Good Causes

Radio presenters based at St Peter's Hospital station in Chertsey are up for national awards.

Three radio presenters have been shortlisted for awards at the National Hospital Radio Awards ceremony which will be held on Saturday March 27 as part of the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) Conference at Renfrew near Glasgow.

Those on the shortlist are all volunteers at the Guildford Road radio station currently awaiting an OFCOM decision on FM broadcasting.

Twins celebrated their second birthday with a special gift to the hospital unit that saved their lives.

Emily and Carys Barnard were born at 25 weeks, Emily weighing just 1lb 11oz and Carys just 1lb 8oz. They were rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, where they were cared for and grew into healthy babies.

And last week, the twins returned with their nine-year-old cousin, who took a £440 donation, money she had raised through selling her craft work.

A karaoke pop quiz is being held at White Lodge Centre, Chertsey, on Friday January 29.

Budding singers and those who think they know their music are invited to make up a team of eight to take part.

The quiz starts at 7.30pm at the Rendezvous building in the Holloway Hill centre.

Tickets are £7.50, food and drink is not provided. For more information or to buy tickets, call 01932 567 131 or email events@whitelodgecentre.co.uk.

As Surrey recovers from the traditional festive indulgence, the Surrey Air Ambulance is calling for people to gear up for the British 10k London Run.

The event which is held annually in July offers runners the chance to raise much needed funds for the air ambulance service. A team of staff and fund-raisers took part last year and raised nearly £3,000.

A BUSINESSMAN who makes boats ship shape to sail the Dunkirk Return is taking part himself this year.

Steven Dennett, 41, from Chancery Road, Chertsey, is sailing across the channel in one of the original boats that rescued servicemen from the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940.

A GRANDMOTHER-OF-THREE has completed a gruelling mountain mission raising £6000 for charity.

Sue Dillon, 60, braved sub-zero temperatures completing the Annapurna mountain range in Nepal in 16 days in order to raise money for Parity for Disability, a charity which provides vital services, for young people with multiple disabilities and their families.

A new scheme is being trialled by Age Concern in partnership with Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals.

The 'courtesy call' service is for frail and older people who are being discharged from hospital and may need information, advice or help to live independently at home.

Hospital staff will refer patients by phoning the service on the day the patient is allowed home, or by giving the patient a booklet of information.

A spokeswoman for Age Concern said: "This new service has been going for a few weeks and has already ensured that many older people have been discharged home with the support they need.

"The relevant Age Concern branch will contact the patient within 48 hours to discuss their needs, provide information, and suggest services or a home visit."

One such service, the Road to Recovery scheme operated in Spelthorne, provides free help for six weeks with chores such as housework and shopping as well as accompanying clients to appointments, while they recover.

For more information, contact either Age Concern Runnymede on 02932 566 040 or Age Concern Spelthorne on 01784 444 200.

MP Philip Hammond visited youth project The Hub on Friday to get the low-down on recent developments.

The building at the Runnymede Centre in Chertsey that has been dormant for nine years and has been victim to severe vandalism is now almost ready to open.

Tickets have now gone on sale for the annual White Lodge Centre fundraiser, Chesney's Christmas Cracker.

Nineties pop star and patron of the charity, Chesney Hawkes, will be hosting the fourth cracker at Club One in Ascot on Sunday December 13.

The line-up has yet to be announced, but previous years have seen Jason Donovan and Nik Kershaw performing to raise money for the centre in Holloway Hill Chertsey.

For more information or to book tickets, visit www.whitelodgecentre.co.uk

Princess Alice Hospice and The Bentall Centre, Kingston are hosting a star-studded fashion exhibition, titled 'Fit for a Princess' with celebrity party attire being showcased in store windows. Head down to the centre and see which item catches your eye before bidding online at www.ebay.co.uk/charity from 8pm on Monday 19th October.

Over forty personalities and luminaries, including; Dame Helen Mirren, Strictly Come Dancing's Lynda Bellingham, West End stars Kerry Ellis and Leanne Jones, Samantha Cameron, Beth Ditto, Helena Bonham Carter, Geri Halliwell, Paloma Faith, Joanna Lumley, Trinny Woodhall, Fearne Cotton, Twiggy and The Saturdays have all kindly donated dresses in aid of this vital and important charity.