Merlin Messenger Special 10Anniversary Edition Welcome Alana, the Royal Visit to Open Pool

New Centre Manager HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO officially opened the new Primrose What a fantastic charity the Merlin MS Hydrotherapy Pool on February 7. Her Centre is! I have been so impressed Royal Highness was welcomed by the by the dedication of our volunteers Lord Lieutenant, Colonel Edward Bolitho, and staff and of course by the positive Trustee, Sally-Jane Coode, Centre Manager attitude of so many of our service users Alana Timmins and Grandfather Peter Congdon, whom I have had the privilege to meet during my whose £1 million donation enabled the hydrotherapy pool facility to induction. I have spent time in the therapy gym, day become a reality. respite, in the oxygen chamber, outreach and out on our minibus picking up and dropping off. This has The Countess was given a tour of the new given me an invaluable insight into what a difference timber framed building, which is adjacent these services make to our clients’ well-being. to the Centre. The first service user to test out the pool was Mick Gibson, supported Loraine can be proud of how much has been achieved by Mel, our clinical lead and Jackie, one of in the past decade. The facilities and therapies have the therapy assistants. Mick, who has been developed year on year offering a vital service to so coming to the Centre since it opened in many people. And the icing on the cake is the opening 2009, chatted to the Countess about his of the new Primrose Hydrotherapy Pool. We have been love of swimming and the difference the trialing some sessions and our full program will start therapies at the Centre had already made soon. Mick talking to the Countess of Wessex to his quality of life and independence.

It has been a hectic few months which I have enjoyed The clinical team explained the therapeutic benefits of hydrotherapy immensely – I joined the team at the end of October - sessions will be offered to service users as part of their existing working alongside Loraine for six weeks to ensure physiotherapy treatments both in group and one-to-one classes I could learn from her knowledge, expertise and to improve their health and well-being. During the afternoon, the experience of how the charity operates. Countess came into the main Centre which she officially opened back in 2011 to talk to service users, volunteers and staff in the At the end of December, the keys to the pool were physiotherapy gym and oxygen therapy departments. handed over and then we had a Royal Visit to plan plus a 10th anniversary to celebrate. Grappling with The Countess then unveiled an the charity accounts, the operational procedures, engraved granite plaque to mark getting to know the team and being in the Charity the official opening, which was sector rather than a GP practice has meant lots of note kindly donated by R. Pascoe & Sons, writing and asking questions – thank you to all of you Memorial Masons. Before leaving, who have helped me gain the necessary knowledge HRH was presented with a posy of Merlin. by Peter Congdon’s Great Granddaughter, Violet-Rose and a The clinical team led by Mel have been working gift of the new Merlin Family Recipe incredibly hard to get the pool ready for our first Book, produced to commemorate sessions. This has been a huge task - completing all Official opening by the charity’s 10th Anniversary. the operational, emergency, health and safety HRH Countess of Wessex procedures - as well as training in the pool checks. Due to limited numbers allowed for the Royal Visit, the charity held Well done all of you. a special primrose planting event on Sunday February 24 where people could plant a primrose in memory of or with thanks to a If I have yet to meet you, please do pop in and say special person in their lives. Primroses were the favourite flower hello – I am delighted to be leading this Charity to of Peter’s wife Rosemary hence the name of the pool. The 200 build on the legacy of our founders and the huge primroses make a beautifully vibrant display on the bank outside contribution made by so many people to the pool building. make it what it is today. Alana Images: © Charles Francis Bradbury House, Hewas Water, Nr , , PL26 7JF. Charity number: 1093691 Tel: 01726 885530. Email: [email protected] Website: www.merlinmscentre.org.uk First Sessions in the Primrose Pool Respite Care – A Vital Service for Clients and Carers Alike Just days before having a cancerous kidney removed in 2014, Angela Scarrot received the devastating blow that she had A Day Respite Service is held three days a week at the Progressive MS: She was 53. After an induction Angela came Centre - Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.30 - to the Centre first for oxygen therapy and then physiotherapy. 4.00pm. Angela has now been coming to the Centre for five years. Having a break from caring duties is invaluable for the She was one of the first service users to test mental and physical health of a primary carer. And it out the therapeutic benefits of the Merlin’s MS Centre’s is important for them to be confident that a loved one new hydrotherapy pool and she was over the moon to get is stimulated and engaged. The Respite Team carefully in the water! This is her story… choses activities to evoke memories as well as spark new interests; providing a great talking point with family and "The pool is just wonderful, the exercises I do on land feel so friends in day-to-day life. different in water, it makes me more aware of my body and I feel stronger. The support of the water helps me to relax and A typical day will start with social interaction to promote the seating at pool side is just the right depth to stretch my conversation, often this is led by a topic of interest or spine and help my posture. hobby of a service user and will include memory games, board games or word searches - sometimes there is even Improving my balance and stability was vital to giving me the an impromptu sing-along! confidence to maintain some normality in a life turned on its head by MS. I had come to terms with the fact that my body There are also opportunities for physical exercise, and brain were no longer speaking the same language, but my including the use of static bikes and a gentle work-out confidence was fading as I realised how unpredictable my body to music in the therapy gym led by the experienced was becoming. clinical team.

Other therapies such as massage and oxygen therapy The therapy team have helped me are available in the afternoon and service users are encouraged to take part in a variety of music therapy realise that setting new goals is okay and craft sessions. Sometimes activities are themed and have given me the tools and the for the time of year or making items to sell at various fundraising events. courage to help me achieve them When the weather is warm and dry the group can enjoy access to the grounds and the new bird feeding station Physiotherapy helps me feel more in control. It has rebuilt my which has been erected by the Respite team. confidence in balance and steadiness of foot – the therapy team have helped me find the courage to take a deep breath and For more information about the Day Respite Service become the best me I can be. I have benefitted so much from please contact the Centre on 01726 885530. my weekly physio sessions that I can’t wait to see what I can achieve from my hydrotherapy sessions.

Before my diagnosis my husband and I were keen coastal walkers. Over the years I have had to re-evaluate my goals, Making now I enjoy being outside with my husband on a mobility scooter alongside him. button bowls

The therapy team have helped me realise that setting new goals is okay and have given me the tools and the courage to help me achieve them."

Hydrotherapy is available to registered service users. To find out more about hydrotherapy or other services available at the Centre please speak to one of the clinical team. Flower Angela with Clinical Lead, Mel arranging

Social interaction Events Round-Up Pamper Day in February £2,700

100 Club Christmas festivities at the Bev’s £4,700 Centre including our Facebook Sales Christmas Fayre and Bingo £38,773 raised - £8,000

Events in the community from various groups and individuals raised 2018 Summer £46,500 Draw Digging for for the charity £2,400 treasure metal detecting events £1,000 To all our lovely Werrington fundraisers – your help Countryman is invaluable. Fayre Thank you. £5,000

Partnerships – a Mutually Rewarding Relationship

We aim to ensure that the relationships we build with our corporate partners are mutually beneficial. In exchange for your support, we can help you meet your goals in engaging audiences through our own professional marketing channels – online, print and face to face.

Our audience profile is broad – working professionals, retired, and non-working. We see a diverse range of people at the Centre including health professionals, therapists, carers, businesses as well as volunteers, staff and service users.

There are numerous ways our partners work with us, from sponsoring events and equipment to making us their charity of the year, but we will work with you to identify what options would best reach your target audiences. And by working with us as a corporate partner you could help us make a difference to the lives of people living with long-term health conditions.

If you would like to discuss how your business can build a relationship with Merlin MS Centre please call Tamsin or Sarah on 01726 885530.

Take on the £10 Challenge

Can you raise £10 during our 10th year? If you receive your newsletter in the post you will have already got your £10 challenge box. This is as an alternative to the usual Summer Draw sent out with the spring/summer edition. You can take on the challenge in any way you wish, you could fill it with loose change, keep it on your desk or tills at work, keep it in the car. Please bring them back to the Centre when they are filled or you could empty it and refill! Boxes are available from the Centre and at collection days throughout the year. Celebrating 10 years

This special issue of the Merlin Messenger celebrates 10 years of our Centre providing therapies, support and information to people living with long-term neurological conditions in Cornwall.

Our founders Derek and Eileen Murphy set the Charity up in 2002 and after years of fundraising the completion of the county’s first dedicated MS Centre opened on April 14, 2009. Ten years on …thousands of people supported… and Lotto winner Peter Congdon‘s incredible £1 million donation sees the opening of the Primrose Hydrotherapy Pool. It completed the Murphy’s dream – a hydrotherapy pool was something Derek and Eileen had always wanted, but funds had not allowed, With the opening of the Pool, their legacy to provide the people of Cornwall with an all-encompassing therapy centre has now been achieved. 2002 The charity was registered with the Charity commission in June 2002, funds were raised and the land at Hewas Water was purchased, but it wasn’t until August 2005 that full planning permission for Cornwall first dedicated MS therapy centre was granted.

2005 2005 - The first oxygen chamber was purchased at such a good price that it was kept in storage for nearly four years! This was covered by BBC Spotlight and to this day we are still the only charity in Cornwall to offer Oxygen Therapy.The Bradbury Foundation provided a grant for £350,000 in 2005 a significant contribution to the building costs of nearly £1 million. This incredible amount is the reason that Bradbury House is in our address.

2006 Lady Mary Holborrow became the charity Patron in 2006 and remained so until she sadly passed away in June 2017. She turned the first sod on 15th May 2008 as building work began on the Centre.

The annual Sticker Rally started in 2004 in the garden of current Chairman Peter Twining, this year will be the 15th year that the Rally has supported Merlin MS Centre and other local organisations. To date it has raised over £100,000.

2009 A vision becomes a reality - On April 14th 2009 the Merlin MS Centre officially opened.

We recognise how many hundreds of individuals and organisations have supported us over the years and we are incredibly grateful, thank you all. Here we share some photos of some great Merlin moments. How many can you remember?

Peter Congdon First birthday cheque celebrations Image: © PR4Photos How far we have come OER 30,000 MES therapy sessions over are covered by the 10,750 take place yearly community transport 100 service each year eoe Over no use the 2018 The rimrose Cente fo the charity was awarded Hydrotherapy ool et of 15,000 OST O TE YEAR was officially opened on thees n working hours are oo he donated by volunteers by Volunteer Cornwall 7th Feb 2019 equivalent to £117,450 Gifts in Wills - gifts great and Palace small - can make a huge difference. Appointment

Peter Congdon’s donation of £1 million was a dedication to his for Bev wife Rosemary, who had MS for more than 30 years, but sadly died before the Merlin MS Centre was built. While Peter was Bev Burt has been a able to make an amazing donation after winning the Camelot tremendous advocate Lotto, we know that not everyone is in a financial position to and fundraiser for our do so. Charity for many years. To date she has raised Leaving a gift in a Will is something that can give future security £38,773 by selling to our charity and it does not need to be large – as little as one donated items via the per cent of a person’s estate can make a big difference to our Merlin MS Centre funds. That still means your loved ones get 99%. Facebook selling page. Bev photographs and Writing a Will is one of the most important things we need to Bev receiving her award with Lord-Lieutenant, posts the items and do to do to ensure those we love and care for are looked after Colonel Edward Bolitho. arranges collection when we die, but according to the Law Society more than 60% Image: © Cameracraft Photography of the UK’s adult population has yet to write a Will. either at her own home or from the Centre. Merlin MS Centre and McClure Solicitors have formed a partnership to offer service users, volunteers, supporters and We were delighted therefore that after we nominated Bev, staff a chance to have their Will prepared free of charge. who is a carer for her husband Martin and mum of two In return people will be asked if they wish to donate, although teenage children, she won the Fundraising Volunteer of the there is no obligation to do so. Just consider a donation for the Year Award at the Volunteer Cornwall Awards Merlin MS Centre And now, after being nominated by Alana and Sally-Jane Unlike other Free Will schemes for charity, which are usually Coode, in recognition for her work for our charity, Bev has for a specific period and conditional on age, it is offered on a been invited to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham palace on rolling programme throughout the year and people, whatever May 29th. their age, are able to have the specialist service of an estate planner visiting them in their home, at the Merlin MS Centre, at She will be taking in some of the capital’s sights as well as McClure’s Truro office or other location convenient to them. watching Wicked the Musical. We hope you and your family have a lovely time Bev. Sarah Snell said: “We choose to work with McClure Solicitors because of the range of services and specific expertise in all aspects of estate planning they offer. We know people want to ensure those they love and cherish will receive what they wish them to, but without a Will, which has been prepared following thorough and proper discussion about their estate, sadly this does not always happen.

Andrew Robertson, senior partner with McClure Solicitors said: “We are delighted to be working with the Merlin MS Centre and recognise that when you instruct a solicitor you are making a very important decision. We offer professional and impartial advice, remembering that everyone and their individual circumstances are different “

For more information on the scheme, or to book an appointment should call Freephone 0800 852 1999 or go to www.mccluresolicitors.com

2019 Garden Trail

APRIL 27th-28th Pinetum Holmbush, St Austell, PL25 3RQ (Pre purchase tickets only from www.crbo.co.uk/merlin)

MAY 19th Sculpture Garden Salena Stamps Cottage, Trenear, Multiaward winning McClure Solicitors will prepare your TR13 0ER Lasting Power of Attorney for only £199. We even include 26th May Tree Gardens 8 Claybourne Close St Austell PL25 3TP the Welfare Power of Attorney free of charge. And we will JUNE 30th Garden Trail Owl Cottage, Redmoor, donate £30 to Merlin MS Centre when case completed. Lanlivery PL30 5AR Westwinds Boslymon Hill, Redmoor, 0800 852 1999 (quoting ‘Merlin MS’) Lanlivery PL30 5AN Trebant Cottage Lanlivery PL30 5BT contactus@mccluresolicitors.co.uk SEPTEMBER 8th Trenarth Manor House Trenarth, High Cross, www.mccluresolicitors.co.uk/didyouknow Constantine, Near Falmouth TR11 5JN 8th Pencarey Trevilley Lane, St Teath PL30 3JS Merlin Leaves its Mark

This year Centre User and Volunteer, Karen Stephen celebrated her 50th Birthday. In honour of what Merlin MS Introductory Centre means to her and her family Karen braved the needles to get a Offer permanent reminder in the form of the Merlin logo icon tattooed on her arm!

“Now when anyone asks the significance of the tattoo I can tell them about Merlin and what a lifeline it is for me and my family.”

Volunteer Host of the Year Osteopathic treatments

As well as Bev winning the Fundraising and Support Award at the Volunteer Cornwall awards for her dedication to raising funds for the charity. We were delighted also that Merlin MS Manual Therapy - at the Merlin MS Centre scooped Host of the Year 2018-2019. This is given to a charity which demonstrates excellence in looking after its Centre with experienced practitioner volunteers, proof that the Centre really is a wonderful place to volunteer. Helen Morton BScHons(Ost.Med)DO.ND. We are always looking for new volunteers to share their skills with the team. If you could give the gift of time, please contact our Volunteer Co-Ordinator, Caroline on 01726 885530. Introductory offer £35 sessions Apr - July Countess says ‘Keep Smiling’ to Janet Please call: 07927 143634 Centre user, Janet Bond has been coming to the Centre since www.helenmorton.co.uk July 2019 for weekly oxygen therapy sessions. She has felt a huge improvement in her fatigue levels since receiving the therapy. She was invited to the official opening of the Primrose Hydrotherapy Pool and was joined for a chat in the oxygen chamber by a very special visitor, HRH The Countess of Wessex. 10th Anniversary Merchandise “The Countess sat with me in the chamber. She was in no rush and was very interested to hear how and when l was diagnosed We have some lovely gifts on sale in our retail area at the with MS, and how the Centre has helped me. Centre including Himalayan Salt Lamps, Sienna Glass Baubles and Hearts, and a lovely selection of Melamaster kitchen ware. l happily spoke to her about all the wonderful staff that have supported me with kindness and compassion from the day I started”, said Janet. “Before leaving the Countess turned to me and said ’keep smiling’, which l will continue to try and do.”

In addition, to celebrate our 10th anniversary, we have commissioned some one-off items which can be bought as presents or as a souvenir of this special event.

Items include: • A beautiful bone china mug in a presentation box incorporating the 10th Anniversary Logo £10 • A lovely ball-point pen produced in gun-metal purple £2.50 • A keep-sake pin badge of our 10th anniversary logo £3.00 • Pewter items including a tin mine book mark £6.00 and key rings £5.00.

We also still have copies of our Merlin Family Recipe Book at just £10. If you are unable to get to the Centre some items are suitable to send by post, please call 01726 885530 and we will Janet and her husband Paul arrange delivery. If anyone can help at any of these events, can attend a store collection or would like Events Diary... to set up their own fundraising group or event, please call the team on 01726 885530

MAY 2019 JULY 2019 Monday 13th Four Lanes Choir Concert, Laddock 7pm 19th / 20th Sticker Vintage Rally and Fair Open Gardens Various dates through Spring/Summer AUGUST 2019 Friday 24th Golf Day, Truro Golf Club Saturday 3rd Summer Fun Day at Merlin MS Centre JUNE 2019 Friday 30th Jail Ghost Night Thursday 13th Social Committee Quiz @ the Centre SEPTEMBER 2019 Thursday 27th Corporate Quiz Alverton Manor, Truro Saturday 7th The Merlin Mooch - Trelissick Gardens JULY 2019 Thursday 26th A Night at the Races Sunday 7th Trelissick Fun Run £10.00 Challenge! Throughout the year