We have recently received a letter from William Douglas and Diana Johnson who are, respectively, the son and niece of our client Mrs. Isobel Douglas. It reads as follows;

“Mrs Isobel Douglas would like to thank Camberley Care for an excellent caring car service to take her to the shops.

The enclosed cheque is from her which will help a little towards the administration of Camberley Care.

Thank you for helping us to maintain her independence and to have some company on her shopping trips.

We look forward to a continuation of the service as she approaches her 93^rd birthday.

With grateful thanks”

This letter wonderfully encapsulates what Camberley Care is all about and we are most grateful to Isobel for it and her kind donation.

From (and including) January 2014 to (and including) June 2104 volunteer car drivers completed 1860 trips and the handyman, Michael Chambers, completed 410 jobs.

The requirement for our services continues to grow as does our need for more volunteers. So, if you feel able to join us either as a driver or in the office, do please get in touch. You will be warmly welcomed.

Sadly, George Jackson, who had used Camberley Care since 2005, died last year. Our Administrator, Joan Kerr, represented the charity at his funeral and reported that it was a lovely celebration of his life. On leaving the crematorium at the conclusion of the service, the song “I’m for ever blowing bubbles” was played and bubbles were actually blown by the priest who conducted the service! We have recently been overwhelmed by the news that George made a substantial bequest to Camberley Care in his will and for this we are immensely grateful. Leaving a gift to the charity in a will, whatever the size of the legacy, will be hugely appreciated and put to good use in achieving our aims. It could also lighten the burden of any Inheritance Tax payable on the estate.

Camberley Care was formed in 1974 by a consortium of local churches. Originally a telephone helpline, it grew into a renowned volunteer car transport service followed, in the year 2000, by the valued secure subsidised handyman service which has the informal motto “No job is too small”.

We have celebrated the 40th anniversary in two ways. Firstly, on the 19th May, the ladies section of Camberley Heath Golf Club, headed by the Lady Captain Linda Cusack, generously hosted a splendid tea party for many of our clients. We were honoured by the presence of the mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Bob Paton who, in one of his first engagements following his election as mayor, enthusiastically joined in the festivities and, during an amusing address, kindly acknowledged the valuable contribution which Camberley Care has made and continues to make to the welfare of the elderly, disabled and vulnerable members of the local community. A photo blog of the event, skilfully created by well-known local photographer Alan Meeks, was kindly posted on the Surrey Heath Residents Network courtesy of Councillor Paul Deach and is still available to view. An article by James Chapple also appeared in the Camberley News and Mail newspaper.

On the 6th June, over 40 volunteers enjoyed an evening cruise on the Basingstoke Canal aboard the John Pinkerton, a wide beamed canal boat operated by the Basingstoke Canal Society. We were blessed with splendid weather and many volunteers met for the first time. Volunteers have, for many years, gathered together at Christmas and it is hoped that a summertime social event will now become a regular feature.

Annual Volunteers Tea Party.

On Tuesday the 10th December 2013, nearly 60 volunteers enjoyed their annual tea party held in the garden room at St Paul’s church. This event is the only occasion in the year when the volunteers gather together and this year, we were honoured by the presence of the mayor of Surrey Heath councillor Beverley Harding who spoke to us about her mayoral role and the many and varied functions which she attends in her official capacity. The mayor also drew the raffle and handed out certificates for long service.

Thanks are due to our Office Administrator Joan Kerr and her team of helpers for providing a delicious buffet. We are also indebted to County Councillor David Ivison for arranging a grant to help with the costs. Donations are always most gratefully received.

The photographs are by courtesy of Roy Devereux of the Camberley Rotary Club.

If you would like to be present next year and join in the fun then you need to become a volunteer and you will be warmly welcomed. Please contact Joan who will be delighted to arrange matters.

One of our trustees, Kelvin Edmundson has kindly agreed to head up our fundraising activities and has begun his task with characteristic enthusiasm. He would be delighted to hear from anyone who would be interested in becoming a donor and can be contacted via the office.

You can also donate by using this website.

We will be 40 years old in 2014 when our oldest client will attain her 100th birthday. We would like to celebrate both these events in various modest ways and our looking for sponsors whom we would be happy to acknowledge in our literature. Our plans are not yet finalised but expressions of interest would be most welcome at this stage.

We are keen to make the community aware of our existence and the services we offer. We also wish to collaborate with other providers of statutory and voluntary services and to that end, the following are examples of activities we have undertaken in the past few months.

Set up a stall in the Mall shopping centre.

Attended the Mayor’s Reception for volunteers.

Attended meetings with Surrey Heath Borough Council, Action Surrey and Voluntary Services North Surrey.

Attended various seminars.

Attended community lunches arranged by local churches

Set up a stall at the Camberley Farmers’ Market.

Attended meetings organised by Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey Heath Clinical Commissioning Group and the Care Quality commission.

Given presentations to local organisations.

In June 2013 we carried out 44 jobs, 56 were carried out in July, 60 in August and 66 in September.

We undertake work for Action Surrey who finance the installation of “Keep Well Keep Warm” kits and we fit key safes for Surrey Heath Borough Council, Helpline. We are also in active discussions about an enhanced role in the provision of services for the elderly, disabled and vulnerable.

We are unique in Surrey Heath in providing a secure and subsided handyman service so do please contact us if you require help. No job is too small.

In May 2013, 244 trips were undertaken by our volunteer drivers who also undertook 255 in June, 277 in July and 259 in August.

Currently we have 58 available drivers BUT we are most anxious to recruit more so do please contact us if you are interested in helping to provide this vital service to the elderly, disabled and vulnerable members of our local community.

On the 13th September 2013 Surrey Heath Dial a Ride stopped taking patients to medical appointments and is referring enquiries to us. This has resulted in a noticeable increase in our workload. We are able to transport those who use wheelchairs provided they can get in and out of a car.