News from our Area - last updated July 2010

Time to let your hair down... Band & Disco, with "The Substitutes", playing the best rock music from the 60s and 70s, supported by Big J's Disco All proceeds (tickets & raffle) are to be donated to the branch This event is being organised by the Grange Celtic Supporters Club, and promises to be a fabulous night out!! Tel: 01702 646485 for tickets & details (The Venue: Grange CSC, Unit 29, Grainger Road Ind.Est, Southend-on-Sea)
New Branch Meeting Please join us for a meeting on Tuesday 3rd August, 2pm-3.45pm at: Beehive Centre, West Street, Grays, RM17 6XP Everyone involved with the south Essex branch is welcome.
Can you help? Collection in Basildon We are doing a collection in the Basildon Council Car Park on Saturday 4th September 2010. The collection will be betwen 8am-4pm. If you can spare an hour during the day to help, please call Maura on 01702 478661

Write to your MP for MND The Government is being asked to produce a National Strategy for MND. This would set standards for the co-ordinated, holistic care of people with MND in order to improve quality of life and promote dignity in death. Please write to your MP to ask them to sign up to the Early Day Motion. Click here for a template letter		Regional Care Development Adviser We welcome Liz Pybus who started in her new position in April.
Travel Insurance - Helpful Hint Have you had difficulty getting travel insurance? Some of our people with MND have got insurance from Final Touch Travel Services (in Leicester), Telephone 0116 272 0500.		Can you help us? The branch would welcome a volunteer who could take over the pursuit of Gift Aid. Please contact Ivor 01702 547517

More news below:

Community Transport for Rochford - Telephone 01268 777434

For permanent residents in the district of Rochford who are unable to access conventional transport due to:

having restricted mobility or being temporarily unable to access public transport or living in an area not served by public transport  or where your transport needs are not met by existing timetables. Operates Monday-Thursday 9.15am-2.30pm and Friday 9.15am-12pm

Passengers will be asked to make a contribution of £1.50 for any distance up to 5 miles and for journeys over 5 miles 40p per mile is payable.

Disability Essex  Travel Voucher Scheme. 

Are you a wheelchair user? Phone to see if you are eligible for £25 per month towards your travel  -  01245 253400

Central London Congestion Charge

Disabled drivers holding  a disabled badge  ( blue or orange )  visiting London can claim 12 months 100% discount from the daily eight pounds congestion charge, by paying a one-off up front fee of ten pounds. A form has to be completed and submitted with a copy of the badge and proof of identity such a birth certificate or driving license

For more details call 0845 900 1234 or visit web site www.cclondon.com

DaRT  SCHEME

If you regularly travel in London and make use of DaRT ( Dial-a-ride and Taxicard), which covers five London Boroughs, please be aware that the name has now changed to Transport for All. For more infomation contact Transport for All on 0207 737 2339 or www.disabilitynow.org.uk

Disability Essex Help

Do you require Guidance or Information on any disability issue. Call the ESSEX Disability  Helpline  08444 121771 staffed Monday to Friday 1000hrs to 1600 hrs by disabled people who can give guidance and help on any subject appertaining to disability, or you can contact via your computer details below.

Help the Aged is concerned that many elderly people are loath to leave their homes because of the lack of public toilet facilities. It would like to hear about any examples where a toilet has been closed by a local authority because it did not meet 'disabled access' criteria. Please advise Help the Aged 01621 892794 or email info@disabilityessex.org 

Complementary Therapies

Complementary therapies, including acupuncture, aromatherapy and reflexology have improved the quality of life for many people with MND, but did you know that the Association will fund up to four treatments of a therapy of you choice. If you think you could benefit from this type of treatment please look www.mndassociation.org or contact Sharon Clark on 01702 479219, who can give you more information and help you identify an appropriate practitioner in you area. It is important that you speak to your GP before undertaking any complementary treatment.

In Case of Emergency

Following the disaster in London the East Anglian Ambulance service has launched a national In Case of Emergency (ICE) campaign. The idea seems an excellent one for those people who normally carry a mobile phone. You store the word ICE in the address book and against it the  number of the person you would want to be contacted in case of emergency, enabling the police, ambulance or hospital staff to quickly speak to your next of kin.

PALS ( Patient Advice and Liaison Service )

As a patient, relative or carer sometimes you may need to turn to someone for on the spot help, support and advice. PALS can help guide you through the NHS system for further info contact branch via email.

Essex Coalition of Disabled People ( ECDP )

Essex Coalition of Disabled People is a disability rights organisation run by disabled people for disabled people in Essex. It was established in 1995 when a group of local disabled people, committed to following Independent Living principles and the Social  model of Disability and aware that no such organisation existed in Essex, formed the Coalition. They are a " cross impairment " based organisation and exist to support ALL disabled people, whatever sort of impairment they may have. This includes people with physical or sensory impairments, learning difficulties, mental health service users / survivors etc. Their website for further details and information is   www.ecdp.org.uk

 BRANCH FUNDRAISING

The Branch would like to thank everybody who donated money via. our collecting tins or by any means - it all goes towards helping people with MND and their families.

DONATIONS TO THE BRANCH

J Smith Bros £50.00, Leigh Fruits £16.44, Thames Ambulance, Canvey Island £416.00, Mrs.S.E.Lambert £50.00, Leigh Constitutional Club  £22.43, Drakefield Insurance (Chr Young ) £180.00

 FUNDRAISING 

Collection at Cliffs Pavilion - Blues Brothers  Tribute    £ 735.80                         Curry Night at the Maharaja Restaurant   £ 1100.00

MONEY RAISED SO FAR  WALK d FEET £27,000

TRIBUTE FUNDS

Mrs.Davis for Terry McGregor  £ 44.00

GIFT AID
If you are a taxpayer we are able to reclaim the tax that you have paid on any donations since April 2000. Therefore every £10 that we receive is worth £12.82 ,just as long as your donations are made through GIFT AID.  This also applies to everyone who seeks sponsorship for an event ( Like Walk to D'Feet MND )  If you would like to find out more about GIFT AID please contact Ivor on 01702 547517. as it is most important that the forms are completed correctly.

Paying too much for Gas and electricity?

If you are thinking of changing energy supplier why not have a look at the switchandgive web site at www.switchandgive.com

They provide an independent comparison service that will allow you to compare prices and service levels from all the gas and electricity suppliers in the U.K.

By providing your postcode, current user details, and future requirements they will provide you with the best options on how you could save money, gain improved service, or switch to a more environmentally friendly service.

If you do choose to switch supplier online, and enter through the Association logo, a donation of up to £40 will be made to the MND Association. The donation made is the equivalent of 80% of the commission paid by the energy suppliers to switchandgive for securing new customers and will no bearing on costs to you. 

Empty Printer Cartridges

The Branch could raise money if people donated their empty ink cartridges, and old mobile phones. If you can help please contact the Branch at sessex@mndassociation.org for further details.

Self Assessment Tax Returns

Did you know that it is now possible to donate money to your chosen charity through Self Assessment tax returns. Donations made this way will benefit from tax relief in the same way that donations made through Gift Aid do at present. Your Self Assessment form will have a section where you can nominate a particular charity to receive an amount of any return due to you. Any amounts donated to your chosen charity will then go directly to their bank account.