Liverpool Group

Meetings:
Meetings are normally held the second Tuesday of each month at 8.00pm, at the Alder Sports Club - what was "The Nalgo Club". Everyone is welcome, it is informal and very friendly, so why not give it a try. January's meeting is the AGM.

What Do You Want?
We at CHICS would really like to know what you would like to see the committee offering by way of support. Would you please phone Linda with your suggestions. We are a family support group and we would love to develop this role even further. We are looking at inviting speakers along to the meetings to give practical help and advice on anything you would like. So please think about it and ring Linda with any idea, it would be great to build up the attendance of the meetings.

Teenagers:
Teenagers meet on the first Thursday of each month (contact the CHICS office on 0151 523 8886 for details). If any of your children (patient or siblings) are over 13, they are eligible to join the teenage section of CHICS. The emphasis is on fun and being with children who find themselves in similar circumstances.

Newsletter:
If you would like to receive your monthly CHICS newsletter by e-mail as opposed to "snail" mail, please send an e-mail to Eddie requesting this (eddie.chics@blueyonder.co.uk). Not only will this save CHICS money but also barring accidents your letter should never be delayed by the post.

Collection Boxes:
CHICS finally now have a supply of collection boxes. We are requesting member's to go in to their local shops and ask if they can leave a box to be filled. If you can place a box please contact Eddie at the CHICS office.

Calling All Volunteers:
We are trying to put together a list of people who are willing to volunteer for CHICS events such as fundraising, manning stalls, bag-packing, helping out at social events, etc. Please call office if you wish to go on list.

Tibet Walk:
We have a member doing a Looooong walk in Tibet, to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust, so if any of our members wish to sponsor her can you phone the office and leave your details.

Sponsored Bike Ride:
Linda's husband and some of his friends are planning a sponsored bike ride, from Lancaster to York (about 100 miles). So if there are any fitness instructors or experienced cyclists who can help with fitness training and nutrition they would be most grateful. If you can help please contact the office or Linda.

Items for Sale:
We have both adults and children's T shirts for sale with the CHICS logo. There are also CHICS mugs and pin badges and car stickers available, so if you would like to buy any for yourself or if you can sell any on behalf of CHICS please contact the office.

Wristbands:
You cannot fail to have noticed how the wrist bands, started by the Lance Armstrong Foundation to raise money for Cancer Charities have taken the nation by storm. So we thought we would have our very own CHICS band done. What we need now are our members to sell as many as they can, if you are able to do this ring the office and we will get these out to you.

Direct Debit:
Most of you will have seen adverts on TV asking you to donate a minimum of £2 a month for a particular charity. Well we would like to do the same for CHICS so if any of you could consider setting up a monthly direct debit to go to the charity could you please phone JUDY. This could provide the charity with a regular monthly income to enable us to do even more work with our families.

Eddie's Day Off:
Due to Eddie's new work contract, Tuesdays are now to be his day off. It would be greatly appreciated if all phone enquiries could be directed to the office. If you need to contact anyone urgently please phone any of the committee members.

Also, could I point out that the messages left on the office answer machines are picked up EVERY day, so unless it’s a real emergency could we ask you not to ring Eddie at home, leave a message on the phone and we will get back to you.

Trips - Get More Involved With CHICS:
Give us your ideas. Have any of you had a great day out this year? Would you recommend it to others? Well we would love to hear from you. We are constantly on the look out for places to go. As you can appreciate CHICS has visited many places over the years, but we are constantly looking for fresh ideas so please start thinking and phone the office with your ideas. Or better still come a long to a meeting.

Request to Parents:
Do we have any parents who are willing to be CRB checked? This is because we sometimes require individuals to supervise children on route to holidays, day trips, holidays etc. If you are willing please call office.

Disneyland Paris:
We are looking at organising a trip in May Bank Holiday week 2009 to Disneyland Paris. The trip will hopefully be by air or Eurostar. We do not have any definite prices as yet, but would be interested to see if any of our families would be keen to go. If so, and at this stage it is only to gauge the level of interest, please leave your details at the office.

International Childhood Cancer Day:
We are hoping to try something different this year so to all children only, if you think you can sing could you leave your details at the office (this is not an 'X' factor type of show).

Bereavement Group:
We are looking to resume the Liverpool section bereavement group. If you are interested in attending, please contact the office.

Bereavement Book:
CHICS have a bereavement book which is kept in the Alder Centre. If anyone requires a form to place an entry in the book, please contact Judy.

Remember CHICS is here to give you and your family support - we are only a phone call away.

"Where are you now?" Hello my name is Lisa, I was diagnosed with rhabdomysarcoma in 1986. I have enclosed a picture of me in my midwifery uniform, something I always wanted to do.
"Our Newest Member" Our congratulations go to Annette and Gary on the birth of Thomas. A brother for Helen, Rachel and Sophie.
"Tunnel Walk" Our Kirby crowd (from left to right - Sheila, Tina, Ann, Lily, Cathy, Sandra and Lisa) before the start of their sponsored walk through the Mersey Tunnel. Thank you for your continued support.
"Thomas Knight" Congratulations to our young member Thomas Knight, from the Isle of Man. Tom is seen here on his new bike, where he intends to dominate the Isle of Man Youth Trails. Good luck to you Tom.