Charity/voluntary

OVER 80 revellers turned out to celebrate Burns Night in Ickenham.

The event was a fundraiser for this year's Ickenham Festival, and guests tucked into a traditional haggis supper.

Continuing the theme of all things Scottish, Saturday's event saw a piper perform, along with a live ceilidh band, and Burns Poetry reading.

Ladies wore tartan to the event at Ickenham Village Hall, on Swakeleys Road, while many of the gentleman attending braved the cold weather by wearing kilts.

A Christmas Bazaar will be held at Ickenham Guide Hut, Community Close in aid of Community Cancer Centre on Sunday 29th November from 2pm - 5pm.

A JAM packed Christmas Fayre is to take place next Saturday, to galvanise the festive mood.

The Fayre will be held at the United Reformed Church, in Swakeley's Road, Ickenham, from 10am to 2pm. (21/11)

Admission will cost as little as 50 pence with under 12s going free, while there will be several stalls including jewellery, CDs and DVDs, Christmas decorations and cards, as well as books.

Children's activities and refreshments will also be available, and there will also be a grand raffle with prizes of up to £100.

The Inner Wheel Club of Elthorne Hillingdon invites you to their Annual Craft Fair on Thursday 5th November 12 noon - 2.30pm at Ickenham Village Hall.

A variety of stalls, refreshment are available proceeds to various children's charities.

A DRAMA school helped to raise £200 for the Mayor of Hillingdon's charities with a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The Stars At Knight School of Drama put on the performance in the Great Barn, Bury Street, Ruislip, to help raise money for Help the Aged and Ear 4 U.

Judy Kelly is the principal of the school, which she founded 12 years ago, and it is based at the Compass Theatre, in Glebe Avenue, Ickenham, on Saturday mornings.

She said: "It was supposed to be an open air event but rain drove us into the Barn, which is a wonderful venue for such events."

The school also gives lessons during the week in Uxbridge, Pinner and South Ruislip.

They are now about to start preparing for a performance of Robin Hood for a fundraising event by Ruislip Lions.

It is to be performed at the Winston Churchill Hall, in Pinn Way, Ruislip, on December 12.

To take part in the performance call Mrs Kelly on 020 8841 8940.

GARDENS across the area will be open to the public for a weekend to raise funds for charity.

Midsummer Weekend 2009, sponsored by Gibbs Gillespie and Ducks Hill Garden Centre, is taking place on June 20 and 21.

Twenty gardens in Moor Park, Northwood, Ruislip, Eastcote and Ickenham will be open all weekend to raise funds for various charities.

Tickets are £7 and many of the gardens will offer attractions such as tea, refreshments, plants for sale, raffles, live painting and a jazz band.

For tickets call Warren on 01923 451 616 or Tony on 01895 677 925 or go to www.localopengardens.com for more information.

A bring and buy sale will take place on Wednesday (29/4) with guests invited to socialise as they hunt down a bargain.

The afternoon will be hosted by the Women's Fellowship at Ickenham United Reformed Church, in Swakeley's Road, Ickenham at 2.45pm.

It will take place in the Hardwick Room at the church, anyone wishing to find out more information should call Secretary Ann Daly on 01895 634986.

ONE COMMITTED runner has been pounding the streets of Hillingdon in his efforts to get fit for the London Marathon.

As part of his preparation for the big run on Saturday, Paul Douglas, of Bracken Village, Ickenham, has been running regularly on weekdays as far as Harrow-on-Hill and back, taking in the sights of Ruislip and Eastcote along the way.

Mr Douglas is running the marathon for Sense, a charity for the deaf and blind, and is hoping to raise £2,000 and is already over halfway there having passed the £1,300 mark.

He said: "I ran the marathon five years ago with no training and I was in agony.
"So I am taking it seriously this time, I should do better, I am aiming to run it in under four and a half hours.

"Last time I ran I did it in four hours and 50 minutes."

Mr Douglas, 31, who works in advertising, also recently completed a 20 mile training run at Hemel Hempstead, and has been eating healthy in attempts to boost his training regime.

"I've lived in Ickenham all my life and have been pounding the streets raising money for a while so people should recognise me."

To donate money to Paul's run visit www.justgiving.com/pauldouglasrunslondon

A NEW local Tesco Express celebrated its launch with a large donation to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The store, on the High Road, Ickenham, invited Sean Carroll from the charity to cut the ribbon and receive the £500 cheque.

Marie Curie Cancer Care was selected by Tesco as its Charity of the Year but was chosen by staff at the new Tesco Express because of the vital service its nurses provided in local communities.

Chulan Rathugama, the store manager, said: "We are delighted to be able to support Marie Curie Cancer Care. My staff and I are enjoying welcoming our customers into the new store and we hope that Tesco will become a key part of the local community."

The money will be spent directly in the local area and will go towards providing care for patients and emotional support for their families.

Marie Curie Cancer Care provides free, high quality nursing to give terminally ill patients the chance to die at home with their families.

Mr Carroll said: "We are delighted that Marie Curie Cancer Care will benefit from the opening of the new store."

UNSUNG heroes from Ickenham are invited into the spotlight as the Gazette and Uxbridge College seek people who have made their mark in the community.

If you know anyone who deserves credit for what they have done in your area - or anywhere in the borough - put them forward now.

Entry is open to all people who live, volunteer, or work here.

Hillingdon's top hero will win £750 on top of the £250 which all category winners receive.
All you have to do is complete a coupon in The Gazette or Leader and return it to: Barbara Fisher, Local Heroes, Gazette, 28 Bakers Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1RG.

Alternatively email barbarafisher@trinitysouth.co.uk Entries must be received by January 23 and shortlisted candidates will be invited to a gala night on February 26.
For more information: phone Barbara Fisher on 01895 451020 Monday-Wednesday only.

Choose from these categories:

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Community Hero-someone who has helped the community, perhaps with a project or campaign.

• *

Fundraising Hero- any individual or group which has raised money for charity.

• *

Young Hero- a youngster aged 16 or under who deserves recognition in the community.

• *

Citizen of Courage-someone who has shown bravery in a difficult situation or achieved a goal against the odds.

• *

Carer Hero -anyone who has selflessly looked after others.

The overall title Hero of Hillingdon will be chosen from any of the above
category winners.

If you are e-mailing do not forget to name the category and give contact details for both nominee and the person who is nominating.