NEWS AND EVENTS

All the latest news and events and ways to support and help us raise money to purchase equipment for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS for those with prostate cancer. 

MEETINGS

Meeting Monday 26th October 2026

For a change, we will have a comedy routine! Sue Spiel will be coming, to do a parody of Pam Ayres, including jokes, and funny poems.

Ditton Community Centre, Ditton, Aylesford ME20 6AH
12.30pm

NEWS

Vein Finder Presentation, September 2026

On Wednesday, 2nd September, our Charity went to Maidstone Hospital Oncology Department, to take pictures with the new Vein Finder that we paid for. We were met by Alison Wallington and Claire Ashby of the MTW Hospitals Charity, and a few nurses.

Anyone who has had chemotherapy will know that the veins used to infuse the treatment can become harder to find as time goes on. This small device will show every vein in fine detail, and even has contrast adjustments for those with darker skin. It really is an impressive instrument, and it will hopefully be used by all cancer patients who need it, not just our group.

We made this presentation in memory of John Tanner, who recently passed away, and who raised a lot of funds for us, which we used to buy this. His photograph is pictured in the photos below. We also used Natalie Frenchum’s wing-walk money and John Penniall and friends’ sky-dive funds.

Afternoon Tea at the Friars, Aylesford

On Monday 17th August, we had a fabulous afternoon tea at the Friars, at Aylesford Priory.  This took place in the Pilgrims Hall, one of the oldest parts of this ancient site. It was an excellent spread!

We didn’t advertise the event on this web site, because we need to control the numbers, and know exactly who was coming. We tried to contact everyone who has been part of our group, but if you weren’t contacted, please let us know so that we can sort this out in the future.

The picture is a simple one of one of the tables, with one of our hats (!) – we didn’t take photos of the group as we hadn’t asked permission, but we were there, honest!

Loddington Tap Art Work Fundraiser!

A lady called Cheryl Cunningham is displaying her artwork for sale at the Loddington Tap, Loddington Farm, which is between Linton and Boughton Monchelsea, Kent. She has very kindly agreed to raise funds for us by selling her work there!

Loddington Tap is a micropub or taproom set within the grounds of Loddington Farm, the address being Linton, Maidstone ME17 4AG.

Cheryl’s website can be found here. It is called ‘BreatheArt.co.uk’.

We are very grateful to Cheryl, and you can support her – and us – by visiting the taproom, which has excellent beers (other drinks are available!).

Meeting, Monday 29th June, Ray Monk

We had a fascinating presentation on Monday 29th June, given by Ray Monk. We have attached this in the link below.  Ray Monk is the Chairperson for the Mid-Sussex Prostate Support Group, since 2022. However he is also very involved in many aspects of the Prostate Cancer world, including having access to information related to recent research.
Ray talked about many things, including the ‘Man Van‘ free PSA testing vehicle, all the research bodies he is involved with, Improvements to HiFu, SABR, Immunotherapy, Imaging & diagnostics, and new drugs. There are new ways to spot prostate cancer, including the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence), and the use of the new immunotherapy treatment VIR-5500, currently undergoing clinical trials.
You will find a link to his presentation here. 
After this, we chatted more socially amongst ourselves, with cakes and a free raffle. Ken Richardson discussed the Insurancewith travel insurance company and website. Ian Simmons distributed a QR code for members to join a new WhatsApp Community Group called ‘Friends of MTWPCG‘. We are also discussing a possible group social get-together sometime over the summer. Watch this space.
It is very important to know that, soon, for security and privacy reasons, we will no longer be using standard email to communicate with our members. Instead, we will be using the Community Group mentioned. We won’t leave a link to it here, but if you want to join, please do get in touch with us, using the email address contact@mtwpcg.org, and we will send you the invite link. The WhatsApp group is private, and will be used for providing one-way announcements. No-one will see your details except the admins.

Heart Of Kent Hospice Services

Hospices are not always about end-of-life. The Heart of Kent Hospice has given us a comprehensive list of the services they offer. They can all be found here. Click on the link, and there is a QR code also at the bottom, that will take you directly to their website.

Heart of Kent Hospice Services

EVENTS

Christmas Dinner 2026

Christmas Dinner 2026

The time has come for Christmas Dinner to be organised! This year, we are returning to the West Malling Golf Club on Thursday 26th November, at 1pm. This is now booked, but we will need numbers, so please contact us if you want to come. Either contact Sue Penniall, go onto the group WhatsApp group where the event wil appear shortly, or contact contact@mtwpcg.org.

We hope to see you there!

John’s Christmas Lights

John’s Christmas Lights

Date: Saturday 5th December (TBC)

Time: TBC

Where: 5 Mamignot Close, Bearsted, Maidstone ME14 4PT

Info: Throughout December, all funds raised go to our charity.

Maidstone And Tunbridge Wells Prostate Cancer Group