Dobbies Garden World at Ponteland raised money for the Mathew Thoppil Trust, set up by a grieving family when the young, popular GP died suddenly at the age of 31. His parents live on Darras Hall and have put great effort, along with family members and friends, into organising events and publicising the trust. A pre-Christmas charity evening at Dobbies raised £1638.74. The money will be used to fund research into fit youngsters with undiagnosed heart disease and CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young. The picture shows Graham Darling, manager at Dobbies handing the cheque to Mathew’s father, Dr Philip Mathew, together with Trust members, Kath McMenamin, Dr Liza Antony, Sally & Richard Flynn and Liz Hayes.
Dr Philip Mathew and a number of friends and family recently undertook a month’s tour in India, travelling from Kerala in the south to near the border with Pakistan. Their main interest as Trust members was an Ashram in Kerala which Philip’s late father had set up. This small community has an orphanage for boys, a school, a hospital and a church. There is a room there dedicated to Mathew’s memory and Father Melia was able to conduct the first mass, a very special moment. The Trust is looking at opportunities to give help to such enterprises.
On Saturday 31 March in St Matthew’s Church Hall there will be an Indian Evening in aid of Trust Funds. The cost is £5, which includes a fish and chip supper, but the activities will have an Indian theme. The two brothers who are both Fathers will be hosting the event. Walk on the Melia brothers!
By Muriel Sobo
Dr Philip Mathew and a number of friends and family recently undertook a month’s tour in India, travelling from Kerala in the south to near the border with Pakistan. Their main interest as Trust members was an Ashram in Kerala which Philip’s late father had set up. This small community has an orphanage for boys, a school, a hospital and a church. There is a room there dedicated to Mathew’s memory and Father Melia was able to conduct the first mass, a very special moment. The Trust is looking at opportunities to give help to such enterprises.
On Saturday 31 March in St Matthew’s Church Hall there will be an Indian Evening in aid of Trust Funds. The cost is £5, which includes a fish and chip supper, but the activities will have an Indian theme. The two brothers who are both Fathers will be hosting the event. Walk on the Melia brothers!
By Muriel Sobo
