13 minute read
Charities
Festival figurehead sings for hospice
Michael Eavis on stage
Taya Minchington
MICHAEL Eavis and his band Grasier lent their support to a charity concert at Faulkland in aid of Dorothy House Hospice.
The Glastonbury Festival figurehead sang a number of wellknown standards to a sold-out barn at the Tucker’s Grave Inn. They joined Karl Ficarotta, Taya Minchinton, Rave to the Grave and local favourites Avalon Highway at the event, organised by music promoter Mike Mihalas, who runs the community interest company Music Expo UK.
Avalon Highway after their barnstorming set
Gardens to open in aid of air ambulance
DORSETand Somerset Air Ambulance has announced the launch of its Blossoming and Blooming open gardens initiative, which asks people to show their support by opening their gardens to members of the public between June and September.
It says the initiative provides a fantastic opportunity for people to hold a special event within their local community in aid of the air ambulance, which relies on the generosity of the public to help raise their operational costs of over £5 million per year.
Fundraising manager, Emma Jones, “We believe that spending time outdoors with nature is essential for our health and wellbeing. That is why we are asking people to open their gates, share the love of their garden, whilst raising funds for us.”
Air ambulance kept busy
GREAT Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) has announced that 2021 was its second busiest year on record.
The Critical Care Team received a total of 1,964 call-outs to incidents across the region which includes North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire and parts of Wiltshire.
The most significant increase in incidents was to children and teenagers in urgent need. In 2021, 14% of GWAAC’s total call-outs were to children and teenagers; dispatches to this age group doubled from preceding years.
In North Somerset, 14% of missions were to a child or teenager in need. One mum, Becky, said: “If it wasn’t for this fabulous team, Alfie would not be with us today.”
The increasing demand for GWAAC’s service means the charity needs to raise over £4 million a year to remain operational, yet it receives no day-to-day funding from the Government or National Lottery, relying on the generosity and support from local communities.
Men march for hospice
WESTONHospicecare’s next Men’s March fundraising event will take place on Saturday, March 12th. Walkers will follow a ten-mile route from the Grand Pier to Sand Point and back.
After the walk, participants will receive a warm Pieminister pie and a thirst-quenching pint of Thatcher’s Cider before watching Six Nations rugby action.
Events Manager Jane Murch said: “Over the past three years the Men’s March event has seen hundreds of men come together to support Weston Hospicecare.
“Whether you are walking in memory of someone, to support your hospice, just for fun or a combination of all three, the Men’s March is a really enjoyable event.”
It costs £18.50 for adults and £12.50 for children to register to take part, with walkers asked to make a donation or raise sponsorship for the hospice.
Details: westonhospicecare.org.uk/mensmarch call 01934 423900 or email jane.murch@westonhospicecare.org.uk
30 years of links with the Gambia
AVONFire & Rescue Service is celebrating 30 years since the start of a charity supporting emergency services in the Gambia.
In 1991, firefighter Dave Hutchings witnessed a fatal accident while on holiday there and discovered there was no fire service cover.
On his return Dave, who went on to become Chief Fire Officer, set up the charity with the support of Avon Fire Authority.
Since then, many fire appliances and ancillary vehicles have been donated to the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service. Avon has facilitated over 60 training trips for fire and ambulance services and Banjul International Airport Fire Service.
Dave, who is still patron of the charity, said: “I’m incredibly proud to see the GAFSIP charity is still going today. What started with a winter holiday to the Gambia has truly made a difference to communities out there.”
Last November after not travelling to the Gambia in over two years due to the ongoing pandemic, Chief Fire Officer Mick Crennell, trustee Paul Kirk and a group of firefighters, travelled to Gambia to officially deliver donated fire appliances, as well as uniforms and other equipment.
Support for local food banks
THEchair of Mendip District Council, Cllr Helen SprawsonWhite, has donated £1,200 to local charities across the district using money from the chair’s fund.
The money has been given to food banks, including Wells Vineyard, Fair Frome, Glastonbury Bridging the Gap, and Street and Shepton Mallet Salvation Army branches.
Elim Connect Centre, a homeless emergency shelter, also benefited from the funding.
Cllr Sprawson-White, said: “I’m pleased to be able to support these much-needed, invaluable assets within our communities.
“In these unsettling times, more people than ever are relying on food banks and a place to shelter, which is why we must show our support to the charities and volunteers who work so hard.”
Bob Ashford, chair of trustees at Fair Frome, said: "The pandemic isn’t over with many people with acute health and financial needs, continuing to feel anxious, isolated and struggling to feed themselves and their families.
“Demand on our services has never been higher and we are expecting it to continue to rise. With this very welcome support and that of the local Frome community, we will do everything we can to meet the growing challenges ahead."
Charity ride for mental health
TONYTanner from Clutton plans to celebrate his 60th birthday this summer by cycling from Land’s End to John O’ Groats raising money for the health charity Mind. He said: “I wanted to do something to challenge myself mentally and physically. I really enjoy cycling and especially during lockdown this has kept me feeling good mentally.”
He’s busy planning the 1,000 mile trip, due to start on July 1st. His support vehicle will be his wife Lee and dog Alfie in their VW T6
Tony said: “Every day people suffer with various mental health issues and during the pandemic it has been particularly difficult either because of lack of social contact, inability to go out or the usual support not being available. Currently in the UK 18-20 people commit suicide every day.”
Paulton Rovers Football club are holding a charity coffee and cake afternoon to support him on Tuesday, June 14th, 1-4pm, hosted by Jean Lockyear and her daughters Angela and Sarah.
They hold charity/fundraising events there every second Tuesday of the month. Everyone is welcome.
Musical gift
SIMONPage, chair of Winscombe Community Singers is pictured donating £170 to Paul Slade, director of the Samaritans, Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset branch, from proceeds from Winscombe Community Singers’ Christmas Concert.
Walk of Life
THEWalk of Life supporting the RUH Forever Friends appeal will be held on Saturday, May 21st, offering a tenmile route as well as the marathon 26.2 miles.
The longer route starts from Bishops Canning near Devizes, along the beautiful Kennet and Avon canal to the finish line at Holbourne Museum in Bath. Walkers on the shorter walk will join in Bradford-on-Avon in the afternoon.
Karlie Evans, Events and Community Manager said: “We are really looking forward to the Walk of Life again, now in its 17th year! With your support, we’ll be able to push the boundaries of healthcare through innovation, research, cutting-edge equipment, enhancing spaces, and supporting staff even further.”
The event is open to everyone and costs £15 to register (£8 for children under 18 years old). Participants are asked to raise a minimum £100.
Details: www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk
Charity ride
ENTRIESare now being taken for the Wedmore 4030 cycle event on Sunday, July 10th, raising funds for Weston Hospicecare and the Friends of St Mary’s Church, Wedmore.
Riders have a choice of routes, 12, 30, 40 or 70 miles, starting from the village playing fields.
Grants available for health projects
NORTHSomerset charities are being invited to apply for grants to support local health and wellbeing.
The popular North Somerset Community Partnership Fund, which has been running since 2020, opens to applications on March 1st. Groups apply to Quartet Community Foundation for the funding.
Following feedback from local projects, some changes have been to the grant programme. Local groups can now make a single application in order to secure two years’ funding, up to a maximum of £40,000.
Quartet and NSCP hope this will not only reduce the administration burden on local charities, but help them to plan their wellbeing projects with greater confidence - and in a way that has a bigger impact on local health inequalities.
Julie Newman, Philanthropy Officer at Quartet said: “The pandemic has highlighted the sharply different experiences of our communities. Covid has in many ways hit the most disadvantaged the hardest.
“We’re pleased to be able to respond to feedback from projects helping our communities through these difficult times.
“For the first time ever, we invite groups to apply for NSCP grants of up to £20,000 a year for two years. We’ll also be supporting projects looking for one year’s funding for their health and wellbeing project.”
Over the last two years more than 50 NSCP grants have already benefited local groups including Clevedon Skate Park, Home-Start North Somerset and Theatre Orchard.
The most recent grants round awarded £127,500 to support health and wellbeing projects in the area.
Quartet says the new grants are now helping charities support new parents with their mental health, families struggling to put meals on the table, people with dementia and many more in our communities.
Details: https://quartetcf.org.uk/grant-programmes/northsomerset-community-partnership-grant/
Ethnic minorities survey
A NEWLY-established research group, Diverse Young Somerset (DYS), has released its first online survey results.
The survey asked 13 to 20-year-olds from Somerset's ethnically diverse communities about the challenges of accessing mental health services and experiences they have had within the education system. It’s the first time this group has been surveyed in this way. The key findings include: • Nearly 70% of respondents reported experiencing racial discrimination in school or college. Nearly 40% of these never spoke up about it or asked for help. • More than 30% of respondents identified that their racial identity was a disadvantage in their education. • 67% of respondents reported problems with school or daily life because of emotional problems, such as feeling depressed, sad, or anxious.
Ultra challenges in memory of “Benny Boy”
NIGE and Su Crutchley have never shied away from a challenge, especially when it comes to raising funds for the children’s cancer charity Young Lives Vs Cancer –but the coming year could see them face their sternest tests yet.
February saw the tenth anniversary of the death from an inoperable brain tumour of their younger son, Ben “Benny Boy”, just a few weeks away from his tenth birthday.
Since then, the couple – and older son Luke – have helped raise more than £1 million for the charity, formerly known as CLIC Sargent, organising everything from golf tournaments to the annual Mells 10K run, which alone has raised £35,000.
Starting in April, Nige and Su have drawn up a diary of “21 Challenges for Ben” extreme events they plan to tackle, beginning with a walk from their home near Vobster to Bath’s Royal United Hospital. Other, mostly walking, challenges will take them to London, the Cotswolds, the Isle of Wight, the Jurassic Coast and – closer to home – a swim at Vobster Quay.
They were inspired originally by Ben’s determination to enjoy as much fun as possible in the time he had left. Nige said: “We called them ‘Ben’s three wishes’ but, being a little boy, he had lots more.”
They ranged from a trip to Disneyland Paris and seeing the Welsh national rugby side’s “Captain’s Run” to meeting Take That and JLS.
Su said: “Throughout it all, Ben kept on smiling and the CLIC Sargent nurses Sally and Ali were with us throughout the time.”
Nige added: “My initial reaction when we were asked if we wanted help from CLIC was ‘what can they do for Ben and us after receiving such a diagnosis?’, but they were absolutely wonderful.
“We had ten months of fun with Ben –other parents have had children taken away in tragic, sudden circumstances.”
Always smiling – Ben Crutchley Nige and Su (front) at the start of the 2020 Mells 10k. Held virtually last year, this year’s event takes place on Saturday, October 8th
Ben with elder brother Luke – the pair were inseparable
Ben with JLS Ben with Take That
Beware the Mendip Ent!
THANKSto reader Joe Cornish for this photo of a spooky tree growing on Shipham Lane just off the A38 towards Sandford.
He says you can’t tell the variety due to complete smothering of the ivy and no leaves yet! Joe’s a retired technology teacher, formerly at Churchill Academy.
These days he’s happily pursuing occasional hedge laying, some woodworking and weekly dry stone walling with the enthusiastic and experienced National Trust volunteer walling group on Mendip, as well as working three allotments. l Tolkien’s Ents possessed magical powers!
Customers help give Rico a lift Toad patrols are go!
RICO,a seven-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog who lives at the Wellington Arms in Rooksbridge, can now get upstairs to the living quarters – after a lift was put in for him.
Last year we reported how he had become trapped downstairs after tearing the cruciate ligaments in both back legs.
Locals rallied round to help raise funds for the lift, now installed in a corner of the 17th century pub’s dining room. Steve Grubb, who has run the pub with partner Jen for 11 years, said: “We had donations from all kinds of people, it was very, very humbling, but he’s a popular dog and brilliant with kids.” Rico is now expecting a couple of knee braces from America, costing £1,000 each. And the chance to go walkies for the first time in a while! Some of those rescued WITHthe breeding season for toads, frogs and newts underway, local toad patrols are swinging into action. Cameley, and more recently Clutton, toad patrols are now into their fourth year. Margaret Finn, who organises them with Michelle Pullen, said: “With the help of our wonderful volunteers (now nearing 40!) we’re saving hundreds of amphibians every spring.
“So, if you’re driving around please look out for them (and the toad hunters!) and take care once it’s getting dark.”
The group has installed “ladders” into road gullies to help the animals climb out if they fall in, but thinks, ultimately, the design of gullies should be changed to make them more wildlife friendly.
Margaret said: “Other measures, such as dropping roadside kerbs, so that animals can quickly get off the road, would be a great help too.”
New volunteers are always welcome.
Details: cameleytoads2@gmail.com cluttontoadpatrol@outlook.com You can also visit their Facebook page
