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.

Homelessnesswww.crisis.org.uk/

The weather affects everyone and is a major part in the way we live our lives.  When the rain falls most of us run inside for shelter.  The wet weather has ruined many a day out for people.  The snow is always fun and is such a rarity we make the most of it by gathering friends and family for snowball fights, snowman building, joy and laughter.  Sunshine is a favourite and we all flock to the beach or the park for a picnic.  Strong winds can be scary and most of us ensure our cars are safe, our houses are secure and that we don't venture outside unless we have to. 

But what if you don't have that choice?  What if you can't shelter from the rain?  What if you have nowhere to go to stay warm when the weather is cold and snowing?  What if you have to sit out in the sunshine for the entire summer without a shower or a cool drink at hand to relieve you?  What if you feared for your life every time a gale came?

Whilst most of us are worrying about ourselves, having fun with our friends and families, do we give a second thought to the people who are without a home? 

Next time we are enjoying the weather (or not) bear a though to those who aren't as fortunate as ourselves.  Maybe give the person who is busking, or begging, in the street £1 to help them out.  Or just make a donation to your local homeless shelter, or to a homeless shelter charity such as the Kirkby Trust.

 

 

Islam Is Peace

We all blame a certain religion or group for the bad things that have happened in our modern world.  One of the groups/religions to get a bashing in 21st century is Islam.  Before you start to think "terroists", "clothislam.JPG heads", "extremists" ask yourself, how much do you really know about Islam?
 
My guessing is that you could still learn what the religion is truly about and open your mind beyond the misconceptions that many "western" or "white" people believe.  At the end of the day one thing is true, we are all human beings.  Take that and strip away everything else, your colour, your creed, your race, your background, your social group, your religion, your possessions.  We are all made of the same stuff.
 
Once you have done that then learn about something you think you hate, such at Islam.  Learn that both Islamic, Christians, Catholics etc.  believe in Jesus!  Learn that like all other religions Islam promotes peace among man.
 
As with most things in this life it's the minority who ruin it for the majority, and Islam is a prime example!  Because extremists have taken the Qur'an, read it and interpreted it to make it to fit in with their extremist belief.  This has made it widely thought that Islam is bad, evil and the source of mass destruction.
 
All I ask in myShout is that you read the literature, explore the site and do so with an open mind.  Know what it is you think you hate, I reckon you'll be surprised and may even have a change of heart!
Don't forget, every religious group has extremists, we should tar everyone with the same brush! 
 

Fundraising Achievements to Date

Tsunami Disaster

January 2005 I raised £826.28 for the survivors of the December 26th (2004) Tsunami.  Simply by shutting upDEC.gif 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 UKcancerresearch.gif

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 macmillan.gifhave 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

CIN.gif

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.