Charity of the Year 2014

Our Charity of the Year 2014 is Stroke Support West Midlands (affiliated to the Stroke Association), based at the Action for Independence’ Day Care Centre, Albert Road, Wolverhampton WV6 0AF. Registered charity 1100667.

Each year some 150,000 people have a stroke and about a third of them end up with some form of disability. This can affect their mobility, their speech, or their ability to understand.  Whilst the NHS is very good at helping people with the immediate recovery after stroke, it is the long term conditions that often cause the most problems, and affect total living.

This is where groups such as Stroke Support come in.  Meeting every Saturday at 11am, the Wolverhampton group has an hour of gentle exercise led by a trained instructor, helping people to feel mobile, to stretch their limbs and build some strength in their bodies.  This hour is followed by a social time where people can chat whilst enjoying a welcome cup of tea.

The money we raise will help secure their funding for several years and possibly enable them to expand their services. For example they would like to fund the purchase of a cycle trailer to allow the more able-bodied members to go out on group bike excursions. They also would like to take some of their stroke patients with their carers to Warners in 2015 so that both can have a real break from their daily grind.

We hope that Ashwood’s many customers and friends will help us support this very worthy cause.

Are you or a family member affected by a stroke and would to join this group? For more information please call 0303 3033 100 or email [email protected]

For more information about the work of them see their website: www.stroke.org.uk/support/helpline

How do we raise money?

Our main fundraising comes from John’s Garden Open Days and Hellebore Tours (the entire proceeds from entrance charges are donated) plus the sale of raffle tickets as well as a range of Ashwood Charity Christmas cards. However there will be many other projects and activities throughout the year to support this worthy cause: please refer to our monthly newsletter for regular updated information.

Other charities:

We also continue to support The National Gardens Scheme www.ngs.org.uk

Applications are invited for our Charity of the Year 2015. Closing date November 30th 2014.

Past Charity Fund-raising:

2014: National Gardens Scheme: £1,870.oo

2013: Cancer Support at The White House, Dudley, West Midlands: £23,764.73

2013:  National Gardens Scheme: £350

2012: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association: £19,600

2012:  National Gardens Scheme: £1372.50

2011: Alzheimers Society: £26,030.60

2011: National Gardens Scheme: £1940

2010: Mary Stevens Hospice and Compton Hospice: £23,942

2010: National Gardens Scheme: £2,224

2009: Action Heart: £26,341

2008: Renal Unit Fund at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton: £26,000

2007: County Air Ambulance: £20,648