Going through months of chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for cancer is a tough assignment. With this in mind, MABS Director, Lyn Baines, decided to arrange a special outing for some of the patients and carers in the Murcia region. Sponsored by Tuxedo Limousines of Mazarrón, Eddie, Monica, Val and Malcolm were treated to an hour’s ride in a luxury limousine with Cava and canapés.

MABS translator Elvira and her husband, Steve, were also invited along. Lyn explained why: “Elvira is so passionate about helping our cancer patients that nothing is too much trouble for her or for Steve, who does all the driving to and from various hospitals. They work so hard throughout the year to ensure that each of our patients and their partners receive the best attention possible and understand what’s happening throughout the treatment.”

Another ‘MABS VIP’, Care Co-ordinator Jill Chorley, was also included in the party. Jill is on call 24/7, heading up a dedicated care team, providing help and support to everyone affected by cancer in the Murcia region. “We are so lucky to have such great volunteers” said Lyn. “Jill goes beyond the call of duty every day and our patients insisted that she had some fun with them for a change.”

The chauffeur, Lord Christopher Vaughan Powney, took his special guests on a tour of San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar, before returning them to the MABS Centre in San Javier. “It’s always a pleasure to help MABS and today has been particularly rewarding for us” he said.

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Market Tavern Team Photo: David Stapleton

Pink tutus were very much in evidence on the beach at Puerto Mazarrón on New Year’s Day; Julie, Tracy, Freddie and Chris from the Market Tavern bravely turned out for a sponsored splash in the Med to raise funds for MABS Mazarrón. “We want to raise money for a cancer charity” remarked Julie “and we know what great work that MABS Mazarrón does in this area.” They came up with the crazy idea of going for a swim on New Year’s Day a couple of months ago, so they had no idea what the weather would be like. Fortunately, the sun shone and it was a gorgeous day, with more than 80 people, including volunteers from MABS Mazarrón, turning out to support the intrepid four. The dippers weren’t just in the water and out again, they swam a fair way out to sea before returning to the shore. “I thought we were going to reach Africa” joked Julie.

“Sponsorship money is almost all in now and the Market Tavern has raised over 830 Euros. We are absolutely delighted that Julie and her team have been so supportive; without people like them, we couldn’t carry on with our work and we thank them all for giving up their free time to help us.” MABS Mazarrón Co-ordinator, Zue Burgess, said. “Local businesses are very supportive and the next MABS fundraising event is the Fun Night at the Alley Palais on Camposol, Sector B, when Terri will have all her head shaved to raise funds for us – she’s a very brave lady!” Tickets are available from Alley Palais or you can call the MABS Enquiry Line: 620 582 418

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It’s a year since the MABS Cancer Centre was officially opened by the British Consul, Paul Rodwell, on 26 November 2010 and MABS Murcia celebrated in style last Saturday. MABS Centre volunteers worked hard to provide an excellent buffet of canapés and Cava, alongside some delicious, hand-made truffles and petits fours, doing the Centre proud. Val of Torrevieja-based Cake Magic provided a superb cake to commemorate the first anniversary, Joanne of La Zona Bar created beautiful balloon decorations in MABS colours and Juan, owner of Vintage, allowed MABS to use the gardens for the event. MABS President, Jacquelyne Phillips, MBE, attended with MABS Murcia Director, Lyn Baines, Centre Manager, Sue Thomason and several people from Social Services in San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar.

Martin Ross Lawford was on hand to deliver some lively entertainment, together with Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus, creating a true party atmosphere. MABS volunteer, Manu, arrived with his American Ford Galaxy, festooned with the American and Spanish flags, much to the fascination of passers-by. Tickets were sold for the celebratory Prize Draw and, much to her surprise; Lyn Baines was the lucky winner of the one hour limousine ride, kindly donated by Tuxedo Limousines of Mazarrón. “I’m shocked because normally I never win anything in raffles or draws,” remarked Lyn “and I am really looking forward to taking some of our patients out for a luxury ride, with the odd glass of Cava. It’s a fabulous limousine and I’m sure they will enjoy it.” Sue Savage won a sumptuous meal for two, with wine, at the Vintage restaurant, which is next door to the Centre, Jill Sylvester won free therapy treatment with Meson Wellness, which is based at the Centre and Clare Lloyd won the 25 Euro voucher to spend at the MABS Centre.

Centre Manager, Sue Thomason, is delighted with the past year “We have a great team of volunteers who work hard to make the Centre a pleasant place for those affected by cancer to come and get advice, information, counselling and therapy, and the shop is particularly popular with ex-pats and Spanish alike” she commented. “In just one year we have built up an excellent reputation for high end, new and nearly new clothes and accessories and a service to match.” The MABS Centre is open Monday to Saturday, from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm each week and is situated near the Centro Comercial in San Javier and can be contacted on 615 016 035.

It was a busy weekend for MABS with two Christmas Fayres being held in Los Urrutias; the first organised by the Novo Carthago/Paddy Singh’s, where MABS volunteers provided a Tombola, sold MABS goods, and held a ‘Guess the Name of the Dog’ competition. The restaurant owner’s wife won the cuddly dog and named it after her husband, Allen. The second fayre was organised by the Bar Delfin, and MABS volunteers sold tickets for a magnificent MABS hamper, raising 450 € at the two events.

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MABS Mazarrón’s Christmas Fayre at the Hotel Sensol last Saturday got everyone in the mood for the festive season, with a huge variety of stalls, selling anything from Glam Straps or Christmas decorations, to calendars or pottery. Father Christmas was there to make sure that the children had behaved themselves this year and to find out just what he needed to load into his sleigh on Christmas Eve.

Some 445 people attended the event and, with 12 luxury raffle prizes, many of them walked away with an early Christmas present, raising an all-time record of 465 € on the raffle alone. MABS volunteer, Pauline, baked a cake for the cake weight competition, with fellow-volunteers, Margaret and Yvonne, selling the weight guesses, raising a further 60 € to add to the final total of 2190 €.

MABS volunteers were out in force and worked hard to ensure that the whole event went off smoothly. Many of the stallholders commented on how well organised everything had been: “It was a great day and all the hard work put in by the volunteers is greatly appreciated. I must say the organisation was great and I think everybody had a good day.” remarked Mal from Potty People.

“We’d like to say a huge thanks to all the stallholders and everyone who attended for their tremendous support” said MABS Mazarrón Co-ordinator, Zue Burgess. “I’d also like to thank all our lovely volunteers who worked so hard to make this event such a success.”

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