20/06/2019: On this June evening, Heather Whyman spoke about “Raising Aspirations” referring to the route and achievements of her own Life Story.  Heather is currently the CEO of Cleveland Fire Support Network, a successful voluntary organisation providing crucial services in our area.

Director of The Bungalow Partnership, which supports vulnerable young people and their families dealing with major problems, presented this “Open evening” on the topic of childhood traumas such as family conflict, parental illness, separation and bereavement; and in particular on the losses of children who have been placed in the care of other family members or close friends, rather than their biological parents.

  SI Middlesbrough wish to thank all of our friends who supported us on Saturday 4th May at our celebration Lunch for Daft As A Brush – Cancer Patient Care. We were joined by SIGBI President Sue Williams, Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger, Dave Harrison from Daft as a Brush and friends from SI Tynemouth, Whitley Bay & District and SI Durham. Following an enjoyable meal, we visited the park site also where our club had planted 500 Bluebell bulbs last autumn in aid of Daft As A Brush Cancer Patient Care which provides custom-made vehicles to transport outpatients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy cancer treatment to and from hospital free of charge. A spontaneous collection raised a further £60 for which we are most grateful!

We said a big Thank You, at our AGM in April, to outgoing President Kathy for her hard work and dedication over the past year – it’s been a good one. And extended a warm welcome to President Pam. We wish her good luck for the coming year and look forward to being part of the interesting and exciting programme she has put together.

It was lovely to have Dave Harrison, the Communications Officer at Bluebell Bus, and Cheryl Burnie, the Project Director, telling us about the charity, Daft As A Brush.   Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care offers staffed custom-made vehicles to transport outpatients, free of charge, to and from hospital who are undergoing Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy cancer treatment. The regions to be covered by Daft as a Brush are: Northumberland, North and South Tyneside, Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and surrounding areas. There would be no charge to the patients for our Service. The service would entail collecting and transporting the patients in a safe and comfortable environment, from where they are living, taking them to where they will be having their treatment. If required staying with the patient whilst they have their treatment and then bringing them back home in readiness for their next course

FTF, 25 Feb – 10 March, theme is chocolate and other cocoa products; collection of FT foods for Mary Thompson Fund; Middlesbrough Plans A collection of FT foods has been made for donation to the Mary Thompson Fund. Our member Annabel Young brought campaign postcards which are to be sent to the Prime Minister via The Fairtrade Foundation. Middlesbrough’s plans were outlined, in particular, a walk from Stockton High Street to the Tees Barrage and then on to the Cycle Centre in Middlesbrough Bus Station where a photoshoot will be held with the Mayor and Councillor Rostron between 1:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. We are invited to participate in the walk, or a section of it, and also attend for the photoshoot.

Our member Geraldine Nuttall, kindly, organised a fundraising lunch for SIGBI’s Meru Women’s Garden Project, Kenya at her house. The lunch attracted 10 SIM members and was very enjoyable. President Kathy Warrick brought along 35 hand knitted trauma teddies to the meal which she handed over to the SIGBI’s Assistant Programme Director (APD), Margaret Clark, in order that she could gift them to Cleveland Police initiatives where interactions are required involving small children, who will be comforted by these lovely cuddleable characters.   A big thanks to Geraldine and all the attendees.