A nice way to start the week

Hello hello

Not that much to update on yet. My birthday party went well, Scott and Jo sponsored me for £15, and a nice guy that I met gave a tener towards the event.

I took a Big Issue seller out to breakfast this morning on the way to work, it helped make the start of the week a bit less daunting and gave him something to get through the day on. Some mornings he's by the train station entrance on Market St, other days he's not, but he is such a genuine guy - I did learn from working with homeless people at City Connexions that often I shouldn't believe what they say as every good intention is there, but their willpower to actually carry it through is not - but this man appears very sincere! So we had coffee and scones together at the City Arts Centre :-)

Early days

Well this morning whilst I was standing on Princes Street in the rain, wearing my 'Edinburgh Giving' shirt and shaking the bucket for Indonesia, I decided that this opportunity of raising a few thousand pounds for Mind charity then heading off to India to meet my new best friend ... oops .. I meant camel is not going to happen everyday, so best have a diary for it just to remember the rollercoaster ride I am sure it will be!

Well it all started on a Virgin trains trip. I had always seen these trips advertised but never thought of actually doing one! I was heading down to Leeds and met up with an old colleague who had recently been to Peru on behalf of Oxfam, he described the whole trip and it sounded fantastic ... the fundraising sounded like fun too.
The Monday after that I visited my regular hairdresser and she had just got back from Vietnam and that was for Maggies Cancer appeal. She was also enthralled by it all and highly recommended the experience.

That was enough for me, I felt that it was good timing to do something like this as I was needing a bit of a pick up at the time. So heyho, off we go!

A week later my fee was paid and Helen from Mind the mental health charity was on the phone to me saying my application had been accepted. Wooooo the next morning I woke up wondering what the hell have I got my into! So I got straight on the computer and set up a 'justgiving' page where people can donate online, that very night the first pennies dropped in given by the Swedish Irishman, that made my week!

I feel extremely passionate about the work that Mind does, they support so many people on the Mindinfoline, reThink projects, and many more. Having worked very closely with people suffering with serious mental distress, and having personally suffered from depression a few years back, I hope that I can make a real impact by collecting much more money than needed and also helping donatees/general public to understand these issues more.

If you ever want a warm and friendly voice to speak to, phone the Mindinfoline. When I called for more information about this challenge the lady who I spoke to had the most soothing, caring tone ever!

So the next day in all my enthusiasm I asked my colleagues for ideas and donations, they are all such sweeties! Cheers Stephanie :-)

We've hit the £60 mark already!

Birthday time ... the total rises to over Onnnnee Huuundred pounds! Thank you hugs to two very special people, my flatmate Mighty Marc, and Matt in Colchester!

Last week I received an email from Danny Wallace, yes the 'Join Me' man, not long after that I decided to ask all joinees for any fundraising ideas ... the best suggested was to run about the steets wearing a tutu and spiderman shirt shouting 'dont worry dear, its only a commercial'! I think I might try it. I was very touched as two people I have never met or spoken to, I know nothing about them and visa-versa, donated a ten'er each. Wow, that is inspiring that there are still people out there who help so selflessly! Bing and Joinee Bishop Don Marco Rock you are lovely!!!!

Holllld on, there is another mystery donater, heart felt thanks Phil, I hope you see this.

My smiley happy friend Cheryl from gym gave me a few quid without even being asked, she's always so happy!

A few days ago I went out for a drink with a Aussie street fundraiser, it was rather interesting to hear his work ethic, and I am really glad he told me about it coz whilst on Princes Street today I managed to raise the most pennies! I personally thank you for that Jason. I met one of Jason's colleagues on the Royal Mile yesterday and signed up for yet another charity direct debit, this time to Amnesty Uk who is fighting for more rights for woman who are abused, a very worth cause. Thom and 'friend with cool coloured hair' very kindly gave all the change they had on them at the time.

Yay, we are about to get to £170!

There was a nice surprise to wake up to this morning, another £20 given by someone I have chatted to online for 6 months but never actually met. Thanks for the email J, it definately made me smile!

I have started typing up letters to go out to lots of companies asking for anything which could be used as a prize for a raffle or nights out, thing is I don't want to just post them out so I will be taking a few days off and walking the streets soon to add a personal touch to all of them.

In return for my street charity this morning I was given two rugby tickets to the Heineken Cup final being played at Murrayfield tomorrow, they are going to the highest bidder!

I am loving this!



£188.45 :-D