my Shout!

I believe quite strongly about certain things and in order to do my humanitarian bit I am choosing to do something about them!  See below for all my fundraising efforts, current activities and my Shout! about current affairs.

Stand Against Violence

In the news there are stories of murder, violence, kidnapping, shootings, and it is all happening in our local area.  Violence is happening everywhere!  It is not a movie, it is not something that happens to other people, we are all at risk, even those of us who don't provoke, don't get involved, and don’t condone violence.  Being in the wrong place, at the wrong time, or a chance meeting with the wrong people could be enough to make you the victim.

It is senseless, and it has to stop.  Who has the right to take a person's life?  The family, friends and colleagues who are left behind to suffer, their lives ruined, by one person's actions.  We are all too used to hearing about teenagers being stabbed on our streets, people being beaten to death after a night out, people being shot trying to protect themselves and others, people disappearing without a trace.  It has to stop.

Those who commit these violent crimes are caught, sometimes.  However, they serve a prison sentence, probably one that is too lenient, and then walk free.  What about the people who are at home, staring at the empty seat round the dinner table?  Does their pain ever end?  Do they get to walk free one day?  NO, someone else chose this punishment for them, a punishment for being innocent, being in the wrong place, for being a victim.

You do not have to campaign around the streets of your home down with a sandwich board shouting this message.  All you have to do is support the cause, believe in a non-violent world, and pass on where you can these hard-hitting messages.  Even if you only reach out to one person, that could be one life saved.

These are all websites set-up either about people who have been the victims of violence, or those who are campaigning against violence in our society.  Please take the time to look and pass on if you can.

Be safe!

Fundraising Achievements to Date

Tsunami Disaster

January 2005 I raised £826.28 for the survivors of the December 26th (2004) Tsunami.  Simply by shutting up for one whole day (yes folks, it is possible!) people dug deep into their pockets for a really good cause.  I'm sure mostly everyone would have paid good money for me to just be quiet, but it didn't matter to me at least the money was raised and it went to help those who needed it most!  The goal was £500 so it goes to show that a little effort on my part went a long way and I raised £326.28 over my goal!  All the proceeds went to help the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Cancer Research UK

I did race for life in May 2007 with my sister.  In total I managed to raise £175 for Cancer Research UK!  Which was off my target of £250 (boo to all those who didn't sponsor) but a good amount for a good cause.  I have raced for Macmillan before but can't remember the figure for that, it was in 2001 and I raised a few hundred quid I seem to remember.  A very good charity whatever the event or the amount raised!

Children In Need

I organised a fundraiser for Children In Need 2007.  Even though hardly anyone came I sold off the Jumble Sale goods in a car boot on the Sunday after and in total I managed to raise £420 for the kids.   It's a great cause and even though they get a lot of money each year you'd be surprised how far it doesn't stretch!  There's a lot more people in this world less fortunate than ourselves, and this charity does great work for those who are closer to home than we think!  Despite the poor turn out it hasn't put me off doing something again.

Crawley Open House

For Christmas 2008 I donated my time at the local open house, which is a shelter for the homeless and disadvantaged.  It was an amazing experience and one I would definitely repeat.  Christmas eve and Christmas day I was there, chatting, preparing food, serving dinner, clearing up and getting to know the staff/clients.  Although I could not give a monetary donation, I feel my time was worth giving and I hope that I was able to spread a little bit of joy with those who need it more than others.