News Archive
Click on the title to see the relevant section of our News Archive.
| December 2009 | ‘Tempest’ set to lead SSIT Santa Fun Run at Longleat | |
| August 2009 | Sainsburys Chooses SSIT | |
| July 2009 | New Trustee Appointed | |
| June 2009 | The Red Carpet Ball | |
| May 2009 | Hat and Handbag Bonanza | |
| April 2009 | Patient film nears completion | |
| April 2009 | Sponsored Abseil | |
| March 2009 | Fundraising Update | |
| November 2008 | Indian Dinner raises over £9K | |
| October 2008 | Sally wins charity fundraiser award! | |
| September 2008 | High Sheriff’s Gala Concert, Wells | |
| July 2008 | Fonthill
Fiesta |
|
| June 2008 | St
John Singers Concert, Salisbury |
|
| June 2008 | Street
Collection, Salisbury |
|
| May 2008 | SolaRola
Adventure |
|
| May 2007 | Smith & Williamson
raises over £80,000 for SSIT |
|
| April 2007 | Launch
and web site |
|
‘ Tempest’ set to lead
SSIT Santa Fun Run at Longleat
One of the UK’s brightest hopes for Olympic success in London 2012 is
set to lead the SSIT Santa Fun Run at Longleat in December. Heptathlete Lucy
Boggis (www.lucyboggis.com], who shot to national
fame in 2008 as ‘Tempest’ in the cult television show Gladiators,
is to lead the warm-up for the Santa Fun Run on Sunday 6
December 2009.
Aged
only 20, Lucy, who lives near Chippenham in Wiltshire, is ranked number
five in the country in her chosen discipline of heptathlon. She has recently
won the under 23’s International title with a 400 point lead over
her nearest rival. Although still only a junior, Lucy has already represented
Great Britain’s senior athletics team.
 “I’m really pleased to
be able to be involved with SSIT. Both of my sisters are involved
in potentially dangerous sports – Kitty is a professional
event rider and Charlotte is a rugby international – the
kinds of sports where spinal cord injuries are not uncommon. The
work that SSIT does, to support Salisbury’s Spinal Centre,
and to provide help for people who are paralysed following spinal
cord injury is so important. I’m delighted to be able to
support this fun event and to help raise money for a really worthwhile
cause.” Lucy Boggis |
Getting in the Christmas Spirit! Lucy Boggis
with Mr Chapple, SSIT beneficiary Matt Johns and Leahnne Giles
(Photograph courtesy of Salisbury Newspapers www.journalphotos.co.uk)
Lucy recently visited the Spinal Centre and met staff and patients
and helped promote the Santa Fun Run.
The SSIT Santa Fun Run begins at 10.30am
on Sunday 6 December with the warm-up starting at 10.15am. Entry to the
event costs just £12 for adults and £6 for children under 12
years old (£14 for adults and £7 for children on the day).
Every ‘Dasher’ signing up for the event will get their own
Santa costume and there will be medals for all on completion.
Sainsbury’s chooses SSIT!
Customers
and colleagues from the Sainsbury’s store in Salisbury have chosen the
Southern Spinal Injuries Trust as their official partner charity for the year.
The move to adopt a local charity of the year is part of Sainsbury’s 140th
birthday celebrations. SSIT Trustee Jeremy Major said: “We are truly grateful to have been given this opportunity to work with Sainsbury’s to promote awareness of what we do and to involve them directly in fundraising for the charity. We are looking forward to forging a strong partnership with them.”
Sainsbury’s Salisbury Store Manager Paul Jones commented: “The work that SSIT does clearly touched the hearts and minds of our customers and colleagues. We are delighted to be able to support them and in so doing, we can give something back to the local community. Knowing that a worthwhile cause will benefit, our colleagues will get behind any fundraising activity that we have in store. I can definitely see us building a strong relationship with SSIT and making a real difference to the fundraising programme.”
Sainsbury’s colleagues will work to support SSIT throughout the year in a number of fundraising activities in store. They will also get involved in SSIT organised events and are looking forward to volunteering at the spinal centre.
New
Trustee Appointed
The Southern Spinal Injuries Trust (SSIT) announced today the appointment of a new member to its Board of Trustees. Annie
Maw, a former in-patient at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre, joins the existing nine members, two of whom are also former patients of the Spinal Centre.
Annie broke her back in 2002 and spent nine months in the Salisbury Spinal
Centre where she was helped to restart her life. She was discharged as
a permanent wheelchair occupant. Having recently completed a year in office
as High Sheriff of Somerset, Annie was delighted to be asked to become
more involved with SSIT. She commented: “The funding that SSIT provides
can make such an enormous difference to the life of a spinal cord injured
person. A suitable mattress for their bed or even an adequate wheelchair,
can really help a person regain his or her dignity and the chance of leading
a fulfilling and independent life. I am delighted to be actively involved
with the charity.”
Jeremy Major, SSIT Trustee commented: "We are thrilled that Annie has
joined the Board of Trustees. She has been a great support to us already,
having successfully
fundraised for SSIT in her role as High Sheriff of Somerset, and as a former
patient her views on funding issues – along with those of our other Trustees
- are invaluable."
In May of 2008 Annie Maw organised a cavalcade of solar powered trampers to travel
120 miles from London to Shepton Mallet, a journey aimed at highlighting the
potential for sustainable transport; her Gala Concert at Wells Cathedral in September
of last year benefitted SSIT and the Wells Cathedral Fund. In total the two events
raised £16,500 for SSIT.
The Red Carpet Ball
In aid of Southern Spinal Injuries Trust and CLIC Sargent.
The Red Carpet Ball is to be held on 13th June 2009 at the Poppy Field,
Snoddington Road, Nr Thruxton, Hants and is destined to be one of the most
glamorous events in Hampshire and Wiltshire this year with up to 400 guests.
We have the amazing Red Arrows doing a fly by and a unique display from
The First Battalion Grenadier Guards, plus a short Auction of money can’t
buy promises, a delicious three course meal and dancing into the early hours.
Everyone is welcome and tickets cost £90 per person.
If you or any of your friends would like to come please see The Red Carpet
Ball website for more information and ticket application on www.theredcarpetball.co.uk or please contact Clare on 01722 782300 or 07802 256 204 for invitations.
Hat and Handbag Bonanza
Handsome hats and beautiful bags were up for sale
at the SSIT Hat & Handbag Bonanza on Wednesday 13th May.
There were lots of stunning wedding hats, fascinators, and summer hats to keep you cool, plus a wide variety of bags including evening clutches to everyday shoppers and all proceeds go to SSIT.
The SSIT Hat & Handbag Bonanza took place on Wednesday 13 May between 5.30pm & 7.30pm in the Tythe Barn, Tythe House, Odstock, Salisbury SP5 4JA.
Patient
film nears completion
Lulworth Castle Abseil
Fundraising Update
Bristol University Polo Club adopted SSIT as their charity of the year and raised £323 at the recent SUPA Polo Tournament Valentines Party – thank you! We are also grateful to Berkshire School of Polo, Jack Wills, Roxtons, the Hand Equestrian Centre and Polo Magazine for donating prizes.
Indian Dinner raises over £9K for SSIT
Veda & Anba Soopramanien
Over 100 guests including staff and ex-patients from the Spinal Centre were treated to a delicious three course dinner of authentic Indian food, prepared by Anba’s wife Veda and her team of helpers. During the meal a performance of Southern Indian music was given by Sathya Chandresekaran, with after dinner cabaret provided by the very funny Instant Sunshine.
Alan Maryon-Davis, David Barlow and Peter Christie of Instant SunshinePhotos: Dominic Parkes
Photo courtesy of Salisbury Journal
Sally wins Charity Fundraiser Award!
Sally Mathieson, founder of SSIT, has been nominated for
the Charity Fundraiser Award 2008 at the 5th annual Salisbury Journal
and Spire FM People Awards.
To read more about Sally, click here
High Sheriff’s Gala Concert, Wells Cathedral
Join
us for a Son et Lumiere production to celebrate the history of the cathedral
from its inception 800 years ago. This colourful story will be ready by Jonathan
Dimbleby and accompanied by music from the Cathedral Choir, Wells Cathedral School
and Millfield School. A visual display in this stunning location will complete
what promises to be a memorable and spiritual experience. Half of the proceeds will be donated to SSIT.
Tickets (£10-35) will be available from mid-summer from the following venues:
The Cathedral Box Office & Shop, Wells Cloister, Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2PA
Box Office open weekdays 2.00-4.30pm
Email: boxoffice@wellscathedral.uk.net
Wells Tourist Information Centre
Town Hall, Market Place, Wells, BA5 2PA.
Tel: 01749 672552
www.wellstourism.com
This concert is in aid of the Appeal by Annie Maw, High Sherriff of Somerset. Read more about Annie Maw and the full text of her Appeal by clicking here.
Fonthill Fiesta
Lady Margadale, trustee of SSIT, is hosting a summer party for 350 guests on the Fonthill Estate in July. Guests will be invited to bring their own picnics and enjoy a fun evening with plenty of entertainment and an auction. All proceeds with benefit SSIT.
(www.stjohnsingers.org)
The
St John Singers Concert will include the highly popular Durufle Requiem. The
concert starts at 7.30pm and all proceeds will benefit SSIT. Tickets (£10) will
be available from Musicroom, 5 Catherine St, Salisbury. Tel: 01722 322278.
Street Collection, Salisbury
Thank you to all those who collected on our behalf and gave so generously. It was the wettest day of June but we still raised over £1600!
SolaRola Adventure
Click on the Sola Rola logo to see their web site.
Annie Maw, former DOCSTC patient
and current High Sheriff of Somerset, will be leading a cavalcade of solar-powered
Trampers to travel from London to Shepton Mallet in time for the Royal
Bath & West Show.
The
aim of the event is to highlight the potential for solar power
to increase the sustainability of personal transport for us all.
Six vehicles will be taking part, largely driven by disabled
drivers, each of them benefiting a different charity.
Annie’s vehicle will benefit SSIT and we are looking for sponsorship for the
route which totals 120 miles over seven days. To donate please do so via the
Just Giving website: www.justgiving.com/ssit-solarola
To learn more about Annie Maw and the role of High Sherif click here.
Smith & Williamson raises over £80,000 for Salisbury Spinal Injury Trust
 A
team from the Salisbury office of Smith & Williamson, the accountancy
and financial services group, completed the Three Peaks Challenge
this weekend in order to raise funds for the Salisbury Spinal Injury
Trust (SSIT).
The challenge involved driving between Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden, a total distance of 475 miles and climbing an impressive 3,400m – all in twenty-four hours. |
 After
completing the challenge Jeremy Major, director at Smith & Williamson
and one of the twelve-strong team from the Salisbury office, commented: “We’re
all exhausted but it has been a wonderful experience. Two other
teams were unable to complete Scafell Pike with one spending ten
hours on the mountain in atrocious conditions. However our two
teams made it and we are thrilled to have raised over £80,000
for SSIT the charitable trust our office recently launched, which
has definitely made it worthwhile.” |
Click here for Jeremy Major's in-depth report on the trials and tribulations of the challenge.
Launch and web site
Our website at www.ssit.org.uk is now live. A press launch was held on
Friday 20 April with our patron Sir Hayden Phillips explaining our aims.
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Photographs by Roger Elliott/Salisbury
Journal |
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Click here to link to the article which appeared in the Salisbury Journal covering our launch.