Emergency grant for Margate Independent Foodbank
The Kent Community Foundation and Albert Burns Children’s Trust Fund have sent £2,000 to Margate Independent Foodbank CIC after valuable supplies were taken during a burglary.
Grantor Kent Community Foundation acted quickly when they heard the devastating news that the Margate Independent Foodbank CIC’s MiCommunity shop had been broken into for the third time and considered its future.
John Finnegan, co-founder of Margate Independent Foodbank CIC, said: “After discovering the latest slump, the third we’ve had, my first reaction was to consider closing the foodbank, but this setback would not defeat us. The community we serve needs us and we are committed to staying open.”
Upon hearing the news, the team at the Kent Community Foundation, which administers grants from the Albert Burns Children’s Trust Fund on behalf of Boys & Maughan Solicitors, asked the fund to step in and make a one-off emergency payment. The response from the fund’s trustees was immediate, with an offer of a £2,000 donation to help cover the cost of improved security measures for this vital community asset.
When the foodbank was notified that funds would be made available within days to add security to its premises, Darryn De La Soul, co-founder of Margate Independent Foodbank CIC said: “I sit here in tears of gratitude. Thank you for acting so quickly and a big thank you to the Albert Burns Children’s Trust Fund!”
Ian Priston, Trustee Manager of Boys & Maughan Solicitors for the Albert Burns Children’s Trust Fund, said: “Our trustees approved an emergency grant without hesitation. Margate Independent Foodbank fits in perfectly with the goals of the Albert Burns Children’s Fund. Children clearly benefit from the Tafel and many local families depend on the support.
“This year, our trustees want to do double duty to ensure their donations to children’s charities are distributed appropriately and effectively in anticipation of the financial challenges families face this winter and beyond.”
To contact the Kent Community Foundation regarding funding for charities and community groups, phone 01303 814500, email [email protected] or visit www.kentcf.org.uk/funding
The Ramsgate Stargazers
The Ramsgate Stargazers had a wonderful evening of planet gazing on the Ramsgate Promenade near the Boating Pool.
The International Space Station flew over at the beginning of the session. Jupiter and Saturn were amazing through our telescopes. We could see the colored bands of gas on Jupiter, but unfortunately not the Great Red Spot.
The Galilean moons Ganymede, Io, Callisto and Europa all lined up. Saturn’s rings were clearly visible even in John’s modest refractor telescope. Paul and Tommy’s telescopes are incredible, allowing them to fix the gases exploding from the remaining white dwarf star on the Ring Nebula. They were also able to observe Neptune with its slight blue cast. The Ramsgate Stargazers have set themselves a points observing challenge available on their Facebook page, so lots of points were scored!
The next event will be on Saturday October 1st for the international lunar observing night from 18:00.
Some good news about the telescope that was at Monkton. It is now in safe hands at Dane Court School in a purpose-built observatory. Physics leader Liam Joseph wants the Ramsgate Stargazers to enjoy it too. In the meantime, 80 10th graders have started their GCSE Astronomy course.
QEQM Hospital League of Friends
Vascular patients in the hospital will now benefit from three items funded by our charity: – a portable ultrasound machine and two doppler machines. Chris Gipson, Vascular Nurse Practitioner, said: “The Vascular Unit is extremely grateful to the QEQM Hospital League of Friends for kindly funding this hospital use equipment which will help us ensure patients receive appropriate care in the community. “
The hand scanners are already in use in the two vascular clinics of the QEQM and in the inpatient controls on the wards. These help ensure that patients suspected of having peripheral arterial disease are promptly evaluated and diagnosed to ensure appropriate treatments can be recommended and initiated.
Recently trained with the new ultrasound scanner – demonstrated with Vascular Nurse Practitioner Sarah Fatharly – the Vascular Nurse Team is in the process of setting up clinics at QEQM to scan patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) on site. The scanner will allow the team to scan patients at their local hospital rather than having to travel elsewhere. By scanning and screening patients with AAA, the team can help reduce one of the leading causes of sudden death in mature men.
Only if we continue to receive public support can the Circle of Friends continue to make a difference for our local hospital in this way. So please visit our website – www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/lof-qeqm – for details on how you can help us (some of which are FREE).
Thanet Roadrunner
Thanet running club Thanet Roadrunners have mapped the locations of AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) on popular running routes around Thanet. There are over 40 public access AEDs in Thanet but would you know where they are in an emergency?
They have a competition on their Facebook page that tests local knowledge and observational skills. They will post a series of photos of public domain AEDs in Thanet and ask you where they are. All you have to do is like their page and then name the places. The number of guesses is unlimited!
The #1 rated Albion House Hotel in Ramsgate on TripAdvisor has generously donated a breakfast for two.
More importantly, YOUR LOCAL KNOWLEDGE COULD SAVE A LIFE.
Last year, an average of 460 people died EVERY DAY from heart and circulatory problems – that’s 170,000 people a year. Sudden cardiac arrest survival rate decreases by 10% every minute. Using a defibrillator while waiting for emergency services to arrive will most likely save a life.
Research also shows that those who suffered out-of-hospital cardiac arrest had a 56% survival rate. Using a defibrillator and doing CPR right away could help increase that number even further.
National statistics show that the average response time for ambulance services in England in February 2020 was 7 minutes and 19 seconds. The data also shows that the average call answering time was 5 seconds, meaning you can almost reach the emergency services
instantly. However, you should always remember to always call an ambulance first as seven minutes without care can mean a life lost.
EK360
Technology has already crept into our daily lives and we want to find out what people think about using technology to support their care in the future.
In partnership with Kent County Council, EK360 brings people together to explore how technology can help people stay independent in their own homes and support caregivers.
Already using technology? Maybe Alexa will remind you when you need to pick up your tablets, or you have a voice-activated system to turn things on and off? Are you an unpaid caregiver for a loved one and do you use video calling to keep in touch and see how they are doing?
If you are interested in learning more about the possibilities of the technology and KCC’s vision for the future of technology-enhanced care, you can attend a presentation and discussion session in Margate Caves on September 21 from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm.
As a thank you for sacrificing your time to attend, you’ll also get a free visit to the caves if you’re up for it!
To book a spot please email [email protected] or call 01233 555983
