 2nd 2011 at St Peters Social Club in Gloucester. Gordon Hendricks European Champion 2011 and winner of TV's Stars in their Eyes performed some old and new songs to a crowd of over 100 at the event to raise funds for The British Lung Foundation.
Gerald Halford had been a supporter of BLF and it was an idea of his to raise awareness and fundraise to highlight lung disease and it was not the first time Gerald had done this, he had long been a supporter of the BLF.
Unfortunately Gerald was very ill and he passed away earlier this year while organising the event. Gerald had expressed a wish that his wife Jill continued with the event, and with true grit and determination she ensured that the event was a huge success.
The British Lung Foundation have received a total of £1103.65 in Geralds memory.
Our sincere thanks to Jill.
Thank you to everyone in the region who continue to raise funds for The British Lung Foundation and those affected by a lung condition from the South West Staff Team, Dianne, Marilyn and Christine.
