MABS KEEPS ITS FINGER ON THE PULSE!

Picture: Lyn Baines, MABS Murcia and Jacquelyne Phillips MBE, MABS President with British Consul, Paul Rodwell

MABS Cancer Support Group’s work expands daily and the charity is growing at such a pace that it’s important to ensure that the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the organisation keeps pace with that growth. Already the Marina Alta area has been split for greater efficiency and since the Group’s inception, MABS President, Jacquelyne Phillips MBE, has been frequently evaluating the operation.

With branches in most of the Costas, from Jávea in the north, down to Marbella in the south, it is important that the reporting line does not become too fragmented, so a little ‘tightening up’ is called for. As an ex Senior Civil Servant, Jacqui’s experience is invaluable to the Group. As she is always saying:

“I am constantly looking at ways in which to streamline the way that we work, to ensure that we make the best use of the funds that we raise.”

This is certainly the case within the Murcia region; a vast region that encompasses many outlying and remote areas. Two satellite branches were created in the northwest covering Caravaca, Calasparra and Cehegin and the northeast covering Fortuna. The expansion is to ensure that help is made available, quickly and efficiently, to the people who need it.

The success of the pilot scheme of splitting Marina Alta, and in Murcia adding the northwest and northeast branches, is now being extended to encompass Mazarrón into the Murcia/Mar Menor branch.

“This is no reflection on the volunteers who have worked for MABS Mazarrón since its inauguration in 2005” stated President Jacqui “It’s purely a question of logistics and good organisation. Mazarrón is within the Murcia region and it makes sense to pool resources and to streamline the reporting line as we have done in Costa Blanca”.

From 1 July, Mazarrón branch will report to Lyn Baines, Director of MABS Murcia/Mar Menor.

Lyn is delighted to welcome Mazarrón into the fold “I am really looking forward to welcoming the Mazarrón team into our community of volunteers. Nothing will change as far as those affected by cancer are concerned; Mazarrón will continue as it always has done, but with a different reporting structure.”

MABS Murcia helps all people in the Murcia region who are affected by cancer, providing drivers, translators, information leaflets, equipment, a listening ear, or a shoulder to lean on.

If you need help in any part of the Murcia region, now including the Mazarrón area, then please contact the Helpline on 620 422 410 and if you would like to volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator on 634 362 823.  For General Enquiries please call 620 582 418. Further information on MABS Murcia can be found on their website: www.mabsmurcia.com and the Murcia Helpline is 693 275 779.

For help and information on Marina Alta North (Valencia to Benidorm), contact Elaine on 699 152 167 and for Marina Alta South (Benidorm to Murcia) contact Sue on 664 266 991 or check the general MABS website, http://www.mabscancersupport.org/.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN COSTA BLANCA NORTH

We will be presenting each month a list of known forthcoming MABS fundraisers. These will be events actually put on by MABS as well as events put on by our many supporting fundraisers in restaurants, bars and clubs around the Costa Blanca.

July 23^rd           EL PARAISO RESTAURANT, PARCENT:        ‘John The Fiddler’ is playing at El Paraiso, Poet de Mas 5, Col de Rates, Parcent. Between now and then, buy raffle tickets to win Euro 100! Through the summer El Paraiso also has the ‘Mask for MABS children’s menu’. Each child paying for a 2 or 3 course meal will receive a mask and a small gift – 1€ from each meal will be donated to MABS. For more information on these and other MABS fundraising event please e-mail Victoria at: Davidreeley@hotmail.com

July 23^rd           MABS Bookstall at Iceland in Javea from 10am to late afternoon –. All books 1€. More information from Lin: 966 470 187

Sept 3^rd            MABS ANNUAL HOG ROAST, Finca Abril, Benyet, Benissa - 15€ per person will also include half bottle of wine and Lucky Draw ticket prize. Reasonably priced pay-bar. Arrival time 5-6pm. To book your ticket please contact Lin: 966 470 187

Sept 3^rd            LA MATA, TORREVIEJA – A fund raising walk is being organised on behalf of two charities - MABS and the Dwala children. For more information contact Jean by email on:  jandccampbell@hotmail.co.uk

Oct 8^th             CAMEO at EL CID RESTAURANT, BENIDOLEIG  - 18€ per person for dinner and show. 3€ per person donation to MABS.  For more information please contact Pam: smallsinspain@hotmail.co,uk

Oct 28th          ADVANCE NOTICE: CBBA HALLOWEEN BALL at Oliva Nova Hotel in Oliva Nova, just north of Denia.  CBBA have been raising funds throughout 2011 in memory of Frances Sawyer, a member of CBBA and also co-founder of MABS. More details to follow on ticket prices and timings   

Party in the Park Hits All Time Record

Guests settle in for an afternoon of entertainment

Barrington

 

MABS Murcia's Party in the Park has become THE event that everyone wants to be a part of, and this year’s party was no exception. What started out as a 10^th anniversary celebration for MABS in June 2009 has fast established itself in the public’s mind as the place to be and tickets could have been sold twice over for their third annual party. This year, more than 500 people attended a spectacular afternoon of music and friendship in glorious sunshine. “This is an all-time record for us” said Janet Bell, Fundraising Co-ordinator “Each year we have increased the number of tickets on sale, because we have had to disappoint people who have left it too late to buy them. I wish we could find a bigger venue, so that we could keep everyone happy.”

 

Toe the Line Dancers

Crazy Ladies

Performers travelled from as far afield as Torrevieja and Mazarrón to give their time freely to MABS and produced a great afternoon of entertainment, starting with the Toe the Line Dancers, who got the afternoon going with some audience participation. They were followed by Georgie and her Crazy Ladies, who performed some of their tap dance routines, and are always a favourite with audiences.

Neil Diamond Tribute

Showaddywaddy Legend

Next up was a superb Neil Diamond tribute and a very lively Showaddywaddy Legend, who got the audience up and dancing. Lenny Mitchell and his musical time machine kept the momentum going with songs from the 60’s and 70’s, followed by that chica loca, live wire Suzy G, who never fails to get her audience rocking. Final guest, Barrington, was a huge hit, especially with the ladies, who swooned to his Tamla Motown and soul music. The whole day ended with dancing to music by Chris Heard and Smooth Grooves. 

Lenny Mitchell

Suzy G

“We’ve had a fantastic afternoon, raising an all-time record of 1,847 €.” commented Lyn Baines, Director of MABS Murcia/Mar Menor. “This event is not just about fundraising, but a chance for us to meet and thank all the people who support us throughout the year, and we really look forward to it. I’d like to thank every one of the fundraising team who help to put this event together and all our entertainers for giving us their time freely.” MABS is already planning Party in the Park 2012 and partygoers are advised to keep an eye on the press to ensure that they don’t miss out.

Bumper Month for MABS Murcia NW Branch

MABS Murcia NW held their first summer fete on Sunday, 12 June, in memory of Ann Evans, one of the first Murcia NW volunteers, who sadly died in December 2010. Ann’s widower, Dave, is also a MABS volunteer and offered the use of his house and garden for the event which is in the campo, just outside Cehegin. Sunshine and blue skies prevailed and approximately 200 people from all over Murcia North West turned out in support. There were private stallholders selling a range of goods, from antique tiles to mobile pool equipment, whilst MABS volunteers, alongside their family and friends, helped to man a variety of stalls. These included cakes, crafts, refreshments, books, games, including pin the tail on the donkey, and a raffle. Their efforts were worthwhile with a whopping 1,150 € raised on the day. MABS Murcia NW Co-ordinator, Cecilia Coulson, commented “Dave Evans has received so many positive comments that he would like to make this an annual event. I’m absolutely delighted that today has been such a success and that we were able to honour Ann, who helped to set up this satellite branch just a year ago”.

Mike Gardner, retired journalist, originally from Cumbria, said: "What a wonderful day. My wife knew Ann quite well and she's always saying what a special person Ann was - kind and thoughtful and loved by everyone. So it was a fitting tribute to her memory. There was a great atmosphere - it wasn't sad or quiet - in fact it was quite the opposite. It was probably the nicest day I've had since we came to Spain two years ago." 

Four days later, Cecilia Coulson was invited to meet members of the Cloud 9 Drama Group during their rehearsals at the Anita Arnao School in Mula, where they presented her with a donation of 100€ raised from their performance of two short comedy sketches to an audience of over 40 people at the Mula Youth Centre on 20 May. MABS Murcia/Mar Menor Director, Lyn Baines, remarked “Cecilia and her team have worked wonders in this area in such a short space of time, and they should be very proud of their achievements.”