Synectics Medical £10,000 Cheque Donation

Geoffrey Blyth (left), director of Enfield-based company Synectics Medical, presents Paul Salmon (right), Chairman of the Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign, with a cheque for £10,000 on 23 June 2009 at University College London.

The money will aid the charity’s research into the Barrett’s Oesophagus condition, led by Dr Laurence Lovat of University College London and the Barrett’s Support Network London City branch.

Synectics Medical Ltd. specialise in providing gastrointestinal (GI) function-testing systems to the medical profession.

West Yorkshire Branch back on track

Following a successful pre-meeting at the end of April with a good turnout, a follow-up meeting took place on 11 May where a core group agreed to attend future meetings and support events. 

A small group of three, spearheaded by Robin Thomas, are developing a programme for the 2009-10 season.

West Yorkshire Branch Back on Track report

Dr Sahay
MBBS (Hons), MD, FRCPI, FRCP, DPH

Barrett’s Support Network Wessex
Friday 16 June 2009
Inaugural meeting - Southampton General Hospital

With numbers exceeding all expectations, it was not surprising that the organising committee were delighted with the first meeting of their regional support group.

As Trustee Charles Marchant-White put it: 

‘What a great turnout!  With 60 responses and about a hundred all told, great talks, good questions and interaction and a number of people coming forward to say they would be prepared to get more involved – who could have asked for more?’

Well, there is more …. local MP Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, has accepted to be patron of the Wessex branch. He has agreed to become involved and thereby help to increase awareness of the condition.

An excellent address was given by Consultant Gastroenterologist and Specialist Endoscopist, Dr Praful Patel, who provided a patient’s guide to Barrett’s oesophagus and described the work of the Barrett’s Support Network and the campaign itself

Mimi McCord, Chair of the National Support Network gave a moving account of her personal experience of the condition and Paul Salmon, Chair of Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign gave an outline of activity to date and the plans ahead.

Claire Twort came from Chichester to talk about her support for the cause through some amazing fundraising challenges.

 A lively question and answer session ensued and the high response of evaluation forms gave a clear indication that the presentations had been well received, the evening had been both informative and enjoyable, and, above all, the information had been clear and of an excellent standard.

Report 07.07.09

Following the inaugural meeting, the first Barrett's Support Network Wessex committee meeting was held on 30 June 2009 with a core group of seven people. David Marsden was elected chairman.

A fundraising target was agreed. This would be £33,500 for a HALO generator as suggested by Dr Praful Patel.

Activities planned to raise these funds, to increase awareness of the condition and to support Barrett's Oesophagus Campaign are:

September 2009
A sponsored event organised by Suzan Smith at South Downs College

8th May 2009
Barrett's Support Network, East Anglia
Report of meeting held at Westminster College, Cambridge

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