Published 30 November 2011
We are pleased to announce that the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) Scotland are making a donation when Mike Walton introduces the work of The Trust to them on Friday 2nd Dec. They are also making us their chosen charity for 2012. Many thanks.
Photo, left: Mike Walton centre receiving cheque for The Trust at FGDP study day, presented by Jonathan Hiscocks on left and on right Conor O'Malley, Divisional Director, West Of Scotland.
Photo, middle: Mike Walton speaking at the study day.
Photo, right: Mike Walton and Liz Grant with display banner. Banner design donated by Kenneth Gray; banner printed and donated by Andrew Fawcett of Melville; many thanks for their generous and rapid responses.
Photography by Alister Firth.
Published 30 November 2011
During mouth cancer awareness month, we visited Dundee students (as pictured) making other students aware of the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer and its link with alcohol, tobacco and other causal factors. The dental students run a very lively and well thought out programme based in their students' union, which is always very impressive to see. The Trust is working with the students to develop a strategy to broaden their excellent programme to other Colleges and Universities by using social networking sites.
The Trust has been collaborating with NHS Lothian's Word of Mouth Campaign. Ken Gray has been taking photographs for the project which aims to photograph 3000 individuals.
Mike Walton made an awareness message on news bulletins on Real Radio Scotland in early November.
Published 30 November 2011
The Trust recently supported an outreach awareness event, organised by Canniesburn Hospital Head and Neck Unit, at Braehead Shopping Centre, Glasgow.
Published 25 October 2011
What a brilliant idea! Dentist Jonathan Hiscocks wanted to support The Trust and offered to do a filling free of charge on the basis that Mike Walton donate the fee to The Ben Walton Trust. Many thanks. This led us to think that for 2012 Mouth Cancer Awareness Week, The Trust will approach dentists to see who would be prepared during that period to carry out a patient treatment, free of charge, on the basis that an equivalent fee would be donated by the individual to The Trust.
The Trust was recently contacted by Amy Harper, who first heard of us while a student at Dundee University Dental School. She now works at Edinburgh Dental Institute. It was while working in these institutions that she came into contact with mouth cancer patients and decided she would like to do some fundraising for The Trust. So she and her partner Colin Scott will run two half marathons, with Amy running a third, in Edinburgh in March, April and May 2011. Please see their Justgiving page for details. The dates of the runs are:
Amy also has a very original idea for fund raising. As she and Colin are to be married at the end of July, she is going to donate money to The Trust in place of wedding favours for each of her guests.
We wish both Amy and Colin every success in their careers, in training for their half marathons(!) and for their future happiness together.
Do please visit Amy and Colin's Justgiving page and make a contribution.
The Trust was contacted by Helen Brand, Oral Health Improvement Manager at NHS Borders, to give a donation as a result of a recent social event by dental staff and friends. The photos show runners and strollers enjoying the fundraising day in Bowmont Forest in November 2010. Many thanks to Helen and her colleagues for a generous donation to the Trust.
Mike Walton pictured at right attending with staff and students on their awareness stall.
The Trust has recently received a very generous donation from the Dundee Dental Students' Society raised at the awareness week and previous "Slave Auction": very many thanks. The Trust has had a long and fruitful working relationship with the University.
I am pleased to report that our pilot study, completed last year, has now received ethical and other approvals to carry out in the remaining Health Boards in Scotland. This is always a surprisingly long and arduous process and thanks are due to Liz Grant and Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board for assistance in getting this off the ground. Esther Perera, a researcher from King's London, will be involved in visiting participating units, meeting with specialist nurses and collating data. The results will be put on the site once the project is completed. To remind you, the study looks at individual patient journeys, from first noticing a problem through to diagnosis.
Since first posting, more than 2000 users (mainly GPs) have undertaken the module, which The Trust is very pleased with. Remember you can visit this site for free by signing in as a guest - see Mouth Cancer: recognising it and referring early. There have been many positive responses, some posted at present say: "Very useful and thought provoking", "Informative and helpful", "Very good at clarifying what to do with leukolpakia and erythroplakia. Thanks to Ben's Trust for this", "Very well prepared for learning".
Last week, Ben's family met with sisters Alison and Jane Taubman whose late mother Mary left a substantial legacy to The Trust in her will. Mary Taubman/Edmonds had been a long-term supporter of The Trust and her never-ending encouragement especially in the early years enabled The Trust to undertake many of its early projects. With a personal legacy, The Trust very much wanted to talk through the intended allocation of funds with the sisters in order to keep them informed and involved. The photo shows Mike Walton with Alison and Jane after agreeing that the funds should go to the core audience of The Trust - young people. Plans are underway to work with dental/medical students to highlight awareness of The Trust and early symptoms of mouth cancer. More information available soon.
It is usual to make a report on progress around this time of year and a full report will happen in the New Year. However, I want to update you before the start of the Christmas season.
Big thanks to : Michaela Best for using a big birthday as a way of giving to charity, see her page at www.justgiving.com/michaelabest - to date she has raised, with Gift Aid, over £500 for The Trust. Very many thanks, Michaela.
Mary and Jimmy Cochrane, family and friends, who annually hold a family dinner to raise funds for various charities. This year they have raised £180 for The Trust: what a great way to have a splendid meal together and fund raise. As ever, very many thanks, Mary and Jimmy.
Many thanks to Mrs Barbara Engledew and her family who donate every year to the Trust in memory of her son Martin who died around the same time and age as Ben; an otherwise fit young man. Thanks also to all those constant supporters who remember us at Christmas time, always much appreciated.
Two important bits of information:
Since going online in August over 1000 GPs completed the learning module that we supported and developed with BMJ Learning. You can access the module for yourself by going online to BMJ Learning and looking at Mouth Cancer: recognising it and referring early. With many thanks to all who helped with this module, in particular Phil Zack of BMJ Learning, Professor Saman Warnakulasuriya of Guy's, King's, and St Thomas' and Liz Grant of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board.
The Trust's recent pilot research project, The Experiences of Younger Oral Cancer Patients in Scotland from Self Diagnosis to Treatment, has now received ethical approval to extend to cover all of Scotland. This project will commence in 2011.
Thank you for your support during the year, your contributions really do allow us to continue our work.
With Best Wishes for Christmas and a bright 2011.
Michael Walton
We are still not sure how the gardeners of West Linton do this, but a grey and uncompromising morning turned, just in time, to provide visitors with gardens basked in sunshine and a relaxed and enjoyable time was had by all. The sum of £511 was raised for The Trust.
With many thanks to garden owners John and Sandra Bracken, Chris Lyall, Colin and Margaret Torrance, Ken and Margaret Hogg, Howard Paterson, Jon and Rose Parrott and Mark and Lesley McDavid and to all the organisers.
I am pleased to tell you that in the current issue of the British Dental Journal, vol 208 no 10 pages 465-471, there is an article by Professor Saman Warnakulasuriya on our project, The Experiences of Younger Oral Cancer Patients in Scotland, from Self Diagnosis to Treatment. it is hoped that a second paper on the project will find publication later this year.
Our Module on Mouth Cancer in conjunction with BMJ learning is currently out for independent peer review. We anticipate that it will be published online within the next three months.
Congratulations to Estella (Ben's niece) and her best pal Jamie who completed their one mile toddle on Sunday 6th June.
The excited pair dressed as fairies with butterfly face paints and set off at a fair pace. They off-roaded on occasion, tackled the official photographer (Estella's Dad) to the ground and crossed the line holding hands.
They have raised a fantastic £700 including giftaid - have a look at their justgiving page for details.
And you can also see some pictures of the girls on their walk [PDF]
Sunday 16th May 2010 "Up at the crack of dawn - 5.30am. I must be completely crackers but on the starting line were another 4,000 people just like me. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the funds raised to date have been a real boost in getting the Ben Walton Trust Charity shop up and running. There is still time to donate if you would like to - I'd love to hear from you!"
Liz Grant is raising money to help establish the first Ben Walton Charity Shop in Glasgow which will serve to generate funds into research and education ssociated with oral cancer. It is also intended to increase awareness of signs and symptoms of the disease. Liz cycled the Etap Caledonian (81 miles) in Pitlochry on Sunday 16 May in aid of the Trust.
You can make a donation via her JustGiving page. JustGiving is easy, fast and totally secure. JustGiving sends your donation straight to the Trust and, if you?re a UK taxpayer, automatically reclaims Gift Aid on the Trust's behalf, making your donation go further. What?s more, JustGiving will never spam you or sell your details.
Well done Liz!
James Dwyer, who ran a 10K in October in Nottingham (see below), is to run another 10K in Huddersfield with a couple of friends for the Trust on 28th Feb 2010. He has informed us that he is also going to do 10Ks in Lincoln and Bradford, a 24 hour 3 peaks run, and a full marathon in Reykjavik in August (a good time and place to do it !)
Well done James and every success. Sponsor James on his Justgiving page.
Download a PDF copy of the Trust's Progress Report (December 2009)
We are proposing to set up a 200 club where for a £50 yearly subscription, supporters can be entered into prize draws. Many organisations have found this an effective fundraising venture. For information e-mail Trust Project Manager Liz Grant or contact us directly.
Professor Graham Ogden, Mike Walton, final year Dental students, local GDP and Liz Grant at a Mouth Cancer Awareness Week event at Dundee University Students Union.
In 2010 The Trust is initiating and funding a module on Oral Cancer and the Younger Patient, in collaboration with BMJ Learning. This module will be examinable for CPD (continuing professional development) by GPs and others. Although essentially used by GPs and other BMJ subscribers, it is hoped to make the module freely available to other users via web links.
It also has the other great advantage that the BMJ will circulate it and test and evaluate it.
I am also pleased to inform you that the first of two papers developed by Professor Saman Warnakulasuriya from our pilot project, “The Experiences of Younger Oral Cancer Patients in Scotland,” have been accepted for publication by the British Dental Journal and will appear in the New Year. Anyone wishing to support The Trust, or be updated on our activities, please contact us and we will store your e-mail address for mailouts.
Best Wishes to everyone who has supported us this year and for the help and support of all who have been involved in our projects.
James used to work in Old Nick's Tavern in Horncastle, Lincolnshire. Old Nick's were terrific early supporters of The Trust, in fact they funded much of our early research projects. James did a parachute jump for us several years ago. On the 10th October James completed the Men's Health Survival of the Fittest 10K in Nottingham. He came 522nd out of 3000, doing it in 1.15.08, which is a great achievement. James has a just giving page which will remain open if anyone wants to support him in this great event.
This year gardens opened in West Linton on the 2nd August, where yet again(!) the sun broke through and created a very successful afternoon, with £620 being raised for The Trust.
With many thanks to garden owners John and Laura Irvine, Ellen and John McCann, Nancy Porteous, Colin and Margaret Torrance and Fay Young and to all the organising committee.
On the 22nd June 2009 the House of Lords debated, under health issues, the topic of mouth cancer.
The debate was tabled by Baroness Gardner of Parkes who is by profession a dentist. The debate was well researched and informed and the Lords who contributed to the debate are to be congratulated on bringing this matter to the attention of the Health Minister.
Any comments on the debate, please respond to The Trust as they will be both following the results of it and corresponding with participants.
Congratulations to the Iriston House Dental Clinic who have been raising money for the Ben Walton Trust with a fantastic team running effort.
Raman Chandra and his colleagues Christopher Stewart, Sarah Tobin and Chris Gardiner all ran the Edinburgh Marathon and raised a superb £2100 which is greatly appreciated.
Thanks to all those who donated online as well as in the surgery - wonderful to see so many practice patients helping to raise this total. We will keep you informed of exactly how the money is being spent. Please remember that every penny goes towards funding research and raising awareness of oral cancer in the young.
Gemma (Ben’s sister) and Ken (Gemma’s husband) completed the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run on Sunday in a respectable time of 1hr 12 mins. Gemma sneakily managed to be one second faster than Ken but as promised they crossed the finish line holding hands.
“We were proud to wear the Ben Walton Trust T-shirts, the crowds cheered us on and the knowledge that we had raised so much money really helped when it came to km9.”
A huge thank you to all those who donated with the total now standing at £2050.77 including all donations, gift aid, cash from friends, money from the Glencorse boys at Fettes College (see below) and an anonymous lady who handed them £10 as they celebrated in an Edinburgh restaurant.
You can still sponsor them by going to their justgiving donation page.
Following on from the retiring collection at the Fettes College carol concert, Mike Walton went to speak to all the pupils at Fettes to inform them about the work of The Ben Walton Trust and tell them about Ben. As a result of this, the boys of Glencorse House (one of the Fettes boarding houses) chose The Ben Walton Trust to benefit from their 4th Glencorse House Talent Show. The evening was a huge success, with over 60 parents present and a broad range of talents on show. There was ‘a cappella’ singing, music by Metallica and cross dressing as well as the Housemaster and prefects’ version of The Killers’ ‘Read my Mind’. Ben would be particularly happy that The Beach Boys (Ben’s favourite band) featured heavily by complete coincidence.
Over £450 was raised and a cheque was presented to Gemma (who works at Fettes).
“We are so grateful to Glencorse for selecting us as their charity and the very valuable funds they raised. To know the money was raised while a huge amount of fun was had makes it even sweeter.”
I am pleased to inform you that our latest research project entitled ‘The Experiences of Younger Oral Cancer Patients in Scotland: From Self-diagnosis to Treatment’ is now complete. It was carried out in conjunction with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, University of Bath and King’s College, London. This study was initiated and funded by The Trust.
Download a PDF of the research report.
The Ben Walton Trust would like to thank all members of the Scottish Oral Cancer Action Group (SOCAG) and all members of the initial working party for this study.
The Trust would also like to thank all those supporters who have run marathons and other races, opened gardens, baked cakes, given lectures, cyled parts of the Tour de France route, etc, in short all the things one has to do as a small charity to raise funds to finance such a study as this. Without you this study could not have taken place.
This site will keep you up-to-date with where and when it is published in professional journals, etc.
Gemma (Ben's sister) and her husband will be running the 2009 Great Edinburgh Run in aid of the Trust.
“Last year at the Great Edinburgh Run, Ken and I cheered on those running for The Ben Walton Trust as they crossed the finish line. At that moment we both felt rather inferior and thought that we should get off our bums and raise money in memory of my beloved brother Ben. So, we are running in the 2009 Great Edinburgh Run - 10k round this lovely city of ours and no matter what, we will cross the line together whether that be hand in hand or one of us carrying the other!” Gemma Gray
Donate now at their Just Giving page.
Fettes College Edinburgh had a retiring collection at the end of their Autumn concert at St Mary's Cathedral and raised in excess of £500. Michael Walton was then invited to speak at Chapel to talk about The Ben Walton Trust and gave a thought provoking and uplifting speech to the whole school. We would like to thank all the parents and pupils for their continued support.
We thought it useful to have a web based newsletter, so that friends and supporters can see what has been happening on a more regular basis than our usual written reports.
A pilot study of younger oral cancer patients? experiences during their journey through pre-diagnostic NHS care. (A full copy of this project outline can to be sent electronically on request). All patient interviews based in Edinburgh, the Lothians and the West of Scotland have now been completed: these have now been sent to the University of Bath for analysis. As soon as this has been carried out, a report will be posted on this site.
I have to report a very active period here and many thanks to all individuals who have contributed in all manner of ways.
Starting in Summer 2007. Through Scotland's Gardens scheme, the gardens in and around West Linton opened giving a percentage of takings to The Trust. On the days in question the weather behaved perfectly (somewhat surprisingly) and the event raised £617. Many thanks to Trish Kennedy and all those West Linton gardeners who so generously gave their time to the event.
Clare Farnsworth, a dental nurse in the oral surgery department, and friends organised a staff bake and raised £110, not only raising money but also awareness.
Through this year?s organiser, David Sutherland, the University of Dundee Dental School continued with their tremendous support that has gone on for many years. They raised funds for three charities by having a slave auction of students (not as dodgy as it sounds). A good evening was had by all and £2,210 was raised for The Trust. We have a great arrangement in that they raise the money, then we pay back 50% to their patients? fund.
It is probably not well enough known, but the RBS actively encourages their staff to be involved in charity work. Through their ?Community Cashback? scheme, RBS has donated £250 a year over many years because Val Bennett, our Treasurer, works for the bank. Many thanks both to RBS and to Val for all her sterling work.
Elizabeth Herman very generously ran the London Marathon for us on the 13th April in memory of her sister Joan Cunningham. Joan died of oral cancer just before Ben. This was Elizabeth?s first marathon and she did fantastically well, completing it in 3 hours 47.26 (well within her target 4 hours), raising £2178. She said that she would have finished sooner had it not been for there being so many people in the way! A special thanks to Elizabeth, her husband Andrew, and her mother Georgie, who have helped in so many ways over the years. (We hope to be able to post a photo shortly of the event)
Lead by Micheal McAuliffe, a great team of Doctors associated with Maxillo Facial Surgery, Dentistry and a med student ran on the 4th May 2008. Fiona Crawford (who has very generously run for us before), Eoin Mills, Anthony James, Angela Dickson, Marie Gavin, Neil McCulloch and Victoria Nason raised over £1000: well done. See the photos for the drama of it all.
Stuart Taylor, my nephew, completed this event (one of the stages of the Tour de France) on the 6th July and raised around £4,000. See his page on justgiving.com. He finished in 8 hours 53 minutes, coming 4,497 out of 7,500 finishers. Well done, phew! To quote Stu, ?I even have a cheap gold medal to prove it. The weather was apalling, rain drizzle all the way and the big climbs took us into the clouds.? In thanking his sponsors he says, ?In the last few miles, in my case up a very steep hill, it is very motivating to think of all the individuals who have contributed to The Ben Walton Trust in this way. So thank you.?
What more can I say, but a very big thank you to all those individuals, and a particular mention here to the Pyet Deli of West Linton, who time and time again generously support our work by way of regular fundraising. We have this year joined justgiving.com, which is a very effective and efficient fundraising method. Thanks for donations are instantly issued with a receipt and 'Gift Aid' collected and sent to our bank account. See the justgiving Ben Walton Trust page.
We are always open to suggestions and new ways of fundraising. Anyone wanting to run a marathon or race for us, please give good advance warning to the race organisers as you usually have to register well in advance to enter and be considered as a supported charity. A big thank you to all.
Michael Walton
for and on behalf of the Trustees of The Ben Walton Trust