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Charity Links Page
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Craft Links |
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Why a Charities page?
Recently a nice lady called Jan Walmesley stayed on our campsite, which she used as a base for part of her epic 630 mile walk around the coast of Wales. She is doing this walk in order to raise money for the Knucklas Castle Community Trust. This small charity is trying to enhance a local community by investigating many aspects of the history, ecology etc of a small castle, and purchasing it and its surroundings as a community facility. The castle seems to have its origins about 3500 years ago, and a lease exists from 1433. It has also been associated with Arthurian legend. However, as far as I can see little remains of the castle itself, though the project certainly seems to have caught the local imagination.
I felt that M/s Walmesly's effort put mine to shame, and I really ought to do more for causes that I cared about. Apart from the Knucklas project I would like to draw your attention to the charities that have supported our middle son James, who has Downs syndrome. During the 80s and 90s we were all involved with Mencap in Harpenden in Hertfordshire, where Thelma was Welfare Officer and I was Vice Chairman. Our daughter formed a youth volunteer committee which raised funds and recruited volunteers to help with the local Mencap play schemes.
Our youngest son, Owain, now helps run the head office computer help desk for Cerebra the charity for brain injured children.
Like most people I am also concerned about current disasters , so I have added a link to the Disasters Emergency Committee which is currently raising much needed money for Pakistan. The power of nature is quite terrifying, and while the powers-that-be still seem pretty complacent about climate change, the Pakistan floods are proof of the emergency we all face. Boscastle and Cockermouth have shown that we are not immune, from climate change and the affect of Hurricane Catrina on New Orleans shows that no government, however powerful, can guarantee our safety from climate change.
I will add to this page from time to time.
PLEASE NOTE, WE ARE NOT COLLECTING FOR THESE CHARITIES. WE ARE SIMPLY PROVIDING THE INFORMATION SO THAT YOU CAN CONTACT THEM YOURSELVES. You can. though tell us about your projects, and subject to space relevance and demands on my time I will try to mention them here.
Mencap is the voice of learning disability. Every day, we support thousands of parents, carers and people with a learning disability to lead a full and valued life. About Mencap and what we do More about learning disability
Welcome to the Down's Syndrome Association website. 2010 marks our 40th anniversary of providing help for people Down's syndrome.
Setting lively minds free. The Sequal Trust aims to bridge the communication gap by supplying specialist communication equipment for disabled people of all ages across the UK.
RDA by working with horses, offers opportunities for therapy, achievement and enjoyment to its community of participants and volunteers. RDA enables people with disabilities to ride or carriage drive to benefit their health and well-being and to achieve their goals.
Carmarthen Carriage drivers is a newly formed Carriage Driving Group (affiliated to the RDA - see above) and is actively looking to recruit new members and helpers. We hope to expand over the coming season and introduce a range of new activities.
Our son, James, is a member of this group and also attends a special needs equestrian course at Bowling's Riding Centre organised by Pembroke College. He loves being with horses, especially in more informal groups such as the Carriage Drivers. He finds more formal situations challenging at the moment. Horses are big scary animals to him, but once he is on board (either carriage or saddle) he really loves the movement, and asks to go back again all week.
Cerebra is a unique charity set up to help improve the lives of children with brain related conditions through researching, educating and directly supporting children and their carers. We recognise the child with a disability as a child first and foremost and try to work for them as children rather than for their disability. We want to improve their lives and help them be comfortable with their world, giving them the chances for experiences and enjoyment that all children should have. We aim to spread understanding and tolerance of all neurological conditions, leading to a culture of inclusion. In which children can make a choice about their life's direction and participate fully in society. Cerebra services add value to the child by taking a holistic approach. Fun, happiness and letting children (and their families) enjoy their childhood are very important to us.
Knucklas Community Land Project
Knucklas Castle Community Land Project is a transition project encompassing Archeology and local-history, Nature Conservation, Education, Allotments, Community Orchard, New Village green and heaps of community spirit.
KNUCKLAS CASTLE MOUND
A Cadw
scheduled monument, the 21 acre site has been bought by some philanthropic
locals who are leasing it. The Knucklas Castle Community Land Project whilst
the money is raised to purchase the site for the whole community. The funds for
this important community project are being raised through the sales of shares
and donations.
Surrounding Area
Sited at the confluence of the Teme and Heyope valleys in Radnorshire, Knucklas
Castle overlooks Shropshire’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
Offa’s Dyke and the River Teme, the border between Wales and England
Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution
The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) is a grant-making
charity that supports members of the farming community facing need, hardship or
distress. We were founded in 1860 and have an unbroken history of providing
long-term care
and emergency help. The help is provided for retired farmers, farm workers and
working farmers and their families who find themselves in financial
difficulties. In 2010 RABI is very proud to be celebrating its 150th
anniversary.
(After 40 years in some form of agriculture you must expect me to include
this one!)
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) was formed in 1963. We are an
umbrella organisation for 13
humanitarian aid agencies.
At times of overseas emergency, the DEC brings together a unique alliance of the
UK's aid, corporate, public and broadcasting sectors to rally the nation's
compassion, and ensure that funds raised go to DEC agencies best placed to
deliver effective and timely relief to people most in need. The DEC's remit is
to unite agency efforts in times of disaster - such as flood, earthquake or
famine - wherever it happens in the world. The way
we at DEC approach our work is to maximise funds raised and ensure they
are spent in an effective and fully accountable way.
About MSF: The MSF role in emergency medical aid Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organisation that provides emergency medical assistance to populations in danger in more than 70 countries. In countries where health structures are insufficient or even non-existant, MSF collaborates with authorities such as the Ministry of Health to provide assistance. MSF works in rehabilitation of hospitals and dispensaries, vaccination programmes and water and sanitation projects. MSF also works in remote health care centres, slum areas and provides training of local personnel. All this is done with the objective of rebuilding health structures to acceptable levels
(MSF was one of my Father's favourite charities, and he asked for a collection to made for MSF at his funeral last year.)