Registered Charity: 292643 Web: www.bcusg.org Email: [email protected] Supportline twitter@BCUSG Issue 56 June 2019 BCUSGWelcomes more accurately and funds to upgrade new president a solid-state gamma camera, which will provide better images for cancer Stephanie Cole diagnosis. New president Stephanie Cole Stephanie who lives near Bath was born joined the BCUSG and senior in Solihull and trained at the Bristol Old health professionals from the Vic School making her debut at Bristol Oncology and Radiotherapy Old Vic at the age of 17 playing a 90 year unit at the RUH for a tour of the old woman! department in November 2018. Theatre credits include Rose with “I am very honoured to have Glenda Jackson at the Duke of Yorks, been asked to be President of this Noises Off at the Savoy Theatre, Steel wonderful charity that has and Magnolias at the Lyric Theatre and The is benefi tting so many people Photo by Simon Annand Relapse at the Old Vic. Recent theatre in our area. I was so amazed at appearances have been at the Bristol what has already been achieved and the plans for Old Vic as part of their 250th anniversary year and the future are very exciting. Talking to people who “A cream cracker under the settee” at the Theatre have already benefi tted brings home how very Royal Bath as part of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads. worthwhile and what a great job it does.” Her high profi le television roles include Tenko, The BCUSG has an army of volunteers who work Open All Hours, A Bit of a Do, Waiting for God, tirelessly to support local cancer patients by raising Keeping Mum, Doc Martin, Still Open All Hours, Man money for vital equipment not provided by the NHS. Down and Coronation Street. Currently Stephanie is Over the last year they have been working to raise appearing in Gentleman Jack on BBC1 on Sunday £370,000 for three new projects that will improve evenings. outcomes for cancer patients. They include an out- She won the British Comedy Awards for Best Actress of-hours helpline for chemotherapy outpatients, for Waiting for God and in 2012 won a British Soap equipment to target radiotherapy in breast cancer award for best comedy performance in Coronation Street. Her autobiography entitled A Passionate Life was published in 1998. In 2005 she was awarded the OBE for services to Drama, Mental Health and the Elderly. STOPPRESS We are delighted to announce the completion of our new website for up to date news on the progress of our appeals and forthcoming events. Stephanie is pictured with Chairman Mike Taylor and Dr Martyn Evans, www.bcusg.org Head of Imaging Physics. Photo:Paul Gillis / paulgillisphoto.com ChairmansComments It is now just over 2 years since cancer care at the RUH and what I became Chair of our Charity our new projects are from time to Trustees. time. Well it has been a busy 2 years! But We are also keen to receive what enjoyment and satisfaction I information from our supporters have achieved from the efforts of our which could be featured on the fund raising and the grants which we website. Please get in touch with us. have been able to make. We have so One aim which I expressed in many dedicated and enthusiastic the last issue, was to improve the fund raisers – thank you all. We also publicity which we obtain in the have a huge group of supporters local press, social media etc. With who in so many ways have donated the help of Paul Mullins, we have funds to us. achieved that, and I hope that you At our recent AGM Tino Polledri have all read some of the press retired as Vice Chair after 20 years in that role. releases. An illustration of the success achieved by He has agreed to remain as a Trustee for at least the articles in the press was a recent donation from a further 12 months and continues as Chair of the a collection at a local doctor’s surgery which came Trowbridge Fund Raising Group. I would like to to us towards our appeal based on a report in the record a very special thanks to him for all of his years press of one of our projects. of dedication and hard work. I place considerable As most of you will be aware, we have a very value on his knowledge and experience of our successful fundraising branch based in Trowbridge charity. which also covers many neighbouring towns and Dr Helen Morgan, Dr Chris Knechtli and Jeanne villages. (See inside for their report). Ingham-Law also retired as Trustees at the AGM. New groups are currently in the early stages of All have worked hard for our charity for many years setting up. One covering Frome/Shepton Mallet/ and our grateful thanks to them all. Radstock and Midsomer Norton and the other in I would like to welcome our new Trustees, Sue Bath. If any reader would like to join either, please Oliver, who has also become Vice Chair, Jane Crow, contact me or Sally Pinner, our Secretary. Dr Jo Crowe (there’s a risk of confusion here!!). The total monies raised by our charity since it Jane has become joint-editor of Support line for was formed have now passed £4.9 million. I am this issue with Jane Margetts who has edited the anticipating that later this year, we will be able to publication for a number of years. celebrate passing the £5 million milestone. What a Thanks to all for volunteering. tremendous effort from so many individuals, groups and supporters over those years. Last but not least the actress Stephanie Cole OBE who lives locally became our President during last We launched our most recent Appeal in early autumn autumn. Many thanks to her also. She is still very last year (more about that inside) and at the time busy but when she is available, she has been a very of writing this report, we have made considerable active and enthusiastic supporter. progress towards achieving the total fund raising. Well done to all our helpers and fund raisers. We have continued to receive tremendous support from Royal London Insurance and the staff at their We are now discussing further projects with several Bath Office. As part of this, staff members took all of the Cancer Consultants etc. and have indeed of our places at the Bath Half Marathon and raised approved one new project, again more about that substantial sums for us. I think that they all enjoyed in a separate article in this publication. the event! The construction of the new cancer unit at the RUH will be commencing in the near future and we Our new website is now up and running. For any anticipate a shopping list of items of equipment etc. readers who have not reviewed it, please do so. It as that project nears its conclusion. No time for us is our intention to update this regularly, so please to rest on our laurels!! refer to it from time to time to see what events are coming up, what equipment etc., we have Michael Taylor FCA CTA TEP purchased to enhance the care of patients receiving Chairman of Trustees FORMER CHAIR’S MBE Legacies We are very grateful that in the first few months As many of you of 2019, we have been notified of legacies left to will be aware, our BCUSG in the wills of 4 generous supporters, who previous Chair John have recently passed away. Carter was awarded in 2018 the MBE in We thank those individuals and their families and recognition of his we pass our condolences to the friends and families charitable works, of them all. which included 30 If any supporters are contemplating leaving funds years as Trustee, most of those as Chairman. to us in their will, here are some tips: The presentation by Prince Charles took place 1 A stated sum can be stipulated or alternatively just before Christmas 2018 at Buckingham Palace. a percentage of the assets not specifically This was a very well-deserved award and we all bequeathed to individuals. congratulate him on this recognition. 2. Be careful to ensure that our Charity’s name is He was also presented with the Mayor of Bath’s set out clearly and correctly in your will and also Citizen Award in October 2018 at a ceremony refer to our reference number at the Charity at the Guildhall. A further recognition of his Commission which is 292643. considerable charitable achievements. 3. If you have an existing will and wish to amend it, this can frequently be achieved by your solicitor drawing up a codicil. You do not always need to The Specialist Palliative Care Team have a completely new will drawn up. Caring for people nearing the end of life and You need to discuss these matters with your supporting their families is one of the most solicitor when instructing him or her to draw up a important things that we as a hospital, and new document to be signed and witnessed. healthcare professionals, can do. As a hospital we have a responsibility for ensuring that we provide compassionate, supportive and dignified care to all our patients, but especially to those nearing end of £5 million target - BCUSG life. Fund Raising Over The Years The specialist palliative care team provides support to patients with more complex needs, their carers In early April 2019, our Treasurer Mike Coombs, and families. The aim of the specialist palliative care advised us that the total funds raised since team is to promote the best achievable quality of life our formation in 1986 had just reached £4.9 for adult patients and their families facing cancer and million.