Archived News - Fund Raising
David Broddle helps raise £100,000 for Child Cancer Charity
David Broddle from Eaton Bray has returned from Mount Everest after helping to raise £100,000 for CLIC Sargent, a child cancer charity.
The expedition - which took David and 24 colleagues from Santander banking group through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche and Lobuche - was going well until October 13, when the weather turned.
David admits he was "devasted" when last month's cyclone in India cut short the trip. "We were trekking in a snow storm and we were unaware of the cyclone.
"We woke up to 3ft of snow, and the lead sherpa informed us that it was too dangerous to make the final 500m ascent.
"We were devastated at being so close but understood it was too risky.
"We later found out that many people had to be airlifted out from base camp and surround areas, and a number of yaks had been killed in an avalanche.
"It was an incredible journey through magnificent countryside. The people of Nepal are all welcoming and friendly and it was a trip of a lifetime."
To donate towards the group's impressive total, visit www.justgiving.com/David-Broddle
Open Gardens Festival 2012
Sunday June 10th 2012, 12 - 5pm
You may remember that last year's Open Gardens Festival took place on the wettest day of 2011 – a day of torrential rain. We can't promise a better forecast, but we certainly hope for a pleasant sunny afternoon this year. This is one of the social events of the year in our villages. Come and join other like minded people in a tour around the villages to see some beautiful gardens. As well as gardens from last year, which many people would have missed because of the rain we have at least four that have never been opened to the public before.
Roving tickets, providing access to all the gardens, can be obtained from Eaton Bray Village Hall from noon on 10th June, priced £5 – children go free. In the hall, as well as refreshments, toilets, and a substantial plant stall, you will find an exhibition of art by local artists and there will be musical entertainment, again by local musicians.
Given reasonable weather this is a great afternoon out. Do come and join us!
If you are a local artist who would like to display your art please contact Kay Griffiths.
Open Gardens - 12 June 2011
Nine gardens will be open next Sunday (12 June 2011) to raise money for St Mary's Church. In addition, there will be an Art Exhibition (including work by Leigh Glover who is currently exhibiting in the National Portrait Gallery) and live music in the marquee.
Do come and enjoy what has proved, in previous years to be a most enjoyable afternoon - Roving Tickets are £5.
Any help that you can offer would be appreciated - helpers will have their own private tour of the gardens on 14th June. We would welcome donations of cakes/raffle prizes.
Jamie's Charity Challenge
The memory of a much-loved brother has inspiring Jamie Rawlings to overcome health problems for a charity challenge.
Jamie, 24, has epilepsy and slight cerebral palsy, and has set his heart on completing a nine-mile fundraising run. He would like to hear from big-hearted runners who could raise sponsorship and take part in his event.
Jamie, who lives in High Street, will be holding the run from Eaton Bray, through central Dunstable, and then back to the village, on Saturday 23 July.
The event is being organised in memory of his late brother John, who had epilepsy, to raise cash for the Epilepsy Society; John Rawlings was a familiar figure in the Dunstable area, who also contributed articles to the local Dunstable Gazette paper, about the history of pubs in the area.
Jamie said: “It will be an experience, I will be pushing myself to the next level. I want to prove to everyone that I can do this. I think it’s going to be really exciting, I can’t wait.”
Jamie’s left side is affected by slight cerebral palsy and when he is tired this affects his pace, but he is determined to complete the course. The run is hoped to also boost awareness of epilepsy. “Even though people have epilepsy, it doesn’t stop them from getting on with their lives,” Jamie said.
Family and friends will be taking part in the run, and Jamie is keen to stage future events for the charity too.
Proud dad Alan said: “I think it is absolutely fantastic. For him to do this is a big challenge. It is the achievement of a lifetime.”
You can sponsor Jamie online via virginmoneygiving.com/team/rawlings
Source: Dunstable Today
Don't miss out on community cash, MP urges
Community groups in South Beds have been urged not to miss out on valuable funding by MP Andrew Selous.
He has called on groups in need of cash - including Houghton Regis Bowls Club, which is hoping to upgrade its changing facilities - to make sure they apply for grants from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd).
The company is responsible for distributing money for good causes, and in the past three years has awarded more than £250,000 to groups in the district.
But Mr Selous said that the rest of Bedfordshire is faring far better, with more than £3.44 million paid out across the county in the same period.
The Tory MP said: "It would be very good to see South West Bedfordshire receive an equal proportion of the funding provided among the six Bedfordshire constituencies."
WREN's contact details are: WREN House, Manor Farm, Bridgham, Norfolk, NR16 2RX. Interested groups can also phone 01953 717165, or email [email protected] for more information.
Related News
- Village hall project gets £37,900 grant
The completion of Eaton Bray Village Hall has been moved forward three years after receiving a grant of £37,900 from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd).
Village hall project gets £37,900 grant
The completion of Eaton Bray Village Hall has been moved forward three years after receiving a grant of £37,900 from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd).
The bumper grant will enable phase three of the refurbishment to take place next year.
The involves creating a disabled toilet along with a new kitchen and meeting room.
Ross Bagni, of the Eaton Bray Village Hall Trustees told the Citizen: "We've got £50,000 to raise and this will help towards that significantly. It will being us forward by about three years. Usually we'd only be able to raise £10-12,000 a year so this is a massive help.
"The hall will be a big boost to the village when it's done. We've spent a lot of money on making sure we've a decent 21st century hall that everyone can use."
Phase three marks the end of the major work that has been carried out over the last three years.
In 2004 the main hall was completely refurbished at a cost of £150,000, the main toilets have just been completely revamped along with the entrance hall (£32,000).
Phase three will cost approximately £50,000 so even though some of the balance has been raied, the Hall Trustees need to continue fundraising for the foreseeable future to complete the job by summer 2008.
The news was announced at a joint fundraising quiz with Eaton Bray Tennis Club. Over 170 people attended and the two organisations shared the £1,400 raised on the night.
The trustees have raised nearly £250,000 over a five year period to bring the village hall up to date. They are well aware that the hall will continue to need minor improvements over the next few years, along with regular maintenance and their efforts will continue with regular events, including a beer festival (first weekend of June), quiz nights, and other social events that bring the villagers together to help in maintaining this vital village facility.
Source: The Citizen, 25 October 2007