MABS Marina Alta. Upcoming events.

March 18th, 2011

La Cabaret, Cumbre del Sol

“Let us entertain you”

Tickets 10 Euro with 5 Euro going to MABS

There will also be a Raffle

Pre-booking advised.

April 3rd, 2011

Race for Life Moraira

Venue: MABS Support Centre, Sol Park, Moraira

After a warm up exercise session at 10:30 the race itself will start at 11am. Rest assured the race is over a 5km FLAT course!

After the sad event of last year - NO ANIMALS please.

The Support Centre will be open on the four Fridays preceding April 3rd from 10am to noon for registration, sponsorship and Tee Shirts.

Entry fees: 10 Euro per Adult, 5 Euro per Child.

Events to look out for, further details later:

June 3rd, 2011 - MABS Summer Ball.

September, 2011 - Large Hog Roast.

We have other events to post and they will be advertised in the near future. Please watch for further updates to this diary.

SPRING CLEANING

Christmas is over and the three Kings have arrived.
What next? Spring Cleaning!!

It is that time of year when cupboards get opened and the under-build unlocked.
It is time to clear out all your unwanted bits and pieces.

Instead of going to the basura (rubbish bin), please think of MABS Mazarron.

MABS Cancer Support Group, Mazarron has a charity shop, which has been operating for ten months. The MABS Shop in the middle of Totana in Plaza de la Constitucion, between the coffee shop and the Pensionista Centro.

As a result of the success of the Shop in Totana, MABS Mazarron urgently needs donations of items to sell to help raise funds to support local cancer patients of all nationalities.

Clothing & shoes adults and children

Accessories hats, bags, belts, jewellery etc.

Bedding curtains

Glassware pottery and crockery

Bric-a-brac books

Games

The official drop-off points are

Glitzy Bitz – Sector A Camposol

Alley Palais – Sector B Camposol

Jane’s Salon – Bolnuevo

Costa Calida Radio and The Bistro – Puerto De Mazarron

The Charity Shop, The Square Totana, 10am – 2pm, Monday to Friday.

The manageress, Ann Vinal, runs the shop with a pool of 30 volunteers (25% from Totana) and she will be happy to show you around the Shop and accept any donations.

The clientele are a mixture of North Africans, lots of Brits and an increasing number of local Spanish. The Totana businesses have welcomed the local charity shop as it brings visitors into the square and augments the café and bar takings. Any items not sold at the end of a session are passed on to a Totana church.

For more information about MABS Mazarron (Reg. Charity Number 7261), call 620 422 410.

Local Business Support MABS

MABS Murcia/Mar Menor receives no government funding and relies totally on support from the public and local businesses. Despite the economic downturn, people are still doing their bit for this local charity and raising money in a variety of ways.

The Lodosol Bar in San Pedro del Pinatar held a Ladies’ Night, with a ‘Full Monty’ atmosphere, raising 320€. “The night was a huge success and tickets sold out very quickly, so we will be holding another event in the New Year.” said bar owner, Janet Grout. Manageress, Lizzie, involved other local businesses, who donated many items for the raffle, including a free manicure, wine, spirits, a taxi run, a box of ‘sexy goodies’, and a free breakfast at the Lodosol. “People have been so generous, everyone had such fun on the night, and it’s great to raise money for such a worthy cause.” said Lizzie.

We want to give something in return

Diamante’s Restaurant in El Mojon held an ‘Ebony & Ivory’ Ladies’ Lunch and raffled some fabulous prizes, raising 150€ for MABS. This was the launch of a new Ladies’ Luncheon Club which will be held on the third Tuesday of every month, with the next one due on Tuesday, 18 January.  The lunches should prove popular, so please contact Diamante’s on 965 352 947 ‎to avoid disappointment. Owner, Terry, and her team are planning a regular, monthly raffle to support MABS Murcia/Mar Menor “We know that MABS has helped several people in our area and it’s a pleasure to be able to do something in return” said Terry.

Spangles Sparkle for MABS

Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus met with MABS Fundraising Co-ordinator, Janet Bell, to hand over their fundraising cheque for 2010, amounting to 388€. “We have supported MABS Murcia/Mar Menor since it began and we are delighted to say that the chorus has unanimously voted to support the charity again in 2011.” said co-Chorus Manager, Anthea Prentice. “Many of us have been affected by cancer in one way or another, so it makes sense to continue our support of the work that MABS does in this region”. Spangles has also sung at several MABS events, including Café Golf, Serena Golf Hotel and the opening of the new MABS Cancer Centre in San Javier and is looking forward to more events in 2011.

Several of Spangles’ members are also MABS volunteers, including Jill Chorley, who sings Baritone and is Care Co-ordinator for MABS. “We’re delighted that our girls continue to support us in every way they can. We all have fun singing together every week and enjoy our social get-togethers.” commented Jill. It’s a fact that singing makes you feel good too – all this physical, neurological and emotional activity serves to release those "feel-
good" hormones called endorphins, so you are being flooded with happy hormones that give you a sense of peace and well-being – maybe that’s why these ladies are always smiling?

Councillor Isabel Montesinos Mercader (Culture, Education, Tourism and Foreigners), who is a staunch supporter of both Spangles and MABS, was on hand to help draw the winner of the Christmas and New Year Quiz, run by Spangles. Congratulations to the winner of the 50€ prize, Mr George Turner of Los Alcázares.

Spangles is now working hard at perfecting two contest songs, in readiness for the third annual convention of the Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers (SABS), which is being held in San Pedro del Pinatar. “We’re really excited to have this event in the Murcia region” remarked Lyn Baines; co-Chorus Manager and SABS Marketing Manager. “This is also the first-ever chorus contest to be held in Spain, so we want to do our region proud.” The SABS ‘En Armonía’ convention will run from 8 to 11 April and will include gold medal choruses and quartets from the UK, with SABS members also attending from all over Spain and Portugal. Two shows are planned, on Saturday, 9 April and Sunday, 10 April, and the 8€ tickets will soon be on sale. If you would like to reserve tickets or find out more, please email liz@sabs.es

ICELAND SUPPORTS MABS

Iceland, San Javier has nominated MABS Murcia/Mar Menor as its charity for 2011, and has already kick-started their sponsorship in the lead-up to Christmas by raising a massive amount of 3694.06€. MABS volunteers were on hand to pack customers’ shopping, for a small donation, in the weeks before Christmas Eve and Iceland provided lots of great prizes for a Grand Christmas Draw. Martin Lawrence, from Customer Service, was tasked with selling the tickets and exceeded his personal target of 1500€ by bringing in an incredible 2200€. On Christmas Eve, young Lauryn McReynolds helped to draw the prizes, which included a halogen oven, a luxury hamper and lots of festive goodies.

“I am amazed at how well our first event with Iceland has gone” commented Janet Bell, MABS Fundraising Co-ordinator. “Russell and his staff have pulled out all the stops to raise a fantastic amount for us and they have really embraced the spirit of fundraising. All our fundraisers enjoyed working with the Iceland team and are really looking forward to their next event.”

Russell and Janet have lots of ideas for the coming year, including an Easter Egg Hunt, and we are sure to be seeing Team Iceland entering the fourth MABS Race for Life on 13 November in Los Alcázares. Keep checking the MABS website www.mabsmurcia.com and the local press for details of upcoming events.

MABS Murcia/Mar Menor Director, Lyn Baines, added “We are honoured that Iceland has chosen to sponsor our charity and it’s an absolute pleasure to work with such a supportive group of people. Our volunteers did a great job packing bags and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.“

Fairwayz Fillies

MABS Cancer Support Group was one of the Fairwayz Fillies’, nominated charities for 2010 and Bob Clayton, MABS Coordinator in La Marina, was thrilled to accept a cheque for Euro 750 from Yvonne Hood on Thursday, 13^th January when her met with the group at the FairwayZ Bar.

The ladies who make up the Fillies were very keen to see what we do and Bob made a short presentation to the group. He then received questions about MABS and the work we do.

A PowerPoint version of the January Newsletter, The Supporter, was then displayed on continuous loop for the rest of the afternoon, on four large TV screens around the Fairwayz Bar. This way the ladies could get a fuller picture of what MABS is all about’; the fundraising opportunities that are possible, our three Charity Shops and ‘who’s who’ at MABS are among other items.

Bob was thrilled when at the end of the time spent with the ladies’, they told him that MABS would once again be one of their charities in 2011.

Thank you Ladies – and Thank you Bob!

A Wonderful donation for MABS Cancer Support Group

The Jacaranda Bar and Restaurant, Moraira, supported by local businesses Radycal Heating, Positive Signs and a MABS patient Maggie Morgan (to name a few) raised 2200 Euro for MABS Cancer Support Group. Every two weeks the Jacaranda holds an auction were they sell anything that you can pick up and walk away with.

The picture shows MABS President Jacqui Phillips accepting the cheque from the auction organisers and supporters. MABS wishes to thank all those who made this huge donation possible. Thank you.

Anybody interested in donating articles for future auctions, or just going along and participating, call Ray Peters (yes, you've heard him on the radio) on 667 589 106

Local Businesses Support MABS

MABS Murcia/Mar Menor receives no government funding and relies totally on support from the public and local businesses. Despite the economic downturn, people are still doing their bit for this local charity and raising money in a variety of ways.

The Lodosol Bar in San Pedro del Pinatar held a Ladies’ Night, with a ‘Full Monty’ atmosphere, raising 320€. “The night was a huge success and tickets sold out very quickly, so we will be holding another event in the New Year.” said bar owner, Janet Grout. Manageress, Lizzie, involved other local businesses, who donated many items for the raffle, including a free manicure, wine, spirits, a taxi run, a box of ‘sexy goodies’, and a free breakfast at the Lodosol. “People have been so generous, everyone had such fun on the night, and it’s great to raise money for such a worthy cause.” said Lizzie.

Diamante’s Restaurant in El Mojon held an ‘Ebony & Ivory’ Ladies’ Lunch and raffled some fabulous prizes, raising 150€ for MABS. This was the launch of a new Ladies’ Luncheon Club which will be held on the third Tuesday of every month, with the next one due on Tuesday, 18 January. The lunches should prove popular, so please contact Diamante’s on 965 352 947 ‎to avoid disappointment. Owner, Terry, and her team are planning a regular, monthly raffle to support MABS Murcia/Mar Menor “We know that MABS has helped several people in our area and it’s a pleasure to be able to do something in return” said Terry.

SOS Boutiques in Los Alcázares and La Manga got customers in the Christmas mood with mulled wine, mince pies and Viva quartet singing Christmas songs, raising 78€ for MABS with a raffle.

DFS Furniture in San Javier is entering its third year of sponsorship with MABS Murcia/Mar Menor. “We are extremely grateful to Paul and the staff at DFS” said Janet Bell, MABS Fundraising Co-ordinator. “They have quietly supported us in many ways, from their regular, monthly donation, to storing and transporting hospital equipment for us, and sponsoring our Race for Life.”

Picture shows Diamantes Raffle

El Limonar Students

Jill, Jean and the team ‘down the road’ from Benidorm had a very welcome piece of news at the end of November.    

The students of El Limonar International School  in Sal Miguel de Salinas have selected MABS Cancer Support Group as their Nominated Charity for the school in 2011.

MABS was overwhelmingly the most popular charity.       

Various events will be held to benefit us throughout the year including a Fancy Dress day at school, sponsored sports events and talent shows - all organised to raise funds for MABS. For these special events over the next 12 months they will be working just for us !

Plus, as a huge bonus for MABS, the students have decided to donate a percentage of their regular fundraising events, such as school trips and proms, to MABS as well.

A HUGE VOTE OF THANKS TO THE EL LIMINOR CHARITY COMMITTEE AND STUDENTS!

Frances Sawyer, Vice President of MABS Cancer Support Group

MABS Cancer Support Group President, Jacqui Phillips announced that Frances Sawyer, the Vice President of MABS and Jacqui's close friend had, very sadly, passed away during the night of 26/27^th December. Jacqui wrote:

Frances and I had been very good friends for many years well before we both developed breast cancer.

She was diagnosed in 1997/98 and I was there for her not really knowing what the heck I was doing but I was the one she could rant and rave at when the going got hard. Then in 1998/99 I too developed cancer and she was there for me. She was my friend and confidant as I was hers.

Frances was a gentle Scottish lass from Aberdeen and was married to Geoffrey. They had 2 children Andrew and Alexandra now both adults. Her calming,charming voice was an inspiration to all who knew her as a friend and  of course a supporter to many of the members of the Group.

 I will miss her dreadfully both as a very dear friend and one of the founders of the Group.

On behalf of my husband Bernard, the committee of the Group, our many sponsors,supporters and members I give our very sincere condolences to Geoffrey, Andrew and Alexandra.

Jacqui Philips, MBE

MABS Cancer Support Group.

President