Raise November/December 2008

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November/December 2008

raise Fundraising

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Volunteering

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Environment

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Subscribe for free inside www.raisemagazine.co.uk

Your guide to making a difference Organic Living

Trading out of poverty Find out how Shared Interest work with fair trade businesses all over the world

Plus...

Festive Charity Gifts Sponsorship & Adoption News & Events How to have a green Christmas and much more!

WIN - TASTE OF AFRICA HAMPERS, ECO-GODDESS LAUNDRY KIT + DIY GARDENING BAGS

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WETNOSE ANIMAL AID Wetnose is a unique non-profit Organisation giving funds and equipment to save sick animals in Rescue Centres worldwide/UK.

As Welfare Consultants we visit Centres such as Romania, Spain, Philippines, Mallorca, Greece and many UK Centres too.

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• We support Centres with Neuter and Release Programmes.

• Giving vital equipment such as cat traps or ring feeders to the Centres that desperately need them. • Support conservation Centres such as the baby Orangutans in Borneo.

We need more fund raisers to help give money to where it’s really needed.

For more information visit www.wetnoseanimalaid.com or ring 01508 518 650

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Telephone: 01395 578222 • Web: www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk A charity registered with the Charity Commission for England & Wales No. 264818

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Nov/Dec 2008

contents With Christmas almost upon us, this issue we thought we’d celebrate with some festive features. We take a look at the range of charity Christmas products on offer this year, and find out how you can help the environment by ‘greening up’ your Christmas. Also this issue, we have a feature on Sponsorship and Adoption, plus Legacies, News & Events, and we introduce co-operative lending society, Shared Interest, in our Eco Friendly and Environmental section.

Have a great Christmas and we’ll see you next in the New Year.

Stacey Wright, Editor

fundraising and volunteering 08

Fundraising News & Events Local and Nationial news from your favourite charities.

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Day in the life of…

GIFT

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Sponsorship and Adoption Find out more about adopting an animal or sponsoring a child.

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Fundraiser Challenge With The National Autistic Society

Raise is printed on 100% recycled paper.

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Christmas Products Festive gifts for your home & garden

Cover photo: © Shared Interest

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Interview with a Volunteer With the Queen Elizabeth Foundation

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Diary of a Fundraiser Send a Cow

Raise is published by Fundraising Media 7 Burgess Mews 38 Wycliffe Road Wimbledon SW19 1UF

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Day in the life of…

Myeloma UK

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eco friendly and environmental 26

Shared Interest Find out how this co-operative lending society helps fair trade businesses around the world.

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Eco & Environmental News

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Have a green Christmas Tips and tricks to help the environment this festive season.

020 8543 4445 020 8540 6661 raise@spacematters.co.uk

Errors or omissions are in no way the responsibility of Fundraising Media.

Fundraising Media reserves the right to amend copy submitted for publication, will not return material without an SAE and accepts no liability for its safe custody.

Raise is published 6 times per year. Subscriptions are available at £18 UK, £26 Overseas.

Editor Stacey Wright staceyw@spacematters.co.uk Publishing Assistant Rossemary Pennycooke rossemaryp@spacematters.co.uk

regulars 04

Competitions

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Questionnaire…

Simply answer a few questions and you could win a Fairtrade gift hamper.

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Legacies

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You Tell Us… with Whizz-Kidz - the charity that gives disabled children the chance to lead a more independent life.

Advertiser Index

Designer Tim Watling ukprintonline@btconnect.com Ad Manager George Young georgey@spacematters.co.uk Sales Executive Ian Murty ianm@spacematters.co.uk

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competition

Find the hedgehog and you could win some great Eco prizes So this is how it works… inside this issue of Raise we have hidden this cute picture of Tim the Hedgehog and it’s your job to find out where. Once you’ve spotted him, tick more info number 05 on the reader-reply card at the back of the magazine and state on which page you saw him. You can then tick a box on the reply card stating which prize you would like to win from the choices below.

First up, we have teamed up with www.ethicsgirls.co.uk to offer one lucky winner the chance to win an Eco-Goddess Laundry Hamper. This prize has everything you need to start washing your clothes in a greener way. The Laundry Kit includes Ecozone Dryer Balls, which reduce the drying time by 25%, Ecozone Magno

Ball - an effective nonchemical way to remove limescale from washing machines and dishwashers, and Ecozone Eco Balls - an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional washing liquid. And if that’s not enough, you also get a General Purpose E-cloth, which can remove the toughest stains without any other cleaning agent.

Or if you’d prefer, we have 10 handy DIY gardening bags to give away courtesy of www.traidcraftshop.co.uk. They’re ideal for storing gardening tools and have a multitude of separate pockets, to carry hand tools, gloves and seeds - meaning no more trips from the bottom of the garden to pick up yet another tool! The bags are made of an environmentally-friendly canvas and are fully machine washable.

Last issue’s WINNERS

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Eco Kettles Miss S Newman Reading, Berkshire Mrs J Byott Brentwood, Essex Mr R A Carley Somerset Mrs B Rosser-Owen London Mrs A Easson Dundee, Angus

Anti-ageing kits Mrs S Wonnacott Devon Mrs L Benge Inverness-Shire Mrs C Johnstone Dyfed Mrs V Bennett Reading, Berkshire Mrs J Wright Essex

To enter any of our competitions tick the appropriate box on the reader reply card.

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WIN

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a Taste of Africa

Questionnaire

Gift Hamper

We’d like to thank all of our readers for making Raise such a great success! In 2009, we’re going to bring you even more fundraising, volunteering and eco-news. But to ensure we continue to give you what you want, we’d be grateful if you could take the next few minutes to fill out this questionnaire and pop it back in the post. The first five completed questionnaires drawn out of the hat will win a Taste of Africa Gift Hamper. The hamper is presented in an attractive, seagrass basket and packed with a wonderful mixture of organic and fairtrade products including Ormer Bay Chardonnay Fairtrade Wine, Equal Exchange Ethiopian Roast & Ground Coffee, Malagasy Sambirano Grand Cru Dark Chocolate Bar, Organic Dried Mango, and Sugar Cane Greetings Cards. With Christmas just around the corner, what better time to enjoy a hamper full of treats!

Name Address

Email Organisation/Name of Group How many in your group

Approximate Male/Female split e.g 50:50

Send your completed questionnaires to our editor Stacey Wright at:

Raise Reader Survey, 7 Burgess Mews, 38 Wycliffe Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 1UF The hamper prize draw will take place on 12 December 2008. The winners will be notified immediately.

GENERAL: 3 1

How many people are in your group?

_______________________________ 2

How important do you find the following sections in Raise? (1 being the most important, 4 being the least important)

£ £ Volunteering £ Legacies £ Eco/Environment

©

Fundraising

Which of our regular features do you find most interesting (1-4)?

£ Day in the life of... £ Diary of a fundraiser £ Celebrity interview £ You Tell Us 4

How satisfied are you with the contents featured in Raise?

£ £ Quite satisfied £ Satisfied £ Un-satisfied

5

How long do you keep each issue of Raise?

£ Until next issue £ For up to 6 months £ For up to 12 months £ Longer 6

Would your group be interested in a presentation from one of our charities?

Very satisfied

_______________________________

continued >>

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Would your group be interested

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in volunteering abroad?

7

_______________________________ 8

service is affect your group’s purchases?

How many of your group members fundraise?

_______________________________

ENVIRONMENT/ LIFESTYLE

Which charities has your group raised funds for recently?

Does how ethical a product or

_______________________________

LEGACIES (we realise this is sensitive information,

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Do your group buy

so you don’t need to answer these

eco-products?

questions if you don’t want to)

_______________________________ _______________________________

_______________________________

20

leave a legacy?

_______________________________ _______________________________

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Would you say your group members are conscious of

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active fundraising?

_______________________________

21

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Do your group members recycle?

18

Would you say your group prefers to buy Fairtrade over

_______________________________ 11

If you could donate £100 to a charity, which one would it be?

_______________________________ 22

Who would your group members rather hear more

What’s the most money your group’s raised for one cause?

On average, how many legacies would each member leave?

_______________________________

_______________________________ 10

_______________________________

their carbon-footprint?

Does your group take part in

(e.g. - fun runs, sponsored walks, cycling events)

Would your group members

other products?

_______________________________

about legacies from?

£ The Charity £ A Solicitor £ Raise

_______________________________

VOLUNTEERING 12

Do your group members volunteer?

_______________________________ 13

Which charities have your group done voluntary work for recently?

_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

The first five completed questionnaires drawn out of the hat will win

a Taste of Africa Gift Hamper

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fundraising and volunteering ww Sp w.s ons en or a da co Cow w.o at rg. uk IN THIS SECTION: News ................08 Day in the Life of GIFT ..................11 Feature Sponsorship & Adoption...........13 Diary of a Fundraiser Send a Cow ......14

This section of Raise is dedicated to fundraising and volunteering, with features, news & events, plus interviews with fundraisers.

Fundraiser Challenge The National Autistic Society..............18 Christmas Products...........21

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Interview with a Volunteer Queen Elizabeth Foundation........22

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PIC: SEND A COW

Day in the Life of Myeloma UK .....16

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fundraising news & events

The WOW factor Gordon Ramsay hosts fundraising dinner Last month Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana hosted a fundraising dinner for national domestic violence charity Women’s Aid in London, which raised over £100,000. Guests included Nicky Clarke, Elizabeth Hurley, Sophie EllisBextor and Neil Fox, along with 300 VIPs and survivors of domestic violence.

Women’s Aid Chief Executive, Nicola Harwin CBE, said, “Money raised from this year’s event will allow us to continue in our vital work to end violence against women and children into 2009.” To support the Women’s Aid ACT campaign, visit www.womensaid.org.uk

Get your group involved in World Orphan Week 2009 from 9 to 15 February, by wearing something with the WOW factor.

The annual fundraising event encourages everyone to dress up for one day and donate £1 (or whatever you can afford) to SOS Children, the world’s largest orphan charity.

By participating in World Orphan Week, and encouraging others to do so, you can help the charity give orphaned and abandoned children a new mother, home and family, for life! Visit www.soschildren.org/wow for more information.

Take the stress away Samaritans’ annual fundraising day Stress Down Day takes place on 6 February 2009, and is designed to raise awareness of the detrimental effects of stress and encourage people to look after their emotional health. Groups can get involved by logging onto www.stressdownday.org and downloading a fundraising pack. The symbolic icon of Stress Down Day is fluffy green Samaritans slippers which you can buy for £9.99 on their website.

Help children to smile this Christmas

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Christmas is a magical time of year, yet for some children, there is no money for presents, no stocking at the bottom of the bed, and no surprises on Christmas morning. The Variety Club strives to put a smile on the faces of as many children as possible, particularly at Christmas. You can help them by making a donation to the Christmas Toy Appeal today and they’ll do the rest. Please visit www.justgiving.com/toyappeal or call 020 7428 8100 for more details.

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Get onboard New website for GIFT with the Book Bus Christmas gift idea

The Children’s Transplant Charity – GIFT - are happy to announce the launch of their new website - www.giftctc.org.uk. GIFT offers support to children and families who are affected by transplantation, and aim to provide both emotional and practical support throughout the journey of transplantation.

Marathon mission

The Circulation Foundation currently have eight Golden Bond places available for next year’s Flora London Marathon, which takes place in April. Running the marathon is a wonderful personal challenge and a fantastic way to raise funds and awareness at the same time. If you would like to find out more about running, please contact info@circulationfoundation.org.uk or visit www.circulationfoundation.org.uk

British Kidney launch appeal British Kidney Patient Association has launched an appeal where the funds raised will go directly to helping young children and teenagers whose lives have been turned upside down by kidney disease. The BKPA makes grants to families in times of need, helping with anything from travel expenses for hospital visits, to laptop computers for school work or a special adventure holiday. For more information call 01420 472021/2 or visit www.britishkidney-pa.co.uk

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The Book Bus Foundation provides a mobile library service for Zambia’s desperately under-resourced community schools and they are in need of your help. Launched in April 2008, repeat visits from the Book Bus make a huge impact on these schools, attended by children who cannot afford to go to a government school.

The charity’s secondary phase begins in spring 2009 and they need people like you to help keep their service running. From volunteering in Zambia to fundraising in the UK, you can make a profound difference to children’s lives. Visit www.thebookbus.org for more information.

Send a Cow has launched a ‘buy one, give one’ Christmas gift idea for your green-fingered friends.

The £20 ‘Save Our Soil Gift Pack’ includes a bag garden starter kit, plus a ‘virtual gift’ of sustainable agricultural training for African families. Bag gardens are a great way of growing vegetables when water and land are scarce, and are ideal for patios in the UK too. The kits comprise a hessian sack, three seed varieties, full instructions, plus details of more natural gardening techniques used in the charity’s programmes. Go to www.sendacowgifts.org.uk for more information and to see the full range of Christmas gifts on offer.

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BKPA Donation Appeal 06

More Info Number

No amount of money can free Maddy from a lifetime on dialysis.

Only a successful transplant can do this.

In the meantime the British Kidney Patient Association strives to improve the quality of life for kidney patients and their families throughout the UK.

Please support us with our ongoing work.

To find out how you can help by making a donation please visit www.britishkidney-pa.co.uk or call us on 01420 472021 10

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BKPA, Bordon, Hants GU35 9JZ Tel: 01420 472021/2 Fax: 01420 475831 A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee No. 270288

bkpa_DONATIONS_Ad for RAISE.indd1 1

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a day in the life of…

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More Info Number

Vashti Poole Communications Project Manager - GIFT

issues in itself. On a daily basis these children have to live with this and the fact that they are in some way different to their peers, all of them cope admirably as do their families.

My day starts at eight o’clock on Saturday morning when we have to report for breakfast before embarking on the activities for the day. We have a varied itinerary, including raft building, archery and zip wire. For the raft building we are in two teams and the

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As an organisation, GIFT work to a strong ethos of empowerment for the children that we serve. And every year we fund an outward bound weekend for young transplant recipients. This gives me a platform to truly touch the lives of the individuals that I work for everyday.

My role within the charity is varied, which gives me an opportunity to return to the grass routes of why we are in operation… and have fun!

I‘ve worked for GIFT for just under four years and have been in absolute awe of these brave individuals from the day my employment commenced. To be able to provide a weekend that proves to all the attendees that they are normal and can achieve over and above what they ever thought possible is incredible. All of the children who attended this weekend have been in a life-threatening situation - their treatment does not end with their transplant as there is a lifelong regime of medical management, which incurs

object of the activity is to build a raft that doesn’t sink! The camaraderie and joviality during the activity is fantastic and it is clear that the children are enjoying themselves, forgetting any worries or angst that they may have had. We move onto archery and then to the zip wire.

Whilst sitting in the zip wire safety shed I just sit and listen to the conversations that are going on. Many of the children are clearly scared of heights, but this didn’t stop them pushing their boundaries and climbing to the top and taking part, their bravery and courage shines through.

The moment that made the weekend for me was when one of the young ladies who attended said, “If I can do this, I can do anything. I am just like every other person at school”.

For me this is an immeasurable part of my job, to be able to make such a difference to someone’s life.

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Help Abbeyfield end loneliness in old age in your community

‘‘

Leaving home can be very traumatic, but at Abbeyfield it’s like taking your home with you and gaining some friends on the way

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More Info Number

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As people become older their lives should continue to be fulfilling. Abbeyfield volunteers work with older people to ensure they remain active and involved and receive support whenever needed.

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Your support could make a lasting contribution to the future of isolated older people.

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For more information on Abbeyfield, our volunteer opportunities, services and the locations of our houses and homes, please contact our head officee on 01727 857536

www.abbeyfield.com Charity Number 200719

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feature

Sponsorship and Adoption

Plan is one of the largest childcentred community development organisations in the world, helping children and their families in 49 of the poorest countries to break the cycle of poverty. These children live in desperate need of the very things we often take for granted - food, medicine, education and safe drinking water. Without these basics, they are often denied the chance they need to ever realise their full potential. By sponsoring a child, it not only helps to implement projects such as building schools, training teachers and providing water so that children can have a better education, but it also provides them with the tools and knowledge to help make improvements to their lives and achieve long-term, generational change. You can sponsor a child with Plan for £12 per month. Visit www.plan-uk.org to find out more.

Another charity dedicated to

improving the quality of life of the world’s poorest children is World Vision. By becoming a child sponsor, you’ll be joining them in a pledge to provide the food, clean water, education and healthcare they deserve.

It costs £18 a month to sponsor a child - that’s just 60p a day – around the price of a daily newspaper. Your small change can make a big difference. By forging a connection with an individual child, you can see the effect your donation is having on the life of the child for yourself. Visit www.worldvision.org.uk to become a sponsor today.

And it’s not only children who need your help – there are a number of animal charities that could benefit from your support too. Why not give something a little different to a loved one this Christmas and adopt a puppy with Canine Partners. The charity specialises in providing highly trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities, and for

just £1 a week you could make a real difference. Recipients will receive a Puppy Pack containing a puppy photo, signed certificate and a cuddly toy dog, as well as getting regular updates of puppy adventures plus photos. For further information on Canine Partners, visit www.caninepartners.co.uk or call 08456 580480.

Birmingham Dogs Home is also in need of your help. The charity has been running for over 100 years, with the mission to rescue, reunite and rehome stray, neglected and unwanted dogs from all over the West Midlands area. This vital work is only possible through generous support, which has allowed them to improve their facilities and care for unfortunate dogs. To help continue this good work, you could sponsor a kennel for £10 per month or a bed for £5 per month. Visit www.birminghamdogshome.org.uk to find out more ways you could help or call 0121 643 5211.

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PIC: PLAN

PIC: BIRMINGHAM DOGS HOME

As the cold weather starts to settle in, and with Christmas just around the corner, what better time to start thinking of ways to help those in need. Whether it’s adopting an animal or sponsoring a child – there are plenty of ways to show your support.

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diary

Diary of a fundraiser Rosemary Moore is part of a national network of volunteer Ambassadors, who give talks and arrange events to publicise Send a Cow. Last year, they collectively dedicated more than 19,000 hours of time to the sustainable development charity. Here, Rosemary tells Raise about two weeks in her life.

THURSDAY - Location - Mbale, eastern Uganda.

I’m nearing the end of my first Ambassadors’ Study Tour of Send a Cow projects. We met a couple who were given a cow nine years ago. Once they’d improved their own lives, they decided to set up a community school.

It’s wonderful for me, a retired headteacher, to see how the gift of a cow has led directly to improved education for over 600 children. They learn literacy, numeracy, and sustainable natural agriculture – then they go home and teach their families how to grow food all year round. All those helped by Send a Cow undertake to pass on the benefits of our work to other families, and this is a fantastic example.

FRIDAY - I visit a group of disabled people. They give a drama performance illustrating how Send a Cow has helped them move into the light. They are no longer shut away in their homes. In the evening, we ambassadors have a farewell dinner with Send a Cow Uganda staff. I chat to Chris Kyeswa, who will give a talk at our Annual Supporters’ Conference in mid-November, being held in my local church hall in Warlingham, Surrey.

SATURDAY TO MONDAY - We fly back to Heathrow: a 23-hour journey.

First thing Monday morning, the phone rings. A women’s church group who I spoke to in May want me to return to tell them about my trip. We book a date for the talk, and then I write it up for Jodie, the Ambassadors’ Secretary. I will certainly have plenty to talk about! And I know they will ask insightful questions.

TUESDAY - I begin sorting out my Ugandan photos, which will be great for illustrating talks. I also email some to the News Editor of the local paper, who promised he’d put in an article about my trip. I hope it will attract readers to our supporters’ conference, and raise awareness in general.

WEDNESDAY - Today I tried out some soup recipes.

I’ve been ‘volunteered’ to organise the food for the supporters’ conference.

People may wonder what this has got to do with fundraising, but it’s important to keep supporters happy – and that means well-fed! I’m doing the logistics for the conference, for parking, chairs, etc.

I’ve got a team of friends lined up to help.

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THURSDAY - I email out flyers for a Send a Cow coffee morning at the end of November. My husband and I have held this for the past five years.

Last year, we had 70 people squashed into our house, so this year we’ve booked the church hall. Last year we

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More Info Number

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managed to raise £900. There will be stalls and raffles, and I’ll give out Christmas catalogues so people can give a goat or a cow for Christmas! Once the supporters’ conference is over, I’ll put up flyers in shops. A lot of the publicity will be word-ofmouth, though.

FRIDAY - SUNDAY - I’m helping to run a Send a Cow stand at a Rotary Conference in Eastbourne. We’re selling Christmas cards and jute bags, but mainly our job is to chat to people about the charity. Most of them know about us already - Rotary Clubs have supported us for 20 years, focusing on designated projects in four countries. Our Volunteer Development Manager, David, gives a talk on the Saturday. It generates a lot of requests for speakers.

We always need more ambassadors!

MONDAY - I get a phone call from the manager of my local Sainsbury store, in response to a letter I sent. Yes, they can offer us some help on food for our supporters’ conference. I arrange to meet the manager when I do the shopping for it.

TUESDAY -

I begin writing about my trip for three local church magazines. I also work on a presentation for an infant school in two week’s time. All my talks are tailor made for their audiences so require careful thought. It’s been a flurry of activity since I got back from Uganda!

WEDNESDAY - Our South East Regional Ambassadors Meeting. Nine volunteers, plus Gill from Head Office, all meet in my living room. We review the past year. A highlight for many of us has been helping out at Send a Cow’s garden at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, which showcased the natural agricultural techniques that we use in Africa. It generated massive interest from visitors and the media. We also talk about how the economic downturn will affect us. We agree that this is a challenging time for fundraisers. We need to be sensitive when asking people for money, because they’re stretched in all directions. But we mustn’t be disheartened.

We’ve just got to work even harder!

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a day in the life of…

Sarah Ritchie Policy & Advocacy Department Myeloma UK

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I arrive at the office just in time to catch the first coffeeround of the day. I check my emails and write up my to-do list for the day. Based in Edinburgh, Myeloma UK is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to helping people affected by myeloma. We provide information and support and improve standards of care through education, research, campaigning and raising awareness.

There are two halves to my job. One side is a policy role, which involves keeping an eye on what’s going on in the cancer policy scene and trying to influence policy to better reflect the needs of myeloma patients. The other side is advocacy. There are some great new treatments for myeloma, but due to their cost they are not freely available on the NHS to all who need them.

Every month, more than 200 patients and their families ring our free Myeloma Infoline for practical advice and information about all aspects of myeloma, as well as emotional support and a listening ear. Sometimes we get calls from patients who are having difficulty getting treatment that could help them. My job is to give them 16 advice on how to go about asking the local Primary Care

Trust for the treatment, and to support patients and their doctors through the process.

I spend the morning working on a number of treatment access cases. I prepare supporting paperwork for one case and speak to the doctor about the progress of another. My phone rings and it’s a lovely lady who I have recently been working with and we have a good catch-up. The best part of my job is working closely with patients and their families.

The lady has myeloma and is attending our London Patient and Family Myeloma Infoday in October, so we plan to meet up on the day.

After a busy morning, I meet with my line manager to discuss our strategy for the coming month. After lunch, I check my emails and see a new one from our fundraising team. Some of our supporters have raised over £60,000 from the Edinburgh Marathon. The email has some fantastic photos of our orange t-shirted runners. I really enjoy getting updates from my fundraising colleagues.

On my way home I think about the conversations I have had during the day, and I look forward to going to work tomorrow.

Maybe I’ll arrive in time for the day’s first coffee-round again.

To find out more about Myeloma UK, please visit www.myeloma.org.uk or call 0131 557 3332. To speak to a Myeloma Information Nurse Specialist please call their free Myeloma Infoline on 0800 980 3332.

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Reg charity no. 1024811

Petsavers is a charity that funds vital veterinary studies into the diagnosis and treatment of sick pets.

Get involved today – we’ve plenty of ideas to help you fundraise, or make a donation online.

HELP YOUR VET SAVE YOUR PET Tel: 01452 726737 Web: www.petsavers.org.uk

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the most t

prolifically pr p

productive pr p

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More Info Number

perfectly pe e practical

fantastically fa a

fruitful f

wondrously wise wo w pound-stretching po o

eco-tastic e christmas c

gifts g money can buy. m

celebration too. every gift you purchase,anaverageof10poorfamilieswillbenefit.

w w w . s e n da c ow g i f t s . o r g . u k

T: 01225 874 222 Registered charity number 299717

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this year, just go online to:

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fundraiser challenge On Thursday 17 July 2008 Gwent Police Officer and former Royal Marine, Mark Herbert, and seven of his colleagues completed the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge in aid of The National Autistic Society (NAS) - the UK’s leading charity for people affected by autism. Here, Mark tells Raise all about his adventure and the personal story behind the challenge.

On a mission…

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My son Gabriel was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old. Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition, which is much more common than many people realise. Over half a million people in the UK have autism (around 1 in 100) but there’s still a real lack of awareness of what it actually means to live with the condition.

When Gabriel was diagnosed we got in touch with the NAS and the help and support we received from the charity was invaluable. We attended the NAS Earlybird scheme, which really helped us understand Gabriel’s autism and find ways to help him. I wanted to give something back to the NAS and help other families in a similar position, so when I 18 read about the £Grand Intentions campaign on the NAS website I realised it was perfect for me. I could sign up to raise a ‘grand’ and then choose the means to do it. I decided to rope in some of my colleagues and attempt the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge in under 15 hours. We set the date for 17 July 2008.

Mark and his son Gabriel

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If you’re interested in organising your own £Grand Intention, like Mark, in aid of the NAS please contact the NAS £Grand Intentions team on 08456 78 36 58 or visit www.think-differently.org.uk/grandintentions

Three months to go Mike and Andy were going to be our support team, acting as drivers and carrying the spare equipment we’d need. The rest of us started our training with two-hour walks, once a week.

Two months to go We started to amass all the equipment we’d need including our wet weather gear, which would prove to be indispensable! By now we’d increased our training programme to longer walks, twice a week.

One month to go I started running the seven miles to work each day and we all completed longer walks up local mountains.

A week to go Our fundraising attempt was featured in the local newspaper with a photograph of Gabriel and myself. I spent a day collecting money outside Asda and distributed leaflets to all the local police stations.

One day to go The weather report for Thursday was terrible, but we knew we couldn’t postpone the climb as work commitments meant this was the only day we could all get together. We packed all our equipment into the van including plenty of spare clothes - it was going to be wet!

The day of the climb We started out from the police station at midnight in the

At the top of Cadair Idris

worst weather possible. It was cold and raining, but our spirits were so high the weather just seemed part of the challenge. Snowdon was our first mountain and we made it to the top in around three hours. We couldn’t see much from the summit because of the rain but we’d made it and that was what counted. One down, two to go! We made or way down to Mike and Andy who were waiting with the van. We were soaked to the bone but totally buzzing from having completed our first mountain. We drove to Cadair Idris on a high, but with some trepidation as we all knew our second mountain was going to be a much harder climb than our first.

Cadair Idris lived up to our expectations and was by far the hardest mountain. It’s very steep and it was tough going, but we were all so excited we pushed on. About half way up I stumbled and pulled a muscle in my leg, but there was no way I was going to quit. We made it to the top a little bit sore and very wet, but elated to have completed our second mountain.

We arrived at the foot Pen-y-Fan, our third and final mountain, and realised we only had a little over two hours left if we wanted to beat our time. We jumped out of the van and headed straight up the mountain. We made it to the summit just in time completing our challenge in 14 hours and 55 minutes. It was such an amazing feeling to know we’d done it, especially given the weather. We made our way back down to the welcome sight of Mike and Andy and a dry change of clothes!

So far we’ve raised £1,400 for the NAS, which is well over our initial target. I’d definitely do another fundraiser for the NAS, but maybe something drier next time!

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Above and below: The team take on Snowdon

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ORDER BY 12th DEC FOR PRE-CHRISTMAS DELIVERY

Organic & Free Range

CHRISTMAS HAMPER Full of carefully selected products, all organic, free range or traditionally produced using only the finest of ingredients. Delivered in a simple recycled box, the hamper contains:

• Chegworth Valley Organic Apple Juice (1 ltr) • Belvoir Fruit Farms Organic Lemonade (75cl) • Ceylon1 Organic Free Range Loose Leaf Tea (125g) (with FREE mesh infuser) • Union Free Range Rwandan Coffee (227g) • Green & Blacks Organic Cocoa (125g) • Burnt Sugar Fair Trade Chocolate Crumbly Fudge (180g x 2) • Seeds of Change Organic Penne Pasta (500g) • Cinnamon Tree Bakery Ginger Snaps (9 pieces x 2) • Hebridean Organic Wheat Free Oat Cakes (140g x 2) • Simply Delicious Organic Creamed Horseradish (180ml) • English Provender Organic Wild Cranberry Sauce (240g) • 3 Assorted Jars of Jill’s Natural Preserves (1.5oz x 3) • 3 Assorted Jars of Jill’s Natural Chutneys (1.5oz x 3) • Hand Made Organic Mince Pies (x 6)

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ALSO AVAILABLE WITH: (‘With Alcohol’ Hamper)a _______________________________________________ • Bouvet Saumur Brut Méthode Trad. Sparkling Wine (750ml) • New Forest Traditional Farmhouse Cider (4 x 330ml)

£59.95 *

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+ 7.95 delivery without alcohol

-ASTECTOMY Nicola Jane has over 24 years experience in helping to restore confidence and femininity after breast cancer. Beautiful swimwear, bras and prostheses, with fitted pockets for complete comfort and security.

Call now for our FREE catalogue and shop information quoting RAQ11

FREEPHONE 0800 081 2121 AUTUMN & WINTER CATALOGUE OUT NOW!

www.nicolajane.com

‘With Alcohol’ Hamper contents

£75.95* + 9.95 delivery with alcohol

More Info Number

To order, fill in this coupon and post with your cheque to: Aware Mail Order. 7 Burgess Mews, 38 Wycliffe Road, London SW19 1UF (Tel: 020 8544 1101) I wish to purchase _________ Organic & Free Range Christmas Hamper(s) with alcohol at a cost of £75.95 + £9.95 delivery TOTAL £85.90 each* I wish to purchase _________ Organic & Free Range Christmas Hamper(s) without alcohol at a cost of £59.95 + £7.95 delivery TOTAL £67.90 each* I enclose my full payment cheque for £ __________* (made payable to Aware Mail Order).

Order by 12 Dec for Xmas delivery. No credit or debit cards. If unavailable, products supplied may differ slightly from those listed

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Name: ________________________________________________ Delivery Address: ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Postcode: _________________Tel: ________________________

*Order 10 or more with your group and DEDUCT 10% from the total

The Book Bus Foundation believes that every child should have the right to enjoy books and reading, Help us keep the wheels of our mobile library service turning!

To find out how visit

www.thebookbus.org or email jo@thebookbus.org UK Registered Charity Number 1117357

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fundraising

Christmas Products Jazz up the festive season with our selection of charity Christmas products...

Glass Angel Baubles Add a heavenly twinkle to your tree with this set of three glass angels from the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity.

£4.99 http://shop.gosh.org/goshshop/

Santa Kitchen Set

The perfect addition to any living room table is this limited edition Angel Snow Globe. Shake and watch the snow fall over the white ceramic angel.

Every present or card sold will help Marie Curie Cancer Care provide free nursing care to terminally ill people at the end of their lives.

£3.95 www.mariecurie.org.uk/shop

£2.95 www.mariecurie.org.uk/shop

Calendar Girls Chocolates

(set of two) These snowman candles will certainly help light up your Christmas celebrations. They’re also handmade by fair trade artisans in Bangladesh.

£4.00 www.traidcraftshop.co.uk

Sequin Tree Decorations Add some colour and sparkle to your Christmas tree with this set of four sequin decorations. Featuring heart, tree, moon and star shapes, each decoration hangs from its own gold braided hanging loop, which are supplied.

£7.99 https://shop.wwf.org.uk/decorations

Christmas is never complete without some chocolates to enjoy. Try these delicious squares of milk chocolate, which together make up a group photo of the Calendar Girls wearing Santa hats.

£2.50 www.leukaemiashop.com

Charity Christmas Cards This twin pack of charity Christmas cards are a very handy size and feature lovely photographic images of holly or red berries laying on crisp white snow. They’re made from sustainable materials and all profits from the cards support the work of the Red Cross. Pack of 10 cards with envelopes, 5 of each design. £2.49 www.redcross.org.uk/shop

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Angel Snow Globe

Marie Curie Cancer Care help bring the festive fun into the kitchen with this Jolly Santa design oven mitt, pot holder and towel.

Snowman Candles

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interview with a volunteer Dorothy Wheeler right; volunteers at a spring ladies lunch

Years in the making The Queen Elizabeth Foundation has been running for nearly 75 years and encourages and enables adults with disabilities to increase independence and improve life skills. Here our Editor Stacey Wright talks to Dorothy Wheeler, who has been a supporter of the charity for 35 years.

When did you first hear about the Queen Elizabeth Foundation?

How do you help them to raise awareness?

I’ve lived in Cobham, Surrey, for over 50 years and the Queen Elizabeth Foundation is recognised throughout the County. I always used to pop into one of their charity shops to buy my Christmas cards, as it’s only two miles away from my house. Since then I’ve learnt more about the charity and have been involved with their work for the past 35 years.

In any way I can. Initially, it was mainly through fundraising but over the years I have volunteered in one of their charity shops, worked my way through a mountain of office administration, and helped out at various fundraising events.

What attracted you to the charity?

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Firstly, it was the location. It’s been a great bonus because 22 I’ve been able to become fully involved with staff, clients, events and the work that goes on at the charity. Secondly, it’s because the charity focuses on disability, which I think often gets overlooked. I trained in an orthopaedic hospital as a physio so I am only too aware of how hard it is for disabled people to compete in society on equal terms.

Do you fundraise as part of a group?

Yes, I’m Chairman of the Cobham and Oxshott Friends Group, which was set up about 30 years ago. Our most popular events are the Bridge Teas, which we do twice a year. The staff let us use a room for the evening at the Queen Elizabeth Foundation where people could come along and join in. It’s much nicer to have the event where the charity is based, as you feel closer to the cause that you’re raising money for. I’m proud to say that our last Bridge Tea event back in October raised over £600 for the charity.

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If you would like to find out more about volunteering for the Queen Elizabeth Foundation call 01372 841100 or visit www.qef.org.uk Ann Widdecombe right; visits an autumn lunch

In what other ways have you raised funds?

We’ve also organised wine-tasting evenings, had a choir sing for us, and the W.I Golden Girls have come in. I also love to help out at the charity’s fundraising events, whether it’s manning the reception desk or selling raffle tickets. I am particularly fond of their ladies lunches, which are held at Epsom Racecourse. They are always very popular in attracting highly entertaining celebrity speakers.

Would you say that it’s the small tasks such as working in their office that can make such a big difference?

Yes, I would. Staff numbers are naturally kept to an absolute minimum in a charity so coming into the office on a regular basis really does make a difference. Hopefully myself and our group manage to limit the mundane work that needs to be carried out by staff, leaving them free to do what they’re good at - helping clients and raising funds.

Why is volunteering so important to you?

I like to feel that I am doing something useful. I have so

many friends now that are also involved with the charity and it’s far more interesting to get together for a chat while mailing out the latest news to supporters rather than simply having a cup of coffee round at my house.

Would you recommend volunteering to others?

Yes, I most certainly would. It can be so much fun getting together with people who have similar interests to you, and it’s also a nice way to make new friends. The Queen Elizabeth Foundation is always so welcoming to us and it’s a great charity to get involved with. Everything we do for them is so worthwhile and I thoroughly enjoy volunteering for them.

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Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation is a registed charity based in Surrey with specialist experience in creating opportunities for disabled people. We focus on: • • • •

More Info Number

brain injury rehabilitation for 16-35 year olds, vocational training for sustainable employment, mobility assessment, advice and tuition and the development of life skills for young adults with complex disabilities.

If you would like to make a donation, learn more about our work or become a volunteer, please contact Christine Coyle on 01372 841121.

Registered Charity No. 251051

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Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Leatherhead Court Woodlands Road Leatherhead Surrey KT22 0BN www.qef.org.uk

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Great Christmas gifts for the whole family

For your chance to win one of ten mugs of your choice, tick more-info number 16 on the reply-card

A gift from the fantastically popular Yummy Mummy range makes the perfect present this Christmas.

And every penny raised helps CLIC Sargent support children with cancer – twice as good!

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More Info Number

my, Dishy Daddy, mm y M um u Y : e n o r every morous Granny, Groovy Grandad ncle, Gla ing fo U h y t k e n u m F unty, e’s so Ther wesome A A

63 2C6E32 8C0E8

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Buy your gifts online now at

www.yummymummy.org.uk or call 08451 206 658 Registered Charity Number: 1107328

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eco-friendly and environmental Welcome to the eco-friendly and environmental section, where you’ll find news, green Christmas products and we introduce Shared Interest - the co-operative lending society.

IN THIS SECTION: Shared Interest .............26 Eco & Environmental News ................28

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PIC: SHARED INTEREST

Green up your Christmas .........29

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

shared interest

Invest Today for a Fairer Tomorrow A massive 70 per cent of us here in the UK now recognise the Fairtrade Mark. But how about digging a bit further? Who or what is at the root of the fair trade market? Ever wondered how farmers in the developing world finance their route to fair and just trade? That’s where Shared Interest comes in.

As the world’s only 100 per cent fair trade lender, Shared Interest works with 41 countries round the globe.

This year alone, they have lent over £30 million to fair trade businesses in the world’s poorest communities.

Based here in the UK but with

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offices in Costa Rica and Kenya, they work with people on the ground to help them earn a fair wage and create a stable livelihood for their family. By lending money to businesses so that they can pay staff and cover operation costs while

they await a financial return on their goods, Shared Interest helps when it is needed most.

And how are these funds raised?

They aren’t. Shared Interest doesn’t accept donations. Instead they have almost 8,700 members investing

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

For further information on Shared Interest and how to become a member by making your own ethical investment, please visit www.shared-interest.com.

Accounts can be opened for as little as £100 with four signatories, which would work out at £25 per person.

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Paul Sharpe visiting fair trade pineapple producer ‘Proagroin’.

been boosted after opening a refrigeration and packing plant using a Shared Interest loan.

Shared Interest Supporter Relations Manager Paul Sharpe said, “In just ten years this co-operative has expanded rapidly to become a considerable force within the area. Shared Interest funded the construction of two cooling rooms, which refrigerated trucks can dock into to be loaded up with fresh pineapples so they are chilled within 3.5 hours of picking, meaning they last a lot longer and are suitable for export.”

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Shared Interest currently makes payments to over 400 producer groups just like Proagroin.

Still, they could do a lot more, and that’s why they’re aiming to treble their investment by 2012.

Shared Interest are also expanding their volunteer network around the

UK. Could you be a Shared Interest Ambassador and choose how you would like to help? Paul Sharpe continued, “Whether it’s fundraising, folding leaflets or simply spreading the word, Ambassadors are the lifeblood of Shared Interest. Like our members, without them we couldn’t survive – and neither could a high proportion of fair trade businesses.”

Imagine being able to help on a global level without even opening your front door. You can with Shared Interest. Invest today for a fairer tomorrow.* *Shared Interest accounts can be opened with a minimum of £100.

With up to four signatories permitted on each account, you can get involved for as little as £25. Interest is below market rate and can sometimes be zero, however, the social impact is huge.

More Info No.

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anything from £100 to £20,000.

They pool these funds and lend them out time and time again. This is how they help companies such as Proagroin, a pineapple producer group based at Guancaste in the North West of Costa Rica. They are Fairtrade exporters that work with over 230 small scale farmers, enabling them to sell commercially.

The quality of their produce has

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eco & environmental news

Turn your Christmas cards back into trees Every January The Woodland Trust teams up with Tesco and WHSmith to collect and recycle millions of Christmas cards. After the festive season is over, simply take your cards along to the high street stores, where they’ll be recycled into newspapers, power towels and writing paper. All money raised will go towards helping the Woodland Trust to plant trees and maintain their woodlands. Visit www.recyclenow.com to find out more about the campaign.

The Food Chain and football join forces!

The Food Chain has received a charitable contribution of £4,000 from the Premier League as part of its community initiative, ‘Creating Chances Places for Players’. For nearly 20 years, The Food Chain has been changing and saving the lives of people living with HIV, by providing nourishing food and access to nutritional information to help people regain their health and stay well. The £4,000 donation will be used to make improvements to the charity’s website, www.foodchain.org.uk

AFTAID provide ‘safety net’

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With fuel prices increased by some 35% and basic living costs continuing to rise, AFTAID can provide vital help for elderly people in financial need. Living on a basic state pension or small fixed income and with no savings, older people in the UK are facing long-term crisis. Latest figures show that already 2.5 million people over 65 live in poverty. What if a radiator bursts, the central heating boiler needs replacing or the washing machine packs up? AFTAID provides the ‘safety net’ for such emergencies and can respond quickly. Call 0870 803 1950 or visit www.agedistress.org.uk to find out more.

New organic make-up launched

Mineral makeup is huge right now and to take advantage of this new trend, on-line luxury organic lifestyle store buyOrganics has introduced the Inika range of organic mineral makeup. With no fillers, parabens or other nasty synthetic ingredients, the Inika range is truly natural and the results speak for themselves.

Glowing complexions, clean pores and stunning colours make this makeup safe, healthy and even good for the environment. Visit www.buyorganics.co.uk for more information.

Bingo goes green All Bingo Club - the online bingo destination – has announced its brand-new environmentally friendly bingo promotions, aimed at helping to raise awareness for the environment, while still offering a great time playing bingo!

For every new player that signs up and plays at the club, they will plant enough trees to off-set the annual CO2 emitted from their computers. Visit www.allbingoclub.com for more details.

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environment

Have a green Christmas

Lights

For many of us, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a live, fragrant Christmas tree in our home. Yet we forget the negative impact it can have on the environment. You’ll find tons of extra rubbish, millions of chopped-down trees, and megawatts of flashing lights. However with a little tweaking, there are plenty of ways to reduce this. Here are some tips to get you started...

Wrapping More than 8,000 tonnes of wrapping paper will be used on Christmas presents, using the equivalent of approximately 50,000 trees. Instead of buying your paper, get creative with what you have around the house. Wrap presents in posters, decorated grocery-store bags or pages from glossy fashion magazines. Or put a small present in a beautiful scarf and make the wrapping part of the gift. If you must buy traditional wrapping paper, buy the recycled versions instead – try http://shop.wwf.org.uk/christmas

It’s not compulsory to cover your roof with flashing santas, but if you crave festive lights, look for products using LEDs instead of traditional bulbs. LEDs last 10 times longer, produce virtually no heat and dramatically reduce power consumption.

Meanwhile this is a good time to replace old inefficient bulbs around the house with energy efficient ones. It’s a great investment, as every low energy bulb you use could save up to £100 in its lifetime.

Trees

Choose charity cards that have some recycled paper content or consider going paper-free. Instead, direct friends to your family blog or create a free multiphoto card or an online slideshow on www.photobucket.com.

You can then add festive music, snowflakes and text, and e-mail friends and family a link.

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Cards

Always opt for a real tree, as a fake one is petroleum based, and is not biodegradable. Then recycle your fresh tree after Christmas as it can make a huge difference in reducing holiday waste. Instead of taking up space in the landfill, trees can be ground into wood chips, which can be used to mulch gardens or parks or to prevent erosion at a local watershed.

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Registered Charity No. 252892

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Registered in Scotland Charity No. SCO39245

AFTAID

19 More Info Number

AID FOR THE AGED IN DISTRESS

Vital help for elderly people in financial need FORGET THEM NOT When frail and elderly people, who can hardly manage essential bills, face a major unexpected cost.

Economic crisis…

We are here to help.

When the unexpected is a central heating failure in the middle of winter and the only heating available is a small, old electric fire.

We are here to help QUICKLY. We can only do this through the compassion and generosity shown through legacies and donations –

THANK YOU.

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DEPT:RA4 • 18 HAND COURT • HIGH HOLBORN LONDON WC1V 6JF TEL: 0870 803 1950 • FAX: 0870 803 2128 E-MAIL: info@aftaid.org.uk

www.aftaid.org.uk

… REAL VICTIMS Registered Charity Number 299276

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support & donate

legacies This page is designed to help your group members choose which charity to support with a legacy. The following causes need your help...

More Info No.

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21 More Info No.

The National Osteoporosis Society is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can cause painful and debilitating fractures. 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men of over 50 will a break a bone, mainly due to osteoporosis. The NOS provides a wide range of services to help learn how to prevent osteoporosis or manage living with the disease. They rely on the generosity of their supporters to continue this vital work.

By leaving a legacy you can help change the lives of people with osteoporosis for years to come. For more details contact them on the details below.

01761 473103 www.nos.org.uk Animals in Distress was founded in 1967 with the aim of alleviating the suffering of sick and injured animals. This is achieved through a number of methods including 24-hour rescue, veterinary treatment, neutering and a micro-chipping scheme. Education, advice programmes and work experience placements back up these practical steps. This work involves strays, abandoned animals, cruelty cases and road traffic accidents and with a new Retirement Home the charity is able to offer long term care to older animals. Animals in Distress cannot continue this work without your help. To find how you can leave a legacy and help make a difference, visit their website below. www.animals-in-distress.net

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The British Hedgehog Preservation Society is a national registered charity (number 326885) dedicated to helping and protecting hedgehogs native to the UK (Erinaceus europaeus). The charity runs a helpline with advice on caring and encouraging hedgehogs in the wild and in your garden. They also campaign to improve the welfare of hedgehogs and the knowledge of the general public about this humble mammal. Donations and bequests are vital for the Society to carry on with this work. You could also become a member for just ÂŁ7.50 a year. Contact them on the details below for more information.

01584 890 801 www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk

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you tell us

Charity Whizz-Kidz

Fundraiser Ryan Thompson

New lease of life

Whizz-Kidz is a charity that is all about giving disabled children the chance to lead a more independent life. Here, one of their young ambassadors, Ryan Thompson, age 17, tells Raise about how the charity has helped him.

How did you first hear about Whizz-Kidz?

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It was through a physiotherapist at an organisation called 32 PACE, where I receive conductive education input as it helps my condition. I was born extremely premature and as a result it contributed to me having Cerebral Palsy (CP). The PACE therapist who assessed the wheelchair I had at the time decided that it wasn’t supporting me in the right places. It was also not giving me as much independence as

the therapist would have liked. So they advised me to contact and apply to Whizz-Kidz for a new, more suitable wheelchair.

What equipment did you receive from the charity?

I received a fantastic standing wheelchair, which has enabled me to have greater independence, as I don’t need assistance when I want to stand up anymore. The wheelchair has also

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enhanced my social life as I can drive along in standing mode whilst talking to my peers. I’m more independent in the kitchen at home too, which my mum is pleased about.

And more importantly, in a few months time I will be able to stand at the bar and order my first drink!

doesn’t meet their needs requires the help of WhizzKidz. Also any child who needs help with the transition between adulthood and childhood, or who has low self-esteem or confidence issues could benefit from the charity’s support.

Beyond the equipment, how has Whizz-Kidz helped you?

Has the charity helped you to become more confident?

I joined their ambassador network by filling in forms that came with the equipment, and through this I gained notification of all upcoming events within the Whizz-kidz calendar. By attending some of these events I was able to improve certain aspects of my personality and gain skills I might not have gained elsewhere.

Yes, certainly. Not only in terms of the equipment they provide, but also the programs the charity run to support the young people all the way throughout their childhood. More Info By providing me with my chair at the right time they have Number enabled me to move from strength to strength.

My role is to represent Whizz-Kidz at key events and meetings across the country. I’m also a member of the Kidz Board and through this I can see how other children benefit from the amazing work the charity does.

Do you also actively fundraise for Whizz-Kidz?

Yes, I applied to be a volunteer about 12 months ago, as I always wanted to give something back to the community and the charity for getting me my chair. I sent off an application form and since then, I’ve been to a few events, such as the life-skills training, where I helped younger children gain confidence with their chairs, which was very uplifting to see.

Do you think other children could benefit from the help of Whizz-Kidz?

Definitely, any child who has a wheelchair that

Why do you think people should support Whizz-Kidz?

It’s a fantastic and truly noble charity that puts young people before themselves. The staff at Whizz-Kidz are also friendly and welcoming, and I get on well with all the wheelchair skills trainers too. If people help to support Whizz-Kidz, we’ll be able to extend our wheelchair skills training schemes, and also our provision of customised mobility equipment to more young people that are in great need of these services.

What impact has Whizz-Kidz had on your life?

They have totally changed my life. I used to always think that I was the only person going through this, now I can’t wait to help others in my situation.

To find out how you can help support Whizz-Kidz call 020 7233 6600 or visit www.whizz-kidz.org.uk

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What does being an Ambassador involve?

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Advertiser index index

To find out more about any of the adverts in Raise, simply find their more info number below, cross it off on the postage-paid reader-reply card opposite and pop it in the post to us.

Advertiser

A

B

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More Info Number

Abbeyfield Society,The ……………………………………………………

AFTAID ……………………………………………………………………

Amber Foundation,The ……………………………………………………

Animals in Distress …………………………………………………………

Aware Mail Order …………………………………………………………

08 19 23 21 12

Birmingham Dogs Home …………………………………………………

Book Bus Foundation,The …………………………………………………

British Hedgehog Preservation Society ……………………………………

British Kidney Patients Association ………………………………………

11 14 05 06

C

CLIC Sargent ……………………………………………………………… 16

D

Donkey Sanctuary,The

G

GIFT

K

Kidney Research UK ……………………………………………………… 18

L

LEPRA ……………………………………………………………………… 24

M

Marine Conservation Society ……………………………………………… 01

N

National Osteoporosis Society …………………………………………… 20 Nicola Jane ………………………………………………………………… 13

P

Petsavers …………………………………………………………………… 09

Q

Queen Elizabeth Foundation,The ………………………………………… 15

R

Redwings Horse Sanctuary

S

Send a Cow ……………………………………………………………… 10 Shared Interest …………………………………………………………… 17

W

Wetnose Animal Aid ………………………………………………………. 02 Whizz-Kidz …………………………………………………………………. 22

…………………………………………………… 04

……………………………………………………………………… 07

……………………………………………… 03

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Giving young people choice and a future

Every year the build up to Christmas seems to start earlier and to be more impressive than previous years and you would be forgiven for thinking that Christmas is anything other than the perfect occasion, a time of fun and being surrounded by family and friends.

But for many of the young people who come to Amber this ideal Christmas does not exist.To them Christmas is like any other day – coping with the problems of homelessness, drink and alcohol and being disowned by their family.

Amber is residential and transforms young people’s lives from one of chaos and rejection to one of hope and a future and at this time of year, in the words of the young people themselves, Amber ‘Transforms Christmas’.We make sure that everyone feels wanted and that they can join in the various festivities, help out at local Christmas events, have a traditional Christmas dinner and share the giving of presents. No longer is Christmas just a time for everyone else, they too can experience the warmth and companionship and the pleasure of giving and receiving.

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More Info Number

We are dealing with hard issues at Amber that may be tough and unattractive but sadly the need is great and while the cause can be uncomfortable, support for our work is vital, not just at Christmas but throughout the year.

For more information visit www.amberweb.org and if you would like to help us do please call Sue Crawford-Condie on 02380 276531 or email sue.condie@amberweb.org.

Amber, Shurnhold Trading Estate, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 8DE Email: sue.condie@amberweb.org Tel: 01225 792619

www.amberweb.org

Reg. charity No. 1051388

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For more information please contact:

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Please consider young people living with leprosy and other diseases of poverty.

STOP THE ‘LEPROSY CLOCK’ TICKING TODAY

Support LEPRA Health in Action today. It’s not too late.

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More Info Number

www.lepra.org.uk

Leprosy is a disease that had provided Amshu with 20 years of fear, shame, rejection and physical deformity. Leprosy has caused him permanent disability because his condition was not treated in time.

Lakshmi is 11 years old and is terrified.

She has the first sign of leprosy: a patch on her arm and she fears she will suffer the disfigurement, disability and indignity that she knows Amshu experiences. Her illness is still in the early stages. Without treatment, the leprosy clock will tick away her health and disfigure her body.

LEPRA Health in Action Dept RAISE/08, 28 Middleborough, Colchester, CO1 1TG Telephone: 01206 216700.

Registered No 213251 (England and Wales), SC039715 (Scotland)

WITH TREATMENT NOW, LAKSHMI WILL MAKE A COMPLETE RECOVERY

11/11/08

FREEPOST CF2903 Bargoed CF81 7ZZ

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