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
PANTS TO POVERTY!
Following on from their very successful campaign to collect IT equipment for IT Schools Africa, Clitheroe Rotary has taken up the challenge to collect Smalls for All, a registered charity founded in 2010 by Maria MacNamara after taking part in several volunteer trips abroad, working in orphanages where she discovered that there was a real shortage of underwear in poorer parts of Africa. Many of the women and children had just one pair of pants, or no pants at all. Smalls for All collects and distributes underwear to women and children in Africa helping those living in orphanages, slums, IDP camps and schools, as well as providing underwear to hospitals. Smalls for All needs donations of brand new pants for women and children and new or gently worn bras. Clitheroe Rotary member Mary Robinson said: “Sending good quality bras and new knickers is a remarkably, and surprisingly, good way to improve the health and status of women and girls in poor areas. Here in Clitheroe we have a great track record helping improve lives in Africa.”
Donations to Smalls for All can be handed in at Honeywell estate agents’ office on Castlegate, Clitheroe
BREATHING SPACE
Breathing Space Lancashire, a project that brings together providers of support for homeless young people in East Lancashire, has launched a new website that aims to help prevent homelessness before it happens. Delivered by Lancashire County Council, in partnership with local charities Positive Action in the Community, Ynot Aspire and Nightsafe, the project aims to help young people aged 14 to 25 who are at risk of becoming homeless by offering advice, guidance and one to one support earlier and provide help in navigating their situation without leaving the family home unless they have to. The easy-to-use website offers young people a space to find out more information and advice on many of the issues and challenges homeless young people face, as well as being a central contact point for young people to reach out to in complete confidence, through its online chat function or via links to its social media pages, dedicated text line or phone numbers.
www.breathingspacelancs.org.uk
EPIC WALK
Celebrating their 50th birthdays, friends Martin Wrigley and Bryan Pierce have pledged to walk 62 miles in two days in order to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. The duo will walk from Clitheroe to Alder Hey in Liverpool, where Martin’s daughter was cared for many years ago. The Ronald McDonald House enables parents with sick children at the hospital, to stay close by. However the facility costs £700,000 per year and is run purely through charitable donations.
PROTECT BOWLAND’S LANDMARK TREES
Lord and Lady Clitheroe joined local conservationists to plant a tree in the centre of Downham to launch Champion Bowland’s Landmark Trees initiative. The newly planted field maple replaces a beech tree in the grounds of Downham Hall, which was lost in the ‘Beast from the East’ storm last year. This new addition to the village centre takes pride of place beside the old stocks, just a stone’s throw from the Assheton Arms, whose owners, the Seafood Pub Company, are the first official sponsors of the Landmark Trees initiative. Conservation charity Champion Bowland is now seeking help from the public and corporate sponsors to identify suitable trees and plan for replacements to be established before their predecessors succumb to old age. Participating businesses can nominate Landmark Trees and also opt to plant and safeguard new trees. Chairman of Champion Bowland Mike Pugh said: “As a charity that was set up to help sustain the Forest of Bowland, Champion Bowland is only too happy to be part of the Landmark Trees Scheme.”
If you would like to nominate a prominent tree in your area for the Landmark Trees initiative, please contact Sandra Silk at the Forest of Bowland AONB Office on 01200 448000
MARATHON CHALLENGE
A Whalley nurse is set to run her 10th London Marathon in aid of Sense, a national disability charity. Donny Bibby is hoping to raise as much as possible during the 26-mile run – she has already raised £1,000 towards her target through sponsorship. To date the practice nurse has raised £10,000 for Sense by running previous marathons. The 2019 London Marathon is being held on Sunday 28th April.
WINDERMERE DUO
Best friends James Dent and Darren Tillotson are running the Asics Windermere Marathon in aid of Pendleside Hospice. The race has been described as one of the most beautiful and scenic marathons in the UK. For Darren, who works at Hackings Caravan Park, it is his first marathon. For James, who has previously taken part in endurance cycle rides, this will be a totally different charity challenge.
LIONS EVENT FOR SPORTS PARK
Whalley & District Lions are raising money for Whalley Sports Community Park CIO, supporting their local sports club run by volunteers to provide facilities for the community. The Lions are delighted to have Jaycee singing soul, Motown and disco classics at a fund-raiser on Saturday 8th June at Whalley Village Hall from 8.30pm onwards. Tickets are on sale now, priced at £10 each.
For information on how to buy online or from the Lions please email: whalleylions@gmail.com or call 07841 759409
KATIE SET TO RUN FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Ribchester resident, Katie Gaffing is lacing up her running shoes in aid of Cystic Fibrosis, refusing to let her own diagnosis of the genetic condition stop her from completing April’s London Marathon. Running for the charity, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Katie also suffers from diabetes and has the added challenge of keeping her blood sugar levels consistent throughout training, keeping sweets in her pockets for when her blood sugar levels start to dip.
Katie said: “Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic condition that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system and can require daily physiotherapy and medication. I am lucky that my lung functions are not too badly affected and this enables me to train. In fact, since running three times a week and swimming with Preston Swimming Club in preparation for the marathon, my lung functions have increased by five per cent. I decided to apply for the London Marathon because I wanted to take on a challenge and help to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Trust – it’s definitely been challenging, especially with the dark nights and winter weather, but I am really looking forward to being on the start line.”
The 22 year old student lives in Ribchester and is studying BSc (Hons) in Food and Human Nutrition at Newcastle University. She is currently on a 12 month industry placement in Preston, with SPAR UK wholesaler for the North of England, James Hall & Co. Katie is working as Technical Assistant in the Food Quality department at James Hall & Co, conducting taste panels and studying technical specifications of product lines, which complements her BSc (Hons) Food and Human Nutrition degree programme perfectly.
Katie added: “Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far – the monies raised will help the Cystic Fibrosis Trust conduct more research and develop new medications that help raise life expectancies. They do fantastic work and I’m really excited to be able to run in their name.”
If you have any charity news please contact: jan.woolley@live-magazines.co.uk
