ANDOVER SHOPMOBILITY     

 

NEWSLETTER

 

Spring 2002

 

Hello again

 

Welcome to our first newsletter of the year. I have been here five months now and have enjoyed meeting many of our customers. There have been exciting things happening over the last few months: Substantial fundraising, new service contract, arrangements to extend our storage space and new record usage levels of use by our customers.

 

I must make a special mention of the team; Tony, Ann, John, Sarah, Peter and Joan who have helped so much over my first few months.

 

In this issue read about our activity in more detail.

 

BRUCE

Hampshire County Council grant

 

Hampshire County Council have awarded us a substantial grant to help fund our Service. This can be specifically applied to our new Service and Maintenance contract which will ensure our equipment is kept in first class condition. We are very pleased and grateful for this support and recognition of our service.

 

 

New Service Contract

 

We have completed a new one year service contract to keep our fleet on the move. The company we have chosen is YOUR FREEDOM (UK) Plc. They promise a really fast and efficient service that means we can offer our customers an even more reliable service.

 

 

 

2002 CHARGES – Good News and Bad News

 

First the bad news             I am sure everyone appreciates that running costs of services only ever go up – never down. Like everyone else we are subject to inflationary pressures and we are raising our Annual Membership subscription from £3.00 to £5.00. It is a very small increase in real terms especially when you consider………………………………

THE GOOD NEWS ………………Daily trip hire charges remain unchanged. That means if you use us more than five times in a year you will be better off. The daily hire fee stays at £2.00 for members and £3.00 for non-members.

 

Full details of our charges from 1st April 2002

 

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP                                                               £5.00

 

DAILY HIRE                                    MEMBERS                             £2.00

 

DAILY HIRE                                    NON MEMBERS                   £3.00

 

 

FUND RAISING

 

MARKS & SPENCER

Supporting Shopmobility

 

The Marks and Spencer store in the High Street have raised over £3000 for Andover Shopmobility through the efforts of the staff.

 

They adopted us last year as their local charity and, led by Liz Taylor, enthusiastically arranged a number of events designed to raise money for us. On behalf of all at Andover Shopmobility we offer our grateful thanks to all at M & S.

 

CRAFT SALE

Keep Knitting

In yet another craft sale held in the Chantry Centre arranged by Judith Entwisle, our vice chair over £170 was raised for our coffers. Well done Judith and thanks to all who donated and helped.

 

COLLECTION

££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

Thanks are also due to TESCOS who allowed us to collect outside their store in the Chantry Centre just before Easter. We collected £350.

 

A big thank you to all those who helped by giving up their time to hold a bucket on our behalf.

 

GUILD HALL STALL

Ann ‘Raffles’ Newman

Ann Newman, volunteer regularly has a stall in the Guild Hall to help raise funds. Her efforts have raised over £300 in the last few months. Thanks Ann.

 

FUTURE EVENTS

 

We are arranging at the Thruxton Race Circuit at the beginning of July where we hope to raise the best part of a thousand pounds. We are also having another store collection at River Way in the early autumn; date to be arranged. Volunteers would be appreciated.

 

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QUIZ NIGHTS

We have regular quiz nights at the KIANNA CAFÉ. General Knowledge quizzes with great refreshments available. Notices of dates and times are put up in both the office and café. Ask for more information. All proceeds are for our funds.

 

NAME THE CLOWN

 

For just one pound you can win a superb knitted clown. Just choose from the 300 names from the sheet in the office. Draw to be made in July. Once again all proceeds to Andover Shopmobility. Clown made and donated by Judith.

 

ANDOVER SHOW

 

Sunday 30th June. Once again we are having a site at this years show and taking a selection of our vehicles. Book early to avoid disappointment. There will be no charge on the day although we will be accepting donations towards our funds.

 

 

NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

 

Lost and Found

Member John Dunn expressed his grateful thanks to Tesco and Iceland by writing to the Andover Advertiser. He left his wallet in Iceland and in the absence of any other Identification they called Tesco with details of a Tesco Smart card. In no time at all wallet and owner were reunited much to Johns’ delight.

 

The wrong end of the stick??

Our next member wishes to remain anonymous but wanted to share the experience she had when attempting to renew her disability benefit.

 

Report from the examining doctor read:-

 

“I have read the clients claim form and letters and find it medically incompatible that a patient with a severe lower back problem and a neurological disorder limiting mobility should be able to:

a)     get on a scooter – too much hip abduction, lumbar flexion straddling the seat.

b)     ride it – too much bouncing, bumping and straining to keep balance especially at speed on corners!”

 

The doctor concluded that the claim was medically doubtful. He obviously hasn’t seen our scooters!

 

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

 

We cannot exist without our volunteers who carry out a wide variety of valuable jobs for the service. We are looking for people with skills that they feel would be of useful to us as we try to improve and expand our service;

 

Do you have skills that you would like to share with others? Are good on the computer? Have you got fundraising skills? Are you able to accompany our customers around town? Could you help with cleaning or decorating?

 

There are many different roles to fulfil and if you feel you can spare a few hours a week please come and talk to us. You might just find it worthwhile.

 

Benefits don’t include; a substantial salary, pension, months of paid leave, company car (but you can have ago in my little Nissan if you want!).

 

But do include a lot of satisfaction, knowing you are using your skills and abilities for the benefit of others, working with a friendly team, working hours that suit you and the manager keeps you topped up with tea and coffee. If you, a friend or family member are interested come and have a chat with me soon. Bruce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANDOVER SHOPMOBILITY, BUS STATION, WEST STREET,

ANDOVER, HAMPSHIRE SP10 1QP

TEL 01264 352000

 

Click here to email us at Andover Shopmobility

 

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1054971