Ebony & Ivory

Diamantes Restaurant in El Mojón has a monthly Ladies Lunch called ‘Ebony & Ivory’, held on the third Tuesday of each month (the next one is on 20 September). It is an opportunity for ladies to dress up and have a relaxing few hours over a three course lunch with a glass of wine for just 10€ per head. The guests get to meet and make new friends as, after the main course, three people from each table move to another table. During the lunch a raffle is held in aid of MABS Cancer Support Group and, so far this year, the grand sum of 688€ has been raised. Terri, who owns Diamantes, has set a target to raise 1,000€ for MABS by the end of the year - so ladies: why not come and join ‘Ebony & Ivory’ to ensure that she makes it?

Janet Bell, MABS Fundraising Co-ordinator says “Terri really does us proud; there is a choice menu, a great atmosphere and some excellent raffle prizes too! Those of us who have been going since the beginning of the year have made new friends and it would be great to have some new faces on 20th September”.

If you would like to come along, please call Diamantes on 965 352 947 to book your table. Lunch is 1.30 pm for 2.00 pm and normally finishes around 4.00 pm.

SAMM - MABS Cancer Support Annual Race

Sailing Association Mar Menor Race for MABS

The Sailing Association Mar Menor invites boat owners to compete in a race to raise money for the MABS Cancer Support Group charity to be held on the Mar Menor on 25th September 2011. The organizing authority will be the Sailing Association Mar Menor.

The event is open to all Cruisers, Dinghies and Sports Multihulls in Two Classes. Class 1 Cruisers which are defined as a yacht, single or multihull, with fixed permanent accommodation for purpose of sleeping, whether fit for that purpose or not. Class 2 Dinghies and Sport Multihulls which are defined as an open sailing boat with no fixed sleeping accommodation.

The handicap system used for both classes will be Portsmouth Yardstick. Vessels without a PY Number will be given one by the SAMM Race Committee using information from the entry form, design details and PY handicaps used by other clubs. All sponsorship monies to be in by closing date Monday 13th September 2011.

Closing date for entry is Monday 13th September 2011.

Full information, Entry forms and Sponsorship Forms can be found on the SAMM website: www.sailingmarmenor.com under SAMM Racing – MABS Cancer Race.

Event Email: Email SAMM

Close Shave for MABS

When MABS Murcia volunteer, Val Vickery, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer it was a huge shock for her and hubby, Malcolm. As key members of the MABS team, they have raised a great deal of money with the weekly MABS book sale outside The Arches in Los Alcázares. Needless to say, fellow MABS volunteers rallied round and they have received lots of support whilst Val has undergone a major operation and now, during her ongoing chemotherapy treatment.

Val continues to help Malcolm on the bookstall each week “It keeps me focused” she says “and the summer is always such a busy time for us.” They work very much as a team and are well known to residents and holidaymakers in Los Alcázares. They both knew that, with an aggressive course of chemotherapy, Val would quickly lose her hair and Malcolm wanted to do something to make sure that she didn’t feel out of place when it happened. He came up with the idea of having his own head shaved to keep her company and then the idea began to snowball.

When The Arches owner, Ali, heard about it, she was happy to help Malcolm make it a fundraising event for MABS. Word soon spread and MABS supporter, Suzy G, offered to entertain everyone at the event. The news reached MABS sponsors, Iceland Overseas in San Javier, and Martin Lawrence of Customer Services immediately volunteered to join Malcolm and have his head shaved too. “This is turning into quite an event and I am delighted that Suzy and Martin are joining me” commented Malcolm.

The sponsored head shave will take place at The Arches in Los Alcázares on Thursday, 15 September (7.30 pm for an 8.00 pm start) and tickets are available at The Arches for just 5 € each, which includes a buffet. If you would like to sponsor Malcolm and Martin, or if you would like tickets, please call Malcolm on 968 135 346 or email info@mabsmurcia.com

Some Like It Hot!

On Monday, 15^th August, with the temperature above 30° C, most people were thinking of ways to stay cool: cold drinks, a dip in the pool, a cool shower, or a lovely, refreshing swim in the sea.  Not so for Terry Rooke, who decided to do something completely different to help other people affected by cancer; he was going to have his legs waxed, just like Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon did in that famous film ‘Some Like It Hot’.

These ‘challenges’ are often thrown down after a few drinks for a bet, but not so for Terry, who had the full backing of his partner, Sue, to give him encouragement. The decision was made in the cold light of day without a drop of alcohol in sight: Terry was having his legs waxed to raise money for MABS Cancer Support Group in Mazarrón. Fully qualified beauty therapist, Vivienne O’Neill, from the Fuchsia Beauty Clinic, was there to introduce Terry to the wonders of waxing, giving her time for free. As Terry laid smiling on the bed, Vivienne carefully smoothed wax on his legs. As she smoothed on the first strip and swiftly whipped it off, Terry’s smile seemed to turn to a grimace, but he remained undeterred until both legs had been thoroughly de-fuzzed. Sponsored by friends and relatives, Terry’s endurance paid off, raising the princely sum of 150 € for MABS Mazarrón. “I’m sure Terry will agree that waxing isn’t for wimps and we’re really grateful that he was brave enough to raise such a handsome sum for us in this whacky way.” commented MABS Director, Lyn Baines. “We rely totally on donations and fundraising events like this one, so please get in touch with us if you have an idea, no matter how crazy it may be!”

Caribbean Comes to Camposol!

Getting on down with Bob 'Barrington' Marley

Dancing Caribbean Style

More than 220 people enjoyed the songs of Bob Marley, limbo dancing and Caribbean capers with Barrington at the MABS Caribbean Night fundraiser. “It was so popular that we sold out of tickets on the first day of sale” commented Sue Jacob, MABS Fundraising Co-ordinator. Sue had been rushed into hospital with acute appendicitis just a week before, but the fundraising team made sure that everything was on schedule for the event. Undeterred by her recent major operation, Sue arrived in a wheelchair (decorated a la Caribbean, of course) to oversee the night’s festivities.

Charlotte Lends a Hand

MABS fundraisers worked hard to give everyone a true flavour of the Caribbean with some great decorations, including two palm trees, made especially for the event. Charlotte, granddaughter of Totana Shop Manager, Ann Vinall, made the tea-light jars in bright, Day-Glo colours, which added to the whole evening’s atmosphere, and she proved to be a valuable member of the event team.
 
To complete the theme, and despite temperatures in the high 30’s, Barrington sported his Bob Marley dreadlocks like a true professional to entertain the crowd, many of whom had also dressed for the occasion in colourful outfits. Fired up by the atmosphere, guests joined Barrington’s Caribbean dancing sessions and there was an impressive line-up of people willing to take on the challenge of the limbo dancing. Some excellent raffle prizes were donated by local businesses and ticket sales helped towards a final fundraising total of 1375 €. MABS Director, Lyn Baines, also attended the event “It’s been a fabulous night thanks to the Sue and her fundraising team.” she said “Everyone has worked so hard and I am very proud of them”.

Caribbean Fun

MABS Mazarrón is looking forward to its next big event, the Race for Life, on Sunday, 23 October. For entry and sponsorship forms visit the website: www.mabsmurcia.com or call 689 052 123

Viva Las Vegas!

The Viva Las Vegas Show was a complete sell-out, with not a ticket to be had anywhere. More than 190 people turned up at the Alandalus Restaurant, on the outskirts of Calasparra, last weekend to enjoy the show and help raise money for MABS Murcia NW.

Charles Prince and Christine King travelled from Mazarrón to entertain the audience with a feast of well known songs from Elvis Presley, Dusty Springfield and other famous stars who have appeared on the Las Vegas circuit. Adults and children alike were up dancing most of the night and the restaurant provided a range of tapas. The first prize for the raffle was kindly donated by La Mariposa Hotel, Gebas in the Sierra de Espuña – a quad biking session for 2, including lunch at the hotel. The raffle raised 506 € on the night, bringing the final total of funds for MABS to an incredible 1,156€.

MABS Co-ordinator, Cecilia Coulson, said “As people were leaving at the end of the night they were asking when the next show would be; in fact some people have asked to be on the waiting list for tickets. I have also received many emails saying what a fantastic night it was. As one lady remarked as she left: ‘Let’s have more’, so we will be organising another event very soon.” A new wheelchair has already been purchased with some of the funds raised.

Flying High for MABS

Gill Gibson

 Gill Gibson from Mazarrón is coming up to her 65^th birthday and her partner, Mike, decided that this is the time to make one of her dreams come true. So she’ll be jumping out of an aircraft from 15,000 feet! Not everyone’s “dream” but Gill is up for it, she says:

“It is a tandem jump where I hitch a ride on the back of an experienced skydiver – I haven't got the nerve to do it on my own.  And my son, Glen, who is 38 years old, is also doing the jump with me. It’s now or never – and it might as well be now!”

The date of the jump is Friday, 26th August 2011 with SkyDive at Hibalstow Airfield, near Brigg in Lincolnshire (weather permitting). Gill is already in the UK, getting herself fit for the awesome task ahead.

This was a last-minute surprise, so Gill didn’t have much time to get sponsors for her jump before she left for the UK and is now on a hectic schedule to get fit for the big day. As she is jumping in aid of Spanish Charity “MABS CANCER SUPPORT GROUP”, she’d like as many people as possible to support and sponsor her both in Spain and in the UK.

Please contact MABS if you would like to sponsor Gill: email: info@mabsmurcia.com or call (0034) 693 824 511. If you are in the UK, feel free to call my colleague, Lin, on 0844 910 3271.

Well done, in advance, Gill – we’re very proud of you and looking forward to seeing the photos and video!