Cake, Cake and More Cake!!!

Sorry for the late writing of this post, we've been a bit busy in the McLean household recently after the birth of Stanleys baby brother in November!

I just wanted everyone to know how amazingly successful the bake sale was at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on the 3rd of December, for the second year in a row. The lovely Becky Simmons, yet again, rallied the troops from A&E and got them all baking for the sale. It was a fab turn out, with tonnes of cakes, cookies, mince pies, cupcakes, rocky road, coconut ice, the list goes on! It didn't take long before it was a total sell out.

The bake sale ended up raising an amazing £507.63 for Stanley's Charity which just proves what great bakers the A&E department have!

Thanks again to Becky for organising it and to her Mum and Jessie for helping to sell all the yummy cakes on the day. A huge thanks to everyone who baked, bought and ate!

Debbie
 xxx 

2nd Stanley McLean Memorial Charity Golf Day a Major Success!

 The 2nd Annual Stanley McLean Charity Golf Day was held on 20th September at the beautiful Marriott Sprowston Manor Hotel and Country Club with 30 teams of golfers enjoying the sunshine and great golf.  The golf course was in fantastic condition with many competitors commenting on the greens saying they were the smoothest and quickest they had played on all year.

Ready for the golfers!

The day started with everyone arriving for their bacon loin roll and receiving their welcome gift of a Brighter Future's Mug stuffed with Titleist Golf Balls and a keepsake Poker Chip Ball marker amongst other items.  Golfers from as far away as Derby, Northampton and Maidstone made the journey to join a number of local golfers including Sprowston Manor Members and staff for a fun day of on course competitions.

Golfers arriving on the day

There were fantastic prizes to be had including nearest the pin prizes such as a laptop donated by InTouch Systems, Titleist Drivers and the chance for one lucky golfer to drive away in a brand new Mini from Cooper Norwich Mini.  Unfortunately nobody managed a hole in one but the cars looked great on the tee box and in the marquee during the dinner!

Your winners of the best dressed!

Woodfordes brewery donated boxes of Wherry Ale for all to enjoy as they went around the course, and Deb and Diane baked flapjakes, cookies and sausage rolls which were gone within 2 hours and raised over £100.  Local station Mustard TV showed up to feature one team of golfers whose total age exceeded 310 along with an interview and footage of the golf day which you can watch here . 

The teams of four were competing for the Stanley McLean Memorial Trophy, team prizes, individual prizes and everyones favorite competition, the dreaded yellow ball.  Unlike last year nearly every team returned their yellow ball, which was a sense of enormous pride as no one wanted to be responsible for losing it! 

The Norfolk Suite ready for dinner

Finalists of heads & tails

After the golf all the competitors headed to the Norfolk Suite for the drinks reception sponsored by InTouch Systems and the chance to bid on the silent auction items which included great golf courses such as West Sussex and Burhill, a signed Norwich City Football top and ball, a signed Stuart Pierce photo montage, and many many more.  The bidding was fierce and friendly with groups of tables egging each other on to drive the bids higher. 

Enjoying the meal and company

A fantastic 3 course meal was served and in between courses prizes and raffles tickets were drawn and handed out, with the main auction items held until last where the bidding again was both comical and very successful, raising over £4k just in auction items. 
The end of the evening saw the overall team winners handed out and congratulations to the team of Kevin Gooch, James Hazel, Dave Hewson and Sam Taylor who are the 2013 Stanley McLean Memorial Golf Day Champions.

Overall the day was a major success with over £10.2K raised so a huge thank you goes to everyone who played and donated so generously!

This money will go towards helping us to fund a portable echo machine at GOSH as well as fund the Quidenham EACH hospice for just one day, on what would have been Stanley's 3rd birthday: January 2nd, 2014.  Both Deb and I can think of no more fitting tribute to give back to GOSH and EACH in this way and we want to thank everyone who donated prizes, time and most of all played in the day and dug so deep.

I cannot wait for the 3rd Stanley McLean Memorial Charity Golf day on Friday September 19th, 2014 and hope to see you there!

Thank you again,

Brad 

 

Just over one week until our Charity Golf Day!

We now have 30 teams confirmed for Stanley's Memorial Charity Golf Day on Friday September 20th and with a target of £10.6k to raise we can now proudly let everyone know what that money is going to go towards.

EACH

EACH have launched a "Fund the Hospice for a day" scheme and we are very proud to be the first ones on this new scheme.  £5,300 helps Quidenham operate for just one day, allowing children and their families to access the care and support they need. This includes:

• Short break care which allows families to have a much needed rest knowing their child is receiving the best possible care
• 24/7 symptom management by EACH's True Colours Symptom Management Team
• Hydrotherapy to promote relaxation, improve muscle strength and movement and to relieve pain
• Music therapy to aid communication, expression and to encourage physical and cognitive development
• Specialist play to help build confidence, promote choice, create memories and help understand, cope and reflect on medical experiences
• Care at end of life including memory making and funeral planning
• Family support sessions offering emotional and psychological support including bereavement support

All of these are invaluable and mean a tremendous amount to the children and their families.

The day that we have nominated to fund is January 2nd, 2014 which would have been Stanley's 3rd birthday.  We can think of no more fitting tribute!

GOSH

With GOSH we have elected to put funds towards equipment that will directly benefit the Cardiac department.  So far this year we have put £5k towards part sponsoring a cardio probe to be used with an Echo machine which is a crucial piece of equipment in the diagnoses of heart conditions.  We have also nominated a portable echo machine with funding required of £80,000 as our next piece of equipment to part fund.  Both of these help to diagnose heart conditions within children and are simply a vital piece of equipment.  We know from Stanley's experiences how often they are used, and how important these items are.
 
Brad

The 2nd Stanley McLean Memorial Charity Golf Day is fast approaching!

After the success of last years golf day where over £9,400 was raised we are looking forward to the 2013 edition with even more exciting prizes and auction items.  An expected 128 golfers will be set to tee off on the 20th September not only raising thousands for Stanley's Trust but also giving themselves a chance to win some amazing prizes.  One of our main sponsors on the day, Intouch Systems will be putting up a laptop as a nearest the pin prize on the 6th hole, while Mini Cooper Norwich will have a brand new Mini on the 14th tee for any lucky competitior who scores a hole in one!

Marriott Hotels and Country Clubs have once again shown tremendous support to our events and so far we have received overnight stay with golf at the stunning Dalmahoy near Edinburgh, Hollins Hall which is on the doorstep of the Yorkshire Dales, Tudor Park, just minutes away from Leeds Castle in Kent and the grand Breadsall Priory just minutes from Derby.

In addition to great hotels breaks we will be auctioning of a signed Chelsea Team top, signed Liverpool team top, Ian Poulter signed picture and a Teddy Sheringham signed Titleist cap amongst other items.  Stoke City have generously donated 2 tickets to the Norwich City game on the 29th September in Stoke along with car parking and entry into their Sky Lounge.

We are always on the lookout for more items that we can either use for prizes, raffles or auction and if you have something that you would like to donate to help us raise thousands for these great charities please contact Brad on 07963827051.

One year on.........

 It has been just over one year since we lost our beautiful boy Stanley after his 3rd heart surgery at GOSH.  While every day is a challenge knowing that he is continuing to help other children through everyones fundraising efforts gives us a tremendous amount of comfort.  In one year over £35,000 was raised to support GOSH so that they can continue their lifesaving work.  We are now into our second year and we hope to be able to continue to raise money not only for GOSH but also for EACH, who have given our family tremendous support.

For everyone who has taken on a fundraising challenge, donated time and money, attended one of our events or just simply became more aware of why GOSH and EACH are so special, we thank you.

An amazing amount raised!

The first Stanley McLean Brighter Futures Dinner and Dance is now in the books and with the inclredible generosity of everyone who attended we managed to raise a staggering:

£3,416.24!!!

Thank you to everyone who came on the night, bought raffle tickets, bid on the silent auction, and just continued to reach into their pockets to continue to give!

From the glorious weather to the fantastic disco the entire evening was a great success.  Thanks has to go to the team at Sprowston Manor for the fantastic food and great service and highlights of the night have to include Jenny riding her raffle prize of a childs bike across the dance floor, Paul winning a silent auction prize that he didn't even bid on, and a certain 2 nurses who, in their own words, "owned the dance floor!"

Mickey from the Optimum Group has organised a link where you can purchase photos on the night, with a portion of those proceeds also going to the Charity.  Click here to see the photos on the night!

Once again,

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Brad and Debbie

One night to go!

Everything is just about ready for the very first Stanley McLean Trust Brighter Futures Gala Dinner and Dance tomorrow night.   73 people will be in attendance at the stunning Marriott Sprowston Manor to enjoy a 3 course meal, raffles and games before dancing the night away.   We have been receiving more amazing raffle prizes including overnight breaks from Marriott Hotels such as:

• Sprowston Manor, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club
• London Marriott Maida Vale
• London Marriott West India Quay
• London Marriott Marble Arch
• Marriott Peterborough

The Great Ormond Street Children's Charity have very generously sent up an Xbox360, PSP, Nintendo 3D DS and a child's bike, all of which will be raffled off to raise as much as possible.  Over £500 worth of raffle tickets have already been sold, with more to come on the night.


Check back later to see photos and how much was raised for Stanley's Brighter Future Fund at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital!

Brad

Just 10 days to go to the inaugural Brighter Future's Gala Dinner!

The very first Stanley McLean Trust Brighter Futures Gala Dinner is nearly upon us and we have once again been incredibly touched by the generosity of business owners and friends in donating raffle prizes.  For those of you attending the evening raffle prizes will include:

• £50 gift certificate to the Unthank Arms
• 2 tickets to the Unthank Arms Comedy Festival for Tuesday July 24th
• A 3 course Sunday lunch for two at the Queens Head in Hethersett
• A signed cookbook from renowned Norfolk Chef Richard Hughes of the Lavender House
• A remote controlled 1:7 scale Ferrarri (very cool!!!)
• Cinema City film vouchers
• numerous bottles of wine and spirits
• and many many more!

In addition to great raffle items we also have a few secret prizes which we are holding back for some on the night games to raise even more money, so make sure you bring some coins with you, as well as a £10 note to write your name on!

We have also been able to secure the services of fundraising-auctions.co.uk who will be supplying some fantastic silent auction prizes with reserve prices starting at just £60 as well as a few live auction items.

Make sure you are "Dressed to Impress" (I have already had a dry run to make sure I still fit into my tux!) as Mickey Amey from the Optimum Photography Group will be taking pictures on the night for you to purchase with a portion of the proceeds going to Stanley's Trust.

And to finish the night off Compact Disco will be getting everyone on the dance floor!  The wine has been chosen, the fizz is chilling and we are excited about welcoming all of you on the night to a great evening of fun, games and most of all raising as much as possible for Stanley's Trust and Great Ormond Street Childrens Hospital!

Brad

Limited Tickets for the Gala Dinner Still Remain!!!

Very few tickets still remain for the very 1st Brighter Futures Gala Dinner on July 13th at the Marriott Sprowston Manor in Norwich.   We have some great raffle prizes including city hotel breaks from Marriott, a signed cookbook from the Lavender House, and my personal favorite, a very cool remote controlled Ferrari!

The evening starts with a welcome drink of fizz, some great games to get everyone going and raise more money, a 3 course meal and half a bottle of wine per person.  The evening finishes with a dance with music provided from Connection Disco until late.

Enjoy a great night out while helping us to raise thousands for Great Ormond Street Hospital and Stanley's Brighter Futures Fund!  More info on the upcoming events page or by contacting Brad on 07963827051.

If you cant make it but still want to help out we are always looking for raffles prizes!  Please get in touch if you have any items you wish to donate and we will be sure you are mentioned on the night.

 Brad

And they finish!

Sofie and Alice successfully completed the 3 peaks challenge this evening after making it to the top of snowdonia!
Other than Alice falling in a river and them both being chased by a cow all are well and heading back to Norfolk.  Big thanks to them both for raising over £900 so far and to Emma and Dave for being their trusty chauffeurs!
Keep donating at www.justgiving.com/sofiewhitehead

The 3 peaks begins!

At 18.05 this evening Sofie and Alice began the 4,409 foot climb up Ben Nevis raising money for Stanley's Brighter Futures Fund at GOSH.  It was a sunny Scottish summer evening when they set off for the hike which should to take around 3.5- 4 hours to summit with another 1.5-2 hours needed to get back to the bottom where Emma and Dave will be waiting, rested and ready to drive to the next challenge, Scafell Pike in the Lake District.

We will keep you updated as they progress!

www.justgiving.com/sofiewhitehead

Local Radio Fame!

Sofie and I had our five minutes of local radio fame yesterday on BBC Radio Norfolk who got in touch and asked if they could interview about the 3 peaks challenge and the Stanley McLean Brighter Futures Fund.  So off we went at 8am on a Saturday morning to talk to the people of Norfolk about the great work GOSH do and the upcoming climb.  Alice came along as moral support for Sofie and after 10 minutes of searching for the entrance to the studios we made it just in time to go on air live at 8.40 am on the Kirsten Thorne Saturday Morning Show.  If you missed it you can listen again at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p019x1h0 and fast forward to the 2 hour 40 minute mark to hear us talk about Stanley's Brighter Futures Fund, why we have set it up and just what GOSH does for children and families.  

Sofie spoke about their reasons for doing the 3 peaks challenge and the training they have been doing.  Sofie, Alice and their support team of Emma and Dave leave at 6am tomorrow morning to tackle the first peak, Ben Nevis, in sunny/snowy Scotland!

Sponsor the team at http://www.justgiving.com/sofiewhitehead

We will keep you updated as they progress up and down the mountains!

Brad

Welcome!

 
Welcome to the brand new Stanley McLean Trust website. On this site we will keep you updated with all the upcoming events that we are organising, the success of previous events and keep you informed of ways that you can can help us to raise money for these fantastic charities.



All the fundraising done so far has been to support Great Ormond Street Hospital which means a tremendous amount to our family and where Stanley received such phenomenal care.  After Stanley passed away in July 2012 we decided to try and give back for all the care he received.  Our first event was going to be a small golf day but it grew and grew and ended up with 130 players and raised an incredible £9.1k for GOSH.





Many of Debbie's friends also wanted to help and in October a bake sale was arranged by Becky in A&E at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.  This again raised a staggering £500+! They like cake at the hospital!

Not to be outdone was Stanley's aunt Susie who organised a bake sale for the students at City of Norwich School who raised £150.

Following on from the bake sales was a brass band evening by the Cawston Brass Band organised by Peter Abbott and attended by over 120 people raising over £1,200.  This took the fund to nearly £15,000 in a short 3 months.

Carrying on the generosity The Club Captain of Sprowston Manor nominated his Captains Charity for 2012 to Stanley's fund and during his captaincy raised £1,500 which he donated to the fund.

The father of one of Stanley's friends also wanted to give back to the hospital that did so much for Stan and as a keen cyclist set out on the Thetford Forest Night Cycle followed by 100 miles around St Kilda and in early 2013 he completed another 200 miles around Norfolk.  By these events alone James has raised nearly £1,000.

Robert Cotton also wanted to get on a bicycle and entered the Tour of England, or at least the Norfolk leg, and raised over £600.

Bike rides have proven very popular (The Wiggins effect????) and Debs cousin Adam and his mates cycled coast to coast from west to east for a total of 145 miles and raised nearly £1000.


Staying on the bike (or not in Brad's case) was Luke Clements and Brad doing a 100 miles, and Tracy and Steve Nicholls on the 50 mile ride around not very flat Norfolk in the Norwich 100 just last Saturday raising another couple of hundred pounds.





The most recent event held to raise money for Stanley's Trust was a golf day held by Arthur Illsley on the 7th of June at Marriott Sprowston Manor. 17 teams participated on a sunny yet cool Friday afternoon with 18 holes of competitive golf followed by a BBQ cooked by Stanley's uncle Rich at the hotel.  Over £3,100 was raised on the day taking Stanley's Brighter Futures Fund to over £30,000 raised for GOSH.