Monte Carlo not Bust for fundraising foursome

After Covid thwarted their first attempt, Twynham Masonic Lodge members Robert Ings and John Hawkins have completed a five-day, whirlwind drive from Christchurch to Monte Carlo to raise money for two local charities. Robert and John, along with their wives Serena and Rhona, took part in the European Monte Carlo or Bust challenge, in which fundraisers buy a car for under £500 and drive to Monte Carlo via six countries – Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy – in just five days.

The foursome named themselves The Bedrock Masons and decorated their car – a 22-year-old XJS Jaguar –Flintstones-style, before hopping across six borders, stopping only for food and to sleep and to don a different fancy dress costume. The epic challenge raised £3200 through sponsorship which has been divided between Macmillan Caring Locally which helps fund the Macmillan Unit in Christchurch, and Parent Support Link, which offers support to anyone who has been affected by a loved one’s substance misuse.

Rob, who owns his own car garage, said:

“My wife Serena’s aunty passed away at the Macmillan Unit in Christchurch in 2019 and she received such wonderful care, we have been fundraising for the Unit ever since”.

“We love cars and doing the Monte Carlo or Bust was something which really appealed to us all – so we thought why not?”

John, an engineer from Southampton, said: “Macmillan Caring Locally and Parent Support Link support people in all walks of life and stay strong when people feel like they can’t be.

“We all have to endure heartaches in life, so we were determined to do something to keep the places that support us all going.”

Rhona works for Parent Link. She said: “When the boys first suggested doing the run, they were going to do it alone. But we were quick to say: “We’ll come too!

“I wasn’t really relishing being in a car for five days. But we had so much fun together and there were many laughs along the way.”

Serena said some of the highlights included the spectacular drive down through the Gotthard Pass to Lake Como in Italy and a hilarious water pistol fight with another car at one of the tolls they passed through.

Bedrock Masons Robert and Serena Ings and John and Rhona Hawkins celebrate the end of their epic quest

“The only real low point was when one of our tyres went out of shape near Nice on the Sunday and we had to hunt for a replacement for three hours,” she added.

Rhona said: “We had no air con and only our phones and some printed map sheets to find the route. But it was amazing.”

The foursome also found a worthy new home for their faithful car:

“A bell boy at our hotel in Nice fell in love with the Jag and told us he was learning to drive and dreamed of having his own car. When we said we were happy for him to have it for free as he were flying back to England, he couldn’t believe it and just couldn’t stop beaming,” said Serena.

John, added: “We were gutted when Covid stopped us from doing the event last time around, but we were determined to complete the challenge and having to wait so long just made it extra special.”

The Macmillan Unit is situated in the grounds of Christchurch Hospital and provides specialist palliative care for around 1600 people each year. Neal Williams is Trust Secretary of Macmillan Caring Locally, the charity which supports the unit. He said: “Twynham Lodge is a long term and much valued supporter of Macmillan Caring Locally. We really enjoyed following their adventure online and the fantastic pictures they posted. We are deeply grateful for their continuing support.”

List of pharmacies 

 Pharmacy name and address

Phone Number

100 hour pharmacy

 Locality

Asda Pharmacy

St Pauls Road, Bournemouth,BH8 8DL

01202 298900

Yes

Bournemouth East

Castle Lane Pharmacy
482 Castle Lane West Bournemouth, BH8 9UD

01202 772110

Yes

Bournemouth West

Ferndown Pharmacy
487 Ringwood Road, Ferndown, BH22 9AG

01202 892666

Yes

East Dorset

Tesco Extra Pharmacy
Yarrow Road, Mannings Heath Poole, BH12 4NX

01202 457447 or 01202 367447

Yes

Parkstone

Asda Pharmacy
West Quay Road, Poole, BH15 1JQ

01202 207000

Yes

Poole Central

Equipment – www.redcross.org.uk Is useful for wheelchairs and other equipment

Guide for people nearing end stage of life : https://intranet.rbch.nhs.uk/uploads/palliative/documents/What-to-Expect.pdf

Brief Drugs List for GPs

 

Pain/breathlessness:

Morphine sulphate 2.5-5mg SC PRN (10mg in 1ml injection)

(alternative if taking PO or eGFR<30 – Oxycodone 1 – 2.5mg SC PRN (10mg in 1ml injection))

[Please take background opioid into account when prescribing doses for anticipatories]

Anxiety/distress:

Midazolam 2.5-5mg SC PRN (10mg in 2ml injection)

Secretions:

Glycopyrronium 200mcg SC PRN (600mcg in 3ml injection)

(alternative for secretions: Hyoscine Butylbromide 20mg/ml injection)

Nausea :

Levomepromazine 6.25mg SC PRN (25mg in 1ml injection)

(alternative for nausea: Haloperidol 1.5mg SC PRN (5mg in 1ml injection)

Water for injection

Dexamethasone 3.3mg SC OD-BD (equivalent to 4mg PO) if risk of steroid withdrawal/Addisons during terminal phase.

Day/Time Example Timetable
Monday - AM

9am MMU Ward Hand over; 9:30am Tour of MMU

10m Consultant Ward Round, MMU

Monday - PM

12pm Ward Nurses - syringe driver administration (treatment room)

1:30 Nursing Handover – MMU (ward office)

MMU – Admission Assessment(s) with ward doctor

Tuesday - AM

9am Ward Hand over

9:20am Referrals Meeting on MMU

10am Community visiting with Specialist Nurse

Tuesday - PM

12:30 Journal Club – MMU (doctors office)

2pm Introduction to Patient and Family Support Team

3pm Introduction to Welfare and benefits Advisor

Wednesday - AM

9am Ward Hand over

9:20am Referrals Meeting on MMU

10am Consultant ward round - MMU

Wednesday - PM

2pm Doctor/Nurse Home Visit with Specialty Doctor

Thursday - AM

9:15am Multi-Disciplinary Team Meeting on MMU

Thursday - PM

2pm Introduction to Palliative Rehabilitation with Physiotherapist

3pm Introduction to Complex Discharge Planning in terminal illness

Friday - AM

Hospital Palliative Care Team Ward Visits

Friday - PM

2pm Introduction to Personalised Care Plan for the Last Days of Life with End of Life Care Nurse

4pm Debrief / sign off