Star Throwers Charity Shop announced

Star Throwers is very happy to announce that in August we will be opening our first charity shop.

The shop will be based on Middleton Street, Wymondham, taking on the premises which are currently held by the RSPCA. 

As this is an Olympic year, Les King and top Norfolk sportsmen will help to promote the new charity shop:

Danny Nobbs - GB Olympic Competitor

Jon Thaxton - Former British Boxing Champion

Ken Brown - Former Norwich City Manager

Greg Downs - Former Norwich City Player & FA Cup Winner

John Ottaway - England's Record Bowls Player

Tony Selby - Norfolk's 'Mr Cricket'

Barry Pinches - Norfolk's Top Snooker Player

We are also very humbled and thankful to also announce that the charity shop will be kindly supported by the following local businesses and individuals:

Money Properties | Money Lettings | Collins Butchers | Tony Selby

M.W Surfacing Ltd | Hazel Butchers | Barry Martin | Station Bistro

Simon Caston | J.S Asphalt | David Green | Michael Armstrong

I.D Sweepers | Arthur Nudds | Kenny Buckenham Scaffolding

Les Dawes | Woodview Mushrooms | Caroline Hubbard

Caroline Codd and Pauline Kirby | Post Mill Garage | Paul Gardiner

Paul Hawkins | Chris Green | Fitness Express | Park Farm Hotel

picture courtesy of Archant

Les King (above, right centre) - who has been a prolific supporter of Star Throwers since our very beginnings, organising numerous fundraising events for us including a recent Charity Cricket Match - owns the premises on Middleton Street and after receiving the news that the RSPCA decided to move, generously offered Star Throwers a chance to open up it's very first charity shop. 

Les said, "It is a very good charity caring for people affected by cancer and it is the least that I can do to help Star Throwers start the charity shop."

We are very excited to be opening our first charity shop soon. Since officially opening our doors on Melton Road towards the end of 2009, we have cared for 365 people affected by cancer both locally and from outside of East Anglia, as well as the loved ones of those affected. In total we have spent 2046 hours supporting cancer sufferers and their families through FREE advice, complementary treatments, immunotherapy treatments, talks, diet advice, light exercise classes, workshops, counselling, and research. 

This work has only been possible through the goodwill and generosity of individual donations and fundraising events. Opening a Star Throwers charity shop will give our local supporters another way to support our work whilst also allowing us the chance to give back by offering quality goods at good prices in return.

And, importantly, the potential extra revenue would give Star Throwers a more sustainable platform to build upon our work of caring for people affected by cancer. In the future we hope to fund an expansion to Star Throwers, which will enable us to have the capacity to support more people with cancer, including potentially a new ward where patients can receive treatments they would not be able to receive elsewhere without paying high prices.

The charity shop is planned to open for business mid-to-late August but we can accept donations NOW at 30 Melton Road - please call us before you bring donations so we can expect you. 

We will be grateful for any of the following items in good condition:
second hand clothing, shoes, handbags, jewellery, toys and games, books. Also needed are DVD’s, CD’s, bric-a-brac, kitchenware, ornaments, unwanted gifts. Unfortunately we won't be able to accept electrical goods or large pieces of furniture.

If you are interested in volunteering at our first charity shop in August, please contact us on info@starthrowers.org.uk or 01953 423304.

Wymondham Open Gardens 2012

Final arrangements are underway for the popular Wymondham Open Gardens weekend, which this year takes place on June 9 & 10. 

This year the Star Throwers' garden will be a part of event.

The event, which is held bi-annually, will raise funds for Star Throwers and Wymondham Heritage Museum.

In total there will be 28 gardens open. The town allotments, now enlarged to over 100 plots are also open to view during the weekend. There will be teas, plants for sale and live music in some gardens.

At star throwers we will be serving refreshments on the premises on June 9th, and Melton House care home across the road will provide refreshments on the 10th. There will also be a book stall at Star Throwers. 

All in all, it should be a great day so why not pop on down and visit not just Star Throwers but all the other gardens too!

Admission is £5 per adult allowing access to gardens on both days from noon to 6pm. Admission programmes (including a map of all the gardens) are available from Wymondham TIC, Wymondham Heritage Museum, Wymondham Garden Centre and Star Throwers.

A lovely gesture at Child Support Agency in Thorpe

A big thank you to the staff at the Child Support Agency in Thorpe after they raised £505 for Star Throwers. 

Pete Dennington, Stuart Rudrum and Mrs Jill Rudum came to visit Star Throwers in Wymondham and presented a cheque to Dr. Henry Mannings.

The money was collected on behalf of 4 colleagues at the CSA - Canice Thurston, James Holland, Stuart Rudrum and Nigel Cragg - who were leaving and wanted their collections to be donated to Star Throwers.

Our sincerest thanks again to Pete, Canice, James, Stuart, Nigel, Jill and every member of staff at the CSA for supporting our cause. We would like to wish them all the very best for the future.

Pantomime funds raised by Ashwren Players shared between Star Throwers and East Coast Truckers

Star Throwers was one of two charities who recently benefited from the pantomime fun and frolics of local amateur dramatic group the Ashwren Players.

Ashwren, formed from residents of Ashwellthorpe, Wreningham and Mulbarton, performed their annual pantomime in February.

This year’s show was Treasure Island, written and directed by local businessman and South Norfolk councillor Bob McClenning.

Takings raised from raffles held at each performance raised £250, which was matched by takings from ticket sales. The total funds raised were split between East Coast Truckers and Star Throwers.

At a recent party held by the Ashwren Players a cheque was presented to both charities. Anthony Perry, Star Throwers representative, explained on the evening how the charity, based in Wymondham, provides counselling, emotional support, therapies and advice to support for cancer battlers.

Star Throwers would like to say a big thank you to Val Keel, chairman of Ashwren Players, together with the cast and crew of Treasure Island for their wonderful fundraising effort and well done for putting on a very entertaining show.

Les King's charity cricket match for Star Throwers

Thank you to Les King, Mark Wilkinson and everyone involved in the recent charity cricket match at Hardingham cricket ground, which raised a total of £615.

The cricket match was originally planned to go ahead last year but the weather unfortunately forced the match to be rescheduled. Although the weather was unkind the days leading up to the April 15th event, fortunately it was very pleasant on the actual day and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Les King, pictured above with Wendy Winterbottom from Star Throwers and Mark Wilkinson who sponsored the match, said: "Star Throwers is a good local charity, one close to my heart. I'm very pleased to have helped to raise that amount."

Our thanks again to Les, Mark, and all who made the day a fantastic success!

5 Ways to Well Being - Volunteer Champions

Star Throwers recently hosted the first part of a two-part educational course which introduced results from a government commissioned research project into the principles of improving one's wellbeing, as well as others that you may support. 

The course, which is being provided by Norfolk County Council Adult Education Services, is aimed at people who support others in a voluntary capacity, whether that be through an organisation or in their personal lives as a carer for a loved one. Jane Crockett, a regular visitor to Star Throwers, attended the course last Saturday and has kindly written her thoughts of her experience:

On Saturday 28 April I attended the first session of a two part course at Star Throwers, entitled 'Five Ways to Well Being'. The group was a lively mix of volunteers, patients, their partners, and staff and the course was aimed at people who support others in a voluntary capacity.

Rosa, the tutor, talked us through the Five Ways to Wellbeing - Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give which are all designed to help us lead a positive and healthy life, both mentally and physically, whatever our circumstances. The discussions were thought-provoking and we left feeling determined to spread the word and to build some, if not all, of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing into our own lives!

I met several new people and learnt quite a lot about them in a very short space of time. There was a very positive and friendly atmosphere and the morning passed all too quickly. I am looking forward to part two on Saturday 5 May.

If you would like to attend the second part of this fascinating course (there will be a summary of the first session at the beginning), please contact Star Throwers on info@starthrowers.org.uk.

Postmen’s Epic Journey Completed

On Wednesday 25th April four work colleagues from Post Office Limited at Wymondham completed their eleven day cycle ride from John’O Groats to Lands End. 

Paul Wightman, Dean Whitnall, David Crisp and Trevor Manser (pictured) pedalled the entire journey, a distance of over 900 miles and which spans the length of Great Britain.

The team from Wymondham are all keen cyclists and after deciding they would like to take part in the endurance challenge thought it would be an added incentive to attract sponsors and collect for a local charity.

‘We chose Star Throwers cancer support as it is a local charity and does great work for local cancer sufferers and their families,’ said Paul.

The lads, who have been in serious training since January, set off on Sunday 15th April from John’O Groats in Scotland and pedalled south through snow, high winds and lashing rain to reach Land’s End eleven days later on Wednesday 25th April.

‘The weather could have been kinder! But we made it, and would like to thank everyone for all their support,” said Paul.

The teams support van was driven by Andrew Howard, who also kept the cyclists supplied with snacks, drinks and dry clothes along the way.

Upon arriving home, the team were very pleased to find that they reached their target of raising £2700 for Star Throwers. Steven Ho from Star Throwers said, “It is awe-inspiring what they have done for Star Throwers, what an incredible achievement. We are so proud of the team and grateful that they chose to support Star Throwers and the work we do.”

Star Throwers would like to express special thanks to everyone who has supported the team, Barford Van Hire for helping out with the support vehicle and Sainsbury’s at Longwater who provided energy drinks and snacks and for all the donations to our charity.

To see details and pictures of this amazing cycle ride visit www.polscnrjogleblog2012.co.uk If you would like to find out more about Star Throwers you can call a member of the team on 01953 423304 or email info@starthrowers.org.uk.