Margaret Newell Day 2009

Laura displaying one of the calendars that were created by Bonny Cother, using photographs that she took when she visited us earlier in the year. Bonny was over from Florida, visiting her brother John, who is one of our regular helpers. The calendars are selling for £5.00 and are considered a brilliant idea for contributing to our fund raising efforts - thank you Bonny!

Dear All my friends all over the world, 09/08/2009

We held the Margaret Newell Memorial day Sausage Sizzle to day besides which we had;

• A raffle.
• Tombola,
• Cake stall.
• Books and calendar stall.
• Bric-a-brac puzzles and toy stall.

This event is held to raise funds for the EAST HOLTON DRIVING CENTRE @ Holton Lee. The total raised so far is £607.00.

Denise and I have to attend The Conservative Club in Swanage this evening to receive a cheque for cash they have collected for us totalling £300.00 this is the best earning day for a long while £907 pounds in total.

To see so many of our friends and supporters was wonderful, Sir Tom Lees, came and spent an hour or two with us and was delighted to see the success we have with the group the fact we have disabled people and nondisabled people working with us and it is so difficult to spot one from the other. There is total integration, just how it should be. Critics will say that if this is the case these people should be working and be off benefits. If only they could be they would be so happy. I can only praise the nondisabled who support them as they tire, or have to go and rest. Remember that we have no expectations, therefore everything that is done, no matter how much or how little is a success. They are able to do as much or as little as they are comfortable with, unlike a normal job.

Some of our helpers with disability may not be seen as much of next week after today, but it doesn’t matter. We try to take the dis out of disability, we try to empower and enable disabled people. We try to give them self worth, build self esteem and create self confidence. I spend so much time trying to educate people about disability equality. Get rid of the dreaded stigma that brings discrimination and prejudice. There is no such thing as poor disabled people, rather people with disability. For those who couldn’t attend today but gave books, cakes, preserves prizes for the Tombola and raffle a huge thank you. For the others who helped from early morning to the close an even larger thank you.

A special mention must go to Angela Bolton who arrived back from holiday last night but managed the best Cream Teas ever for us today; Chris Shaw who cycled from Corfe Mullen to help John Newell with the BBQ, Geoff Lonsdale with his arm in a sling but still manned a stall with toys and bric-a-brac and last but not least the Juniors Jenny, Becky, and Bradee. Who did too many tasks to mention?

Thank you all and those I failed to mention.

Wally Pitt Group Organiser, EHDC