The Cancer Care and Haematology Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital was opened in 2001 as a result of a £1million fundraising exercise advised and assisted by Andrew de Mille. The success of the unit has led to plans for an extension costing almost as much again. During 2005 we were once again engaged to advise and assist in this further fundraising development programme, which progressed well. There is now something over £100,000 remaining to be raised, through systematic approach to trusts and further planned community fundraising activity in the coming months. Building work is expected to start later in 2006.
The Cancer Care and Haematology Fund, is an independent charity which raises funds to support cancer and haematology services at the Hospital. Its Chairman, Gillian Miscampbell, says:
“Andrew helped organise fundraising for the original building of the £1.1 million Unit, and shortly after that helped the hospital raise £1.6 million for its MRI Scanner. This third involvement with the hospital confirms the effectiveness of his methods – he was the obvious choice to help us with this next stage of development, and having worked with him before we need much less of his time than previously. His approach is flexible and effective, supporting and steering us when necessary and leaving us to get on with it when all is well.”
We are currently helping to set up a permanent fundraising office at Canterbury Cathedral to provide the funding for continuing major restoration and preservation work, to support the increasing cost of music in the Cathedral, and to provide ever better facilities for visitors. Interestingly, the architect of the main tower (Bell Harry), was John Wastell who also designed St James's Church in Bury St Edmunds, now St Edmundsbury Cathedral, so it was fitting to model the new Tower there on Bell Harry.
In the last two years we have been heavily involved with the Community Foundation movement undertaking a substantial piece of research for the Community Foundation Network.
Meanwhile Andrew has been a member of the Steering Group working in Sussex to establish the Sussex Community Foundation which has, even before appointing a Director or becoming registered, secured commitments of over £300,000 to underpin the first three years' running costs. He undertook the Feasibility Study on which the project is based.
For the past two years Andrew de Mille has been acting as consultant to the Buckinghamshire Foundation and mentor to the Director. Using very little consultancy time and spreading it over a long period has allowed his advice to influence policy and sometimes to challenge plans or decisions and "bounce" ideas back at the policy making processes. As the present Chairman is planning to retire Andrew has also been involved in discussion on the appointment of a successor.