Noreen Vincent

OlympicsExtraCare are running a ‗Countdown to the Olympics‘event in which each village and scheme isasked to cover 1000 miles in a variety of differentways. This could be through organised walks, cyclingon exercise bikes, rowing, or even through awardingmiles for events such as quizzes. I would like to getthis exciting project off the ground at Shenley Woodand would like a small interest group to help organisethis. Could any interested parties please email me(martyn.dawes@extracare.org.uk) ring or catch meat a friends meeting. ——-FASHION SHOW FEVER AT LOVAT FIELDS!Ann Allen, Capital Appeals Manager for ExtraCare, wrote to all prospective residents of Shenley Wood Villagein Mach 2010, announcing that ExtraHope, the Voluntary Fundraising Group (ExtraCare`s first of its kind in theUK) were holding their first ever fundraising event. It was held on 26 th March 2010 and called “Colour andStyle Evening”. The poster read “Look Great, Feel Fantastic”, and promised Fun, Laughter, Clothes, and Make-up. It was well supported and everybody had a great time. How much did we raise that evening?£769.50.Well, we`ve come a long way since then. Our “Fashion Show 2011” ably hosted by Elaine Boddy fromgreenandbrown was an unprecedented success. Not a spare seat in the house! Elaine is a personal shopperand stylist; 13 ladies and gentlemen volunteered to be models for the event. From 15 years old up to themid-70`s, from a size 6 up to 22. Models consisted of residents, volunteers, and staff, strutting their stuff to raisemoney for ExtraHope and providing an afternoon of fun and fashion. A `star turn` was Janet who has been ina wheelchair for 4 years, showing new ideas for dressing successfullyas a wheelchair user.All the outfits were chosen by Elaine, which she borrowed for theshow from key stores in the Shopping Centre MK. They includedPlanet, Coast, and Hobbs from Midsummer Place, providing beautifultailoring and styles for ladies allowing for lumps, bumps and tums.They were perfect outfits for any occasion, casual, smart casual,work, holidays, and evening wear. Dresses worn by ladies who neverwear dresses looked great in day dresses and shrugs from Planet;jeans worn by a lady of 70 who never wears jeans. She looked amazingin size 6 jeans from Hobbs.Also on show were tops with white linen skirts and trousers; maxi dresses for ladies in their 70`s or 20`s. Somethingfor everyone. There were fabulous outfits from TKMaxx, like elegant men`s suits and a particularly niceblue linen casual jacket which normally retails for £300 (currently in store for£37). Not forgetting an exclusivenew range of Asian fusion designs from Ummi Courture. Each model outfit being complimented with accessoriesfrom Splash Out Accessories, providing a large range of jewellery, handbags, scarves, rings, and muchmore at the most competitive prices. Elaine explained that she had borrowed each outfit, and the reasonsshe borrowed them, and why they were handpicked for each model. This was based on colouring shape,age, and lifestyle. Providing tips and ideas for successful clothes shopping in the future.A staggering £1,249.17 was raised towards the £1,2m needed for the new Village Centre at Shenley Wood.This kind of success is brought about by people like you, your friends, ExtraCare and the ExtraHope team. Wethank each and every one of you for your ongoing support, with special thanksto Lovat Fields Village who opened up their delightful restaurant area to stagethe event. We met and made many new friends on the night, and everybodyenjoyed the evening together.I don`t always subscribe to the fact that everything is easy. Just like anotheridea that you just press a button to continuously churn out successful fundraisingideas and events. Quite the opposite. We had a purpose built Catwalkthanks to Jim. He organised the materials in conjunction with Jewsons, andspent the best part of Sunday erecting it. It was heavy work and entailed agreat deal of time and physical effort to build and remove. Jim also filled in asa photographer for the “Photoshoot”.A special thanks also to all the stallholders. Especially the anonymous stallholder who donated a £50 chequeto ExtraHope. We have the name of “Coulter” on the cheque. To Trish Drane of ―Think Holistic‖, DonnaBooden from ―Wax:One‖, Ummi Sadafraja from ―Ummi Culture‖, Liz from ―Splash out Accessories‖, and Gaylethe independent skin care advisor. The show was interspersed with 2 fascinating belly dancing displays2 from Rashiqa, the Middle Eastern Dance Troupe plus some top tips from local make-up artist Gayle Dallas.