Week 16 - British Red Cross

Today I am sponsoring a son of Marillion bass player Pete Trewavas who is abseiling 200ft down Aylesbury county offices.  Callum's sponsorship page is here and he is raising money for the British Red Cross.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement was begun in 1863 by Swiss businessman Henry Dunant.  Dunant was appalled by the lack of care for servicemen after the Battle of Solferino in 1859 and proposed national relief societies, trained in peacetime to provide help in times of war.  He also proposed an international agreement for the protection of medical services on the battlefield - this was agreed in the original Geneva Convention of 1864.

The British Red Cross was formed in 1870 following the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.  They provide an emergency response in times of disaster, both at home and abroad.  In the UK they assisted at major events such as the Lockerbie air disaster and the 2007 floods; they also help in small scale and individual emergencies such as house fires and health and social care.  Internationally they help protect in places of conflict, provide a network to reunite families and missing persons and assist refugees around the world.

Week 15 - Amnesty International

I had a fabulous night last night at a performance of the Rocky Horror Show starring it's creator Richard O'Brien and I'm taking my cue from the gala performance of the show last Thursday which was held in aid of Amnesty International.

Amnesty International are a global organisation which has fought for human rights around the world since 1961.  Following thorough research they lobby governments and companies and campaign to fight human right violations in many different areas.  Following on from last week's donation for Save The Children, Amnesty International are another charity working to help the refugees fleeing from war-torn Syria.

Week 14 - Save The Children

£5 feels like such an insignificant amount sometimes.  When I started this challenge I wondered if the tricky thing would be finding charities or appeals to donate to, or maybe avoiding duplicating charities.  I never expected to feel stingy about only giving £5.  But I am going to stick to the rules.

Like the majority of you I have been viewing the plight of refugees from Syria with a mixture of emotions.  Horror that human beings are being forced so brutally from their homes.  Shame that our government has been so slow to act and so limited in it's offer of assistance.  Admiration for those who are taking things into their own hands and trying to help the best they can.  And a feeling that I should do more.

So hopefully I will be able to give to a series of charities who are currently helping the refugees, both here and abroad.  First choice is Save The Children.  The amazing Caitlin Moran and Pete Paphides were so moved by the refugees that they have embarked on a project to release a charity single.  The song is Help Is Coming by Crowded House.  Mat Whitecross has created an incredibly moving video to accompany the song which is introduced by Benedict Cumberbatch.  The song is available via iTunes, there is a limited edition 7" vinyl and yesterday the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne announced that he will waive the VAT on sales.

All proceeds are going to Save The Children who are working in 17 countries from Syria to Great Britain to help children who have fled the war zone and arrived, many alone and without their parents, both in neighbouring countries like Lebanon and Jordan and along the route in the most affected countries like Turkey, Greece and Italy all the way up to Norway and Denmark.  They are providing essentials like food, water and shelter, setting up centres where the children can clean and make calls.  They are also looking forward, helping children return to school and providing psychological support.

Week 13 - Cancer Research UK

So, last week's blog was late because I was busy having fun in Scotland.  My primary reason for being in Scotland was to celebrate the marriage of two good friends, Jane Whiting and Kevin Motion soI felt it apt to ask them to choose a charity for me to support this week.  They have chosen Cancer Research UK.

Cancer Research UK focus the money they raise into four areas; prevention, early diagnosis, the development of new treatments and the optimisation of existing treatment.  They invest in scientists, doctors and nurses, developing new tests, techniques and drugs.  They are working towards a day when no-one in the UK is a smoker and campaign for the best cancer treatment to be available across the UK.

I know a number of people who are attempting a Cancer Research UK's Dryathlon for September, and the first that came up on my Facebook timeline was my friend Tracey Jakubski.  So I'm donating to Tracey's page - good luck Tracey!