Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Tenby recently visited the H.O.P.E. Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre at the Honeyborough Business Park in Neyland.

Tenby Rotary Club have made donations to H.O.P.E. in recent years and were delighted to be able to accept an invitation from Mr. Ken Brombley (chairman) to visit the centre and see the facilities that they have there.

The H.O.P.E. (Hyperbaric Oxygen Pembrokeshire Endeavour) Centre opened in January 1986 following two hard years of fundraising by a group of local people with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) who desperately wanted to have the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy closer to home. Prior to this, people travelled to Swansea for the therapy. Some four years ago a Hyperbaric Oxygen service also opened in Cardigan, with the next nearest then being over the border in England.

Following the opening, the centre is able to offer patients, sessions of about an hour long, when they sit in the oxygen 'tank/capsule' breathing in medical oxygen, whilst being subjected to air pressure above normal atmospheric conditions. The weekly sessions give the users benefits that can include improved eyesight, mobility and speech and increased energy levels, giving a general feeling of wellbeing.

Since opening, the centre has extended from one unit on the industrial estate to now occupying four, with a lounge being first added, and then followed by a physiotherapy unit in 1997. The centre now employs a highly trained neuro physiotherapist and two physio technicians well acquainted with the needs of MS, together with volunteer operators of the oxygen tank under the leadership of centre manager, Rick Stanton.

Visitors were extremely impressed with what they saw at the centre, which, as well as providing the therapies on offer, allow the people undergoing therapy, their carers, friends and family to gather in a comfortable, friendly environment to relax and enjoy each other's company.

The centre has also treated a very small number of those suffering with Motor Neurone Disease for some time, and it has recently opened its doors to a small number of Stroke sufferers.

It was most apparent, particularly to Rotarians with a medical background, that the H.O.P.E. Centre could offer (with funding) their therapies to greater numbers with these conditions - as well as those suffering with diabetic ulcers (a condition that could benefit the patient with a quicker recovery as a result of breathing medical oxygen). Providing these therapies/services to the wider community could ease the burden on the Local Health Board, and the H.O.P.E Centre is trying to raise the awareness for these wider treatment opportunities with local GP surgeries and hospital consultants.

Apart from the centre manager and physiotherapists, all other staff and helpers are volunteers. The centre costs over £100,000 a year to run, with just under a third coming from the Local Health Board, a third from membership fees and payments for treatments, leaving the final third to be raised by fundraising endeavours.

Mr Ken Brombley (chairman of H.O.P.E.) is to take part in the Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim and Rotarians were pleased to be able to sponsor him.

In addition, Karen Tulley, of the New Overlander Restaurant, Penally, will be raising money for H.O.P.E. in the Tenby Boxing Day Swim. Karen and her Rotarian husband Andy are also holding a fundraising Sunday Lunch at the New Overlander Restaurant in aid of H.O.P.E on Sunday, January 27 (book direct on 01834 842868, if you wish to attend).

Following the visit, Ken and Liz Brombley accompanied the Rotarians for a much enjoyed meal at the Carew Inn, and the Rotary Club of Tenby president, Brian Charles OBE, was very pleased to confirm to Ken and Liz that the Rotary Club of Tenby would be delighted to be included with other Rotary Clubs in the area to sponsor costs of a Gala Fundraising Concert to be held at St David's Cathedral next summer, on Saturday, June 22 - one for the diary! (Further details of the concert will be available shortly).

For more information on the Rotary Club of Tenby, or Rotary in general, please visit http://www.tenby.rotary1150.org">www.tenby.rotary1150.org. Rotary is currently looking to expand its membership and would be delighted to hear from persons in the Tenby area who would be interested in becoming Rotarians.

For more information on HOPE, please look at http://www.hopemscentre.co.uk">www.hopemscentre.co.uk, or phone the centre on 01646 600384.

Footnote: H.O.P.E. are on the lookout for any rugby or sporting memorabilia that could be auctioned at a gala St. David's Day fundraising dinner. If you have anything suitable that you would like to donate, please contact Ken at the centre, who would be delighted to hear from you.