St. Andrew’s bell ringers recently got involved in a National campaign to raise money for various blood cancers including the Anthony Nolan Trust.

The campaign has been inspired by a bell ringer called Julie McDonnell who herself has had three leukaemias and now has brain cancer.

She devised a number of bell ringing methods named after herself (e.g. Julie McDonnell Bob Doubles) whilst at the same time acquiring huge sponsorship from celebrities and businessmen and women.

The sponsorship money is paid in return for ringing quarter peals of ‘Julie McDonnell’ methods, which are moderately difficult by bell ringing standards.

£10,000 has already been paid for reaching a total of 100 quarter peals nationally and a further £60,000 pledged if the total reaches 200.

At the time of writing we do not know if this total has been reached but we do know that St Andrew’s ringers and friends have played their part by ringing two quarter peals in support of the campaign:

Hornchurch, Essex, St Andrew

Sunday, 27 November 2016 (18–0–0 in E♭)

1260 Julie McDonnell New Bob Triples

1. Helen J Carter
2. John W Stephenson
3. Paul J Bloomfield
4. Christopher C M Pain
5. Lionel S Woods
6. Jonathan R Slack
7. Clive J Stephenson (C)
8. Alan S M Street

For Advent Carol Service and to congratulate James and Rebecca Matthews on the birth of their daughter, Rose Alice, on 20th November 2016.

First in method by all.

Hornchurch, Essex, St Andrew

Sunday, 4 December 2016 (18–0–0 in E♭)

1260 Julie McDonnell New Bob Triples

1. Anthony M Faulkner
2. John W Stephenson
3. Helen J Carter
4. Jillian Laken
5. James Laken
6. Paul J Bloomfield
7. Clive J Stephenson (C)
8. Matthew Stokes

For Evensong and to congratulate John Stephenson on his 86th birthday.

First on 8 for the tenor.

First in method – 3,4,5.