Fiona Dickson Memorial Trust

Registered Charity Number 1,002,652

CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REPORT 2005 / 2006

The Fiona Dickson Memorial Trust was established 15 years ago in memory of Dr Fiona Dickson who died of cancer. The primary aim of the Trust is to promote knowledge and expertise in the field of cancer and palliative care. The Trust achieves this aim through providing educational bursaries for those undertaking training in this field. The reputation of the Trust is known nationally and internationally and applications are received from both the UK and abroad.
In addition to providing financial sponsorship, the Trust publicises and circulates an informative, supportive booklet written by Fiona during her illness. It is designed to help patients, carers and health professionals cope when dealing with cancer. This booklet can be accessed from the website www.fionadickson.org uk and can also also be obtained free of charge from the Trust's Secretary or from the Trustees. It does not carry copyright restrictions

GRANTS

The number of applications for bursaries for 2005/2006 have been at their lowest level for many years. The reasons for this are unclear, but may well be due to an increase of many other similar funding sources. In November 2005 applications received were circulated to all Trustees for their comments. As a result the Chairman awarded three bursaries totalling £1200. Several bursaries have been awarded to practitioners who undertake courses under the auspices of Oxford Brookes University who run courses in Palliative care in Kenya.

WEBSITE

The new website has been a great success having received 2200 `hits' in the past 18 months. Compliments have been received from Radio Lines who may now run a feature on the the Trust at a later date. Sobell House have found the website informative and easy to use, subsequently the two websites are now linked.
Many thanks should go to Malcolm Bailey of Skegness who has agreed to update the website at regular intervals.

FINANCE

Donations of £62 were gratefully received during the course of the year. Although disappointing it is not surprising as there are many other charities in a similar position. The Trust's income is therefore dependent on it's COIF investments.

The gross income for 2005/2006 (£2622) was very similar to that of the previous year (£2691). £1400 of grants were paid during the year with £4250 of grants still waiting to be allocated. On a positive note, improvements in the Stock Market has seen the Trusts COIF Income Units rise to £37134 (£31866 2004/2005). The financial balance amounts to £57141 (£55950 2004/2005).

SUMMARY

The Fiona Dickson Memorial Trust remains committed to the ideal of improving the knowledge and skills of those working within cancer and palliative care. The decreasing number of applications for bursaries is a worrying trend but hopefully this will be reversed over the coming year especially if the website continues to be a popular `hit'.
The Trust is grateful to Mr John Odling who is the Trust's financial auditor. The Trustees also wish to acknowledge and thank our Honorary secretary Mrs Marilyn Taffinder for her continued dedication, time and effort coordinating and organising the work of the Charity.

Dr Lawrence Taffinder (Chairman)
5' May 2006