Birthday Celebration for Adhe
Around 160 riders took part in this year’s Leatherhead Bikeathon in aid of Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People and, apart from one short sharp shower, enjoyed a fine day for the ride. For one rider, 18-year-old Adhe Noviello, it was a particularly special day.
Cheered on by family and friends Adhe successfully completed the Bikeathon 13 mile route and celebrated his 18th birthday. He was particularly insistent that he wanted to ride for QEF instead of having a party. QEF, he said, “made a big difference to me”. Adhe suffered a stroke, which left him in a coma for 4 days and has for the last 6 months been undergoing intensive therapy at QEF’s Neuro-rehabilitation Services Brain Injury Unit in Banstead. Despite natural reservations from his mother, Adhe was determined to take up the challenge, riding a specially adapted tricycle purchased from the Bikeathon donations in 2009. Adhe’s pride at crossing the finish line was very evident.
Also taking part was Elmbridge Councillor Elise Saunders who took the challenging hills in her stride and together with fellow rider Tommy Dunweber is on course to raise around £1,000 for QEF. Councillor Saunders explained “I attended a meeting of the Stoke D’Abernon Residents Association when QEF made a presentation. I was so moved by the work they do that I wanted to support them. Without people like QEF life would be so much more difficult for people with disability.”
Youngest rider, nine year old Luke Cornelius, rode the 26 mile route and barely looked out of breath on arrival in spite of some challenging hills. “It was easy” he said and proud dad Conrad had to agree.
Tired riders were able to take advantage of a post-ride massage from Bookham based multi-healthcare Fine Fettle. Food and drinks were supplied by South African style Bring and Braai caterers, including mouthwatering bacon and sausage baps.
First over the line of the 45 milers was Dave Tilston who completed the course in 2 hours 16 minutes
QEF Director of Fundraising, John Chamberlain said, “The whole day was a great success. We had near perfect weather and a fantastic set of staff, volunteers and supporters doing a great job. Enthusiasm for the event increases every year so a big thank you goes to all the riders who took up the challenge and all those who supported them. The money raised is vital to our services and much appreciated.”
QEF works with people living with physical and learning disabilities or acquired brain injuries to support them to achieve their goals for life.
New vehicle for QEF Brain Injury Centre
(L to R ) Peter Gaskell (staff member), Chris Manson and Nicki Freeman take delivery of the new adapted vehicle that will provide independence and opportunity for service users.
Last year around 140 cyclists took to the leafy Surrey lanes in the Leatherhead Bikeathon in aid of Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF). As well as enjoying the cycling challenge they assisted the purchase of a vehicle for the QEF Neuro-rehabilitation Services Brain Injury Centre in Banstead.
The £24,000 vehicle, an adapted Renault Trafic, has just been delivered and is already in great demand.
Brain Injury Centre Principal, Eileen Jackman says, “For young people who have acquired a brain injury through illness or injury, it is as important to foster independence and the opportunity to socialise as it is to provide the range of therapies necessary for rehabilitation.
“This vehicle will make possible trips to outside activities, social occasions and even shopping thanks to the wonderful support from the Bikeathon cyclists.”
This year’s Leatherhead Bikeathon 2011 takes place on Sunday18 September, providing 13, 26 and 45 mile route challenges to suit all levels of ability. The selected routes don’t quite follow the Olympic route nevertheless they share the same characteristics that made Surrey a natural choice for picturesque and challenging cycling.
Olympic cycling is big news in Surrey this month and doubtless it will encourage cyclists of all ages to get out and enjoy the freedom of the road. So while your bike is ready and your enthusiasm is high, why not take the opportunity to cycle for a good cause?
Register for the Leatherhead Bikeathon 2011 in aid of QEF at www.leatherheadbikeathon.co.uk
Growing Stronger at Headley Court
The seeds of recovery are being planted at Headley Court after the launch of a new gardening project to provide occupational therapy for personnel recovering at the Ministry of Defence Rehabilitation Centre.
Medical evidence shows horticulture provides physical, neurological, cognitive and psychological rehabilitation, testing patients’ motor skills, plus their strength and endurance.
The newly-refurbished greenhouse and allotment area will challenge patients with complex poly-traumatic injuries. They will have to overcome the challenges of working at different heights, standing on varying slopes and surfaces, as well as lifting and moving objects.
The gardening tasks will also provide cognitive therapy for troops, with medical evidence suggesting that being in an outdoor environment reduces stress, leading to improved concentration and it helps individuals think through their problems or concerns.
One of the soldiers at Headley Court, Captain Andrew Jelinek, from the Household Cavalry, is looking forward to getting stuck in. Capt Jelinek was injured in Afghanistan in 2010 and suffered a fractured pelvis and spinal cord injury.
“Horticultural Therapy offers us, the patients, the opportunity to partake in a fulfilling activity and one which is also very relevant to our rehab, whatever our injuries. For me, this project will help me regain strength and mobility in my back and legs. It will also test my balance and endurance. I find the outdoors a very relaxing and fulfilling place to be, so the time passes quickly and I feel better for it.”
Major Peter Le Feuvre, a physiotherapist at Headley Court and keen gardener himself, said:
“At Headley Court we are developing our own little Chelsea flower garden by encouraging rehabilitation through horticultural therapy. We’ve put down the roots to encourage patients to experience different activities, which all aids the rehabilitation from their injuries. The addition of the allotment will compliment the greenhouses. We are linking these to our woodwork shop so injured personnel can embark on building outdoor structures and planters, as well as propagating and planting out.
“The Walled Garden Project will let recovering troops acquire and develop their skills. If required it will also enable them to explore vocational options for the future. By varying the rehabilitation methods used at Headley Court, patients are kept stimulated and focused on their goals on the path to recovery.”
The greenhouses have been refurbished with the help of Leatherhead-based charity Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF), which provides intensive vocational rehabilitation for unemployed disabled adults experiencing multiple barriers to work.
Garry Billing, Director of QEF Vocational Services, said:
“Our association with Headley Court goes back several years and many former patients have been helped by QEF when they are ready to retrain and prepare themselves for sustained employment.
“We quickly recognised the Walled Garden Project presented a wonderful opportunity for our Horticulture and Construction trainees to gain valuable work experience. Some of the trainees involved are themselves former service personnel, having arrived via Headley Court or Combat Stress. They have found it particularly rewarding that, through their work, they are giving something back to the services.
“Now the greenhouses have been completed, we are all looking forward to lending a helping hand in the creation of allotments and a fruit growing area within the Walled Garden.”
Tom Brake MP walks for QEF
Tom Brake MP (woolly hat) joins QEF clients and staff on their March for March.
Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington, Tom Brake, marked his support for QEF by joining clients and staff from QEF Brain Injury Centre in their March for March for Brain Injury Awareness Month at Nonsuch Park.
Read all about it in Tom’s press release Tom Brake MP walks for QEF
Bear Grylls and Eamonn Holmes back QEF campaign
Bear Grylls and Eamonn Holmes back QEF campaign to give disability the last hour of 2010
QEF is launching its Christmas Campaign which simply asks those who are earning to donate their salary from the last hour of the year.
QEF Neuro Rehabilitation Services in Banstead, Surrey, has an urgent need to raise £50,000 to equip more high dependency facilities required to help young adults with acquired brain injuries, such as Emily.
Emily’s parents were told that she would always be trapped within her brain injured body; never to walk, live independently or communicate again.
The specialist team at QEF Neuro Rehabilitation Services worked with Emily to regain lost functions so that she could resume her education and take control of her life again.
Prospective donors can see and hear Emily tell her touching story in a three minute film on the QEF website www.qef.org.uk/donate where they can also consult a ready guide that suggests what the last hour of 2010 might be worth.
The Campaign has the backing of TV presenter Eamonn Holmes and adventurer Bear Grylls, who endorse the value that QEF brings to the lives of those who have suffered disability through injury or illness.
“There was me and 350 women in the room. Quite an experience! This was at an annual fundraising QEF Ladies Lunch and I was the lunch speaker. It was a delightful afternoon and I was very pleased I was able to support QEF’s work for disabled people. Please join me to help QEF support more disabled people transform their lives.” says Eamonn.
“QEF helps change the lives of so many brave people who live with constant and ever present challenges. I admire their work so much.” says Bear.
QEF relies on donations to provide facilities and equipment throughout their four services; Neuro Rehabilitation, Independent Living, Mobility and Vocational Services. With 7million disabled people of working age in the UK the continual challenge to support them to achieve their goals is enormous.
Corporate Support from KBR and TWM Solicitors
The first companies to pledge support are global engineering, construction and services company, KBR, and Surrey and South West London based TWM Solicitors. Both organisations will be promoting the give disability the last hour campaign to their staff to help ensure that the New Year can be a better one for many deserving people.
Albert Allan, Director of Operations, KBR says, “KBR has a high regard for the specialised services provided by QEF. We are pleased to support this important community initiative.”
Patrick Stewart, Managing Principal, TWM says, “In these austere times it is essential that charitable organisations such as QEF should be supported in their endeavours, particularly by their local communities.”
Appointment of New Chairman
Following Peter Sedgwick’s retirement at the end of September as Chairman of Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF), QEF has announced the appointment of Robert Douglas CBE as Chairman Designate. Mr Douglas will assume the role in April 2011 when he will have completed his current tenure as High Sheriff of Surrey. Vice Chairman James Wates will act as Chairman in the intervening period.
QEF Chief Executive Jonathan Powell says, “QEF is gearing up to face new economic, political and social challenges and Rob’s public and private sector experience will be of great benefit to our development. I very much look forward to working closely with him from April.
“I would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to our outgoing Chairman Peter Sedgwick. Peter has given four years of generous service to QEF and his tremendous contribution during that time is warmly appreciated.”
Rob Douglas commented, “QEF provides a range of essential services to support the needs of disabled people. The vision of helping them to achieve their goals for life is compelling and to deliver this proposition takes dedication and commitment from all involved.
“I am looking forward to being the Chairman of such a valued organisation with its illustrious history and well-regarded expertise.”
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