Cardiology fund

The purpose of the fund was to raise money for equipment, medical books and staff training courses that the trust could not cover.

By 2006 the total raised will be £1 million, this was achieved by an annual sponsored fun run, an annual sponsored bike ride, raffles, a Christmas bazaar, and monies donated by families in memory of their loved ones, also individual persons and groups holding coffee mornings and raffles which they have organised.

Over the years we have purchased equipment for the cardiology department and helped to computerise the appointments system.

We donated £172,000 in 2000 towards equipment for a catheter theatre. We recently purchased two defibrillators for the resuscitation unit in Accident and Emergency, and one for the Pacing Room in the Cardiology Department, which cost in total £15,000. We donated £70,000 worth of equipment for the Bill Hobbs Day Ward, in the new unit.

We have also purchased a 24-hour heart tape monitor for cardiology at Caerphilly District Miners Hospital, which cost £1,700.

Among other purchases in the past have been Vitalcare blood pressure monitors for the outpatients' clinic at St Woolos, costing £4,671, also three stand model Sphygs, blood pressure machines for this department, at a cost of £400.

We purchase annually numerous medical books for the staff, and have helped fund staff when attending courses.

A laptop for research purposes, costing almost £2,000, and a portable Vitalograph machine, a Heart-Tel. ECG system and recorder £7,400 plus Heart-Tel monitor and DINAMAP costing over £6,000 have also been purchased. Also a Gensia stress test machine at more than £4,000 and much, much more over the past 23 years.

All fund members are volunteers and all monies raised are spent for the benefit of heart patients. We hope this gives you an idea of what we do, and how we spend the money. Help us to reach the million mark this year!

Many thanks to Gwent branch of Advanced Motorists and Motorcycle Section; to St John Ambulance Central Division, Newport Civil Service Club; all volunteers.

FUN RUN: The Royal Gwent and St Woolos Hospitals Cardiology Fund fun run is to be run on the spring bank holiday, Monday, May 28, at Bettws Civil Service Club, starting at 11am.

Please find enclosed your entry/sponsor form and route map. To assist in the smooth running of the event, will you please comply with the following instructions.

Registration: There are two runs. A six-mile run (roughly) and a one- mile run.

You must register for the run you wish to do at the appropriate registration point, which will be at the Civil Service Club, Bettws. Please arrive early to register.

CHANGING: Changing facilities are available, but if possible come dressed to run, it will save time and congestion at the starting area.

The organisers accept no liability for loss or damage to your property. Please remember not to leave loose items of clothing lying about as they may get lost.

START: The main run will start from the clubhouse at 11am sharp, followed immediately by the one- mile walk. Please obey all instructions from the starter, and the marshalls.

RUN 1: This is a five- to six-mile run normally restricted to those 16 years and over, around the Bettws estate roads, the canal towpath and other lanes that lead back onto the estate. However, anyone under 16 years capable of completing the run may do so provided they are accompanied the whole time by a responsible adult. You will be required to name the adult, who must sign for you on your application form. All finishers will receive a free T-shirt and medal.

The run will be well supervised by marshalls. You should run on the pavement or where there is no pavement, and run facing oncoming traffic unless ordered to do otherwise. Do not run more than two abreast, and where the road narrows run in single file. Remember - you will be expected to obey the rules of the road at all times and be especially careful when running along the canal towpath.

This is a fun run and not a race, so keep to your own pace. Water stops will be sited around the route. There will be ambulance cover. Young runners must not be left on their own at anytime.

RUN 2: This one mile run, or walk, is designed for young children and their mums and dads, together with the elderly and not-so-fit. It is a fun walk/run and takes place within the playing-fields of the club. All finishers will receive a medal.

FINISH: Both runs finish at the Civil Service Club, and toilets and showering facilities will be available, also a bar and light refreshments. It is intended that this should be a family day, with a barbecue. Why not bring the family along and picnic and play in the adequate sports grounds?

CAR PARKING: Car-parking facilities are available in the Bettws High School car par. Do not park on the roads in the vicinity of the club.

PRIZES: These will be awarded to one runner in each of the following categories: Sixteen years and over, and under 16 years, who collects the highest amount of sponsorship money (shield to be held for one year). Teams participating must register as such.

To qualify for a prize in any of the above categories, sponsorship money must be received at the Cardiology Fund Office by Wednesday, July 18, 2007. Thank you for entering. Enjoy the day and good luck with your fundraising.

WALK: Newport, which take in short walks in aid of health in Newport Communities, have issued their diary for May to July. People of adult age from Bettws can enjoy a nice leisurely walk on Thursday, May 17. Meet at Fourteen Locks canal centre car park, High Cross, at 11.30am to take in the Mon/Brecon canal route.

You can pick up a free camera on the day for the photograph competition of the walk, a digital camera is the top prize. The last chance for the prize is on Thursday, May 24, at 11.30m. Meet at Kimberley Park car park, off Blaen-y-Pant, the walk takes in a pleasant walk along the canal to Strawberry Farm.

Launch of Newport City Independent Walk brochures on Thursday, June 14, 12.30pm-2.30pm at the Riverfront. Winners awards, free buffet.

Thursday June 21, 11.30am, Mill Heath to Tamplin Lock, scenic route along the canal, a flat course good for beginners, meet Mill Heath, Bettws.

Sunday, June 24, Gwent Cardiac Rehab Trust Fund walk - see Jim for sponsor forms and details. Monday July 9, meet at Malpas/Bettws Canal car park off Bettws Lane 11.30am for a short and pleasant walk around the fishing ponds.

A nice route will be Cwmbran boating lake at 11.30am, a walk around the pleasant lake, a scenic man-made lake, a lovely set of surroundings. Meet car park off Llanfrechfa Way, 11.15am.

Thursday July 26 meet at 11.15am at Bettws Lane car park for a look at angles a little different, flat and enjoyable.

Contact information: WALK Project Newport LHB Denise Cox, telephone 01633 261437 or 261443. e-mail: denise.cox@newportlhb.wales.nhs.uk or WALK Project Newport Local Health Board, Second Floor, Victoria House, 136-140 Corporation Road, Newport, NP19 OBH.