SUPPORTERS

Sue's 800 mile cycle ride from Austria to Christchurch

Retired accountant Susan Hausberger is facing the challenge of a lifetime as she gears up to cycle from her home in the Tyrol to the Macmillan unit in Christchurch. Sue, 58, when not sitting at her computer, is usually seen on the golf course or doing short bike-trips in and around Nassereith in the Tyrol, where she has been living since 1971, but on August 12th she will be donning her tricot and cycling 800 miles to raise money for Macmillan Caring Locally, based at the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital.

"Although I hated it as a child, I do quite a bit of sport in the meantime," says Sue, "but the last time I cycled a distance like that was 12 years ago! Now I'm doing a 60 mile ride every week in addition to my normal training. And I'm also cutting back on the carbohydrates, to compensate for the extra weight I’ll be carrying!"

The hard work will all be worthwhile for Sue if she succeeds in raising £1,500 for Macmillan Caring Locally. This amount will buy a portable hospital bed that Macmillan deliver into people’s homes when a patient would prefer to be cared for at home. It will also fund an O2 saturation machine to be used in the Community by the Palliative Care Sisters.

Sue's father, Don Wright, was diagnosed with cancer five years ago and the charity has been a constant support ever since, enabling her 79 year old Mum, Barbara, to take care of him at home in Bournemouth until only 11 days before he died in January this year. "When Dad’s illness got worse, it was a very difficult time for me," Sue explained. "I live so far away in Austria and didn’t know how long Mum would cope, but she was put in touch with Macmillan Caring Locally who has been amazing. In addition to monitoring Dad’s progress, the palliative nurses helped Mum with paperwork for applications, supplied or advised on equipment to make life easier and came whenever needed for advice or support. During Dad’s last days, which he spent in the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch hospital, I was able spend a lot of time with him there and was really impressed by what they did for him and how kind they were to us.

"The Macmillan Charity did so much for us, now it's time I did something for them. We asked for donations to the charity instead of flowers at the funeral, which I am sure was also in Dad's interest. We collected much more that I had expected, which will go a long way to helping others, and this gave me the incentive to try and raise more.”

Her family and her Mum’s neighbours have also been very generous and she hopes other people in the local community will support her in her transeuropean cycle challenge. Sue is well known in her village for her work as chairwoman of the Active Club and leader of a self-support group as well as at her local Golf Club.

“Every penny that is raised will be going to the Charity as all of my travel expenses will be self financed. I want to help Macmillan Caring Locally to continue their invaluable work supporting families like mine."

You can sponsor Sue by visiting her online fundraising page. You can pay by credit or debit card, and the money will go directly to Macmillan Caring Locally. Where supporters are UK taxpayers, the charity will automatically receive 28% extra in Gift Aid, which makes Justgiving the most efficient way of sponsoring Sue. You can follow Sue’s progress on her blog Keith's Andes to Amazon Bike Ride for Macmillan

On 26 September 2010 Keith will be cycling over 300 km through Peru from the Andes to the Amazon, raising money for Macmillan Caring Locally. Keith will be at an altitude of 4500 metres, which is a height that he has sky dived from before - this illustrates the altitude challenges that he could face.

We asked Keith why he was doing this grueling challenge, and he said "Last year, two good friends of mine who are sisters lost their Mum to cancer after a very long battle. I know this was a very difficult time for them but the support and care given by the staff at the Macmillan Cancer Trust Unit (now Macmillan Caring Locally) helped them to stay strong and gave them piece of mind that everything that could be done for their Mum, was being done. I know of many people who have been directly or indirectly affected by cancer and have decided to raise money for this locally based charity to ensure such a wonderful facility can stay available."

Keith has had an intense training regime to prepare for this challenge. He has covered over 1300 miles by running, cycling and rowing. He has climbed Snowdon for altitude training, and cycled the London bikeathon which was 52 miles across London in 33 degree heat. We asked Keith if there was anything that worried him about his challenge, he replied "People keep telling me about tapeworms for some reason and advising that I should get an "inert" tapeworm from the UK before I go, as the body can only host one tapeworm and the Peruvian ones are far more dangerous!! Where does one find such a thing? I think I will manage without!"

If you would like to support Keith there are many ways you can help. Keith will be pedaling an exercise bike at Ashley Cross all day on 11th July, accompanied by dancers from the Pole Dancing School Pole Crazy . There is a Dinner at le Bateau in Poole on 13th July in aid of Macmillan, hosted by Keith.

To sponsor Keith go to his Just Giving Page
To join him on Facebook go here
To see his challenge itinerary click here

We wish him the best of luck, and hope that he remains tapeworm-free!!

Bournemouth Aero Club

We are very grateful to Bournemouth Aero Club for adopting us as their Charity this year. The Club is based at Bournemouth Airport and was formed by people with a shared interest in aviation. Click on the logo to go to their website and to find out more information about the Club.

Bournemouth Male Voice Choir

On 19th June 2010, Bournemouth Male Voice Choir are putting on an evening of song. All proceeds are going to the Macmillan Unit. Click on the logo to go to their website and listen to a sample of their music, or purchase their new CD 'Sing for your Life'.

Sainsbury

We are delighted to announce that Sainsbury's at Castlepoint have chosen Macmillan Caring Locally to be their Local Charity Partner for 2010/2011. We very much look forward to working together with Sainsbury's colleagues and customers over the next twelve months.
Click on the image to go to their website.

Bournemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Society

Bournemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Society have supported the Macmillan Unit for decades. Tradition has it that the Society sings carols for the patients at the Macmillan Unit on Christmas Eve. The Society raises funds for us with their performances and to date has donated over £45,000.00. An incredible achievement which has made a huge difference to patient care over the years.
Click on the image to go to their website.

The Starlight Singers

The Starlight Singers are a group of Ladies (and a man on keyboards) who perform shows in aid of the Macmillan Unit. The singers, lead by Glenys Richards do an average of forty shows every year, and to date have raised a staggering £40,000.00 for the Macmillan Unit.

Bournemouth Freemasons

The Bournemouth Freemasons (which includes all Lodges in our district) have been very supportive of Macmillan over the years. We are very grateful to all the Freemasons who have made substantial donations to the Macmillan Unit.
Click on the image to go to their website.

Tyreland

We are very grateful to Tyreland who have agreed to put Macmillan Caring Locally collecting boxes in each of their depots.
Click on the image to go to their website.

Southbourne Bowls Club

Southbourne Bowls Club have very kindly adopted Macmillan as their Charity this year. We are very grateful for their support.
Southbourne Bowls Club play at Seafield Gardens in Bournemouth, and always welcome new members.

Olga Gymnastic and Trampoline Club

Olga Gymnastic Club are keen supporters of Macmillan.
The Club is a centre of excellence and will undoubtedly be producing future Olympians.
For further information on the Club, please click on the image on the left.
Southbourne Bowls Club play at Seafield Gardens in Bournemouth, and always welcome new members. Here are a selection of our Fund Raisers, please give them all the support you can