Recollections of Blaisdon Hall
Michael McKenna
It is amazing what some Blaisdon Old Boys get up to, and how they are inclined to hide their lights under the proverbial bushel.
The following is an amazing story of an organisation that Michael organised in his front room and then became the Founding Member and first Chairman of the small group. The group may have been small but the achievements of the group were truly tremendous.
Here is the story that was reported in the 'West Briton' newspaper on 7th June 2007.
By Jeff Reines (jreines@c-dm.co.uk)
250,000 reasons for tiny group to be mighty proud
The
sign
says
it
all;
pictured,
left
to
right,
are;
current
chairman
Christine
Morris,
first
chairman
Michael MckKenna, treasurer John Cottrell, David Glover, Jane Frapwell, secretary, and committee members Nina Austin and David and Molly McCarthy.
A small Group of volunteers are planning a party after raising £250,000.
They started as a well-meaning but inexperienced group of do-gooders meeting in the front room of founding chairman Michael McKenna, hoping to help out a charity for vulnerable neighbours.
But now the proud members of the Falmouth Support Group of Cornwall Hospice Care are calling on everyone who has helped out over the past 16 years to join them in celebrating their remarkable achievement.
One founding member, Jane Frapwell, said "The whole idea of the celebration is not a fund raising event but just to get together as many as possible of the people who have helped us over the years from the Falmouth area. We're really proud of what we've managed to do and want to shout about it and share it".
Fellow fundraiser Margaret Woolcock said: "We are a relatively small committee but have been so very generously supported by so many local people, friends, volunteers, organisations, shops, schools and businesses in the area. Everyone has worked so hard and with such unfailing enthusiasm and passionate commitment and we wanted to acknowledge that".
Known as the Falmouth Support Group of St Julia's Hospice before merging with Mount Edgcumbe Hospice in 2000, they have seen the cash pour in through everything from musical evenings and coffee mornings to sponsored knit-ins and pram pushes in private homes, public spaces and mayors' parlours.
An army of street collectors and emblem sellers willing to endure all weather conditions, together with collection boxes in shops, hotels and other businesses, have also played a crucial role.
The astounding contribution has helped staff at the hospice, based in Hayle, care for patients in "an atmosphere of love and peace".
It was appreciated by Sister Catherine of the Daughters of the Cross at St. Michael's hospital, which opened the hospice, who said "The hospice could not have remained viable".
And now the fund-raisers are keen to thank everyone they can who has had a hand in their success. All are invited to a buffet lunch at the Falmouth Beach Hotel on July 20. The venue was the site of the original group's first-ever fund-raising event, a coffee morning, before the hospice was even built.
For further information about the group or lunch call 01326 312820.
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The Salesian School Song finishes:
"And may thy sons hereafter
And may thy sons hereafter
Bring honour to thy name"
Well done Michael, Blaisdon can be proud of you. You admirably fit the desire expressed in the Salesian School Song quoted above.