!NEWS!

NOVEMBER 2009 FUNDRAISING NEWS: HMCRT FUNDS LATEST IN CANCER RESEARCH WITH LARGEST INDIVIDUAL DONATION TO THE TRUST AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OVER 80 (!) SUPPORTERS IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS IN RESPONSE TO ADAM MOFFATT and TOM PARKER's DEVIZES TO WESTMINSTER CHALLENGE

We are delighted to report that the HMCRT has received over 80 donations in the last 8 months which has allowed us to finance the purchase of a refrigerated microfuge which is in use at the John Radcliffe Hospital. The HMCRT would like to take this moment to extend to all its supporters warm wishes as we approach the close of the year and thank you all for your support in our work.

Additionally, the HMCRT is proud to announce that it has since made a large single cash donation to the John Radcliffe Hospital at Oxford University amounting to GBP 4,000 in October. A significant amount of this contribution is thanks to a considerable donation from a CUBC alumnus who has recently heard about the activities of the Trust and recalled fond memories of training with Harry in preparation for Olympic titles in the late 1980's. The funds from this donation are being used to further Professor Cerundolo's team's research into how cytoxic 'killer' T cells seek out and destroy tumours within the body (see Cancer Research link). This donation will finance the purchase of a "FACS Canto" benchtop analyzer which provides researchers with a proven platform for maximum reliability and proven performance in the analysis of proteins on cell surfaces that facilitate tumour infiltration.

We look forward to sharing more news with you about our goals in 2010 and ensuring Harry's legacy is as powerful as his time with us.

SEPT 2008 C.U.B.C. VICTORIOUS IN HARRY MAHON MEMORIAL TROPHY "GREAT RACE" EVENT IN NEW ZEALAND AND HMCRT SUPPORTS C.U.B.C IN THE 4TH CHINA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES REGATTA IN SHANGHAI

In September the HMCRT was pleased to be kindly supported by proceeds from King Street Great Race Ball, organized by Boathouse Events in the run up to the race for the Harry Mahon Memorial Trophy between Waikato University and Cambridge University. The C.U.B.C. scored their 2nd victory versus their antipodean foes with the score now even at 2 races a piece since racing began bi-annually in 2002. Also on hand for the event was New Zealand-based 1948 Cambridge Blue Chris Barton, who came up from Christchurch with his wife, Rosemary, to support and they also made a significant and generous donation to the foundation. HMCRT Trustee Donald Legget was on hand to oversee proceedings and added a good dose of imperial decorum to the proceedings, some of which was lost on our hosts.The Foundation would like to especially thank Rob Hamill and his team at Boathouse Events for their support as the HMCRT continues to expand its international footprint. See attached press release, video footage of the race and photographs here

A fortnight later in China, the C.U.B.C. competed in the 4th China International Universities Regatta at the Shanghai Water Sports Center in Qingpu, Shanghai Municipality. The competitiveness of the event's hosts, Beijing's Tsinghua and Beida University crews and boats from Shanghai's Jiaotong and Fudan Universities have advanced significantly since the inaugural event in 2000 where racing in Beijing placed the foreign crews at an open water advantage. Mirroring China's Olympic rise across various sporting codes, rowing included, this year the tables were turned. Though Cambridge managed to beat crews from UL, Harvard and Yale by margins of no less than 33 seconds they remained a length off the Chinese crews, who celebrated with...... fireworks! HMCRT representative John O'Loghlen attended the event from his residence in Beijing and presented the CUBC with Murphy and Nye team dress shirts and then quietly retreated back to the Capital to "save face" in light of the Middle Kingdom's rout of the event. Pictures of the crew, fashion and fireworks are here, courtesy of attendees Kieran West and Bernd Heidicker

JUNE 2008 - CANCER RESEARCH EQUIPMENT DONATION TO DR. VINCENZO CERUNDOLO AND STAFF AT JOHN RADCLIFFE HOSPITAL BY HMCRT CO-FOUNDER DONALD LEGGET

The HMCRT is pleased to have visited the John Radcliffe Hospital at Oxford University and formally presented funds to finance the ongoing purchase of start-of-the-art HPLC equipment to assist in the research of IDO protein enzymes that are commonly found in a large number of different types of cancer cells, including liver cancer and melanoma. A straightforward layman's guide to the IDO work being conducted by Dr. Vincenzo Cerundolo and his lab staff is available here: as well as additional photographs of the presentation ceremony

DECEMBER 2007, HMCRT TRUSTEE DR. JOHN BELL KNIGHTED IN NEW YEARS HONORS

On December 29th, Prof John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine at University of Oxford, President, Academy of Medical Sciences, was Knighted for services to medicine. Sir John is a pre-eminent medical figure in immunology and was a life long friend of Harry Mahon dating back to Harry's times teaching Canada. Full details of Sir John's Knighthood, accomplishments and reaction to his award are here

2007 FUNDRAISING EVENT - DARREN RHODES COMPETES IN SEPTEMBER ROWATHON AT LAKE DORNEY TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CANCER TREATMENT AND THE HMCRT

Read about the event: Henley Rowing Club oarsman and HMCRT supporter Darren Rhodes competed in 4K ergometer, 30K bike ride and 7.5K run on and around the 2006 World Rowing Champs Lake Dorney venue

HMCRT TRUSTEE CELEBRATES 40th YEAR AT C.U.B.C. WITH BOAT RACE VICTORY and SOFT LAUNCH OF HMCRT HEADWEAR FASHION!

On Saturday the 7th of April HMCRT co-founder and Trustee Donald Legget celebrated his 40th year of involvement with the Cambridge University Boat Club with a strongly contested win for the Blue Boat against Oxford in the 178th Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race and a dominating victory for Goldie in their race against Oxford's Isis crew earlier in the day. Donald's achievement was recognized at the annual C.U.B.C. Blue's Dinner where Donald made special mention of the impact Harry Mahon had on Cambridge's performance and legacy as well as being an influence on his own personal coaching style. In closing his speech, Donald dedicated this year's victories to Harry with a special toast and encouraged his fellow Club members to continue their support of the HMCRT.

That same weekend saw the introduction of the HMCRT's new supporter's headwear - black cotton caps with Cambridge blue lettering. These caps will be for sale at Henley later in the year with all funds going directly the 2007 HMCRT fundraising goal. Surely this item will prove to be a must have for all serious regatta participants, watchers and towpath punters alike.

2006 Fundraising event - 1,200km solo ride through the mountains and deserts of Oman

Read about the event: On November 27th, Richard McElroy (Goldie 2000-2002) successfully completed the 1,200km solo ride.

As of Friday June 8, £3,500 has been raised for Richard's effort; Please continue to support and donate now.

HMCRT fondly remembers Cathy Cruickshank

Henley RC and HWR stalwart Cathy Cruickshank died on the 14th of September, after a short illness. Cathy’s funeral was held on Monday 25th September at Reading Crematorium and family and friends - including many from the UK rowing community - joined afterward for light snacks and drinks at Leander Club. Cathy took ill at Dorney where she was working as a volunteer just before the World Championships, and a few days later she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Cathy was a well known and popular supporter of rowing in the Thames region. She was Secretary of Henley Rowing club and Entries Secretary for Henley Women’s Regatta, and a member of the launch-driving team at Holme Pierrepont. Cathy very kindly requested that donations in her memory be left to the Harry Mahon Cancer Research Trust. The Trustees extend their deepest commiserations to Ian, Andrew and Ollie and all of Cathy’s family at this time.

2005 Fundraising event - MT. Kinabalu CLIMBATHON RESULTS, STRONG FINISH FOR HMCRT

Read about the 2005 HMCRT team effort: John O'Loghlen finishes 44th out of 122 starters in the Mt. Kinabalu Climbathon. Read full race report (PDF) - support John and donate now. Also see NEW IMAGES in Harry's Crews section. 

Trustee Donald Legget admires the FACS Canto ii analysis equipment, partly funded by the HMCRT, with Prof. Enzo Cerundolo

Trustee Donald Legget and the staff of Prof.s Cerundolo's lab at the John Radcliffe Hopspital

Trustee Donald Legget with Prof. Enzo Cerundolo and Lab Technician Sarah Booth with the Refrigerated Centrifuge fully funded by the HMCRT

Donald Legget presenting the device to Dr. Vincenzo and his team

Donald Legget at the start of the Boat Race in the launch Amaryllis receiving the news of Goldie's clear win over Isis

HMCRT supporter's cap - launched at Henley Fashion Week July '07