For the month of March 2011, the Waitrose store on London Road, Leigh-on-Sea, has Southend Hospital Radio as one of the three charities in their Community Matters programme.

Declaring our interest, one of the team here at Sarfend.co.uk is a member of the local hospital radio station, and as such, that’s this website’s charity of choice.

If you’re shopping in Leigh-on-Sea’s Waitrose in March, please consider dropping your token in the Southend Hospital Radio box to show your support.

Community Matters Waitrose Leigh-on-Sea March 2011

The radio station is staffed by volunteers who visit the wards of the local hospital, chat to patients, and try to brighten their evening by playing music of their choice. Much of the by-bed entertainment in Southend Hospital requires patients to buy a TV card and pay for services. Thanks to the donations of the public, Southend Hospital Radio is able to offer two free radio stations to patients. You’ll find more on what the station does at www.southendhospitalradio.com

Thanks for your support.

Little Havens beat hundreds of projects from across the UK to win the prestigious title at The National Lottery Awards, which was broadcast live from London’s Roundhouse on BBC One on Saturday the 4th of September (hosted by John Barrowman).

Accepting the award, Lauren Summers, Head of Care at Little Havens Children’s Hospice, said: “It is an absolute honour to have won this award and for everyone involved in the project to receive national recognition for their hard work and dedication. Without Lottery funding we wouldn’t be where we are today. It has been crucial to our services by helping to fund additional staff and showing just how vital the work of the hospice is. The Awards have given us a great opportunity to highlight how we ve put our funding to good use and show anyone who has ever played the Lottery, the difference their money makes to people’s lives. We have received fantastic support throughout all stages of the competition and I would like to thank everyone who has voted for us.”

Lauren Summers and Charlotte Walsh from Little Havens Children's Hospice with the award

Little Havens Children’s Hospice provides respite breaks and end-of-life care for children and teenagers living with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses. It also works with their families, providing support and bereavement services.

More details on the good work being done at Little Havens can be found at www.havenshospices.org.uk

The National Lottery Awards are an annual search to find the UK s favourite Lottery-funded projects, and Little Havens Children’s Hospice is one of only 10 projects to make it through in the Best Voluntary/Charity Project category. All the projects in the running have already received Lottery funding and the Awards celebrate how they have put that money to good use. We’re urging you to show your support by casting a vote to help Little Havens Children s Hospice make it through to the final stage.

Lauren Summers, Head of Care at Little Havens Children s Hospice, says: “We’re delighted to have reached the semi-finals of The National Lottery Awards. Lottery funding helped to fund the equivalent of eight full-time registered sick children s nurses for three years and showed how vital the work of the hospice is. Without this funding we really wouldn t have got to where we are today. We’re really hoping the public gets behind us and votes as it would be fantastic to get national recognition for the work that we do.”

Voting for the semi-finals ends at midday on Friday 18 June 2010. To cast a vote for Little Havens Children s Hospice, call
0844 686 5047 or go to  www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards

Hundreds of good folk from Southend got up early this morning, Sunday the 21st of March 2010, headed down to Garon’s Park, and walked, ran or wheeled around a mile-long course in the name of charity – some even opted for longer sessions.

The weather from today’s event was ideal for a jog or brisk walk, and the atmosphere down on the track was good. Runners were nicely warmed up by staff, and the Mile commenced.

No news on how much was raised as yet – but a good turnout. Well done to all those that crossed the finish line in style.

All those who’ve not yet paid the sponsorship, or wish to donate, can find more info at http://www.sportrelief.com/the-mile

Lee, Simon, John, Sarah and Jez (plus bucket)

There are a few more pics at scaredscriptless.co.uk

The event was a fundraiser for the charity Rethink – thanks to all who donated, and thanks to Lee for pulling the Scared Scriptless team back together after a long break. Hopefully we’ll be able to see the team back in action again soon bringing top improv comedy to the town.

Scared Scriptless is a local improvisational comedy group that performed regular comedy gigs in venues such as the Palace Theatre, New Empire Theatre and the Railway Hotel.

If you’re familiar with TV’s “Who’s Line Is It Anyway”, you’ll know all about improv comedy – the performers have no script and the on-stage action is drioven by suggestions shouted out by the audience.

The Scared Scriptless players not been seen performing for a number of years now, but are back for a special one-off charity event this coming Thursday, the 11th of March 2010. It’s in aid of the charity Rethink.

The night of comedy will be held at The Pod inside the South Essex College building, right next door to Southend Central station.

To whet your appetite, here are a couple of shots of the team at a gig some years back – there’s more pictures at scaredscriptless.co.uk

Doors open at 6:30pm with the main show starting at 7:30. Tickets are £5 on the door.

Come along for a top evening of comedy – and it’s all for charity.

On Sunday the 21st of March, Southenders are being encouraged to do their bit for Sport Relief by taking part in the Southend Mile.

Similar events are taking place across Essex and the UK to raise money for Comic Relief, which goes to help poor and vulnerable people, both in the UK and and overseas.

The Southend Mile:

When: Sunday 21st of March 2010
Where: Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre , Garons Park , Southend, SS2 4FA
Events: 1 , 3 or 6 miles

To take part, or for more details, go to the Sport Relief Southend Mile page

Show your support for Sports Relief, and take part in the Southend Mile.

Image © Derek Cross

Artists include The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Dusty Springfield, Cliff Richard, The Kinks and many more.

Image © Derek Cross

“Unseen 1963″ starts on Saturday the 7th of November till the 29th November 2009 at the Atelier Gallery, 96 The Broadway, Leigh-on-Sea (opposite the Grand Hotel).

Limited edition prints will be available for sale direct from the gallery, and there will be an opportunity to buy charity raffle tickets for a chance to win a print. Profits of the raffle go to Southend Hospital Radio, serving the patients at Southend Hospital.

Update 2011: Images from this exhibition are now available for sale. To browse through the photos, and to find out more, go to www.starsinsouthend1963.co.uk