Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Mum's joy as fund tops £40,000 mark.

A charity set up by an Aldridge mother to help young sufferes of brain tumours has topped the £40,000mark in less than two years. The Ben Sanbrook fund was created after the Aldridge youngster survived a grade four malignant brain tumour,diagnosed when he was just seven years old. The Cooper and Jordan Primary school pupil who is now nine battled through grueling spells of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and made a full recovery. His mother,Sharon,created the fund to raise money,and awareness of the severity of brain tumours in young people.And after just 18 months,more than £40,000 has been raised. "People have latched on to it and the money keeps on coming in " said Mrs Sambrook. It is fantastic and it really means so much to me and the family that people care so much,and continue to help.The fund directly channels money to support research into diagnosing and curing brain tumours in young people at the National Hospital of Neurology in London. We have set a target of raising £25,000 this year and we are already well on the way to achieving that added Mrs Sambrook..   The latest cheque to arrive has come from a charity concert which raised £1,000 ,afurther £600 was raised by Whitehouse Common Primary School in Sutton Coldfield and Mark Richards owner of Caulderfields Golf Course donated £1,080 from his 40th birthday celebrations, In the past events such as motor bike treks across Europe and charity balls have helped bolster funds.Andmore money is set to flow in with fund raisers preparing to run marathons and by holding concerts.Despite fighting off the brain tumour,basket ball loving Ben still undergoes quarterly scans to ensure that he remains clear of cancer. Raising this money could help save hislife,or help prevent any mothers going through what I,or my family have been through said Mrs Sambrook. Anyone who would like to contribute to the fund or has fund raising ideas should contact Mrs Sambrook on sasambrook@yahoo.com or call 07910752860   # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/14/09; 10:51:45 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]

Club at risk is saved after plans are refused.

Venue and sports pitches were in danger of being scrapped. An Aldridge social club and sports pitches under threat of demolition have been saved after plans were refused.Bolton MKM Sports and Social Club,adjoining Bolton MKM in Middlemore Lane,was dueto be cleared.The site was to be used for an 84 - home development.Football pitches and tennis courts at the location,traditionally used by workers of Bolton Metals Group,were also set to disappear.But an outline planning applicationhas been refused by planning officers at Walsall Council. The plans were refused under delegated powers,without it reaching the planning committee.A decision notice from Walsall Councils Head of planning David Elsworthy reads "The proposals would result in an unacceptable loss of valuable playing field and sports provisions,for whichinsufficent justification and unsatisfactory compensation has been put forward" The plans were also critised for failing to demonstrate pedestrian access would be provided from the site to the nearby residential area of Leighswood Road. Bolton MKM Sports and Social Club has become a base for sports clubs in recent years who use football and tennis courts on the seven acre site. The pitches were to be wiped away under the plans with alternate provision made at the nearby Anchor Meadow playing fields for teams and improvements to changing facilities there - paid for by the developer. The social club was due to be found a new home in the ball room at Bolton MKM,it is not the first time plans have been refused. A similar application was knocked back in the Summer last year because of extra traffic fears and the fact it did not offer enough to the surrounding environment.     # - Dusan Popratnjak - 7/14/09; 10:01:34 PM - Comment [0] Trackback [0]