The Friends of Combe Down Surgery is a Fundraising group, which started in 1999. We have raffles, competitions, Sponsored Walks, and monthly Coffee Mornings. Initially, we purchased equipment such as Blood Pressure Monitors, to assist in the running of the Practice; we bought plants and shrubs when the new Surgery was opened in Sulis Meadows, and in 2007, we paid for two defibrillators for the Surgeries. The staff have been trained how to use them in an emergency. In 2009 we purchased some more Blood Pressure Monitors for use by patients in their homes.

Our biggest achievement is in raising enough money to purchase a vehicle. We are very grateful to Medlock Charitable Trust, Co-operative Community Dividend Awards, and Mannings Funeral Directors for their very generous donations. In 2006, we took delivery of a Peugeot Montana, which has a ramp, and wheelchair access. This vehicle is now being used on five mornings a week, by elderly and infirm patients, who have been cleared by their Doctors as being in need of transport to get to their appointments at the Surgery.

We are very fortunate at present, as we have Volunteer Drivers, who do not ask for any payment. However, in the future, we could possibly have to pay for the services of a Driver.

The patients using the vehicle are asked to make a donation towards the running costs, but these donations do not cover all the expenses of keeping the vehicle on the road. We also want to build up a Reserve Fund, so that when the time comes to replace the vehicle, we will have some money available to do this.

There are over 8000 patients registered with our Surgery, but less than 300 of them are members of The Friends. Membership of The Friends is £5 per person annually, or £50+ to become a Life Member. Would you be willing to become a member of The Friends? You can have your annual subscription paid by Standing Order if you wish, and if you are a Tax payer, we can also claim the Tax, if you are willing to fill in a simple Gift Aid form.

You are sent a Newsletter every few months, letting you know about any future events, and they are also listed on the Surgery website www.combedownsurgery.co.uk.

I do hope that you will consider becoming a Friend – forms are available at both Surgeries, and I look forward to meeting you at our Fundraising events.

Mary Read (Honorary Secretary)
Tel: 01225 837457

SPRING 2010

Dear Friends,

Our thanks to those of you who came to the A.G.M. a few weeks ago. I was beginning to wonder if we were going to have to postpone it, due to the awful weather, but on that particular evening, the weather was kind to us. Prior to the meeting, I had received a Nomination Form proposing Keith Jordan as Chairman. As this was an unopposed nomination, Keith was duly elected as Chairman.

John Morris was thanked for all the time and hard work he had put in on behalf of The Friends. He was Treasurer for over three years, and has been Chairman for the last seven years, having sole responsibility for the upkeep of the vehicle and liasing with the drivers. We would still like a few more ‘relief ’ drivers.

Keith Jordan introduced himself as someone who was born in Combe Down, and has always been a patient at Combe Down Surgery. He welcomed any members to our Committee meetings, where new ideas are always welcome. We would also welcome some younger people on to the Committee, so that The Friends will be secure for the future. We were reminded that as donations from patients using the vehicle do not cover the running costs of it, we must continue with our Fundraising. Our Coffee mornings are usually held on the last Saturday of each month at the Main Surgery from 10.30am to 12 noon. Please try to come along to them! There will not be one at the end of May, as several of the helpers will be away, as it is the start of the Bank Holiday weekend.

John Morris and Keith Jordan both said how disappointing it is that we only have just over 200 members of The Friends, when the Surgery has over 8000 patients registered with it. We are all urged to try to encourage at least one person to become A Friend of Combe Down Surgery. It seems to me that there are a lot of people registered with the Surgery, who don’t even know of our existence! Please ask your neighbour, friend or member of your family if they would consider becoming a member. I would like to think that there will be lots of people going to the surgeries to pick up their Application Forms.

Please let me know if you would like to receive a copy of the Minutes of the A.G.M. Thank you for your continued support.
My Best Wishes to you all,
Mary Read.

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