Elvis Tribute charity fundraiser

We are building up to our annual fundraiser on the 1st December.  It promises to be a great night out with some excellent Elvis themed entertainment and we are just looking forward to the big day and seeing everyone.

We depend on the fundraisers to maintain the holiday homes and Emmanuel House.  In 2006 we purchased three holiday homes at Cragside caravan park in Weardale.  These we kitted out especially so cancer patients, the terminally ill and their families can go for respite care, completely free of charge.  We've had many people stay after being referred by Macmillan nurses over the years.  Unfortunately for some it is the last holiday they spend together but at least they have wonderful memories to cherish and look back on!

This is run alongside Emmanuel House, Gateshead's free holistic therapy and drop in centre.  A place for anyone to drop in and talk, share and relax.  

We always have a great laugh at our fundraisers and this time is no exception!  We have a fab Elvis tribute act booked to keep us entertained.  We have prize raffles, bingo and much more!  

So why not give us a ring and get your tickets too?  

Our event is held at Ravensdene Lodge in Lobley Hill on Friday 1st December 2017.  Doors open at 7.00pm.

Tickets are only £7.

They must be purchased in advance from myself.  Ring us on 0191 4609693.

Look forward to seeing you all.

A great night out to remember

We had an absolutely amazing night at our fundraiser on the 22nd September.  I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone for coming and giving so generously.  I'd also like to thank Miss Hollywood for keeping us all entertained and the Ravensdene Lodge for doing such a great job putting on our event.

It was a brilliant night and we had 127 guests of who commented that they all had a wonderful time and are looking forward to the next event.

Unfortunately Raymond could not make it due to ill health but my son Ryan came along for support and also manned the camera for the night.  He did a great job and was such a help.

Altogether we raised the fantastic sum of £1,351.00 which was totally overwhelming, I can’t express enough how grateful I am for everyone’s support not just from those who attended but also those who couldn’t make it on the night and still kindly made donations towards the evening.

The money raised will be going towards the running costs of the three Emmanuel House Holiday Homes will that we have purchased up in Weardale where cancer sufferers, the terminally ill and their families can go to for respite care completely free of charge.

Once again many cancer patients and their families have been away to our holiday homes this year and have all had the most marvellous time.

It was great to see so many familiar faces and catch up with everyone.  Miss Hollywood was a super star as always and had the crowd dancing and singing along.

I will be organising another event for a later date and will keep you all informed of the details. So thank you once again for your help and support over the years as I really do appreciate it.

God Bless and take care.

Thank you to those have donated and supported

I am writing this blog to say a huge thank you to everyone for all their love, support and donations, we really could not do what we do at Emmanuel House without your kind help.

I would like to say a big thank you to for supporting Emmanuel House over the years. Your generous donations have always been greatly appreciated and has all went towards the running costs of our three Emmanuel House holiday homes that we have purchased and are situated in Weardale. This is a place of outstanding beauty where cancer patients the terminally ill and their families can go to for respite care completely free of charge.

Since the opening of our homes in 2006 we have managed to provide holidays to hundreds of families who were in desperate need of a break. They are always so grateful and don’t just remark about what a lovely time they’ve all had but also express how special and important it was to them being able to go away and spend some quality and precious time having fun with their children and loved ones.

Unfortunately for some it was the last holiday they spent together but at least they will have some wonderful memories to cherish and look back upon. Throughout the years Doctors and Macmillan nurses across the region refer patients to us and I know once again that this year will be another fruitful one.

As well as the many individuals who all donate I'd just like to say a special thank you to the following organisations who have so kindly helped me...

John Luke and everyone at the Haltwhistle & Smith district Charitable Trust

Lynne Govan & Bellway Homes Ltd

Burnopfield Methodist Church

Chowdene Community Church

St Mary’s RC Whickham

Dunston Chapter Rose Croix No1069

Liddell Royal Arch Chapter No3616

Chic’s hairdressing, Lobley Hill

Sorry if I have missed anyone out, you all help us so much and your donations and help mean we can provide families this much needed facilities and support during such a difficult time.  You really are all "Super Stars" and make a difference to so many lives.

So thank you all once again for your support as it has enabled me to carry on with my work in caring and also providing quality of life, but most of all for being able to help put smiles on so many faces who desperately needed it.

Hope you are all well and have a lovely Summer.

Christmas Fayre 2016

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to support our annual Emmanuel House Christmas Fayre on Saturday 3rd December 2016 and once again it was a great success.  I hope you all had a lovely time and enjoyed yourselves as I know I did.

It was fabulous to see everyone and we really had a fun time, catching up, tucking in to a delicious buffet and singing along with Christmas tunes.

As well as refreshments and food we had a tombola, raffle and gifts for sale.

Everyone did there big to make our Christmas Fayre 2016 a huge success.

Raymond, Ryan and I had such a laugh and it was great to all catch up with everyone.

We raised the fantastic sum of £650.00 and I must say without your help, support, generosity and dedication it would not have been possible.  All the money raised will be going towards our Emmanuel House holiday homes that we have purchased and situated in Eastgate Weardale where cancer patients, the terminally ill and their families can go to for respite care completely free of charge.

Each caravan has its own decking area with outdoor table and chairs where you can sit and soak in the beautiful scenery and atmosphere.  There is also a country pub/hotel called the Cross Keys within a few minutes’ walking distance from the site which has wheelchair access, a silver service restaurant attached and a beer garden at the rear with a running river view and access for parking if needed.  They provide a much needed break for people to relax and spend time with their families.

Five to six regular Macmillan nurses across the North East refer patients to me and last year we managed to provide respite holidays for thirty-two families and their carer’s who all had a wonderful time and 2016 has been just as busy.

Next year the total costs of running the holiday homes will be approximately £8,000.00, this is because of site fees, rates, gas, electric and the insurances going up each year as well as keeping them maintained to a very high standard.

So thank you all once again for your continuous help and support as it means so much and I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Sponsored Dip in the sea in memory of Dave Pickett

On 24th August 2006 Dave Pickett sadly passed away leaving his loving wife Dawn and his two wonderful children Alex and Jack behind.  He was one of my patients at Emmanuel House and had been bravely battling with Oesphogeal Cancer.  Although I only got to know Dave for the last few months of his life he was a great guy who always had a smile on his face and was an inspiration to many others.

Dave was loved and well known by many people.  They all helped out and together  raised the fantastic sum of £4,500 for Emmanuel House, donated in his memory by his family, friends and work colleagues.  We were truly blessed to receive such a kind donation at such a difficult time.

Dave Pickett with his daughter Alex

Because so much money was donated to Emmanuel House in memory of Dave Pickett I felt the need to do something special with it.  So in 2008, on his son Jack's third birthday, we opened a Summer House for children of all ages and equipped it with everything that they would need from table football, keyboard, boys workbench, dolls house, games and much more. 

I somehow felt that Dave would have wanted me to provide a place for the children where they could have their own fun time whilst their parents would come and relax, have therapy or just a simple chat with others.  

On the opening of the Summer House Dawn Pickett said “it was a really emotional day but a happy one as well”. 

Since Dave’s passing ten years ago we have never lost contact with Dawn and the family and they have been great supporters of Emmanuel House throughout the years.  

In August Alex held a beach party in memory of her father to help raise funds for Emmanuel House.  

Alex with her friends & family at the Beach Party

You can read more here on her JustGiving page here.

It was the ten year anniversary for her dad, and she wanted to celebrate his life.  She organised a party on Tynemouth Beach for friends and family.  

There was even a sponsored dip in the sea to help raise funds.

Taking the plunge

A wonderful way to raise funds & remember Dave 

Between the JustGiving page and donations on the day they raised £300 in total and we are extremely proud of Alex, she really is a truly amazing young woman.    

"It was a fantastic day and it was amazing to have the support of all my family and friends." Alex said.

"I'm glad I could give something back to Christine and Emmanuel House as they have helped our family so much, and my Dad adored Christine and Ray".

She is an inspiration and regularly fundraises in memory of her Dad.  We are so blessed to know people like Alex, who help us do what we do.  Without fundraising we simply would not be able to help people the way we do.  We have three holiday homes situated at Cragside Caravan Park in Eastgate near Stanhope in Weardale.  They are available free of charge for cancer patients, the terminally ill and their families to go to for respite care.  It cost £7,000 per year to keep our holiday homes up and running, so we're always grateful for any help.

If you would like to learn more about what we do, click here.

If you are interested in raising money for Emmanuel House ring us on 0191 460 9693, we'd love to hear from you

Daft as a Brush Garden Party

I'm always really pleased to hear from Brian Burnie as we go back a long way and I love him to bits.  I was delighted when he asked if I would come along to sing and entertain for the Daft as a Brush Garden Party.  This yearly event is an amazing chance to meet the volunteers, people who have donated and offered their help for this fantastic local charity.  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.  

Me by the gates at the Daft as a Brush entrance

It was a fabulous day and thank you to everyone for making me feel so welcome, it was great to catch up with you all again.  The food was outstanding as usual and even weather did its part as it turned out pretty nice in the end.  It was good to see everyone getting stuck in, having a laugh and really enjoying themselves.  

Everyone posing for a photo by the marquee

I entertained and sang to everyone throughout the day but think the Hokey Cokey was the one to get people off their feet and in the party spirit.  My son Ryan came along to film me which was great, even if he did get a little carried away joining in with the words!  

The highlight for me on the day was going up in the cherry picker with Brian. This was a first for me and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  At first I was not quite sure what I was install for, but I am never one to avoid a challenge.  We climbed aboard and started to set up my guitar and microphone as the gathering crowd looked on in stunned surprise. 

Me and Brian getting into the cherry picker 

Getting ready to perform as the cherry picker starts to raise

Me 33 metres up singing to the crowd

It was a fabulous experience and one I certainly will not forget.  Overall I had a great day and hope everyone else did too.  Brian you're a real star and doing an amazing job along with all your dedicated volunteers.  It was also a day to celebrate as Daft as a Brush received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of the outstanding work they do for the community.  This really is a huge honour as it is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.  To learn more about the Queen's award click here.

Me an Brian Burnie founder of Daft as a Brush

I would recommend volunteering for Daft as a Brush as they really do make a big difference to a lot of peoples lives and are an excellent organisation to work with.  They really depend on volunteers support to operate their transport service, as well run their shop in Eldon Square and for much needed fundraising.  

It cost approximately, £100,000 per year to run the the Daft as a Brush Service.  If you would like to donate it is very easy and a link can be found by clicking here.  

If you are local you may want to help them out with a few hours a week or maybe longer, just click here for further information on how you can help.

We had a fantastic time at the Garden Party and I would definitely do this again as we had a real laugh for a great cause.  I look forward to catching up with all the lovely friends I met there, both old and new, in the near future. 

If you would like to learn more about Daft as a Brush and the work they do you can visit their website at:

http://www.daftasabrush.org.uk

And also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

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