140203 Health charities benefit in latest grants round

14 February 2003

Health charities benefit in latest grants round

THIRTEEN groups in Wales share a total of £1,229,167 in the latest Grants for large projects and Grants for medium-sized projects announced by the Community Fund in Wales.

Among the groups celebrating in North Wales are Meningitis Cymru and Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham.

Meningitis Cymru receives £59,903 over two years for a full-time co-ordinator for North Wales. The co-ordinator will be based in Caernarfon and will promote awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis through a targeted campaign to encourage early diagnosis.

In 2002 there were 213 cases of meningitis across Wales.

Meningitis Cymru's National Co-ordinator, Elizabeth Gibbs-Murray, who lost a son to meningitis 12 years ago, knows all too well the importance of early diagnosis: "Anyone can get meningitis, although those most susceptible are children under five, teenagers and young adults and the over 55s.

"While awareness has improved enormously in recent times, there is still a long way to go and we need to get our message across to people in North Wales. There is always that thought - it will never happen to me or I don't want to worry the doctor and also people forget so we need to keep it in their minds. Better awareness saves lives"

The promotional campaign in North Wales will involve school visits, liaison groups, talks with health and social care professionals and information road-shows. A 24 hour helpline exists for anyone who is concerned about symptoms on 0800 6529996.

Nightingale House Hospice is awarded £29,083 for a specially adapted minibus to replace its old one. The minibus will be used every weekday to transport patients to and from the hospice's daycare unit and can also bring patients in to the hospice for therapies. Nightingale House, which cares for people with life threatening illness and their families, needs to find more than £1.2 million this year from voluntary contributions and staff are delighted with the award.

General Manager Duncan Miller said: "It is essential we have a reliable vehicle as our patients come to us from many different areas across the region and, for some, travelling can be uncomfortable. The new minibus will be comfortable and easily accessible and will help us to continue to provide a first class service to our patients. It should also save on future repair bills!"

Also celebrating is North Wales Deaf Association which receives £108,583 over three years for an Education Officer who will seek to reduce the loneliness and isolation experienced by deaf people in mainstream education and improve their confidence to go on to further education, training and employment.

In total more than £139 million has been distributed to voluntary groups by the Community Fund in Wales to tackle poverty and promote community involvement.

Groups seeking application forms or further information should visit the "Funding your project" section of the website or call 0845 7919 191 (English) or 0845 7273 273 (Welsh)

Notes for Editors

1. The Community Fund is the operating name of the National Lottery Charities Board, an independent body set up by Parliament to distribute funds to support charitable, benevolent and philanthropic organisations. There are 17 Board members, including the Chair. Decisions on grants are made by the members in grant-making committees for Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the UK as a whole.

2. The Community Fund's grants programmes are awarded by the Wales Committee. Members in Wales are Jeff Carroll (Chair) and Elisabeth Watkins. Co-opted Members to the Committee are Margaret Dennis, Jenny Lewis and Dr Glyn Williams.

3. The Fund's main aim is to give grants mainly to groups who help those at greatest disadvantage and also to improve the quality of life in the community.

4. Since October 1995, the Community Fund, through its grants programmes, has distributed over £139 million to groups across Wales

5. Full lists of Community Fund's grants are published in the "What we've funded" section of the website and full lists of all Lottery distributors grants are listed at www.lottery.culture.gov.uk.

For media enquiries or group contact numbers please call Debbie on 01352 700208 or 07968 113772.

	14 February 2003 Health charities benefit in latest grants round
	THIRTEEN groups in Wales share a total of £1,229,167 in the latest Grants for large projects and Grants for medium-sized projects announced by the Community Fund in Wales. Among the groups celebrating in North Wales are Meningitis Cymru and Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham. Meningitis Cymru receives £59,903 over two years for a full-time co-ordinator for North Wales. The co-ordinator will be based in Caernarfon and will promote awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis through a targeted campaign to encourage early diagnosis. In 2002 there were 213 cases of meningitis across Wales. Meningitis Cymru's National Co-ordinator, Elizabeth Gibbs-Murray, who lost a son to meningitis 12 years ago, knows all too well the importance of early diagnosis: "Anyone can get meningitis, although those most susceptible are children under five, teenagers and young adults and the over 55s. "While awareness has improved enormously in recent times, there is still a long way to go and we need to get our message across to people in North Wales. There is always that thought - it will never happen to me or I don't want to worry the doctor and also people forget so we need to keep it in their minds. Better awareness saves lives" The promotional campaign in North Wales will involve school visits, liaison groups, talks with health and social care professionals and information road-shows. A 24 hour helpline exists for anyone who is concerned about symptoms on 0800 6529996. Nightingale House Hospice is awarded £29,083 for a specially adapted minibus to replace its old one. The minibus will be used every weekday to transport patients to and from the hospice's daycare unit and can also bring patients in to the hospice for therapies. Nightingale House, which cares for people with life threatening illness and their families, needs to find more than £1.2 million this year from voluntary contributions and staff are delighted with the award. General Manager Duncan Miller said: "It is essential we have a reliable vehicle as our patients come to us from many different areas across the region and, for some, travelling can be uncomfortable. The new minibus will be comfortable and easily accessible and will help us to continue to provide a first class service to our patients. It should also save on future repair bills!" Also celebrating is North Wales Deaf Association which receives £108,583 over three years for an Education Officer who will seek to reduce the loneliness and isolation experienced by deaf people in mainstream education and improve their confidence to go on to further education, training and employment. In total more than £139 million has been distributed to voluntary groups by the Community Fund in Wales to tackle poverty and promote community involvement. Groups seeking application forms or further information should visit the "Funding your project" section of the website or call 0845 7919 191 (English) or 0845 7273 273 (Welsh) Notes for Editors 1. The Community Fund is the operating name of the National Lottery Charities Board, an independent body set up by Parliament to distribute funds to support charitable, benevolent and philanthropic organisations. There are 17 Board members, including the Chair. Decisions on grants are made by the members in grant-making committees for Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the UK as a whole. 2. The Community Fund's grants programmes are awarded by the Wales Committee. Members in Wales are Jeff Carroll (Chair) and Elisabeth Watkins. Co-opted Members to the Committee are Margaret Dennis, Jenny Lewis and Dr Glyn Williams. 3. The Fund's main aim is to give grants mainly to groups who help those at greatest disadvantage and also to improve the quality of life in the community. 4. Since October 1995, the Community Fund, through its grants programmes, has distributed over £139 million to groups across Wales 5. Full lists of Community Fund's grants are published in the "What we've funded" section of the website and full lists of all Lottery distributors grants are listed at www.lottery.culture.gov.uk.		For media enquiries or group contact numbers please call Debbie on 01352 700208 or 07968 113772.