Fiona Dickson Memorial Trust
Registered Charity Number 1,002,652
CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REPORT 2003 / 2004
Fiona Dickson Memorial Trust
Registered Charity Number 1,002,652
CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REPORT 2003 / 2004
The Fiona Dickson Memorial Trust is a registered charity dedicated to promoting expertise in cancer and palliative care. The Trust achieves this aim through provision of educational bursaries to encourage and enable individuals to extend their knowledge and expertise by attending appropriate training courses.
The work and ethos of the Trust is enhanced by the publication and circulation of a booklet entitled "A Practical Handbook for dealing with and coming to terms with Cancer, " written by Doctor Fiona Dickson who died of cancer in 1989 and in whose name and memory the Trust has been formed. The booklet helps to guide patients, carers and health professionals through the experience of cancer diagnosis and illness. The booklet can be obtained from the Trustees, the Trust's Secretary or can be accessed via the website: www.fonadickson.org.uk which does not have copyright restrictions.
DONATIONS
Donation received during the year 2003 / 2004 - total amount £73. Increasing the Trust's income continues to be an aim for the Trustees. Suggestions and ideas are being explored by individual members and fund raising avenues are being actively pursued.
GRANTS
In November 2003, the Trustees were unable to meet formally, but all participated in evaluating and recommending applications for bursary awards. The Chairman Melanie Wright collated the information and Grants were awarded accordingly. 4 bursaries were made to applicants amounting to a total award of £1,100.
The Trust continues to receive applications from overseas, particularly from Africa where there is an escalating AIDS epidemic needing skilled staff with expertise in cancer and palliative care. During the year 30% of grant applications were from African candidates. Of the grants to be considered at the May 2004 meeting 66% have been received from abroad. Supporting international requests will be a matter for the Trustees to discuss.
PUBLICITY
The Trustees have noted a fall in the number of Grant applications received. Publicity initiatives have been undertaken to promote the work of the Trust but as yet an increase in enquiries and applications has not been forthcoming.
The Fiona Dickson Memorial Trust is now publicised on a website from where applications may be downloaded. Information concerning the Trust is also held on the Cancer Lines Database for those enquiring about training support. Plans for linking the Trust to the publicity from the Hospice Information Service remain under consideration. Further advertising will remain an issue for the Trust members to debate and explore.
FINANCES
The interest on the COIF deposit has fallen slightly, there has also been a reduced amount of interest made on the Bank deposit. Overall, investment income remains fairly static. The end of year balance is £53, 721 compared with £54,151 last year. The Trustees extend their thanks to Mr J. Odling who acts as Honorary Auditor and for whose contribution we are most grateful.
SUMMARY
The Fiona Dickson Memorial Trust endeavours to improve and enhance skills of health professionals within cancer and palliative care through its education grant system. The future objectives of the Trust are to address the need to further publicise its role and sustain and increase the amount of donations received in order to perpetuate its work.
On behalf of all the Trustees I would like to thank Mrs Marilyn Taffinder Honorary Secretary for her commitment and conscientious work that contributes so much to tile organisational running of the Trust.
Melanie Wright, Chairman 11th May 2004
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