Archived News - Charity
Sunday brunch serves up charity cash
A Sunday brunch has raised more than £750 for charity - and Barclays Bank has matched that pound for pound to double the total.
Eaton Bray villager Sally Siddons, a former Barclays employee, organised the event, attended by more than 60 people.
The cash was raised for Iain Rennie Hospice At Home, a charity which helped Sally's mother and some close friends at the end of their lives.
Barclays gave a contribution as part of its community investment programme pound for pound matched funding scheme.
Beryl Bishop, a volunteer Iain Rennie nurse, said: "The day was a great success. I really enjoyed the event. It was hard work, but a lot of fun, and it is great to raise so much money for such a good cause."
Source: Luton Today
Down’s Heart Group
I was interested to read in the June issue of Focus that some of the Edlesborough Book Group read The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards as their April book of the month and to note their summing up of the many themes running through this novel. Most poignant of course is the plea for disability to be recognised and accepted, which prompted me to write.
Here in our four villages I imagine that over the past 25 years at least, many people have had the opportunity to meet and get to know our residents who have Down's Syndrome, of whom I know there have been at least three in that time and I hope this has increased understanding, awareness and acceptance. I wonder how many of you though know much more about Down's Syndrome beyond the visible characteristics which make it recognisable?
For instance did you know:
- About 1 in 700 babies are born with Down's Syndrome, which means roughly 2 every day here in the UK.
- About 47% of babies born with Down's Syndrome also have congenital heart defects.
- Many require open heart surgery within 3 - 6 months after birth and may need further surgery later in life.
- People with Down's Syndrome have a higher incidence of other medical problems such as Coeliac Disease, Thyroid Dysfunction and hearing and sight problems.
Given the advances in medical treatment, people with Down's Syndrome are now living longer. Many are going through mainstream education, passing GCSE's, finding employment, living in supported accommodation away from their family and even getting married. (To see more of what is possible given support and encouragement visit these websites of just two of the inspirational young people I'm honoured to have met www.karengaffneyfoundation.com and www.sujeet.com)
And how many of you were aware that Eaton Bray is the base for a small national UK charity which provides support and information for families and carers of people with Down's Syndrome who have heart problems? Down's Heart Group was started in 1988 by a group of parents and has been helping families ever since. I became involved after the birth and subsequent loss of my second son Daniel and the Group has been running from my home since about 1990.
We are not big and well known so we don't attract huge financial support like some other charities and being national we usually miss out on local grants which focus on a small area, but we are grateful to have had some support from the carnival. We do provide a vital service for families and without office overheads etc. we are great value for money, but like a lot of organisations lack of funds threatens our continued existence, so in just over 18 months time I hope to embark on a 10 month long fundraising and awareness campaign. It would be fantastic to get some local support having lived in Eaton Bray for 22 years and my husband being Dagnall born and bred.
What I am hoping to undertake is a series of events / tasks which I can be sponsored for either individually or collectively. I'm willing to consider any suggestions but nothing too adventurous please as I've had surgery on both knees and did some irreparable damage when I broke my foot a few years back. The kind of things I'm thinking of are aerobatics in a glider, a balloon flight, driving a Rolls Royce, appearing as an extra on a TV soap, a tandem skydive, perhaps I could even do something at the village carnival?
I'm hoping to be able to do most things for free or at reduced cost and to look for sponsorship to either help cover costs or as a donation. So if you've got any contacts that might like to get involved, please let me know, I'm planning to use my media contacts to get some good publicity over the months and will be more than happy to mention sponsors, wear logos etc.
Oh and I could probably do with someone to help manage all the planning etc. as I'll have to fit it all around my normal work for the charity - anyone fancy being my PA for the year?
Basically I intend starting on January 10th (the date it was confirmed I was pregnant with Daniel) and ending on November 13th (the day he died). Probably the final event will be a dinner dance to coincide with Down's Heart Group's biannual Conference when I hope to invite along many of the young people and families I've been privileged to know over the years.
Why 2010? Well on August 3rd I'll reach my half century and I've decided to try and put a positive swing on what will be a difficult day for me - NOT because I'll be 50 but because on that same day my Daniel would have been 21! So if you can help me to make 2010 a positive year celebrating my son's short life and the marvellous gifts people with Down's Syndrome can bring into our lives, please get in touch.
-- Penny Green, Director, Down's Heart Group, www.dhg.org.uk
Source: Focus, July 2008
Welcome home Andy
After 2,083 miles of cycling from one end of Great Britain to the other (and back!) in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, Andy Gibbons cycled back into the village this evening at about 6pm, just in time for the Carnival this weekend.
There is still an opportunity to sponsor Andy's tremendous effort on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support. There is also a board in St Mary's Church with more details and photos from Andy's amazing cycle ride.
To find out how you can help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, telephone Beds community fundraiser Caroline de Carpentier on 01582 606677 or see the website www.macmillan.org.uk.
Andy's amazing cycle ride
Andy Gibbons cycle ride is now well under way.
Please sponsor Andy on his 2,000 mile cycle ride from one end of Great Britain to the other (and back!) in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Andy hopes to raise £2,000 for the charity and is confident he can complete the journey in three weeks.
"Cancer has touched all our lives and I am pleased that Macmillan was chosen by the church as our charity this year."
There is a sponsor list on the table by the notice board in St Mary's Church, or please contact Sheila Banks.
To find out how you can help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, telephone Beds community fundraiser Caroline de Carpentier on 01582 606677 or see the website www.macmillan.org.uk.
Source: St Mary's Church, Eaton Bray
Andy's amazing cycle ride
Andy Gibbons has set himself the challenge of a 2,000 mile Cycle Ride from Eaton Bray to Lands End, up to John O'Groats and back to Eaton Bray.
The congregation of St Mary's Church have set themselves the challenge of matching him by raising 1 pound per mile for this year's Parish Project - Macmillan Cancer Support.
"Andy plans to set off in the middle of June and we hope to welcome him back with our target of £2,000 achieved!"
Please donate to this very worthwhile charity and to show recognition of Andy's sterling efforts. For further information, please contact Sheila Banks.
Source: St Mary's Church, Eaton Bray
London to Liverpool via Eaton Bray
Gregg Roughley set out yesterday on a 223 mile run from London to Liverpool, over 11 days. To help him on the way he will be ably assisted by Adam Yates, who will be able to cycle, read a map and bark supportive slogans when Gregg's legs have forgotten who owns them.
Today Gregg is set to arrive in Eaton Bray after his second leg which started in Watford this morning. Tomorrow he will then continue on to Stony Stratford.
Gregg's mother Sylvia has emailed in to ask anyone that sees him around the village or en-route to please give him a wave!
Gregg is raising money for MacMillan Cancer Support; "they are a wonderful charity who have offered fantastic support to me and my family and to many others around the country. I hope you will support our efforts to raise money for them so that they can continue to help cancer sufferers and their family members when they most need it."
To donate money to Gregg and help him raise money for Macmillan, please use his JustGiving page at: http://www.justgiving.com/greggroughley.
Gazette Gossip
It's time to talk about the birds and the bees. No, not that kind. The Birds And The Bees was the title for the latest charity Christmas puzzle from Northall villager Gordon Gray.
It was more popular than ever. And the even better news is that the puzzle raised £3,600, shared between Michael Sobell House Hospice, Mount Vernon, Romania Care, and the restoration of the Harrison & Harrison Organ, St Albans Cathedral.
So far, in the past 17 years, the puzzle has raised more than £27,600 for good causes - including almost £10,000 in the past four years.
Now, I like to think I'm organised, but I'm staggered that almost 100 people have already registered online for the next Christmas puzzle.
Even more amazing, Gordon has already set the brainteaser.
But you'll have to wait before you can put on your thinking cap - it won't be released until early December.
If you'd like to find out more, just check out the website at www.christmaspuzzle.co.uk.
For the latest news from Eaton Bray and beyond, get the Dunstable Gazette every Wednesday and make a daily date with Dunstable Today.
Source: Anne O'Donoghue, Dunstable Gazette, 13 February 2008
Round-Ireland Charity Ride
Though we moved out of Eaton Bray in the summer, we hope it's a case of gone but not forgotten.
Shaun is cycling around Ireland, give or take a peninsula or two, at a distance of about 1300 miles, starting on 24th March. So, by the time you read this, he ought to be about halfway round and heading down the west coast.
Whilst he may be enjoying one of his favourite parts of the world, and possibly the odd drop of Guinness to fortify him, such a distance is no mean feat for a man approaching forty, so he is raising money in aid of cancer-related charities as he goes. Your generous contribution would be most appreciated. Some of you may remember his articles in Focus in 1995 describing his ride from John O'Groats to Land's End, from which over £3000 was raised, so that sounds like a good target to try and beat this time.
All those years ago, the internet was just a glint in somebody's eye but, in 2007, if you have access to it, sponsorship is easy. Go to the website www.drude.co.uk you can read more about this venture and it will also direct you to an official charity giving site. For those of you who prefer more traditional methods, you can mark your pledge and leave your cash (or cheque) at Eaton Bray Lower School, who have kindly agreed to help out - if any queries on that, Liz Warby would be happy to hear from you, or speak to Liz Constable in the school office on 220468 (days).
With a warm hello to everyone who knows us.... I'll be there in the backup car with co-pilot Calum (and an oxygen mask!!!),
Beccy Haydon
Source: Focus, April 2007