The Green Familia » charity

Mary McCartney Designs Charity T-Shirts for MINI A TURE

Jo — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:00:06 +0000

The McCartney clan is a talented family, that’s for sure! Renowned photographer Mary McCartney has designed two great t-shirts in collaboration with the Danish children’s wear company MINI A TURE, to help raise money for Sunway Children’s Home, a small orphanage in India which MINI A TURE has supported since 2005. Following in the footsteps of her designer sister Stella, Mary has designed two unisex print t-shirts made from organic cotton which will fit babies and children from 1 month to 12 years old. The graphics feature a combination of hand-drawn birds and cute phrases that Mary feels will project optimism, support and love to children. Like her mother Linda, another celebrated photographer, Mary is passionate about environmental issues.

MINI A TURE launched in 2001 and has become an instantly recognisable label that can be found in leading retailers worldwide. Their collections have an international appeal, without losing any of MINI A TURE’s signature designs or brand values. These values are demonstrated by their active support for the Sunway Children’s Home in Bodh Gaya, Northern India. Situated in one of India’s poorest communities, Sunway is recognized as an important home in which to care for outcast or orphaned children and crucially, offers free schooling for the local children. Since 2005, MINI A TURE has included a signature printed t-shirt for boys and girls in each of its main collections, the proceeds of which are donated to the Home.

Since the t-shirt has been introduced, funds have been set aside towards the construction of a house for the children and, whilst education is sadly an unrealistic hope for many children in these circumstances, 20 of the children from the orphanage have been enrolled at a school in their village. But it’s not all work and no play for the children at Sunway! One of their greatest wishes is to have a selection of musical instruments, which will provide them with an immense source of enjoyment. This will be the next ‘gift’ to the children of Sunway.

The t-shirts were launched by Mary herself at a private event in the Personal Shopping area at Selfridges earlier this year. The party was attended by sister Stella, and supported by other celebrity friends including Sharleen Spiteri, Bella Freud, Jasmine Guinness and Sinitta. Look out for the MINI A TURE t-shirts in stores nationwide, and help raise awareness of this worthwhile charity.

Charity Launch in Support of Help for Heroes

Brenda — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:00:29 +0000

BASE FORMULA LTD is launching a natural, aromatherapy range in support of Help for Heroes.

The products will be sold under the brand names ‘Hero at Home’ and ‘Our Little Hero’ and for every unit sold, Base Formula will donate £1 to the Help for Heroes Charity.

The charity-based range is 100% natural, SLS and paraben free and is blended from the finest, aromatherapy grade essential oils. The Hero at Home range includes a Luxury Bath & Shower Gel, Pillow & Room Spray and Courage Pulse Point Balm – all produced from a unique, therapeutic blend of Jasmine, May Chang, Sandalwood and Chamomile. Our Little Hero, which is aimed at the children’s market, includes a soothing Bubble Bath and Sleep Balm with Lavender, Chamomile and Violet.

Chris Keating, managing director at Base Formula, said: “Help for Heroes is an extremely worthwhile charity and we saw the opportunity to not only help raise funds for all the brave men and women who have been injured whilst serving our country, but also to offer just a little bit of comfort to the families and friends at home who sacrifice so much in support of our serving forces.

“We have developed two exquisitely scented, aromatherapy blends which are designed to calm, soothe and provide strength in times of adversity.

“The Hero at Home range is blended with Jasmine to instil strength and confidence, May Chang (known as the ‘oil of tranquility’) to provide inner calm and mental focus and Sandalwood to impart power to those feeling vulnerable. The blend is finished with a touch of Chamomile which in the language of flowers represents ‘fortitude in adversity’.

The children’s range, Our Little Hero, blends soothing and calming Lavender, Chamomile and Violet to help prepare little mind’s and body’s for a restful night’s sleep.”

Chris finally commented: “The charity range was launched at Professional Beauty, Manchester and we had an extremely positive response. These products would make fantastic Christmas Presents or ‘Thank You Gifts’ and we are hoping that our customers and other retailers will really get behind this new range and support this worthwhile cause.”
Retail prices range from £4.99 to £8.99 and the products are currently available to order at www.baseformula.com.

Base Formula is located in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. They supply premium grade essential oils, cosmetic bases and cosmetic ingredients to customers worldwide. They are a member of The Aromatherapy Trade Council and are also The Federation of Holistic Therapists’ preferred aromatherapy supplier.

Charity of the Month: The Place2Be

Jessica — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:00:09 +0000

Today’s primary school children face all kinds of challenges that threaten to derail them, from gang culture on our streets to abuse at home. Unless they are given the means to cope, their feelings of sadness, fear and anger can easily spill over in the classroom – and in society And whilst some children may become disruptive, others will withdraw completely, shutting everyone out. A staggering 80% of children showing behavioural problems at the age of five go on to develop more serious forms of anti-social behaviour, and over 90% of young offenders have had a mental health problem as a child.

The Place2Be was established in response to the increasing concern about the extent and depth of emotional and behavioural difficulties displayed in classrooms and playgrounds. A school-based counselling service, The Place2Be is dedicated to improving the emotional well-being of children, their families and the whole school community.

By giving children the chance to explore their problems through talking, creative work and play, we enable them to cope now and make better-informed decisions about their lives and help prevent more serious mental health and behavioural problems in later life. When children are happier and less preoccupied with problems, they find it easier to learn and so their educational chances are much enhanced.

Established in 1994, they are currently working with 155 schools across the UK, often in areas of great deprivation. Their services are available to 51,000 children coping with problems such as bereavement, family breakdown, domestic violence, trauma and bullying.

The Place2Be works hand-in-hand with parents and carers to:

help children to feel good about themselves so that they can be more confident in friendships and family relationships – and able to learn better in school.

encourage positive relationships and shared aims between schools and parents and support both parties in achieving this

help parents to better understand and communicate with their children, so that family life can be less of a struggle

For more information on their services or to find out how to become a volunteer, visit their website at http://www.theplace2be.org.uk/default.aspx

8th London Charity Potato Fair

Brenda — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:00:22 +0000

8TH LONDON CHARITY POTATO FAIR
Sunday 24 January 2010, 10am – 3pm
Harris Girls Academy,
Homestall Road, London SE22 0NR.

The gardener’s year gets off to a flying start with the 8th London Potato Fair, on Sunday 24 January. Around 1000 people from serious potato heads to Sunday afternoon gardeners, will be choosing from the 100 plus potato varieties, of which some 35* will be organic, swapping seeds and ideas and picking up tips on how to grow the perfect crop.

For some, choosing is a science. Form will be studied, notes compared and the mysteries of first and second earlies and mains unravelled. It’s all in the name for others: Charlotte, Celine and Nicola are always favourites, historians are drawn to British Queen and King Edward, while Home Guard catches the eye of Dad’s Army fans.

A lumpy everyday staple it may be, but lumpy and dull, never. Apart from having exciting names such as Kepplestone Kidney, Shetland Black and Skerry Blue, potatoes come in round, oval, oblong and knobbly shapes and in white, black, purple, blue, red, pink, not to forget the magnificent tricoloured Mr Little’s Yetholm Gipsy.

The opportunity to buy individual tubers always appeals says organiser Lindsay Wright. “There’s plenty of scope for the adventurous gardener to experiment with lots of different varieties, although some people just buy the same quantity and variety every year,” he says.

The SEED exchange is another draw - particularly in these times of waste not want not. “Bring your spare seeds, clearly labelled and swap them for something else,” says Lindsay. “We will have seeds from all over the country, so, you could find something unusual.”

Volunteers from local gardening clubs and organisations including SHOGG, Lambeth Horticultural Society and Roots & Shoots will be on hand to give advice and answer questions.

Garden accessories, unusual and heritage seeds, including older varieties of fruit and vegetables, mushroom spawn and plants, pots, tools & paraphernalia will be on sale from specialist suppliers such as Thomas Etty & Pennard Plants.

The eighth Charity Potato Fair and Seedy Sunday takes place on Sunday 24 January 2010 from 10.00am — 3.00pm at Harris Girls Academy, Homestall Road, London SE22 0NR.

All profits from the fair will go to the Hope and Homes for Children charity, which works in 13 countries in Eastern Europe and Africa. The work varies from country to country, from closing orphanages in Romania to supporting AIDS orphans in Africa. More details on www.hopeandhomes.org .

Entrance is £2.00; free for under 16s. Gardeners, with or without seeds to swap and non-gardeners are all very welcome. Teas and refreshments. For further information visit www.potatofair.org or call Lindsay Wright on 07762 323 812.

*subject to delivery

ShelterBox tackles logistical ‘nightmare’

Brenda — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:03:45 +0000

ShelterBox tackles logistical ‘nightmare’

17 January 2010

International disaster relief charity ShelterBox has now pledged emergency shelter provision for more than 30,000 people with more due to follow but the logistical nightmare in Port au Prince continues.

1,700 ShelterBoxes have already been dispatched and a further 1,600 will leave from the UK this week directly for Port au Prince, Haiti. Warehouse volunteers in the UK have worked tirelessly packing the boxes. 3,300 have already been pledged to Haiti with more to follow. Each box contains a ten-person tent, water storage and purification equipment, a stove, cooking utensils, a children’s pack, basic tool kit and other essential items.

The ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) on the ground is continuing its work with ACTED and local Rotarians in order to ensure the fastest and most effective distribution of aid.

David Eby (US), Wayne Robinson (US) and Mark Pearson (UK), who have been in Port au Prince since Thursday, have commenced training sessions with their contacts on the ground to help them deliver and distribute the ShelterBoxes.

While there has been no confirmation of ShelterBoxes arriving in Port au Prince logistics teams in the UK, the ShelterBox Logistics team in Miami and the SRT in Haiti are doing everything within their power to ensure the boxes reach Haiti as quickly as possible.

ShelterBox Head of Operations John Leach said: ‘The people in Haiti need everything now. We’re doing all we can to land emergency shelter provision in Port au Prince but we’re mindful of not adding to the logistical nightmare on the ground.

‘This is a massive logistical challenge and that is why we have a team in Miami helping coordinate the logistical effort.’

SRT members Mark Dyer, John Lacquey, Steven Tonkinson (all US) and Ian Neal (UK) have met up with ShelterBoxes sent to Miami on Virgin Atlantic flights. Ian Neal will be heading to Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic to run further logistics from there and work with the Response Team in Port-au-Prince.

The UN estimates that 200,000 families, up to one million people, are in need of immediate shelter in Haiti.

ShelterBox Founder and CEO Tom Henderson says: ‘This is as bad as we’ve seen it. There’s never been a bigger need. We’re receiving support and donations from all corners of the globe and from people who come from all walks of life.

‘ShelterBox relies entirely on public donations and people’s generosity. We receive no institutional funding and no DEC money. I’d urge, if you can, to help us.’

ShelterBox helps out in El Salvador

Brenda — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:00:12 +0000

Flood-hit families in El Salvador receive aid from ShelterBox

ShelterBox Response Team members who have just returned from flood-hit El Salvador have described the gratitude they encountered delivering emergency shelter to people who had lost their homes and loved ones.

Andrew Biss and Ben Spurway helped set up ShelterBox camps in San Vicente, Verapaz, Guadalupe and Costa del Sol after torrential rains and mudslides washed away homes, took out bridges and destroyed a large part of the country’s roads.

The volunteers were the second team on deployment in El Salvador and were tasked with completing the distribution of 324 ShelterBoxes and setting up camps for families in greatest need.

Andrew said: ‘The clean-up operation was still going on. ‘You could see the mud line half-way up the door on houses. Twelve inches of water had come down in just four hours which brought down sides of mountains and big boulders. It just took homes away with it. The landscape in many areas has permanently changed. I can’t imagine what it must have been like at the time, such destruction so quickly.

‘Sometimes there is a tension in the air when people begin moving into tents because it feels alien, but everybody seemed very appreciative and children were playing in the site on the first day we had tents up.’

Ben, who is ShelterBox’s International Training Academy Manager, said: ‘The randomness of destruction meant some communities were completely destroyed whereas other homes next to them were not touched. It was hard to imagine the forces at power that had caused such devastation. People were still clearing mud out of their houses. You couldn’t help but be humbled by people’s resilience.’

Many people receiving ShelterBox tents had lost loved ones in the disaster which was linked indirectly to Hurricane Ida.

Andrew said: ‘I spoke to a woman who had lost her complete family and home. She had just moved into one of our tents and thought she would be there for four or five months. Sometimes even with everything we do, it doesn’t seem enough.

‘Another man who had lost his wife and two daughters had his five-year-old daughter with him in the tent. Initially after a disaster people just have to carry on and their adrenaline kicks in. But then they are put in a tent and look around them and that is all that they have left.’

Andrew paid tribute to the El Salvadorian army, Rotary (El Salvador) and a women’s charity who helped in the aid operation setting up camps, supplying vehicles and manpower.

Remembering today is the 5th Anniversary of the Tsunami

Brenda — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:00:57 +0000

Big events always leave impact on you. The Tsunami is one of them, do you remember where you were, when you started to hear the sad news? I was on a family holiday in Mexico, the year before that we had been in Sri Lanka, one of the areas hardest hit by the natural disaster! We had friends who were out in Thailand and we were desperately trying to get through and make sure they were all safe and well. I still remember, like it was yesterday, the feeling of sadness and despair and wishing there was something we could do.

Aid worker Mark recalls delivering first disaster relief ShelterBoxes on fifth anniversary of Boxing Day Tsunami

A passenger train toppled by giant waves, boats washed in miles from sea and whole towns wiped off the map are just some of the images recalled by aid worker and photographer Mark Pearson who helped deliver emergency shelter to thousands of people following the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004.

But it is the picture of the first ShelterBoxes containing disaster relief tents arriving in Sri Lanka by raft that is the resounding image for Mark when he reflects on the fifth anniversary of one of the world’s worst disasters ever witnessed.

Just days after the tsunami hit following a massive undersea earthquake off the Indonesian coast, Mark was in Batticaloa, east Sri Lanka, co-ordinating the distribution of aid for the international disaster relief charity ShelterBox. Several weeks later he was also deployed to Banda Aceh, Indonesia, to help distribute emergency shelter to thousands more people.

Mark, 37, who was born in Ayrshire and now lives in Cornwall, said: ‘It was incredible to see how much destruction there was. It was monumental. In Banda Aceh there were fishing boats five miles from the sea and towns and cities that had been wiped off the map.

‘Nothing could have been more powerful than the tsunami. This was the biggest disaster anyone of us will see in our lifetimes.

‘But the picture that stands out for me personally is of the first ShelterBoxes arriving in Ulle, Sri Lanka, where a bridge had been destroyed by the tsunami. We had help from the Sri Lankan Navy and the Canadian Army Logistics Corps who built a raft so we could transport the ShelterBoxes. It was good to know we were starting to deliver help to thousands of people who had been displaced by the devastation.’

On December 26, 2004, an undersea earthquake struck the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering a series of deadly tsunamis. The earthquake had a magnitude between 9.1 and 9.3 on the Richter Scale – the second largest seismic activity ever recorded. Almost 230,000 people in 11 countries were killed in the tsunami and millions were left homeless.

In the months following the disaster, ShelterBox delivered tents and emergency supplies to thousands of people who had lost their homes in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and the Maldives.

Tom Henderson, ShelterBox’s Founder and CEO, said: ‘On 26 December 2004, news came in of the devastating Boxing Day tsunami and ShelterBox faced its most significant challenge, one that would change our course forever. Donations and volunteers poured in and we were able to ramp up our operations on a scale unimaginable just six months earlier.

‘ShelterBoxes were sent to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives and we were able to provide emergency shelter to thousands of people. But the human suffering from that day endures and five years on from the tsunami we remember the friends, families and loved ones who lost their lives in this tragedy.

‘Everyone involved with ShelterBox remains deeply grateful for all the support received from donors and volunteers around the world. We have continued to build on our experience responding to the tsunami, helping as many people as we can and as quickly as we can, the moment disaster strikes.’

Last minute xmas cards sorted!

Brenda — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:55 +0000

Every year I write out my faithful Christmas Card list and no matter how many times I think I have the complete list, somebody unexpected sends me a card! This year I have been undecided whether I should be sending cards or not! From a green aspect is it the right thing to do, even if they are supporting a charity and even if I do recycle them afterwards? Anyway I caved in and off my cards went yesterday…I know late, but yesterday was the last posting day and there was a reason for it.

So imagine my horror, when not one but two cards land in my letterbox from people I had not sent a card too!!!! But never fear, last night I was sent a link to the Tesco’s Greener Living site that is offering to send e-cards out for you, free of charge and they will donate 5p for every card sent out to the fantastic Woodland Trust charity. So luckily for me, I am able to click and send a cute e-card and the people will be none the wiser that I had forgotten them…that is if they do not read my post!!!

Charity of the Month: Breast Cancer Haven

Brenda — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:31 +0000

BREAST CANCER HAVEN

Every year more than 45,500 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s more than 125 women a day, which is 1 in 9 women.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing treatment can have a huge emotional and physical effect. In addition to the side-effects of treatment such as pain, hot-flushes, sleeplessness and hair loss, people often experience psychological symptoms including shock, anxiety and depression.

Breast Cancer Haven supports people affected by breast cancer, helping them to achieve the best possible quality of life. In a safe, healing environment, their highly-skilled specialist nurses and therapists have time to listen, advise and create an individually tailored programme of complementary therapies, emotional and practical care designed to help reduce symptoms and the side-effects of medical treatment, and the impact of breast cancer on people’s lives.

They provide support, information, counselling and complementary therapies to help anyone affected by breast cancer to cope with the psychological impact of diagnosis as well as help relieve the uncomfortable side effects of some medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The Haven programme of care is free of charge to anyone affected by breast cancer. They have Havens in London, Hereford and Leeds. A range of outreach materials is also available for those who can’t reach us.

How to access Breast Cancer Haven’s services:

Anyone affected by breast cancer can use their free services wherever they live in the UK. They can:

Visit one of our three Havens:

1 London 020 7384 0099

2 Hereford 01432 361061

3 Leeds 0113 284 7829

Order their ‘Breast Cancer Haven at Home’ Programme, which comprises a DVD, audio CD, web based information and telephone support.

Talk to one of our specialist team on the phone – or email them.

Visit their website, www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk which has helpful information including downloadable fact sheets.

Order their DVD called ‘Lymphoedema Awareness, Reducing Your Risk’ which suggests steps to lower the risk of developing, and managing, this uncomfortable swelling which affects one in four women with breast cancer.

Shelterbox helps El Salvador

Brenda — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:31 +0000

ShelterBox team responds to El Salvador floods

International disaster relief charity ShelterBox is sending a response team to El Salvador after torrential floods and landslides left thousands of people homeless.

At least 130 people have died in the disaster which was linked indirectly to Hurricane Ida. The President of El Salvador Mauricio Funes has declared a national emergency.

Reports say 7,000 homes have been destroyed by mudslides with the areas around the capital, San Salvador, and the central province of San Vicente, hit the hardest.

A two-person ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) of John Lacquey (US) and Noel Currie (CA) is travelling to the country to assess the devastation and identify areas with the greatest need for emergency shelter.

The capital San Salvador and the El Salvadorian town of Verapaz, in the San Vicente district, have been worst affected from torrential flooding and subsequent landslides, after a wave of mud and boulders came crashing down from the Chichontepec Volcano.

Jessica Stanton, ShelterBox’s Operations Coordinator, said: ‘The hurricane did not directly hit El Salvador but has left torrential rain causing mudslides and destroying hundreds of homes. Our team will be on the ground assessing the urgent need for emergency shelter and supplies.’

In the town of Verapaz in San Vicente, soldiers and civilians have been searching debris left by a landslide for dozens of missing people.

A torrent of mud and boulders from the Chichontepec volcano hit the town on Sunday, wrecking 300 homes and burying cars.

Anybody wanting more information on how to help Shelterbox continue their great work, should get in touch at www.shelterbox.org.