Well, hello sunshine, what a welcome sight you are! After the last few months of lockdown and cold, wet weather, we really are feeling a little lighter and brighter in ourselves now the children are back with their school mates and the first stages of lifting restrictions has begun. Like many others, here at the Mac Unit we are so excited to start returning to some kind of normality and, more than anything, to indulge in that wonderful sense of community again.
Meanwhile, we have thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of your amazing pieces of artwork coming in for the 50/50 project – what a talented bunch you are! Bidding has begun in earnest and we are very pleased to see so much interest. Don’t forget to tell your friends and family or perhaps you might find that perfect birthday present among the paintings and drawings displayed on our website?! www.macmillanlocal.org/extended_events/art-competition-and-auction/ Bidding closes at 6pm Wednesday 24th March so you don’t have long!
Of course, you fabulous lot have also been fundraising for the Mac Unit in other ways and we have been overwhelmed by your amazing support. Big shout outs to the following: Rhys Lugg, a soldier in The Household Cavalry Regiment who has completed his personal challenge of running 4 miles every 4 hours whilst carrying 20kg of weight, for 48 hours while on base at Bulford Barracks in Wiltshire and has so far raised £3,020.00 for Macmillan Caring Locally and the military mental health charity, Head Up; Mudeford Cricket Club players who are attempting to (virtually) reach all 18 county championship grounds in England and Wales inside a month by either running or walking around their local areas. So far they have raised £1,660.00; Mick who is also taking on the Dave Goggins Challenge to run 4 miles every 4 hours over 48 hours for Macmillan Caring Locally in April; ‘Marathon Man’ Paul O’Boyle who is busy planning his next mission – Paul plans to run 207 miles over five days along the South West Coast Path starting at the end of July! He will be running up to 54 miles a day all whilst navigating tricky ferry crossing times… this is adding to the amazing 700 miles he ran for us last October! Thank you to all of you for ongoing support.
As you know, our Barry held the final virtual quiz on Friday 19th February and it was wonderful to see so many of you taking part and having such a laugh. We are absolutely delighted that our quiz nights have raised a fabulous £3,312 in total – thank you! We are so pleased that you enjoyed the quizzes but also very thankful to everyone who has continued to find ways to support us throughout the pandemic, it means so much! Fingers crossed we’ll be able to hold a non-virtual quiz soon and we can get together for a fun evening of entertainment from our quiz master Barry…. Pass me the slime bucket! 😉
You will, of course, be aware that we have had to put our plans to build our new hospice on hold throughout the pandemic. However, we really hope to be able to get things moving again this year. We will keep you all posted with updates as soon as we have them and let you know when our Brick by Brick fundraising campaign will be launched. Perhaps when you meet your friend for that outdoor coffee, you can tell them about your Brick by Brick fundraising idea…. Maybe get them to sign up to doing a joint challenge?!
We will keep you up to date with all things MCL as we gradually make our way out of lockdown and we can’t wait to see your lovely faces again. Keep smiling, keep going, we’re nearly there!
Until next time….
Anyone that wishes to make a donation can do so on our website at www.macmillanlocal.org/make-a-donation and if you haven’t already signed up to our newsletter, you can do so at www.macmillanlocal.org/subscribe. You can also read our appeal for support through the Coronavirus at www.macmillanlocal.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Covid-appeal-260320.pdf
