CHARITY FOCUS
Live Ribble Valley takes a look at the many and varied charity projects that are taking place in towns and villages across the region
WEAR IT PINK
This October Breast Cancer Now is encouraging everyone in Lancashire to Wear it Pink. Wear it Pink day takes place across the county on Friday 18th October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, the event has had an enormous impact on the lives of those affected by breast cancer since launching in 2002 and has raised over £33 million for breast cancer research to date. Anyone can take part in Wear it Pink. Some people will choose to hold a cake sale, while others will opt to organise a raffle and some will arrange a pink fancy dress day at their school or workplace. No matter how people choose to Wear it Pink, all the money raised will help to fund vital breast cancer research and support. Lottie Barnden, of Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now, said: “Without the generosity of Wear it Pink supporters we simply cannot continue to fund this crucial research and support, for all those affected by breast cancer now, and in the future.”
Visit: www.wearitpink.org to register and claim your free fundraising pack
RECYCLE WITH MICHAEL
There’s still time for local children to get involved with a county-wide recycling challenge. The Salvation Army Trading Company is encouraging primary school children and parents to get involved in their Recycle with Michael initiative when the new school term starts, with collections being accepted until Friday 20th September. Designed to divert thousands of tonnes of unwanted clothing and shoes away from landfill, local school children are encouraged to fill up as many bags as possible – your school could be crowned the Recycle with Michael champions! The winning school – calculated as the one with the highest ratio of bag weight to pupils – will receive a trophy, certificate and a very special visit from Michael, the scheme’s mascot. Kirk Bradley, Head of Corporate Partnerships at The Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd explains: “We hope our competition will encourage children and their families to give unwanted items a new lease of life. The initiative not only supports local children but also local communities through the work of The Salvation Army to tackle homelessness, poverty, addiction, modern slavery, unemployment and loneliness.”
For more information go to: www.recyclewithmichael.co.uk
EVEREST CHALLENGE
Andrew Turner, chairman of Chorley Group, is planning to raise £25,000 for the ‘Inspire’ Chorley Youth Zone by climbing more than 17,000ft to the Everest Base Camp in October. Andrew, who is one of the founder patrons of the Youth Zone, says: “I’m 59 and some people think I am a little foolish for attempting something of this scale at my age and I’ll admit it is a little scary. Climbing 17,600ft to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world is going to be tough. Just the words Mount Everest make the hairs on your neck stand up. I know this isn’t going to be easy.” Andrew, who founded the £130-million-turnover Chorley Group in 1989, adds: “Everest is a goal I am determined to reach before I’m 60. And I want to do it to raise as much money as possible for the Youth Zone.”
If you would like to support Andrew in his challenge go to: www.virginmoneygiving.com/InspireEverest
DIY SOS APPEAL
DIY SOS, BBC One’s popular property renovation show, is heading to Blackburn with Darwen later in September to take on an ambitious build to benefit a local charity. The programme is appealing for local tradespeople to volunteer their time to help complete the build. The build will see the DIY SOS team complete the conversion of a rundown church hall at St Silas, into accommodation and a support centre for Blackburn charity, Nightsafe, which provides support to young people aged 16 to 24 who are homeless or vulnerably housed. Mark Millar, Build Manager for DIY SOS is appealing for tradespeople, including plumbers, carpenters, plasterers and decorators, to offer support with the transformation. The build will be happening between 3rd and 12th September.
Those interested in helping should email: diysosblackburn@bbc.co.uk
If you have any charity news please contact: jan.woolley@live-magazines.co.uk
