Foyle Branch Activities & Events
Tuesday Group Summer Outing 2008
According
to usually reliable reports, the Tuesday Group enjoyed the desserts at the Gateway Hotel.
The undercover
reporter, who is not pictured, complains that he didn't have a drink all day. He couldn't make the same caim about the night of the May 2008 quiz.
May 2008 Quiz
Some of the lucky raffle winners. Were you among them?
Or were you caught with your hair
down in one of the table groups below.
Dr Joe McEvoy Meets Thursday group
Did Dr Joe McEvoy say something that shocked Moira? --- or did Moira herself really say something very naughty?
The Thursday Group thanks Dr Joe for meeting with them and for his ready response to questions.
The 2007 Xmas Dinner was held in the Tower Hotel on Thursday, 6th December.
The craic was great!
How could John not win? With so many tickets he didn't need to wait for the draw. His bottle of wine was always safe in the bank.
Some more of the lucky prizewinners
Peter has learned from watching how the lottery is supervised. He ensures that all is above board.
2007 AGM Report
The 2007 AGM of the Foyle Branch was held in the Foyle Disability Resource Centre at 3pm on Tuesday, 16 October.
The meeting was opened by Peter who referred to the impact of the difficulties experienced by the Society
in Northern Ireland on the Branch.
The minutes of the 2006 AGM were presented by Marie and adopted.
Written reports presented by Terry, & Damien & Moira were adopted by the meeting.
Damien explained that the current accounts covered only ten months to comply with the new accounting dates of the MS Society & could not be directly compared with the previous year. He thanked all those who had contributed in any way to the very necessary work of fundraising.
Maura referred in particular to Thursday Group monthly meetings addressed by Madeline, the Listening Ear facilitator, John McGinty of MS Ireland on the Tactics cross border project and by the Community Pharmacist and to Tuesday Group outings and meetings. She referred to the the various Tuesday & Thursday exercise activities, the 6 week Holistic Approach to Health & Healing course and the yoga class starting in Limavady in addition to those in Derry & Claudy. She also recorded her thanks to the drivers & other volunteers involved.
Guest speakers, MS Nurse Fiona Mullan and her newly appointed colleague, Carol Hinchliffe described their work. Fiona
reported that the waiting time for disease modifying
treatment is on course to reduce to 13 weeks by March 2008. She also spoke of the new MS Nurse led clinics where persons
will have easier access to treatment and advice. She stressed that the clinics would complement and not replace access
to neurologist clinics. Carol, who is appointed on a part-time basis, is heavily involved in assisting individuals in
making informed decisions on disease modifying treatments and in training them in the procedures involved in self
medication.
Following the elections of officers & committee members , Peter, in his concluding remarks, spoke of the importance of moving
forward despite the difficult events of the last year. He said the committee would continue to work hard at maintaining
and developing its services for persons with MS & he spoke of the importance of ensuring that the branch retained
its influence at Northern Ireland level whatever form of governance emerged. He thanked Terry and all those who had
contributed to the work of the branch.
The attendance lost no time in sampling the spread - and then-
the newly
elected committee got straight down to business.
Claudy Walk for MS - 8 September 2007
The walkers gather at the Inn on the Cross before setting off for Claudy.
The walk will be followed by a dance in the Beaufort House Hotel on Friday 21 Sept at 9pm with music by Steven Craig.
2007 Quiz Night
Bigfoot
& Hendersons winning team trampled their way to victory.
Wesley's Rosboroughs refused to lie down and emerged worthy runners-up.
'Do
not disturb' is written all over these serious players.
Vampires took to the stage in Fundraising Event on 9 March - Drummond Hotel, Ballykelly
Remember the Vampire Roadshow? Formed in 1973 by Albert Gurney & Raymond O'Hara from Greysteel, the Vampires became
the best known mobile disco and toured with the likes of Tony Blackburn, Jimmy Saville, Mike Reid, Tony Prince and
Emperor Rosco. Ricky Campbell joined the Vampires in the 70s and Ray & Rickey established themselves as top djs.
Ray had to have open heart surgery when he was 39 and Ray & Rickey exhumed the Vampires and took to the stage again in March 2007 for the first time since 1986 to raise funds for Ward 1 in Altnagelvin and Foyle Branch of the MS Society.
Ray is pictured with his granddaughter, Charla Rose.
Does anybody remember Peter singing?
MS Society NI 50th AGM & Conference in Derry
The Northern Ireland MS Society brought its 50th AGM & Healthcare Conference to the Tower Hotel in Derry on 13th,
14th & 15th October 2006. A highlight of the conference was an illustrated presentation on developments in the
management of MS and on his expectation of what the next ten years may bring by Professor Michael Hutchinson, a
neurologist working in St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin.
A
feature of the Saturday evening dinner was the presentation of volunteer awards to nominees from each of the branches.
Included on the right is Naomi O'Loughlin of the Foyle branch
Naomi
is presented with her award by the NI Chairperson, Josie Byrne.
It wasn't all
work. Shauna can hardly believe her ears when Kieran calls for a moment's silence as he surveys the Brandywell, once
graced by his mighty ManU, whilst Raymond & Marie enjoy the coffee break. Nuala Griffiths from Cafe Calm in Derry
is also a tour guide. Foyle Branch is grateful to Nuala who conducted a free tour of the walls for visitors. Nuala
is on the left in the red and blue top.
74 year old Tom Lean's 2006 Kerry to Derry Cycle for MS
Every year since 2001, 74 year old Tom Lean has cycled from Kerry to Derry to raise money for MS. Tom
left Ireland for the United States at age 23 to find work and retired as director of human resources for Thermal King,
part of the Westinghouse company at age 60 in 1992. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Carmel, when he's not
cycling in aid of MS here or in the US.
He's pictured on the right as he crosses the bridge from Lifford to Strabane this year and below as he is met by friends and supporters on his arrival at Iona House in Spencer Road and later as he relaxes with Carmel.
Naomi O'Loughlin & Friends Jump for MS
Add together a person experiencing an active MS relapse, a fear of heights and a parachute jump and you come up with the very special Naomi O'Loughlin. Naomi & her friends undertook a sponsored parachute jump in aid of the Foyle Branch on Saturday, 3rd June 2006. Despite suffering a relapse on the day, as you can see, the intrepid Naomi went ahead with the jump. Here she is proudly displaying her certificate. See the photo of Naomi presenting a cheque for an unbelievable £3181.35 on the Local Support page.
2006 Quiz Night - Waterfoot Hotel - Thursday, 18th May 2006.
Thanks to Maurice, Damien, Katie & all those who contributed prizes, the quiz raised £500 for the branch & the full house had a great night's craic.
REPORT & PICTURES OF 2006 FOYLE BRANCH AGM
Standing--Development Officer-Terry, MS Nurse-Fiona, Guest Speaker- NI Community Support Officer, Robert McConnell, Mayor-Lynn Fleming, Chairman-Peter, Welfare Officer-Moira & Treasurer-Damien: Sitting--Secretary, Marie & Vice-Chairman, Michael.
After the meeting was opened by Peter & the minutes of the 2005 AGM were adopted, The Mayor addressed the meeting. She referred to the large number of persons in NI with MS & expressed her admiration & thanks for the work of the Branch & the NI Society.
Reports were then presented by Terry, Moira & Damien & adopted by the meeting. Fiona gave a verbal report of her work covering outpatients & inpatients from the three hopspitals, home visits &' information sessions.
Robert McConnell complemented the branch on its wide range of activities & services, paying a particular tribute to Terry's work. He said that there are 186 persons awaiting disease modifying therapies and the NI MS Society would continue to press for the early release of the additional funding promised by Minister Woodward. He presented a comprehensive overview of a range of recent research that was showing early promise of benefit & he clarified the society's position with regard to LDN, bee venom, goat serum & stemcell therapy, none of which have completed clinical trials.
Election of officers & committee for 2006 was conducted by Robert. Details can be viewed on the Who & Where We Are page.
It is clear from the selection of photographs below that after Peter extended thanks to all the helpers & volunteers, the attendance enjoyed the excellent refreshments provided as always by the ladies.
CLIONA & SHAUNA BEND THE EAR OF HEALTH MINISTER, SHAUN WOODWARD.
Cliona & Shauna from the Foyle Branch attended the press conference in Belfast where the Health Minister. Shaun Woodward, made his announcement about the £ 2million towards the elimination of the waiting list for the drug interferon. Cliona is among about 160 persons considered suitable for the treatment who are on a waiting list of 18 months to 2 years. See the report on the News & Research page
'MS Life' everything you needed to know about multiple sclerosis in one place.
Organised by the
UK MS Society, 'MS Life' was the largest event for people affected by MS in Europe. It took place on the 22nd – 23rd
April, at G-Mex in Manchester.
A range of specialists talked about the latest developments in MS research, including stem cells, statins and the role of genes in MS. There were also experts talking about complementary therapies, homeopathy and relaxation techniques as well as sessions discussing the practical and emotional aspects of parenting, social life and relationships.
At the event 100 exhibitors were separated into 6 zones: research, support, interactive, employment, leisure and mobility. Within these zones there was everything from private sessions with an MS Nurse to healthy cooking demonstrations and Reiki sessions. There was a number of social events in the evenings including a Fashion show featuring models who have MS, a comedy tribute night to Richard Pryor, the American comedian & film star who had MS and who died of cardiac arrest, and a chance to meet other people with MS in an informal relaxed environment.MS Life was open to everyone affected by MS, and was free of charge.
The MS Life website provides online access to lectures etc. from the 2004 & 2003 conventions in a range of formats, including powerpoint, flash & pdf transcripts.
30 MODELS,ALL OF WHOM HAVE MS, TOOK TO THE CATWALK IN MANCHESTER
A group of men and women with MS took to the catwalk at Harvey Nichols
in Manchester to challenge views about disability by showing off accessible clothing by a range of top designers
including Buddhist Punk, Caroline Charles, Matthew Williamson, Smashing Grandpa & Theory.
Tickets for the event on Sunday 23rd April cost £15 & and profits go to the UK MS Society.
FOYLE DISABILITY CENTRE GLEN ROAD View Map
Activities for members in the Centre
1st Thursday evening of month (except July, August) - discussion, talks, self-help 7.30pm.
Yoga every Tuesday - 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Physiotherapy alternates with Tai Chi/Qi Cong on Thursdays - 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm. Ring Terry on 71360831 for details