Maygrove, Ariel, Iverson and Loveridge (MAIL) Residents’ Association ends with a gift to Marie Curie

Published: 28 October, 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

“THERE’S nothing left!” This was the gloomy message from the retiring chairman of one of West Hampstead’s most industrious community groups as he marked its demise by handing over its remaining funds to charity.

Michael Shanahan led Maygrove, Ariel, Iverson and Loveridge (MAIL) Residents’ Association for 15 years, organising trips to the seaside and annual tea dances for the elderly and disabled.

On Tuesday, he presented Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead with a cheque for £5,159, after deciding that at the age of 81 it was time to take a breather. Mr Shanahan lamented the fact that nobody had stepped in to save the group.

“I’m 81 now, and I think I’ve reached the time in life when I need to take it easy,” he said. “It’s really very sad that nobody could come in to carry on what we were doing. It became increasingly hard to raise money. Every year we had to go around with the begging bowl just to make it happen.”

Mr Shanahan added: “The council never gave us anything. There’s nothing left by way of money, but also in the sense that a lot of these people will no longer have the chance to get out and have fun.”

The group was set up by Mr Shanahan and neighbours John McLaughlin and Sheila Rooney, who have been involved in campaigns to improve conditions in council houses. The group has donated the rest of its funds to the son of a family friend of Mr Shanahan’s who has Down’s Syndrome.