Category: charity

Walk Group Report

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2021 – 1,000 mile walk challenge for mind, body, and Sage House Dementia Support Unit

If only we could measure chatter and laughter, or even those amazing views, or the joy from local knowledge researched and shared by our walk leaders.   We would have been to the moon and back – 477,910 miles!

Despite the challenges of organising 3 separate covid-safe groups for each walk, chilly weather, discrepancies in the mileage count, and eating shortbread for fear of offending, we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves since the start of our 2021 – 1,000 mile walk.   It has kept us connected through lock down, and helped us focus on getting through these strange and isolating times.

We have felt privileged to enjoy our coast and countryside in such good company, whilst exercising and exploring areas some of us did not know were there!   We have learnt about our local history, and wildlife – and even about Jan’s family, as one of our few Bognor born and bred members!

To date, 20 of our members have completed 6 walks, some on all the walks and some walking when they can.  We have collectively walked 306.25 miles – the miles for each walk are multiplied by the number of walkers.    We are well on our way to the 1,000 mile target by our Annual Meeting in October.

During the summer, strolls, short walks and day long walks will be introduced into the programme, so that as many members of our WI as possible can be involved, if they want to.   Another way to get on board is to sponsor the walkers and details about that are in The Buzz.  All donations will go to Sage House Dementia  Support Unit at Tangmere.

Dementia Week 17 – 24 May

https://www.dementiasupport.org.uk/#

For these and more 1000 mile walk photos click here.

words & photos: Jan Marsden

Sage House – Fidget Cubes and Blankets

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Our ongoing support of Dementia Support at Sage House continues.

When Sue was contacted asking if members could make fidget cubes, the call was quickly answered and the results, together with some blankets, were dropped off by Sue and Sarah.

A few words from Martha , Head of Sage House:

“Please again pass on our thanks to the WI ladies – their creations are amazing”

Thanks to Sarah, Sally G and Ann Mc for the fidget cubes, and Jakki, Elaine and Janet for the blankets.

Words: Sue Harris

Photos: Sue Harris and Sage House

Face Masks for Sage House

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Sage House, one of our charities for 2020, asked for support so that they could be ready to reopen their facilities at Tangmere for people with dementia, and, of course Bognor Regis WI responded! Their request was for face masks as Coronavirus guidelines advise that face masks are worn whenever groups get together indoors.   Armed with a large donation of knicker elastic from one of our members, 12 of us raided our fabric boxes.   A couple of broken needles later and with some frustration over the multitude of designs out there, we made well over 100 face masks.   Well done, Bognor Regis WI.

Jan Marsden

Colours and styles to suit everyone!

WI Walking Netball Group – 26 Challenge

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“Any ideas?”

It started with an email from Dinah asking if we could do something as a walking netball group in relation to the 26 challenge.

The London Marathon had been cancelled due to the virus and therefore the challenge was to raise money for charities in a creative way and have fun doing it.

I came up with the idea of a shooting challenge for our lovely netball group and Annie, our Team Manager, launched it in her inimitable way.

The aim was to score as many goals as possible in 26 minutes from a distance of 2.6 metres. The really creative part was the goal!  Most followed a prototype of a bucket secured to a step ladder. Some had buckets which were suspended on walls or chicken runs, others had targets at ground level. Sarah’s husband even made a goal and attached it to a wall. It didn’t matter what height it was. The ‘missile’ could be any ball or rolled up socks or tea towel. It didn’t matter.

What mattered was how many you could shoot.  Of course, being of a competitive nature, the ladies rose to the challenge magnificently.

I thought I had better try this out before Sunday (Marathon day) and see if I could actually do it myself.  Bucket was securely wedged on top of the step ladder and time began.  Well, I was pretty smug with myself and scored 50 goals and set this as the target to beat! Little did I know how the ladies would respond. Scores started coming in …

  • a score of 27 with “my bucket was moving a lot!”
  • 24 goals with “after 15 minutes my bucket snapped!”
  • Then Maggie comes in with 83 goals
  • Sarah’s next “I’ve just scored 134 goals” this was amazing
  • 100 balls in the bucket by Celia
  • “I hit the target 154 times but no chickens were harmed” this from Manuela
  • Annie secured 93 goals and did lots of retrieving

It didn’t matter what the score was we all enjoyed the banter of trying to beat each other.  Some of the comments were just brilliant and I’m sure everyone had a smile on their face.  Here is a selection:

  • The tee shirt made all the difference.
  • My husband made me a ladder goal post, only disadvantage the ring was a triangle!
  • I did a tremendous amount of retrieving the ball and bending.
  • Sarah, did your ball have elastic on it?
  • I would like to think the ball was too light and the bucket the wrong size.
  •  My husband was pleased when I stopped as he was my ball boy.
  • I found it quite aerobic!
  •  My accurate aim kept hitting the handle and so the ball went flying into the bushes.

The most important aspect of the day was to raise money for Sage House. I believe we raised approximately £350. Well done everyone, it was an amazing effort and such good fun. I’m sure you’ll agree the photos are brilliant and shooting techniques were pretty good too.

My thanks go to Dinah who collated the photos, to Annie who made it happen, and to everyone who took part

Ann McLean

WI Walking Netball Coach

To see our girls in action click here

 

 

 

 

 

Laundry Bags and Hearts

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Well done, Bognor Regis WI!    A sample of our work is shown in these photographs.

Our laundry bags and fabric hearts have been distributed to St Richards Maternity Unit, Queen Alexander Hospital, and Bognor Regis Care Homes including Burlington, Homebeech, Royal Bay, and Abbotslawn.   There are more on the go too!

To ensure the bags get to the right places in time, our WI has worked with Aldwick Quilters, who have reached more Care Homes, including Ashley Place and Aronel Cottage.

The laundry bags enable care staff to take their uniforms home to wash, in the bag, minimising the risk of corona virus contamination between the two places.   The hearts are a token of our appreciation for the work that care staff do with their residents, or to bring a sparkle of joy to residents.

Care Homes have been touched, and some overwhelmed, by the kindness and generosity our WI members have shown.    Each Care Home has thanked us sincerely (see one example below).   The range of fabric colours and the decorations on the hearts has put a smile on their faces, and helped them feel appreciated during a time when some have felt left out.

Thank you!

Jan Marsden

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Twiddle Muff and Twiddle Mat Charity Day

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14 of our WI members built up a collection of 8 knitted twiddle muffs, 2 knitted twiddle mats, 7 fabric twiddle mats and 2 twiddle marble mats on Monday 29th July 2019 for one of our 2019 WI charities – Sage House.   There are more in the pipe line, as some needed a bit more twiddling and fiddling before being ready to add to the pile!

Thank you WI members for helping make the Charity Sew/Knit-In Day fun.   We all laughed, exchanged ideas and skills, and shared tools and fabrics – and of course we had tea and cake.

We also collected £24.40 for Sage House.

To see all the photos click here.
Words and photos: Jan Marsden
 (…. and lots of thanks to Jan for organising!)

A walk on the Prom

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IMG_5891We had a lovely walk along the prom this morning. We met at the Bandstand and walked to the Lobster Pot for coffee and then back again. We raised £20 for ACWW. The envelope will be at the next meeting if anyone who couldn’t come would like to donate.

Dinah Barrand

Supporting our local community

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Since BRWI was established in 2009, members have supported local groups and charities in many different ways – volunteering, donating items at meetings, crafting and baking.

These groups and charities include:

  • Stonepillow
  • HomeStart
  • Tyler’s Trust
  • Bognor Regis Food Bank
  • Chestnut Tree House Children’s’ Hospice
  • My Sister’s House CIC
  • Canine Partners

Last September we asked members to complete a Quick Questionnaire so the committee could get a clearer idea of what members wanted from their WI and so plan accordingly. One of the questions related to our local charity support, and the feedback received indicated that members would like to focus on two charities during 2017. Members were asked for their nominations and 10 local groups and charities were suggested. At our December Meeting members voted on the shortlist and My Sister’s House CIC (MSH) and Sammy Community Transport were the two that received the most votes.

To ensure both groups receive equal support from BRWI, we will focus on one per month.

In January, members were asked to follow MSH on social media – you can also do that by following this link – https://www.facebook.com/mysistershouseuk and to leave a small poster in an appropriate location i.e. their place of work, or a Doctor’s surgery.

At our February Meeting we had leaflets to highlight the work of Sammy Community Transport and asked members to complete their online survey – which you can too via their website http://sammycommunitytransport.org.

Then in late February My Sister’s House CIC approached us with a request – could members craft bunting for them to use at events.  Nine members rose to challenge and turned 10 metres of yellow and green material into metres and metres of bunting.

bunting

And the bunting was quickly put to use – decorating the entrance foyer of The Alexandra Theatre at an International Women’s Day event organised by MSH on Wednesday 8th March. The bunting made a dramatic display as visitors arrived at the event.

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Thank you to Celia, Dinah, Heather, Jan, June, Katie, Lynn, Maggie and Rosemary for all their work!

BRWI will continue to support both these local charities throughout 2017.

Lesley Guppy (President)