Saturday, 14 Aug 10 - 14:30.. the journey of a thousand miles ..
Chapter 22 of Crazy Fundraising Ideas! by Chris Grieves
Act4Africa has some wonderful supporters.
Everyone contributes to the work we do in so many varied and self-less ways.
One such friend of Act4Africa is Dee Peat who contacted us with a dilemma;
Her late husband, Richard, who was a Project Engineer for British Gas for many, many years was an avid Air Miles collector and would religiously log his miles when he collected petrol on business.
However, when Richard passed away it was one of the elements that Dee assumed would take care of itself until they were needed. Unfortunately she had a letter that told her they had been permanently removed and the account suspended due to lack of use.
Dee told Act4Africa,
"I was devastated when I thought I had lost the Air Miles. Richard was so particular about recording them over the years and I just assumed they would be secure and continue to be available. He always kept the cards in their correct place in a wallet in his car glove compartment"
Thank fully help was on hand with our new leadership team member Andy Rochford who contacted the Air Miles people on Dee's behalf and also with some co-operation from Esso who agreed to assist in the situation.
Eventually they agreed to re-instate the 10,000 points Richard had accrued over the many years he worked with British Gas
Dee said "I was so pleased and relieved. Although I cannot donate the Air Miles directly - they can be available for Act4Africa to use"
I asked her, "Tell me a little about how you met Richard " ..
"We met in 1950. Richard was on leave from National Service it was very close to Christmas and when we saw each other it was definitely love at first sight. We courted for seven years in total. He was twenty one and I was sixteen and eventually we got married in 1957"
Dee, from all of us at Act4Africa - thank you.
The Air Miles you have donated on Richard's behalf will go a very long way in helping us deliver our programmes and support our hard-working African teams. Every contribution makes a huge difference on the ground.
Tuesday, 13 Jul 10 - 00:15FUNDRAISERs of the MONTH (July) 2010
Chapter 21 of Crazy Fundraising Ideas! by Chris Grieves
Our 'FotM' for July is our very own Jess Carver, nominated by Martin Smedley our CEO.
Jess has been working in the Act4Arica (UK) office for around four months and in that time has had amazing success with Trust Fund Applications - pulling in thousands of pounds for projects in Africa.
‘'I have worked for Act4Africa since March 2010 after spotting their advert for a fundraiser on a graduate internship website." says Jess.
Then she explains;
For the last two years I have worked as a Researcher for the Directory of Social Change (DSC), an infrastructure body providing information and training services to small to medium charities in the UK. In this role I carry out research into funding from trusts, foundations and government sources which is published on DSC's subscription websites and funding directories.
Prior to working at DSC Jess spent most of her time travelling and working overseas, teaching English in Ghana and carrying out Community Development work in Thailand, and travelling around India and South East Asia.
Thanks again Jess from all of us at Act4Africa. Keep up the excellent work! It's great to have you on board.
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Jess will receive a personally signed copy of bestselling author (and friend of Act4Africa's) Paul McGee's new book "Self-Confidence" [The remarkable Truth of Why a Small Change Can Make a Big Difference].
Tuesday, 11 May 10 - 07:00FUNDRAISERs of the MONTH (May) 2010
Chapter 20 of Crazy Fundraising Ideas! by Chris Grieves
Our 'FotM' for May is the very amazing Emily Shenton, nominated by Martin and Kathy Smedley, who received an amazing cheque for over £1600.
Coyotes Bar manager since 2005, Emily has been out to Africa with our Sportstars team trip.
You can see Emily in action on a previous fundraising drive for Act4Africa if you go the Coyotes website and follow the link to their "Good Deeds" section.
I have to be honest, having jumped out of a plane at 1500ft myself, bungee jumping makes me more nervous - is it something to do with being closer to the tarmac at the start? Perhaps,
but Emily looks remarkably calm and determined in the clips here!
Martin Smedley (CEO) has described Emily previously as a 'secret weapon' and after her amazing fundraising efforts here in the UK and huge contribution to Act4Africa on the ground in Africa, it's easy to understand why. On the personal trivia stakes; as well as sharing a birthday with Roald Dahl she also finds time to play football for Stockport County Women, so instinctively understands about the value of teamwork.
Thanks again Emily from all of us at Act4Africa. Keep up the excellent work!
Chris G
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Emily will receive a personally signed copy of bestselling author (and friend of Act4Africa's) Paul McGee's new book "Self-Confidence" [The remarkable Truth of Why a Small Change Can Make a Big Difference].