Charity fun day in Brislington!

There is a Charity Fun Day planned for next Sunday, 13th July, in Brislington, which will aim at raising money for Supporting Head Injured Pupils in School (SHIPS) and OUCH(UK). Some time ago, a GLPCB reader posted it in our Facebook Page and I thought it was an interesting event to write about. 

Starting from 10am until 3pm, there will be stalls, bungee run, small fairground rides, bouncy castles, DJ, refreshments and loads more! Perfect for a family day!

You can take part in a tug of war teams of 8 need to sign up by 1.45pm (15 pounds). If you like jaffa cakes, there is a 1-minute jaffa cake eating challenge (3 pounds per entry; sign up by 12.45). THere will also be opportunity to win an iPad mini and other great prizes at the raffle (tickets 1 pound).

CHARITY FUN DAY

Address: Old Redcliffians RFC, Scotland Lane, Brislington, BS4 5LU

Day: 13 July 2014  10am-3pm

Check the website for further information:
http://shipsproject.org.uk/charity-fun-day.htm

Busking around Europe

Hasn't your heart softened after watching this video? These young Paraguayans, who not only made very decent instruments from trash but also play them beautifully, are a clear example of how music can make a big difference in any child's life.

Matt, a good friend of mine who lives in Bristol, will spend this summer 2014 cycling around Europe with an amp, guitar and microphone, playing music to raise some money for a great charity: Musequality. This charity's mission is to support communal music-making for disadvantaged boys and girls in developing countries, giving them the skills, confidence and experience they need to turn their lives around.

He will be setting off around the 11th June during the World busk week, stopping in London before hitting the continent, following a rough draft route: Brussels, Berlin, Prague, Munich, Milan, Lyon, Barcelona, Paris.. and back to Bristol. You can follow his route on Twitter (@MattJHollins) and request any song you want him to play!

He hasn't even left yet and he has already raised 115 pounds. If you would like to donate some money for this good cause, check the website. If everybody puts their two cents, I am sure we will make a big difference in those children's lifes. 

DONATE HERE: 
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=buskbikematt
FOLLOW HERE: https://twitter.com/MattJHollins
MUSEQUALITY: www.musequality.org

Donate a Christmas meal

Last week, I received a letter from an organisation called Crisis, the national charity for single homeless people. In the "Crisis at Christmas" appeal, they are searching for people who feel generous enough to make a donation to reserve a seat at a multitudinous Christmas dinner for someone who is homeless. It automatically reminded me of the couple from Atlanta who, after cancelling their wedding, they decided to donate their four-course wedding reception meal to 200 homeless people (read here).  

I am not sure if I have become a more generous person since I am in the UK, but as soon as I read the letter, I actually considered making a donation. During my time in the UK, I have noticed that British people are much more concerned of this kind of stuff and are willing to make what is in their power contribute. Even though a report published the 13th September 2013 says "one in four do little or nothing for charity", I think it is very positive that the other three out of four do "something". 

I have never donated money to an organisation before, mostly because I am not sure the donated money will ever get to them. I don't like those kind of people who donate to feel better persons and I don't even like the idea of donating JUST because it is Christmas time. We might be able to solve more issues by doing a caring action to the guy you see everyday playing his flute on your way home, for example.

Nevertheless, I should start with one step, first. This first step will be a hot Christmas dinner for somebody who will be very thankful.

LINKS

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Website: http://www.crisis.org.uk/

Reserve a dinner for homeless people here.

Where is Gromit?

Today, 1st July, is the official kick-off day for the Gromit Unleashed public art exhibition. Even though some of the sculptures were already in place during the weekend, all 80 Gromits will be guarding Bristol for ten weeks, until the 8th September.  The giant fibreglass sculptures of Gromit are 5 feet tall, and have been individually designed and created by invited artists, creating a train of unique pieces of art. 

 

If you didn't already come across with any of them yet, go for a walk around Bristol and I bet that you will spot at least one in less than 5 minutes. As a help, you can download the whole trail map here.

There is also available an application for the phone. By downloading the official application, you will automatically be  donating 40p of the 64p cost to benefit Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children's Hospital Charity. The hospital is now expanding to create one of the most influential children's hospitals in Europe.

Unfortunately, some sculpures have been seriously damaged during the weekend, before the official start of the exhibition, and had to be temporarily removed to have them repaired. In order to prevent vandalism activities, organizers would like you to help them protect the Gromits during the trail by reporting any suspicious behaviour or damage to the police, or by texting the Gromit sculpture on 07582 064103 or emailing us at info@gromitunleashed.org.uk.

 




INTERESTING LINKS
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Gromit Unleashed Website: http://www.gromitunleashed.org.uk/
Gromit Unleashed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/?sk=nf#!/GromitUnleashed?fref=ts
Grand Appeal Charity: http://www.grandappeal.org.uk/

Uthanda ukudansa nami? (Would you like to dance with me?)

My friend and I had the pleasure of witnessing a spectacular voice performance at The Canteen on Sunday afternoon. Teachers from Project Zulu performed some South African folk music and dance while everybody was enjoying the sun at the terrace. Dressed in colourful outfits, they sang around 8 songs, together with the noises they could make with hands and feet. They were raising money for some solar panels for an African school and people seem to be more than happy to donate a couple of pounds.

The Project Zulu's aim is to bring the choir and dancers from a school in Kwazulu-Natal (South Africa) to the UK for a three week concert tour in Summer 2013 to raise money for the school. They will earn the fund to install solar panels on the school roof by performing here. You can make a donation in their website. They have recently recorded an album which is now available for download. You can listen to some track previous and purchase the album here.

They will be performing in Colston Hall next Thursday, 6th June. This gala concert, shared with some of the region’s finest youth ensembles from Bristol Cathedral Choir School, Clifton College Preparatory School and The University of the West of England, is the finale to their three week UK tour. Tickets are worth £8 (£5 concessions) for an extraordinary ensemble of singing, drumming and dancing children from Sithobelumthetho Primary School in the Madadeni Township, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Website: www.projectzulu.org
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/theprojectzulu