Registered Charity No. -1118510 Helsby Golf Club Powered Wheelchair Appeal

Issue 2 February 2014

Wheelchair No 246 Wheelchair No 268 Wheelchair No 295

Congratulations

We would like to offer our congratulations to Alan Lee, Inside this issue: our Chairman for 21 years, on being awarded an MBE Letter from our Chairman 1 for his services to children with special needs. We now have two members of the committee who have Achievements to date 1 been honoured. Bert Dyson was awarded his MBE in 2007 for his services to children through the Appeal. Peter Alliss Masters 2

Letter from our Chairman Black & White Evening 2 Dear Supporters Chinese Banquet 2 I am pleased to tell you that we have raised over £32,900 in 2013.We have Messages 3 presented 11 customised wheelchairs to children with varying levels of mobil- ity bringing the grand total to 319. Thank you to all our members, sponsors Forthcoming Events 4 and friends for your continued generosity and support, without you we would not be able to help so many deserving youngsters with their special needs. We are looking forward to 2014 and a full calendar of events including, health permitting, a visit from Peter Alliss to Helsby GC prior to “the Open” in July. What have we achieved? The PWA ‘Classic’ in June is filling up fast, so if you would like to play please contact Penny (Details on the back page). 319 powered wheelchairs for de- serving youngsters Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to say ’Thank You’ for the many good wishes that I have received since being mentioned in the honours list. Fundraising for 30 years The investiture is on 28th March when I shall be immensely proud to receive the MBE on behalf of Our Appeal, its dedicated committee members and £32,966 raised in 2013 supporters. I truly consider it to be a Helsby Golf Club Team award. 11 wheelchairs presented in 2013 Wishing you all the best for the coming season £30,748 spent on wheelchairs in Alan Lee, MBE 2013 Chairman

The Sponsor of this newsletter is Jigsaw Law Pioneer House, North Road, , CH65 1AD Tel: 0845 340 0509 Helsby Golf Club Powered Wheelchair Appeal Peter Alliss Masters

The 26th Peter Alliss Masters was The Helsby contingent last October held at the Golf Club House Elie , were Brian Prince( Captain), Marcus Fife on Tuesday 8th October 2013. Lightfoot (Quaich winner), Kieran McCabe, Dave Nagle & Keith Ains- Places are awarded at this prestig- worth for their sterling work for the ious event to clubs and societies Classic, Brian Kennerley for his help who have supported the Crusade & support over a number of years, based on the number of wheelchairs Roddy Snedden for his fundraising that they have donated in the year to through META and some of the disadvantaged children. PWA committee. At Helsby, places are allocated to Congratulations go to Steve Cun- those who have donated most to the niffe, representing Helsby, who Appeal, either in time or in fundrais- came 4th on a card playoff. ing. The Captain is invited and the Winner of the David Kitchen Quaich There is a change of venue for the (this years competition is on 25th next Masters which will be held on Marcus Lightfoot and Partners with May if you would like to try to win a Wednesday 1st October 2014 at the Peter Alliss on the 1st Tee at Elie place). David Kitchen was one of the Old Thorns Golf & Country Club, founder members of the PWA but Liphook in Hampshire. sadly passed away.

Black & White Evening

At the Black & White Evening on 7th An excellent evening’s entertain- December, Mark Eccleston, Disabil- ment was provided by Andy Knight ity Sport Development Officer for who sang a variety of songs to sat- Halton joined the Captains of isfy all tastes. Helsby, Brian Prince and Jarmila Lee for the presentation of wheel- Our thanks go to Suzanne Kiberd chairs to Sean Dolman from Wid- for making a beautiful cake for the nes, who has his sports lessons raffle and to Forrester’s in Kingsley with Mark, and Toby Griffiths from for supplying a Christmas hamper. .

Chinese Banquet

Phil Evans, Relationship Director providing Harry’s wheelchair. It from RBS Corporate Division in makes such a difference to the chil- , joined the Helsby Cap- dren’s lives. He explained that tains to present a powered chair to since May last year Harry had been Harry Graham from . Last in hospital to have surgery on his year, Phil and his colleagues raised hips. He had been in a hospital bed money for the Appeal which con- at home for many months recuper- tributed towards the cost of Harry’s ating. His new chair will give him chair. back his independence. Harry received a chair from PWA in Harry’s old chair is to be passed on 2010 but he has grown out of it and to another child at his school. had to go back to a manual chair. A great evening of fun and food On behalf of Harry and his family, was enjoyed by all. Phil Evans, RBS with Harry father Steven thanked Helsby Golf Our thanks go to Pat Tang and her and his family Club and all those present at the team at the Fortune Palace Restau- Chinese for their generosity in rant, Delamere. Page 2 Some messages Issue 2

Geoff Harris, whose son James received a chair in 2002, sent the fol- lowing message in the summer after fundraising for the Appeal at the Aqueduct Marina Fun Day in July:- “I doubt that many of those who put so much time and effort into PWA activities will really have any idea how much of an effect the past thirty years or so have contributed to the independence and growth of all the recipients of those wheelchairs. The wider families of the wheelchair us- ers will have benefitted immensely, not just the chair users themselves. James at Reaseheath College in 2012 Forever grateful, Geoff, Anya and James Harris.”

Sean Dolman, who received his chair at the Black & White, sent the fol- lowing:- “I would really like to thank you all for your kindness for helping me get my new electric wheelchair. It is really helping me around school and gave me back my independence. I can now do all my favourite Sean things like football and people like my chair so I would like to give a very Dolman big thank you. I am happier than I was in my manual chair but I do need to get used to the speed settings. Thank you everyone at Helsby Golf Club. Master Sean James Dolman”

Mark Eccleston, the medal win- The Cup is an important and pres- ning Paralympian, attended the tigious event that Halton Hawks presentation of wheelchairs at the have proudly participated in for Black & White Evening in Decem- the past 3 years. It is a competi- ber and used the opportunity to tion that every team aspires to do thank everyone present for their well in and he was delighted with generosity. He also explained how the strong team performances life changing the chairs are to the from the Hawks to win the trophy children, giving them the inde- ahead of 2 excellent teams from pendence they deserve and also Maghull and Woodchurch. making a big difference to their The team also did fantastically Mark with his Paralympic Medal families. well in winning the league. En- Athens 2004 He spoke of the work that he does couragingly during the year, new with the children introducing them players have joined the team and to a number of wheelchair sports 3 members of the team received and in particular he shared the funding for new sports specific success of the wheelchair football electric wheelchairs which make a team that he trains, Halton Hawks. huge difference. All these factors Recently, the team secured an contributed significantly in the amazing League and Cup Double overall improvement of the players by winning the Matthew Jones as individuals and as a team. memorial Cup and also the local Our team also feeds into the Ever- League after a series of round- ton team which competes in the robin fixtures. North West League and the Mark (who is Halton’s Disability wheelchair FA Cup and will also Sport Development Officer) ex- will be playing in the national Halton Hawks Team plained that the Matthew Jones league from next year. Memorial Cup is an annual event Will Junaid (Chesnut Lodge School) Mark said “We are grateful for all run by Everton in the Community support but particular thanks Connor Webb (Chesnut Lodge School) in memory of Matthew who was a should go to the Powered Wheel- keen wheelchair footballer and Kieran Law (Widnes) chair Appeal at Helsby Golf Club instrumental in starting and devel- Lucas Knight () who have provided Powered oping the sport across Mersey- Wheelchairs to 3 of the team side. members.” Page 3 Helsby Golf Club Forthcoming Events Powered Wheelchair Appeal The 8th Annual General Meeting of the Powered Wheelchair Appeal will be held at Helsby Golf Club on Thursday 6th March 2014 at 7.30pm. All sup- Chairman porters of the Appeal are welcome. Alan Lee MBE - 01244 300308 th Appeal Secretary The Spring Dance on Saturday 26 April 2014 is a ‘Sounds of the Sixties Penny Ainsworth—01928 723817 Night’ featuring “The Chimes” who are famous for their Merseyside music and humour. Root in your wardrobes for your ‘sixties gear’ and join us for a fun evening. If you prefer, smart casual dress is acceptable. Email - [email protected] MEGA Day – Wednesday 6th August 2014 Black & White Evening – Saturday 6th December 2014

32nd Wheelchair Classic We are on the Helsby Golf Club Website—visit the Powered Wheelchair This year’s Wheelchair Classic takes In the evening, there will be a pres- pages on www.helsbygolfclub.org place on Thursday 12th June 2014. entation of wheelchairs to local chil- dren During the day the Golf Competition is 4 Ball Better Ball with 7/8ths handi- This is followed by the presentation cap. There are separate trophies & of the trophies & the prizes to the prizes for the men and the ladies. competition winners. Address The cost to play is £80 per pair. The Auction is usually great fun with golfing memorabilia and days out at Powered Wheelchair Appeal If you would like to play, full details sporting events. Helsby Golf Club are on the enclosed application form. Towers Lane Please complete and return with your There is a bottle tombola throughout Helsby payment to the day and the evening is com- Cheshire pleted with the raffles. WA6 OJB Penny Ainsworth 2 Ardern Lea All prizes for the above are donated. If you would like to make a donation, please contact a member of the Cheshire WA6 9EQ committee.

Thank you to the following for their generosity in 2013

Phil & Chris Davies Jim & Val Fishwick Lindsay Kitchen

Rose Lawton

John & Hilary Karen O’Neil Norman Martin McGrady Christine Fletcher

Peter Moir Roddy Snedden & Cath Gleave & & Probus Bromborough META the Hens Paints

Moore Foundation Alex Walters HGC Ladies’ Section & NatWest

Steve Jervis & DHL HGC Sportsmen’s Dinner Aqueduct Marina

The next Edition of the Newsletter will be in the Summer 2014. If you have any news items or suggestions for what you would like to see, please let me know. Penny Ainsworth, Appeal Secretary.