Doing their best for great causes

Jean Turner, 75, said she had never heard of ovarian cancer when she was diagnosed with the condition in 2013.

But she praised the care and professionalism of staff at Dorset County Hospital and Poole Hospital and the kindness of people at a support group.

Mrs Turner, of Chafeys Avenue, said she read about the support group in the Dorset Echo when it was launched by Jan Hinton and Gill Harler earlier this year.

She said: “I know Gill as she used to be a teacher and she actually taught my son. I had no idea she was ill until I read about it in the Echo.”

The support on offer from the group helped her to realise she was not alone in fighting ovarian cancer, Mrs Turner added.

Leaflets on offer at the hospitals from the charity Target Ovarian Cancer also helped.

Mrs Turner said: “The support I got was just incredible, from the group, from the hospitals and from my family.

“I was diagnosed in July and by early September I was having an operation.

“I did not know anything about it at all so having all this help available really made a difference.”

Earlier this month Mrs Turner organised a cake sale and coffee morning in aid of Target Ovarian Cancer and the Fortuneswell Unit at Dorset County Hospital, raising £550.

She said: “It was something I wanted to do almost as soon as I had the operation but I had to wait until I was well.

“I’m at a stage now where I’m having tests every three months to check the cancer is gone but there’s nothing I can do but wait and see.

“I wanted to do it exactly a year after I had the operation but it didn’t work out like that.

“It was very well supported and I’m very grateful to everyone who showed up and helped.

“I just wanted to give something back.”

A VOLUNTEER group has had a funding boost thanks to Portland Marina.

Paul Swain, assistant marina manager at Portland, handed over a cheque for £1,127.50 to National Coastwatch Institution.

NCI watchkeepers provide the eyes and ears around Britain’s coast, making life safer for those at sea. They assist the Coastguard service and the RNLI by reporting incidents on their watch.

The volunteers at Portland watch every vessel, large and small, that round the Bill, as well as those vessels leaving or arriving from the Channel.

They are hugely appreciated by both local people and those travelling through, as they are at the end of the phone offering advice on actual weather and sea conditions at the time and sounding the call for help in the first instance.

Paul said: “It was an obvious choice for our berth holders to want to support Coastwatch.

“We raise the money each year by holding a big party where Dean and Reddyhoff supply the food, bar and entertainment and the berth holders’ ticket price goes straight to the charities chosen that year. Raising money whilst having a good time seems to be a win-win situation and the bash is always very popular.”

He added: “As Dorset sadly lost its well fought battle to save the Coastguard base at Portland all seafarers will be even more appreciative of the incredible job Coastwatch do, all achieved by the infinitely generous time given by volunteers.”

Kim and Sarah Scard from Coastwatch Portland were delighted to receive the cheque as they rely on strong local support and private funding to operate at no cost to the British public.

A YOUNG boy took on a half marathon challenge raising funds for local charities.

Toby Burley, who is only just 10, took part in the Hangers Heroes Challenge Walk.

The event comprises a full or half marathon distance walk and starts at West Fleet Farm.

The charity raises money for small local charities and not for profit organisations.

125 runners and walkers took part and Toby was the youngest walker at just 10 years and three weeks old.

He finished first out of all the half marathoners in 3 hours and 25 minutes.

He raised £250 in cookie sales helping to add to the £6,000 that was pledged on the day.

The money will be distributed between five small local Dorset charities: Dorset Search and Rescue, Stella Hayward Riding for the Disabled, Steve Charles Help a Friend Fund, Westfield Arts College and Toby’s favourite place in Weymouth, the Front Skatepark.

To find out more about the event please visit hangersheroes. co.uk

A WEST Dorset woman has taken on the challenge of a lifetime to swim the equivalent of the width of the English Channel in more than 17,000 lengths of a local swimming pool.

The national challenge is open to all people who want to swim a total of 22 miles, or the width of the Channel, from the confines of their local pool. Participants help raise money for Aspire and their work with people paralysed by spinal cord injuries.

Anne Stone, 42, pictured right, a nurse at Dorset County Hospital, said she was participating in the Aspire Channel Swim 2014 to raise funds for the cause, which also doubled up as good rehabilitation for injuries to her feet which has left her walking with crutches.

The 12-week challenge runs from September 8 to December 1, and Anne said she was on track to meet the deadline with eleven of the 22 miles already completed.

The pool Anne is using at the Jurassic Fun Centre in Burton Bradstock is 20 metres long, so it takes her 80 lengths to cover one mile.

“I’m halfway through the challenge and confident that I will complete it. I love swimming but hadn’t done any for a really long time but my physiotherapist recommended I do some to help with my feet. I’m on crutches at the moment so I’m really enjoying the freedom you get when in the water.”

Anne also thanked the Jurassic Fun Centre Bradstock for allowing her free use of the pool while she is undertaking the challenge, and had been given a letter by the management supporting the swim. With donations from supporters already received, Anne said she was hopeful to raise more during the second half of the challenge.

“I have had a very positive reaction and received some donations so far which is great. If people would like to donate to my Aspire Channel Swim challenge they can do so via the Just Giving website and searching for my name,” she said.

Scott Condliffe, general manager at Jurassic Fun Centre, said the challenge being undertaken by Anne was for a good cause and they were pleased to be able to assist.

“We are very happy to help out local people fundraising for charities,” he added.