Crafteroo for Children in Need

The Crafteroo craft forum people, as organised by Pennydog Jewellery, have made and donated lovely items to a shop on folksy in order to raise money for Children in Need. Kerry of PennyDog Jewellery says:

"We’ve decided to reopen the Folksy shop again with items generously donated by Crafteroo forum members. Last time we raised over £600 for Comic Relief with 98 sales, and we hope to do just as well this time for Children in Need! Please have a little browse and if you decide you’d like to donate too, please have a look at this thread for how to take part: http://www.crafteroo.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5654.0 . If you wanted to browse and buy, the Folksy shop is at http://www.folksy.com/shops/CrafterooShop ."

So do pop along and have a look; there are lots of lovely pieces - and don't forget it is gift buying time... even for yourself!!

The Collective charity auction

Thank you to Clare Scott for letting me know about The Collective - a collaborative charity auction organised by a group of UK jewellery designers and lampwork artists and designers...

Each of the participants has donated jewellery, beads, or both, to be auctioned here and every penny raised will go directly to the groups two chosen charities: Headway [the charity that works to improve life after brain injury] and the Royal Free Hospital Kidney Patients Association [using funding to support patients either through the purchase of equipment at the various renal units to make life more comfortable, or to support hardship or personal development cases].

There are some amazing auction lots available including jewellery from:

• Veryan of Beady Pool
• Beverley Hicklin
• Mel at Kookie Designs
• Ray Skene
• Kristin of KS Jewellery Designs
• Izzy of Flame and Glass
• Kelly of Kebo Jewellery

and beads from:

• Laura Sparling
• Tina Scott
• Emma Ralph
• Mindy of Moogin
• Cheeky Cherubs 
• Pixie Willow Designs. 
  

There are also two, yes TWO sets of Mini Moo business cards that the lovely Moo folk have donated, and a further auction lot that is a collaboration between Clare herself and Mel Poxon [a bracelet with matching earrings].

Please do take a look at The Collective charity auction page and bid, bid, bid for these eminently worthy charities! The festive season is fast approaching and the auction lots feature items that would make wonderful gifts for friends and loved ones; please share these links with anyone who may wish to bid in support of Headway and the Royal Free Hospital Kidney Patients Association

The auction opened on Saturday October 24th at 10:00am GMT and will close on Monday November 2nd at 8:30pm GMT. 

Breakthrough Breast Cancer

October is 'breast cancer awareness month' and to show support for this years Breakthrough Breast Cancer campaign, these UK based Etsy.com sellers have the following offers in their online shops...

All sales of this 'pretty in pink' mooncup pouch [pictured below] from lovealittle will be donated to the Breakthrough campaign:

For more info about this beautifully handmade little pouch - also perfect for storing small jewellery items, hair accessories, even make-up - follow this link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32703128 

In my Simply Maisy shop, I  will donate £5 GBP from the sale of this fuschia pink jade and lavender glass pearl bracelet to Breakthrough - whenever the bracelet sells; the offer is not just restricted to October:

Details of the bracelet can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32362616

October may be 'breast cancer awareness month' but that doesn't mean that you can forget about your breasts for the next eleven months! Look after yourselves: be breast aware *every* month.

Stepping forward

It is a sad but fairly certain bet that everyone who reads this will at some time or another have had some experience with cancer; whether directly in our own lives, or through those we know or knew. We all have stories that we could tell; stories of battles fought, sometimes lost, sometimes won. The important thing is that as time passes and advances in treatment are made, the percentage of battles won gradually increases. The advances are slow - painstakingly slow - but they do come and that is due, in no small part, to the money that is raised by the many thousands of people across the country who give their time to help raise funds for the various charities and research bodies that are dedicated to trying to find the cures that are so desperately needed.

One such fund raising event is coming up this weekend: 'The Henley and Marlow Stride' in aid of Cancer Research UK will take place this Sunday, 4th October. It takes the form of a walk between Henley-On-Thames to Marlow, a distance of about 8 miles following the beautiful Thames path. There will be groups walking in both directions and free transport is laid on for the return journey. It costs just £6 to enter in advance or £10 on the day. Enter in advance and you will receive an information pack from the organisers with all the details that you need. For further information, please have a look at henleyandmarlowstride@live.co.uk

So if you live nearby and feel like stretching your legs for a good cause.....

Crazy Divers for the RNLI

When I can get organised enough, I am a qualified Scuba Diver. The diving community is quite a close knit one; they wear their heart on their sleeves and will do anything for anyone. So, when it was suggested to do a trek across the bottom of Wastwater Lake in Cumbria, people were jumping (well, diving) at the chance to do it. I'd like to say that it was me undertaking this crazy task but I have more sense (and I can't go that far on a single tank of air) so some crazy friends of mine are going to do it, in support of the RNLI.


As divers, the RNLI are, quite rightly, heroes to us. Divers all try to be safe but sometimes situations can develop where help is needed. Not many people are aware that they are volunteers who give up their free time to keep people safe in the waters around Great Britain. They are considered to be an emergency service but receive no government funding. They raise all of their money through donations from the public. You can read more about the RNLI here: http://www.rnli.org.uk/

This is why Adrian and Tracy are doing this trek:

Tracy and I, along with a group of like minded lunatics from Yorkshire Divers are attempting to dive the whole length of Wastwater - Englands deepest lake. The challenge is to go from one end of the lake to the other (which is a distance of around 4 miles) and to do it underwater. Teams of divers and solo divers will attempt this challenge.

The water will be cold and the divers will be under the surface for several hours to accomplish this. All the divers will be responsible for their own expenses and to some who have travelled a great distance, this is considerable. Why would anybody want to undertake this challenge? Well we live on an island and the sea surrounding us can be a very dangerous place. We often take it for granted that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will be there to help if we have a problem at sea but this is an organisation that is totally dependent on the financial support from the population of our islands, which means you.

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. It has 230 lifeboat stations throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland and it is totally dependent on charitable donations. It receives no government funding. The people who risk their own lives to save others are largely volunteers and they freely give their own time and put themselves in danger to help others in peril. They deserve the best equipment and resources to help them save lives.
Hopefully each and every one of us will never need the RNLI but if we are unfortunate enough to be in peril on the seas then the sight of the lifeboat would be a most welcome one indeed.

Please just take a minute to think what it must be like to be in a situation bad enough to need the RNLI. Then think how much money you would gladly donate in that situation. Please give generously; lives depend on it. As Sir Bob Geldof so eloquently said: "Give us your f***ing money NOW! I don't care if it's 1p or a couple of grand, every little helps!" :D

To sponsor Adrian and Tracy, just follow this link: http://www.justgiving.com/AandTHardy/ Thank you!

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the coasts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. RNLI lifeguards provide a seasonal lifeguard service on selected beaches. An average of 21 people are rescued every day from the water, in situations which are often difficult and sometimes dangerous. The RNLI is independent from Government, relying on donations for its income, so can only continue thanks to people like you. The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland. 

Jo's Trust

As I will post later, highlighting my charity fundraising isn't something I usually do in the course of my work (and I consider all my online presences reflective on my business profile) but this year was a stressful one for me, so I'm going to share and highlight a great little UK charity.

Earlier this year I had surgery for cervical pre-cancer. I am a very educated woman and pretty health savvy but I was completely ignorant about this stuff to my own surprise. The worry and fear behind anything like this, as many people will know, is disruptive to everything in your life. For various reasons I didn't think it would affect me. I am realising that a lot of women think this when they miss/avoid their smear appointments: they're not sexually active, they're gay, they've had kids, they're with a long-time partner... there are many reasons or excuses.

Some figures:

• 99.7% of cervical cancer is caused by a viral infection: treatable and preventable
• 20% of women in the UK didn't attend their screening appointment
• Even more worrying, 33.8% of 25-29 year old didn't attend their screen appointment
• 1,000 women die each year in the UK from cervical cancer
• It's the 2nd most common cancer in women 35 and under

Oh, and did I mention: the infection is treatable and preventable?


Jo's Trust is the UK charity helping women affected by cervical cancer and related infections, and also promoting education and awareness.

About their mission:
(quoted from http://www.jotrust.co.uk/about.cfm)

*****

Jo’s Trust mission statement

To ensure that women never feel alone in their cancer journey by providing easily accessed ‘good’ information, support and confidential medical advice free of charge 24 hours a day through www.jotrust.co.uk

What are Jo’s Trust’s objectives?

• To raise the public profile and understanding of the causes of pre-cancer and cervical cancer and how they can possibly be prevented and overcome
• To create greater awareness of the importance of having regular cervical screening
• To campaign for new and improved preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for cervical cancer

What does Jo’s Trust offer?

• Confidential Medical Advice: A forum for individuals to post ‘submissions for personal advice’ to Jo’s Trust online panel of 40 medical experts with specialist skills and an interest in gynaecological cancer. Submissions receive confidential medical advice, information and support within 12 – 36 hours
• Let's Meet: An open chat forum for women to ‘meet’ and share experiences and network with others facing similar challenges
• About Cervical Cancer: A portal for pre-cancer and cervical cancer information written, frequently reviewed and updated by medical professionals
• Links: Selected organisations and charities that provide the highest level of professional support
• Research: The latest information about new research and how to access relevant clinical trials

*****

I am doing the Adidas Women's 5K Challenge next Sunday (September 6th 2009) to raise money for Jo's Trust. If you can spare a dollar (or pound) or two, it would be much appreciated: http://www.justgiving.com/tinarun

Even if you can't donate now please consider donating directly to the trust in future; or if you'd like to take part in a future event let me know and maybe we can team up! At the very least please don't hesitate to go have your check-ups!!! Better late than never...


Links:
Jo's Trust
In the USA, National Cervical Cancer Coalition

Do UCARE?

During 2007 and 2008, my sister-in-law juggled her role of writing and editing educational books for schools in Africa, with fundraising and helping to set up a new UK [Oxford] based urological cancer charity: UCARE [Urology Cancer Research and Education]. She also worked closely with the IT design team and drafted the content for the UCARE website, as well as organised UCARE's hugely successful launch event - a charity auction that took place in April 2008 at Blenheim Palace. I designed and made a one-of-a-kind jewellery set [pictured] for the event and was absolutely delighted when it sold and raised a whopping £350! In fact, funds exceeding £18,000 were raised that night and the money was used to fund UCARE's first full time cancer researcher.

[sterling silver combined with amethyst, rose quartz and rock crystal]

From the UCARE website 'About us' statement:

UCARE is a charity founded by a group of clinicians, patients and supporters who care about fighting urological cancers. Our aim is to improve the treatment and care of cancer patients through research and education.

Our vision

Finding new ways to fight cancer.

Our aims

• To support research into the causes, prevention and treatment of urological cancers and related conditions.
• To promote the development of new technologies that will help to improve the diagnosis and treatment of urological cancers and related conditions.
• To provide equipment and facilities for research, and for the treatment of cancer patients.
• To provide information and education about urological cancers.

For more information about UCARE, please visit http://www.ucare-oxford.org.uk

More recently my sil has been working in developing and fundraising for a rape crisis centre in the Oxford area - more about that in a future post - but for anyone whose life or experience has been touched by urological cancer and who would like to get involved with, or help to support UCARE, please visit this page on their website to read more about what you can do.

You may also be interested in the UCARE news page, which has details of all their scheduled sponsored events for this year.