THE ULTIMATE BANGER RALLY

Morecambe Lifeboat Station to the Gambia

A £100 banger, 4000miles, 7 countries, to raise money for 3 great causes
One way to spend Christmas!

On Saturday the 16th December 2006 The Adventures of Hamster & Co set out on a 4000 mile adventure from Morecambe lifeboat station to Banjul, the capital of the Gambia. All being well we will have Christmas day in Marrakech and New Years Eve somewhere in the middle of the Sahara!

Officially organised as the Plymouth Banjul challenge there will be some 200 teams from places like Ireland, Germany and Holland split into four groups of 50 cars with each group departing a week apart. The teams are on their own with only a rough timescale and a few set meeting points, such as the ferry at Gibraltar! There's no need for a map, just keep the desert on your left and the sea on your right and its all good! We may hire a local guide to cross that little patch of sand know as the Sahara desert but other than that the adventure is totally unsupported with no backup or rescue helicopters. If you breakdown in the desert you fix it, if you can't do that then try flagging a lift. You never know you might find a camel wondering around you can commandeer for a rescue mission!

The Adventure will consist of the exciting sounds, smells and atmospheres of many different cultures and places as well as the dreaded border guards - It has been known for teams to queue for hours to cross between countries, of course a few brides here and there might smooth out the journey!

On arrival in the Gambia the vehicle and its contents (Excluding drivers unfortunately!) will be auctioned off to raise money for registered Gambian charities. The Hamsters have also chosen to raise money through sponsorship and donations for the RNLI and the Lancashire Bulldogs wheelchair basketball team.

Log on to our website to find out more at www.hamsteradventures.com

St John's Hospice 21st Birthday

This year St John's Hospice is celebrating it's 21st Birthday. To mark this wonderful occasion we are hosting a number of celebratory events, which you are all invited to.
Sr Aine Cox declared at the opening "The Hospice was built by the people for the people". We have adopted this as our motto as the "peoples" support is as strong today as it was 21 years ago.

Events

Birthday Celebration Concert

An evening to remember! Many guest artists including Morecambe Brass band, LRGS Boys' Choir, David Tattersall Organist. Plus other special solo artists
Saturday 2nd December 7.30pm. Ashton Hall, Lancaster Town Hall. Tickets £5.00. Available from St John's Hospice from the beginning of October.

Light Up A Life A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration.

As this is a celebratory year St John's Hospice will be holding Light up A Life in it's own grounds. We will be remembering all the patients we have cared for over the past 21 years
Everyone is welcome. To donate money for a light please contact St John's Hospice

St John's Light Up A Life Thanksgiving & Celebration Service
Sunday 3rd December at 4pm

Garstang. A Thanksgiving & Celebration Service
Wednesday 6th December. 6.30pm At the United Reformed Church.

Kendal. A Thanksgiving & Celebration Service
Thursday 14th December. 6.30pm. At the Holy Trinity Parish Church.

An Ornamental Floral Tribute To Christmas

An open weekend at St John's Hospice. Staff and Volunteers will be putting their flower arranging skills into practice. The theme of each arrangement will be based on Christmas songs and carols.
Dates open are the 9th & !0th December. From 11am until 3pm. Entrance free.

Christmas Card & Christmas Novelty Sale at the Hospice 21st & 22nd October.

Cards and gifts will continue to be on sale until late December.

The Silent Auction at the Hospice. Viewing of all items will commence 1st November and will close Monday 27th November.

Christmas Fayre at St John's Hospice. Opens 1.30pm. All our usual stalls including the Grand Raffle draw.

For any more details on any of these events please contact St John's Hospice on