Do you sometimes wish you could do more to "Make a Difference?" Are you at a loss as to where to begin, what to do? Join me here for some inspiration and living examples of what you can do to make a difference in the lives of those around you.
On October 27 we once again helped fund raise for Children in Need, along with the charity Home-start Barnet. We contributed our face-painting and balloon modelling talents, to help raise about £200 at the Colindale Grahame Park Community Centre.
Funded by Children in Need, Home-start Barnet provides a safe place for youngsters to play every Thursday and Friday while their parents take part in courses such as first aid, healthy eating and emotional health and wellbeing.
I also volunteer for Homestart one day a week, by supporting a family with children under 5 years old.
You can view the complete article from the Barnet Times on-line newspaper here.
Recently we colaborated with the Hasmonean Girl's High School in North West London for a fund raising charity event. The school held a fair to raise funds for a school for children with special needs. There were different activities and along with members from other Family International Centres, we contributed face painting, balloon twisting and a children's magic show. Some of the special needs children were there also. I was priviliged to paint the face of one girl who wanted to be a tiger. She couldn't talk or point, but her carer kept pointing to the pictures and asking her if she wanted that one until she noticed a slight nod of her head. Afterwards, she had such a big grin on her face--it was very rewarding. Later on, while I was painting a boy, another special needs girl who was so interested in the paints, jumped into my lap, in order to get a closer look. She wasn't small and her carer had quite a time trying to get her off! Ha! It was a rewarding day and we were happy to help a good cause.
This year once again, in collaboration with The Boardwalk Centre, Edgware, London, we spent the whole day on Saturday, November 14th fundraising for Children in Need.
Here is Pierre, who twisted balloons to raise funds for the Charity. Beth (not pictured) face painted. The interest was high and we were very happy with the response!
Once again, the RAF Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust had an event at Bentley Priory in Stanmore, with the mission to raise public awareness of the situation, to allow the general public to view the historic site, and to raise funds for its restoration. We were there for the second two days, offering twisted balloons and face painting. Our son, Jerry, also worked hard to help prepare the venue for two full days before the event.
On Saturay, 12th September, alone, about 3000 people attended, of all generations. One of the events of the day were a spitfire and a hurricane plane flying overhead. Crowds cheered as they flew past. Squadron leader Erica Ferguson said: "Everyone was standing on the lawn to see the rather spine-chilling and exhilarating evernt that was the planes flying by. It was so moving to see tears in the eyes of the older generation who lived through the experiences of this time.
On Thursday and Friday, hourly tours of 40 people got to visit the historic rooms and corridors where Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding masterminded the defence of the country during the Battle of Britain.
Saturday and Sunday Dowding's office and other areas return to their former glory with an historical re-enactment. Harrow and Bushey museums had stalls demonstrating life in the two areas during the war, and there was also a map of local bomb damage during the Blitz.
Our neighbour, Dave, who is a landscape gardener, asked us if we would like to help him do some volunteer gardening at the RAF Bentley Priory in Stanmore, Harrow, NW London.
This is a historical site famous for its pivotal role as the Headquarters of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain in 1940. A trust has been set up to ensure that Bentley Priory is retained as a permanent living memorial to those who served in the Royal Air Force and
fought in the Battle, and to acknowledge and recognise the sacrifices made by them and others to ensure the freedom of Europe and the World.
On a walk some days ago David and I went to the surrounding park and caught a glimpse of the Priory through the bushes. It has a large majestic building with beautiful gardens around it. However, it was off limits to visit, and in fact, has been closed to the general public for the past
80 years. I thought it would be very interesting to be able to go on the grounds and see inside the building.
So I eagerly volunteered to help Dave. Our son Jerry and Sherly (who has been visiting us from India where she works with the Family International) also came along. The Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust were hosting a picnic concert and afternoon of popular classics with an aviation theme on Saturday 13 June 2009. The music would be provided by the 'London Amenda String Ensemble' a group of talented young music scholars from London Music Colleges. The area needed some sprucing up, and that's what we were helping with.
It was a fun afternoon spent weeding, digging, fixing the fountain and meeting new friends.
We feel priviliged to be able to help our local community with this noble cause and hope that the needed funds will soon be raised so that the beautiful area can be turned into a museum and the general public able to enjoy it.
If you are interested in learning more, here are links you can follow:
Dawn and Sherly (standing left) with the "Why Me?" team.
The Broadwalk Centre, Edgware, London, hosted 'Why Me? The Jemma-Kate Foundation' balloon race in support of The Teenage Cancer Trust on 7th June 2009.
The charity was established in memory of 18 year-old Jemma-Kate who lost her life to cancer in 2003. The day of the balloon race would have been Jemma-Kate's 24th birthday, so the charity's aim was to raise as much as possible to provide children with cancer the things that make their lives more 'normal' during this difficult period.
The charity's current project is funding a new specialist teenage cancer radiotherapy room at The University College Hospital.
Dawn and Sherly took part by volunteering their skills as face painters. It was a long day and a lot of work, but very rewarding. We are happy to have participated in this worthwhile cause.
They are pleased to announce that they successfully reached their target of £10,000 thanks to
every body's help and support.
It was a busy but gratifying day!
Dawn with Juliet who tirelessly helped organise the event.
