Victim Support offers invaluable help and advice to victims of

crime and their families. These crimes can range from car theft up

to and including the horrific crime of rapes and murders. Nobody

ever expects to be a victim of crime and therefore this charity is not

often talked about.

 

Laura first came into contact with Victim Support when she and her

sister Aimee were witness to the aftermath of a horrific attack on a

female dogwalker who was brutally attacked, raped and left for

dead. They picked her up along the roadside and got her the

medical help she so desperately needed. It was after this

attack that they came into contact with Victim Support

as they were offered support to get them through the horrific

ordeal and offered practical advice for the courtcase.

 

Their actions on that day have seen the sisters awarded with an

OCU Commanders Commendation Award for bravery from the

Hampshire police. Laura and her sister are still in contact with the

lady who was attacked and she is doing well, as she is an incredibly

brave and amazing woman. Laura feels it is important to not only

raise desperately needed funds for the charity, but also to raise

awareness of it. The councillors for Victim Support are all

 volunteers. So please come along to the

Winter Wonderland Ball

in December which promises to be a fantastic evening

with lots of fun.

 

Clare is supporting

Dorothy House Hospice

 as they cared for a member of her family....

    ... Sadly, we spent Christmas & New Year 2005 there. 

 The staff there were fantastic and the atmosphere was very

 friendly.  The extremely high standard of care, and the honesty of

 the nurses & doctors was much appreciated. We knew at that

 moment in time, it was the best place to be for all involved.

We were a relatively 'young' crowd (well 30's!).  Often there were

lots of us and it could get a bit noisy!  While the patients are

obviously priority, the nurses encouraged visitors

and made us all very welcome.

 

The hospice was such a welcome relief after spending so

much time in hospitals.There is a homely feel and it is much

more comfortable.  It isn't at all clinical, and even though the

thought of  going there was alarming & scary,

 it was far from frightening.

 

We were advised that as we couldn't be at home as a family for

Christmas then we should take our Christmas there .... so we did!

At the time my little boy was only three, so we took his presents

and tried to make things as normal as possible for him. 

He ran around as a 'Power Ranger' for most of the time! 

He wasn't scared at all of his new environment and still occasionally

mentions "Dorothy's House" as he calls it, and it's "magic"

chairs & beds that move!

 

The chef cooked Christmas dinner with all the trimmings for

over ten of us.  We were so grateful as we didn't feel like

 celebrating or cooking; and certainly didn't expect this. 

I remember he didn't even need to come in and cook for the

patients as there was only one - and he wasn't eating!

 

The Hospice has a great team of staff, all very knowledgeable,

caring & kind.  It is a comfort to know that such a place exists. 

 

Dorothy House is a charity and provides services within the

 hospice and the community. 

They need to raise £7,000 every single day to

keep their vital services running ....

so this is where we come in.... go on buy your ticket now!! 

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