Week 46 - Teenage Cancer Trust

Another one where there was something in it for me.  Felix Gill bought a box at the Royal Albert Hall for David Gilmour's Teenage Cancer Trust gig there on 24th April and has raffled off the ten tickets to raise more money for the charity. (This was actually a week ago and I didn't win!)

The Teenage Cancer Trust was started by a group of women who first raised money for a children's intensive care heart unit in 1989.  They met the mother of a 13-year old with cancer and were struck by the fact that he had to face cancer in an adult ward away from the company of similar young people who were going through the same thing.  The first Teenage Cancer Trust specialist unit was opened in 1990.

As well as opening a network of care and support units in hospitals across the country they also promote a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of cancer among young people and fund research into care and treatment of young people with cancer.

Links

Felix Gill's JustGiving Page
Teenage Cancer Trust

Honourable Mention

My friend Ben Stanhope runs the London Marathon tomorrow.  I can't include him in the project as he is raising money for Parkinson's UK who I have already donated to but it felt a bit churlish to not donate at all so I've put a fiver into his pot too.

Links

Ben Stanhope's Donation Page

Previous Donation to Parkinson's UK

Week 45 - Eliana's Wish To Run

Another one I've had saved up but can't remember where from.  Eliana was born prematurely with brain damage which has caused her visual impairment and Diplegic Cerebral Palsy.  This in turn has caused her muscle spasms and tightness in her leg muscles, restricting her ability to walk.  Now 2 years old, she is eligible for a spinal operation in the US, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy and her family are raising money for the operation and the physiotherapy she will require.

Link

Eliana's Wish To Run

Week 44 - Breaking Barriers

Apologies but I've forgotten where or who I've got this one from!  It may have been Twitter.  Anyway, if you read my first £5 for 52 weeks blog you'd know that this whole project started as a reaction to politics.  There will be some people who don't agree with this charity but the motivation behind it is absolutely in line with my social and political beliefs.

I think refugees - those who are fleeing war and persecution - should be made welcome in this country.  Unfortunately we have a government which is running scared of political opponents and media rhetoric which is spreading fear and xenophobia among the general population.  Many refugees are highly qualified, intelligent and wish to contribute to our society.  This is where Breaking Barriers comes in.

Breaking Barriers works to aid refugees in finding work and settling in the UK.  They run workshops to educate people how the British system of job seeking and application works, English language lessons and assistance with the writing of CVs.  They also do mock interviews and presentation training to enhance confidence and improve the person's chance of gaining employment.  They also work with businesses to place refugees in suitable positions.

Getting a job is a key part of helping a refugee integrate into society and restart their lives after whatever horror they have left behind.  I think this is vital to us being an inclusive and diverse society.

Links
Breaking Barriers

Week 43 - Charlie Mortimer Fund

In 2009, Davine and Steve Mortimer became parents to a third child, Charlie, seemingly completing their family.  This joy however was short lived when Charlie stopped breathing two days later.  He was rushed to hospital but died two days later.  It transpired he suffered from a rare metabolic genetic condition, MCADD.

Since then Charlie's parents have been raising money to support others that find themselves in the same position.  The money raised goes to three charities:

• Care In The Family - a support organisation for bereaved parents
• CLIMB - Children Living with Inherited MetaBolic diseases.  Among other things the money raised has allowed for the creation of a MCADD website and an annual conference for nurses, doctors and researchers.
• Leeds Children's Intensive Care Unit - this is where Charlie was cared for.

Full disclosure - I have another incentive for this charity as this is another raffle run by Marillion for an exclusive prize!  My £5 also buys me a raffle ticket into their prize draw which closes next week.  You can also donate for a chance to win a mint condition Fender Stratocaster signed by the band.

Links

Charlie Mortimer Fund

Marillion Raffle Donation