Keep an eye out for our Sally-Jane and Bryan Coode as they March for Merlin

One thing is true when it comes to the Merlin Project, people are passionate about the charity. It is really wonderful how hard working our supporters and volunteers are and never a week goes by that someone isn't jumping off something, baking a cake or manning a stall.

I would like to tell you about one of our wonderful Trustees. Sally-Jane Coode and her husband Bryan who are currently preparing for a marching mission for Merlin as they begin their 260 mile walk of the Cornish Coastal Path; the reason for the inevitable blisters and swollen ankles? Merlin of course!

Sally-Jane and Bryan will be ringing Merlin towers daily to update us on their adventure, we will of course be keeping this blog updated with their tales.

The ever organised Sally-Jane has provided me with the itnerary. I have included the dates of the walk, it would be brilliant if you are near and can cheer her and Bryan on.

Their walk starts on the 8th September and they are due to finish on the 28th September

Wednesday 8th Sept Welcome Mouth to Millook
Thursday 9th Sept Millook to Boscastle
Friday 10th Sept Boscastle to Port Isaac
Sat 11th Sept Port Isaac to Padstow
Sunday 12th Sept Padstow to Mawgan Porth
Monday 13th Sept Mawgan Porth to Perranporth
Tuesday 14th Sept Perranporth to Portreath
Wednesday 15th Sept Portreath to Lelant
Thursday 16th Sept Lelant to Gurnards Head
Friday 17th Sept Gurnards Head to Cape Cornwall
Sat 18th Sept Cape Cornwall to Boskenna
Sunday 19th Sept Boskenna to Perranuthnoe
Monday 20th Sept Perranuthnoe to Porthleven
Tuesday 21st Sept Porthleven to Cadgwith
Wednesday 22nd Sept Cadgwith to Helford Passage
Thurday 23rd Sept Helford Passage to Portscatho
Friday 24th Sept Portscatho to Gorran Haven
Sat 25th Sept Gorran Haven to Polkerris
Sunday 26th Sept Polkerris to Polperro
Monday 27th Sept Polperro to Freathy
Tuesday 28th Sept Freathy to Cremyll

Scream, clap, join in, anything to give these wonderful pair your support!

St Ewe Country Show

Summer in Cornwall signals the country show, the time for the fun dog shows, the beer tents, the steel bands and of course the hog roasts.

With the likelihood that summer will be around much longer highly debatable, the St.Ewe Country Show looked set to be one of the last the Merlin crew would be able to attend for this 2010. Boo!

Hey Ho....Christmas will be here soon and time for the Merlin Magic to really begin.

We played it fairly low-key at St. Ewe by just having one purple laden table with out ever popular tombola and merchandise.

We raised just over £190.00 on the day and luckily everyone was home before the awful evening weather descended on the county.

Roll on next summer and the return of the country show. Starting with Trewithen 2011 which will be bigger and better than ever you have my word!

The Reason Behind This Blog

With the internet and social media expanding we really want to show that we are a charity who makes the effort to keep in touch with our supporters and centre users in every which was we possibly can.

We already have a wonderful Facebook Page which Holly our admin assistant updates on a regular basis and provides a real time in sight into what the centre is about. You can check out the site by searching for Merlin Project Cornwalls Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre.

This blog will allow another way to connect with, what we hope are new audiences.

As a charity as you would expect the majority of our funds come from our endless and tireless fundraising we do. The majority of which would not be possible without our wonderful volunteers.

The centre has a fairly new fundraising team, Jasmine York and Ellie May, both are bubbling with ideas and creative spirit to push the Merlin name as far and wide as it can go.

The bulk of the blog will consist of fundraising updates, and stories from the minds of the Merlin Crew here at Merlin Towers. Hopefully those who read it will be a little bit inspired to join us on our quest to make the Merlin Project more magical than ever.

So dear reader let our journey begin.....................

Lets start from the beginning......

The Merlin Project began in 2001. When founders Dr Derek Murphy and his wife Eileen moved to Cornwall because their daughter-in-law was living with MS they knew they needed to find a centre suitable for her when she came down on holiday to visit. They began making enquiries about a MS Therapy centre and were met by the response that in fact there wasn't one. From this they recognised the need for a specific centre in Cornwall for those living with MS.

From this the passion to research into building a centre began. Gaining growing support for the idea along the way they knew that a centre was a must.

The task ahead, was a huge undetaking and would need ever bit of help it could muster. A suitable name therefore was required. The Merlin Project was born. A perfect name for a centre with a spark of magic!

Eight years on and the centre, still the only one in Cornwall is up and running and welcoming anything up to 60 visitors on a daily basis.

Working in Phases; Phase One which opened last April provided centre visitors with the only Hyperbaric Oxygen chambers in Cornwall, alarge gym as well as holistic therapies and a beautiful reception and meeting area for the host of visitors the centre receives daily.

To hear the laughter and spirit which radiates from the people who come into the centre is a tonic in itself, both for those who visit, which include those living with MS, their carers and friends and family as well as for the small team of people who work here.

Phase Two, which is now complete, has provided three new therapy rooms, and conference facilities which means we can really push the idea that the Merlin Project, and the centre, really is a pro active charity, and a solid part of the local community in Cornwall.