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tass--2019-12-29--Merkel, Macron hail prisoner exchange in Donbass - German government spokesperson
| 2019-12-29T00:00:00 |
tass
|
Merkel, Macron hail prisoner exchange in Donbass - German government spokesperson
|
BERLIN, December 29. /TASS/. Berlin and Paris hail Sunday’s exchange of detainees in Donbass as a step helping rebuild trust between the sides, German government deputy spokesperson Martina Fitz said. "Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron hail today’s release and exchange of prisoners in eastern Ukraine," she said. "Ahead of the New Year and Orthodox Christmas celebrations, today’s swap was a humanitarian gesture that has been awaited for long. It will be a contribution to the restoration of trust between the sides," she said. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also welcomed the exchange of detainees and stressed that "assertive diplomacy yields results." He pledged that Berlin and Paris would continue efforts to settle the Ukrainian conflict. Kiev and the Donbass republics exchanged prisoners earlier on Sunday. The swap was carried put near the Mayorskoye checkpoint. According to preliminary data, Ukraine released 124 people and the Donbass republics handed over to Kiev 76 people.
| null |
https://tass.com/world/1104711
|
Sun, 29 Dec 2019 19:41:04 +0300
| 1,577,666,464 | 1,577,665,487 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
576,066 |
tass--2019-12-29--OSCE hails prisoner swap in Donbass
| 2019-12-29T00:00:00 |
tass
|
OSCE hails prisoner swap in Donbass
|
KIEV, December 29. /TASS/. Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson in-Office in Ukraine Martin Sajdik has hailed Sunday’s prisoner exchange between Kiev and the Donbass republics. "I sincerely welcome the mutual release and exchange of detainees today, pursuant to a common decision of the Trilateral Contract Group, with the participation of representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine, taken on 23 December 2019. This is a very important step, which has been long awaited by both the detainees and their relatives and friends, made on the eve of the New Year and Christmas celebrations, it has special symbolic resonance," he said in press statement on Sunday. He called on the parties to "to continue to apply all necessary efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine through the full and comprehensive implementation of the Minsk agreements, including by drawing on the recommendations of the Normandy Four." Kiev and the Donbass republics exchanged prisoners earlier on Sunday. The swap was carried put near the Mayorskoye checkpoint. According to preliminary data, Ukraine released 124 people and the Donbass republics handed over to Kiev 76 people.
| null |
https://tass.com/world/1104713
|
Sun, 29 Dec 2019 19:44:03 +0300
| 1,577,666,643 | 1,577,665,483 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
576,074 |
tass--2019-12-29--Putin, Merkel hail prisoner swap in Donbass - Kremlin
| 2019-12-29T00:00:00 |
tass
|
Putin, Merkel hail prisoner swap in Donbass - Kremlin
|
MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Gemrna Chancellor Angela Merkel have hailed Sunday’s prisoner exchange in Donbass, the Kremlin press service said on Sunday after their telephone conversation. "The sides gave a positive assessment of the prisoner exchange in the all-identified-for-all-identified format that took place today in the Donetsk region," the press service said. The conversation was initiated by the German side. Kiev and the Donbass republics exchanged prisoners earlier on Sunday. The swap was carried put near the Mayorskoye checkpoint. According to preliminary data, Ukraine released 124 people and the Donbass republics handed over to Kiev 76 people.
| null |
https://tass.com/politics/1104697
|
Sun, 29 Dec 2019 18:49:56 +0300
| 1,577,663,396 | 1,577,665,465 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
576,089 |
tass--2019-12-29--Ukraine receives 76 people in prisoner swap with Donbass - Zelensky’s office
| 2019-12-29T00:00:00 |
tass
|
Ukraine receives 76 people in prisoner swap with Donbass - Zelensky’s office
|
KIEV, December 29. /TASS/. Ukraine has received 76 people in a prisoner swap with the Donbass republics, the office of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said on Sunday. "The mutual release of prisoners is over. Seventy-six our people are in safety in the territory controlled by Ukraine," it said on its Telegram account, adding that details will be made public later. Kiev and the Donbass republics exchanged prisoners earlier on Sunday. The swap was carried put near the Mayorskoye checkpoint. According to preliminary information, Kiev released and handed over 124 people to the Donbass republics.
| null |
https://tass.com/world/1104675
|
Sun, 29 Dec 2019 17:49:02 +0300
| 1,577,659,742 | 1,577,665,489 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
576,132 |
tass--2019-12-30--Putin uses his influence to aid Donbass prisoner swap, Kremlin says
| 2019-12-30T00:00:00 |
tass
|
Putin uses his influence to aid Donbass prisoner swap, Kremlin says
|
On December 29, a prisoner swap between Kiev and the self-proclaimed Donbass republics took place near the line of contact in the area of Gorlovka. This was the first large-scale prisoner swap in two years. According to preliminary data, Ukraine handed over 124 people to Donbass, while the Donbass republics released 76 prisoners. MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin uses his influence to aid the prisoner swap between Kiev and Donbass, however, he does not take part in the negotiations, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday. "The Russian president does not take part in these negotiations, in these contacts. He uses his influence and authority to ensure that the exchange takes place. The exchange itself is carried out by the conflict sides. As you know, Russia is not a side in this conflict," the Kremlin spokesman said in response to a question by a Ukrainian reporter, who claimed that the prisoner swaps only take place "after a corresponding agreement with Vladimir Putin." Peskov pointed out that there are no direct bilateral contacts between Kiev and the Donbass republics. "If there had been any, there would have been more progress. So we currently have a trilateral commission," he said. The spokesman added that the mediation of the Russian side is important "only due to the lack of direct contacts." He refused to answer a question on whether the Donbass republics had approved the prisoner swap list with Moscow. "I have nothing to add, I cannot provide you with more detailed information," he said.
| null |
https://tass.com/politics/1104853
|
Mon, 30 Dec 2019 13:19:23 +0300
| 1,577,729,963 | 1,577,708,477 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
810,071 |
themoscowtimes--2019-08-23--Russia Ukraine Near Prisoner Swap Including Jailed Sailors Media
| 2019-08-23T00:00:00 |
themoscowtimes
|
Russia, Ukraine Near Prisoner Swap Including Jailed Sailors – Media
|
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to exchange as many as 66 prisoners held in both countries as soon as next week, including 24 Ukrainian sailors captured off the coast of Crimea last year, media outlets have reported. Russia holds dozens of Ukrainian captives following five years of conflict in eastern Ukraine, but it is unclear how many Russians are being held by Kiev. The Kremlin said Thursday it was in talks with Kiev on a possible prisoner exchange, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s key campaign promise this year. Russia and Ukraine are close to swapping 33 captives from each side, the RBC news website reported Thursday, citing an unnamed source familiar with the negotiations. Two sources from each side familiar with the details of the negotiations later confirmed the report with RBC. The prisoner exchange could happen by the end of August, the Kommersant business daily reported Thursday, citing unnamed sources familiar with Russian-Ukrainian negotiations. Russia would hand over the 24 Ukrainian sailors as part of the deal, Kommersant reported. Ukrainian and Russian media outlets have cited a lawyer for one of the convicts as saying that the swap could take place as soon as Aug. 28 or Aug. 29. Five Ukrainians convicted in Russia had been transferred to a prison in Moscow earlier this week, which an RBC source said was a signal that preparations for the exchange were underway. Ukraine’s human rights chief is in Moscow ahead of the prisoner swap, RBC reported, and Russia’s human rights chief reportedly arrived in Kiev Friday. Jailed Russian-Ukrainian journalist Kirill Vyshinsky has refused to be exchanged, saying he wants to clear his name in Ukrainian court. Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence in Russia, has not been mentioned in the reported Russian-Ukrainian exchange lists. Zelenskiy had offered to exchange Vyshinsky for Sentsov last month as a “first step.” The Russian Navy captured the Ukrainian sailors and their three vessels in the Kerch Strait, which links the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, on Nov. 25, 2018, after opening fire on them. President Vladimir Putin said in June that the fate of the sailors must be linked to the release of Russian citizens held in Ukraine whom Moscow wants to see freed. Kiev's forces have been battling pro-Russian separatists in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine since 2014, in a conflict that has claimed more than 13,000 lives. Sporadic fighting continues despite a ceasefire agreement.
| null |
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/08/23/russia-ukraine-near-prisoner-swap-including-jailed-sailors-media-a66989
|
2019-08-23 09:08:28+00:00
| 1,566,565,708 | 1,567,533,638 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
810,137 |
themoscowtimes--2019-08-30--Ukrainian Presidents Office Says No Prisoner Swap With Russia Yet
| 2019-08-30T00:00:00 |
themoscowtimes
|
Ukrainian President's Office Says No Prisoner Swap With Russia Yet
|
Ukraine is hoping to secure the release of dozens of prisoners, including 24 sailors who were detained by Russia in the Kerch Strait last year, and filmmaker Oleg Sentsov. The office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday said no prisoner swap had taken place with Russia yet and the process was ongoing, after an earlier Facebook post by Ukraine's general prosecutor suggested a swap had been completed. Update: The prisoner exchange will not happen Friday and a final date hasn't yet been determined, a spokeswoman for Ukraine's security service (SBU) told Ukrainian media. She added that the process is going according to plan. "The process of the prisoner swap is ongoing. Information that it has been completed is untrue," the president's office said in a statement. Interfax also cited a source in Moscow denying that an exchange had taken place. Ukraine's general prosecutor had earlier reposted a comment on Facebook that the sailors and Sentsov were flying back from Russia after a prisoner swap had been completed. Russia had transferred Sentsov from a remote Arctic prison to custody in Moscow amid talks with Kiev on a possible prisoner swap, the state-run TASS and Interfax news agencies reported on Thursday. Securing a prisoner swap would be a win for Zelenskiy, who became president this year promising to bring an end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian troops have been battling Russian-backed forces in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine since 2014, in a conflict that has claimed more than 13,000 lives. Sporadic fighting continues despite a ceasefire agreement. Russia is holding dozens of Ukrainian captives from the conflict. Oleksandr Danylyuk, a top Ukrainian security official, told Ukrainian media he hoped the prisoner swap might happen on Friday, but added: "We have to wait for the exchange and then comment."
| null |
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/08/30/ukrainian-presidents-office-says-no-prisoner-swap-with-russia-yet-a67083
|
2019-08-30 06:34:00+00:00
| 1,567,161,240 | 1,569,416,993 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
810,464 |
themoscowtimes--2019-10-04--Kremlin Says It Favors All-for-All Prisoner Swap With Ukraine
| 2019-10-04T00:00:00 |
themoscowtimes
|
Kremlin Says It Favors All-for-All Prisoner Swap With Ukraine
|
Ukraine plans to carry out a major prisoner swap with Russia and hopes it will take place next week, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said late on Thursday. The comments come after a breakthrough at talks between Moscow and Kiev this week that open the way for an international summit to be held aimed at ending the conflict between Kiev and pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine's east. Russia and Ukraine swapped dozens of prisoners on Sept. 7 in a carefully negotiated rapprochement that was praised in the West and appeared to presage a thawing in relations that have been frozen since Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
| null |
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/10/04/kremlin-says-favors-all-for-all-prisoner-swap-with-ukraine-a67592
|
2019-10-04 07:48:00+00:00
| 1,570,189,680 | 1,570,633,687 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
811,165 |
themoscowtimes--2019-12-29--Pro-Russian Separatists and Ukraine Begin All-for-All Prisoner Swap
| 2019-12-29T00:00:00 |
themoscowtimes
|
Pro-Russian Separatists and Ukraine Begin All-for-All Prisoner Swap
|
Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine started a full prisoner swap on Sunday, driving all remaining detainees in the five-year conflict to a handover point and starting to unload them. The swap, at a checkpoint near the industrial town of Horlivka in the Donetsk region, was expected to see Ukraine hand over 87 separatists in exchange for 55 pro-government Ukrainians, with armed troops from both sides looking on. Ukrainian men and women dressed in civilian clothing got off a bus after being brought to the rendez-vous point by separatist forces and were then herded into a nearby tent. "The first 25 freed Ukrainians soon will be home," Ukraine's presidential office said. The exchange, scheduled to be completed later on Sunday, is likely to be hailed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as proof he is making good on a promise to bring captured Ukrainians home. But some in Ukraine are unhappy that riot police accused of opening fire on protesters against the country's Russia-friendly then-president Viktor Yanukovich in 2014 are among those expected to be handed over. And though the swap will help build confidence between the two sides who are wrangling over how to implement a 2014 peace deal, serious disagreements remain and full normalization is a long way off. "Today’s prisoner exchange in Donbass will bring relief to the persons involved and their families, but it will not bring the (peace) settlement any closer," Dmitri Trenin, head of the Moscow Carnegie Center and a former colonel in the Russian army, wrote on social media. "The... terms remain anathema in Kiev, and this won’t change. The conflict is much more likely to become frozen than resolved." Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Zelenskiy prepared the ground for the exchange at a summit in Paris earlier this month. Kiev's forces have been battling separatists in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine since 2014 in a conflict that has claimed more than 13,000 lives. Sporadic fighting continues despite a ceasefire agreement. Relations between Ukraine and Russia collapsed following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014, and its subsequent support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. There have been several prisoner exchanges between Kiev and the separatists. In the last swap, conducted in December 2017, Ukraine handed over about 300 captives in exchange for around 70 people. Zelenskiy won a landslide election victory in April promising to end the conflict. Widely criticized domestically for his plan to grant special status to Donbass to help end the five-year conflict, Zelenskiy's latest actions have given rise to cautious optimism in some quarters. In September, after a carefully negotiated rapprochement, Russia and Ukraine swapped dozens of prisoners in a move that brought Western praise. Relations between the two countries have shown signs of improving in other areas too, including in the gas sector where Kiev and Moscow are discussing a new transit contract. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of using gas supplies to put pressure on it, but last week the parties managed to agree on the main points of a new deal.
| null |
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/12/29/pro-russian-separatists-and-ukraine-begin-all-for-all-prisoner-swap-a68772
|
Sun, 29 Dec 2019 10:43:00 +0100
| 1,577,634,180 | 1,577,623,983 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
1,066,508 |
unian--2019-12-14--On Dec 18, specific date for Donbas ceasefire, prisoner swap to be announced – Prystaiko
| 2019-12-14T00:00:00 |
unian
|
On Dec 18, specific date for Donbas ceasefire, prisoner swap to be announced – Prystaiko
|
On December 17, Ukraine will require the OSCE to change the mandate of the organization's mission to ensure obtaining accurate information on the disengagement of forces and weapons. Foreign Minister of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko hopes that on Wednesday, December 18, the Ukrainian side to the Trilateral Contact group on Donbas settlement in Minsk will hear a specific date for a ceasefire start and exchange of prisoners. "Before the end of the year, I hope we will exchange our POWs, and an agreement will be reached on Wednesday," Prystaiko told a TV panel show "Svoboda Slova" [Freedom of Speech]. Prystaiko says, working groups of the Trilateral Contact Group are set to meet in Minsk on December 18. Read alsoPrystaiko: Work on Steinmeier formula to continue, there will be no federalization In addition, the security group will require that the OSCE verify the presented data. The humanitarian group will do a final verification of prisoner swap lists. On December 17, Ukraine will require the OSCE to change the mandate of the organization's mission to ensure obtaining accurate information on the disengagement of forces and weapons. In an interview with UNIAN, Vadym Pristayko earlier said that Ukraine had completed the designation of new sites for the disengagement of forces and weapons.
| null |
https://www.unian.info/politics/10794251-on-dec-18-specific-date-for-donbas-ceasefire-prisoner-swap-to-be-announced-prystaiko.html
|
Sat, 14 Dec 2019 12:55:00 +0200
| 1,576,346,100 | 1,576,327,051 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
1,066,860 |
unian--2019-12-29--Prisoner swap: Ukraine hands over 127 people to Donbas militants – Ukraine's official
| 2019-12-29T00:00:00 |
unian
|
Prisoner swap: Ukraine hands over 127 people to Donbas militants – Ukraine's official
|
Fourteen people refused to take part in the swap and return to occupied Donbas. Advisor to Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Serhiy Sivokho says Ukraine has handed over 127 people to Russian-backed militants in the self-proclaimed "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics" ("DPR"/"LPR"), as part of a prisoner swap. "[We] handed over 127 [people] and took 76," he told the Ukrainian news outlet Hromadske, which posted the relevant video on Twitter on December 29. Sivokho noted that the Ukrainian side expected to get 80 people released by agreement, but four of them remained in the occupied territory because of their families. In turn, Ukraine's Representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group for the Donbas settlement Valeria Lutkovska said the Ukrainian side was set to transfer 141 people to the occupied territory of Donbas, but 14 persons refused to participate in the swap. Lutkovskaya also added that the data needed to be clarified. As UNIAN reported earlier, the prisoner swap of held persons between the Ukrainian government and representatives of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics" took place at the Mayorsk checkpoint in Donetsk region on Sunday, December 29.
| null |
https://www.unian.info/politics/10814207-prisoner-swap-ukraine-hands-over-127-people-to-donbas-militants-ukraine-s-official.html
|
Sun, 29 Dec 2019 19:30:00 +0200
| 1,577,665,800 | 1,577,665,963 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
1,066,867 |
unian--2019-12-30--"People get nabbed every day" – ex-Donbas prisoner on realities in occupied areas
| 2019-12-30T00:00:00 |
unian
|
"People get nabbed every day" – ex-Donbas prisoner on realities in occupied areas
|
Maksym Teorenter says he had to fight for his life and dignity throughout all four years in prison. People get arrested every day in the temporarily occupied areas of Donbas, says Maksym Teorenter, one of the ex-prisoners of the Donbas occupation authorities who was released as part of a major swap on December 29. "People get nabbed there every day. Life is impossible there. No one is happy. Ukraine is like Hollywood to them! You can't imagine ... Coming here is like coming to Hollywood," Teorenter told Liga net. According to the ex-prisoner, throughout the time spent in captivity, he had to fight for his life and dignity. Read alsoZelensky: If I had 100 Berkut police troops, I would swap them all for just one intel operative "Believe me, they want to take away from us this dignity and this honor. It's very hard there, those people loathe us," Teorenter said. Also, he claimed he personally saw and knew another 15 Ukrainians who are still being held hostage by Russian militants and have not been put on the swap list. As UNIAN reported earlier, on December 29, an exchange of held persons was carried out between the Ukrainian side and representatives of the Russian-controlled occupation administrations in Donbas. Seventy-six people were returned to Ukraine in exchange for 124 persons requested by the other side. On the evening of the same day, liberated Ukrainians arrived at the Boryspil Airport near Kyiv.
| null |
https://www.unian.info/society/10814603-people-get-nabbed-every-day-ex-donbas-prisoner-on-realities-in-occupied-areas.html
|
Mon, 30 Dec 2019 15:40:00 +0200
| 1,577,738,400 | 1,577,753,961 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
563,275 |
tass--2019-03-25--Kremlin Different approaches obstruct all-for-all prisoner exchange in Donbass
| 2019-03-25T00:00:00 |
tass
|
Kremlin: Different approaches obstruct ‘all-for-all’ prisoner exchange in Donbass
|
MOSCOW, March 25. /TASS/. Russia stands for the ‘all-for-all’ format of exchanging prisoners of war (POWs) in Donbass, but the sides keep displaying different approaches to this process, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. "I would like to reiterate the Russian president’s earlier statement that Russia has been long backing this process [‘all-for-all’ exchange], and in this case it all comes to a halt due to different approaches to what the ‘all- for-all’ process actually means," Peskov said. "Unfortunately, nuances remain regarding the approaches," Peskov added, but did not specify the nature of the so-called ‘nuances.’ The prisoner swap issue remains one of the key points of the Minsk agreements. The last and biggest Donbass prisoner swap took place on December 27, 2017. Kiev handed over 233 prisoners to the Donbass republics and received 73 prisoners in return. Both parties stressed that the prisoner exchange process had not been completed and they were determined to do everything possible to continue it in 2018. In other media
| null |
http://tass.com/politics/1050345
|
2019-03-25 11:21:55+00:00
| 1,553,527,315 | 1,567,544,913 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
576,046 |
tass--2019-12-28--Zelensky confirms preparations for prisoner exchange in Donbass on Dec 29
| 2019-12-28T00:00:00 |
tass
|
Zelensky confirms preparations for prisoner exchange in Donbass on Dec 29
|
KIEV, December 28. /TASS/. Kiev is preparing to exchange prisoners in Donbass on Sunday, December 29, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said on Saturday. "Prisoners will be exchanged. We are expecting that," he was quoted as saying by the presidential office’s press service. "Verification of all people should be fully completed," Zelensky added. Prisoner exchange is expected near the Mayorskoye point of entry/exit on the line of contact in Donbass early on Sunday. According to DPR Commissioner for Human Rights Darya Morozova, Donetsk and Lugansk will hand over 55 people to Kiev and expect to receive 87 people.
| null |
https://tass.com/world/1104551
|
Sat, 28 Dec 2019 16:50:08 +0300
| 1,577,569,808 | 1,577,578,909 |
conflict, war and peace
|
prisoners of war
|
3,904 |
activistpost--2019-01-30--New State Regulations Force a California Charity for the Homeless to Close Shop
| 2019-01-30T00:00:00 |
activistpost
|
New State Regulations Force a California Charity for the Homeless to Close Shop
|
For the past four years, Deliverance San Diego has been delivering hot meals to the city’s homeless population every Friday, averaging 200 donated meals on any given evening. Now, due to new guidelines passed by the State Legislature of California, the non-profit is ceasing operations and will dissolve by the end of the month. Through their existing model, hot meals were prepared in volunteer homes and distributed on the streets. “Volunteers from various churches gather at 17th and Commercial downtown to load four food wagons with chili, soup, cornbread, water, and other snacks,” the group’s web site explains. “We offer prayer and spiritual support, but one of the easiest things we do is get someone’s name and remember it.” Through the new requirements, set forth by the San Diego Department of Environmental Health, Deliverance would need to use licensed, state-approved kitchens, implement hand-washing stations, and meet a variety of other requirements. With a yearly budget of less than $7,000, according to the non-profit’s treasurer, Deliverance determined it can no longer sustain operations without extensive and expensive organizational changes. “We’re on a shoestring budget,” explains volunteer Gary Marttila, “so working out all those logistics became too big of an obstacle to overcome.” ABC 10 News in San Diego tells more of their story: As the San Diego Union-Tribune explains, several of the law’s backers have expressed surprise at the closure of Deliverance. According to Heather Buonomo, a program coordinator with the Department of Environmental Health, some sort of workaround may have been available or achievable. “We’re happy to work with them to find a solution that works for their charitable organization,” she said. According to Monique Limón, one of the bill’s authors, “The law would encourage more charities to provide food for the needy while also creating a level of oversight to ensure they follow proper health guidelines.” The fact that it didn’t even try says something about the pressure that these policies put on small and vulnerable charities and institutions who don’t feel they have political sway. Yet it’s unclear what exactly would or could have been done if Deliverance had tried to negotiate with the state and find “a solution that works.” And the fact that it didn’t even try or think it could try says something about the pressure that these policies put on small and vulnerable charities and institutions who don’t feel they have political sway. Likewise, one can make any number of arguments about food safety, as Limón does, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which more burdens, more requirements, and tighter regulations will somehow “encourage more charities to provide food for the needy.” The reality is that the state’s dream of regulated soup and sandwiches is taking precedence over the bottom-up activity of neighbors who are passionate about loving their neighbors. Is that really an acceptable trade-off, particularly in an area that so desperately needs an intimate and personalized approach? “We’ve sought to provide comfort to those who are going through an incredibly difficult time,” says Deliverance’s press release on the closure. “In many situations, they are without a home due to no fault of their own. This action by the state creates significant barriers to those organizations like ours who simply want to show God’s love through a hot meal and some conversation.” Given the good—and thus far, safe—work of organizations like Deliverance, such regulations represent a prime example of the “unseen costs” of government action. In some cases, well-intended government policies lead to trade imbalances or economic surpluses or corporate cronyism or community inequities—all of which yield their own forms of social corrosion. But in cases such as these, we see the ill effects of these policies on charitable activity, resulting in real and tangible barriers to human love and relationship. This article was reprinted with permission from the Acton Institute and was sourced from FEE.org Joseph Sunde is an associate editor and writer for the Acton Institute. His work has appeared in venues such as The Federalist, First Things, Intellectual Takeout, The City, The Christian Post, The Stream, Patheos, LifeSiteNews, Charisma News, The Green Room, Juicy Ecumenism, Ethika Politika, Made to Flourish, and the Center for Faith and Work. Joseph resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife and four children.
|
Activist Post
|
https://www.activistpost.com/2019/01/new-state-regulations-force-a-california-charity-for-the-homeless-to-close-shop.html
|
2019-01-30 17:20:15+00:00
| 1,548,886,815 | 1,567,550,186 |
society
|
welfare
|
57,515 |
birminghammail--2019-02-25--Replace charity shops with something more meaningful says leader
| 2019-02-25T00:00:00 |
birminghammail
|
Replace charity shops with something 'more meaningful', says leader
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Charity shops could be developed into 'something meaningful' to help save town centres, according to the leader of Walsall Council. Speaking at a recent meeting about the future of town centres, Cllr Mike Bird referred to charity shops as 'endemic', claiming that landlords have no incentive to develop them as they do not have to pay rates in the same way that other businesses do. Charity shops receive a mandatory 80 per cent discount on their business rates, but their local authority can decide whether or not to offer any additional relief on the remaining 20 per cent. And Cllr Bird has suggested removing any discretionary exemption from charity shops, potentially forcing landlords to develop the sites into something more profitable. "To be honest, the retail offer across the UK has to shrink," he said. "And I said only this week, the retail offer has to be surrounded in the periphery by that residential development, because your customers there are then walking into your town centres, enjoying the leisure offer, which I think is where retail will go in the future. "I think it’s the guy who started Iceland who said that high streets now are going to be nail shops, charity shops and coffee bars. "The charity shops obviously are endemic because once they’re in there then the owner doesn’t have to pay any rates. So therefore there’s no incentive for that individual to develop that site of that shop into something meaningful. "So maybe we have to look at that and say ‘right, I think we have to look at the charity shop as a discretionary exemption. "And maybe we should say no, sorry Mr Landowner, you might live miles away but we’re not going to give you that discretion. Which makes them think ‘what have I got to do to fill this shop?’ "And I think that’s the pressure we’ve got to put on absent landlords. We all suffer from this. It’s an investment when you’ve got a tenant, but it’s a liability when you haven’t. So we’ve got to make that investment a liability, so they turn it back into an investment." Cllr Bird was speaking at the West Midlands Combined Authority 's (WMCA) Housing and Land Development Board, where councillors were considering progress on the Town Centres Programme. Bilston in Wolverhampton, Bordesley Green in Birmingham, West Bromwich East, the St Thomas Quarter in Dudley and the St Matthew's Quarter in Walsall were all revealed as pilot areas for the West Midlands Combined Authority's (WMCA) Town Centre Programme last year.
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Tom Dare
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/replace-charity-shops-something-more-15885113
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2019-02-25 17:01:51+00:00
| 1,551,132,111 | 1,567,547,344 |
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58,764 |
birminghammail--2019-03-20--Solihull cycle scheme set to become a charity
| 2019-03-20T00:00:00 |
birminghammail
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Solihull cycle scheme set to become a charity
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A Solihull scheme put in place to promote cycling is set to become a full-blown charity. Solihull Wheels For All, which runs sessions at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, was set up to support a wide range of riders. The project includes work to run activities for those with physical and learning disabilities, with a number of specially-adapted bicycles available. The council had played a key role in setting up Wheels For All back in 2014, but it argues that it would now benefit from becoming an independent charity - and that this would boost the opportunities to increase the fleet of bikes. The move, due to be approved by Cllr Joe Tildesley, cabinet member for leisure, tourism and sport, later this week, would save the local authority £2,066 - with the money reassigned to other public health initiatives. Sadie Walker, the council's sports development and facilities officer, said: "This option would allow community and partner ownership, and more importantly the ability to access funding streams that are currently inaccessible to the council." Wheels for All runs weekly sessions on the Tudor Grange athletics track from March to November. Between April 2017 and March last year, almost 300 people had taken part -more than half of whom had a disability. While a significant number of participants are from Solihull - around 40 per cent - the sessions also attract considerable interest from neighbouring Birmingham, as well as involvement from people living in other authorities, including Redditch and Sandwell. Should a transition to charity status be approved, Ms Walker said Solihull Council would retain a place on the Wheels for All steering group.
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David Irwin
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/solihull-cycle-scheme-set-become-15993502
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2019-03-20 10:33:16+00:00
| 1,553,092,396 | 1,567,545,453 |
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60,858 |
birminghammail--2019-04-18--Heartwarming response from community for homeless dogs charity
| 2019-04-18T00:00:00 |
birminghammail
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Heartwarming response from community for homeless dogs charity
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A mum has come up with a pioneering way to help homeless people's pets - as well as the environment. Rebecca Jackson uses shredded-up packaging to make waterproof mats for Street Vet, a charity that supports street sleeper’s dogs. Sam's Bostin Bites, the cafe she works at in Cradley Heath, has an endless supply of plastic bread bags, which she collects to make the DIY crochet mats. She was inspired to help the charity after her sons Harry, 11, and eight-year-old James, returned home from school with a letter about a student leadership programme. Pupils at Timbertree Academy were asked to help support the charity by donating blankets, leads, collars, treats and toys to make life on the streets more comfortable for the loyal canine companions. Speaking to Black Country Live, Rebecca, who lives in Cradley Heath, said: "As my sons were collecting for the dogs, I thought they'd be a good idea to help prevent their beds and blankets getting soggy - I'd heard of something similar for homeless people. "At the cafe we try to be as environmentally friendly as possible but are conscious we throw away a huge number of plastic bread bags. "They're waterproof, insulating and washable so it was the perfect way of up-cycling them for a great cause.” When asked on how long it takes to create one of the mats, the 46-year-old said that it can take up to five evenings due to the plastic being harder to work with than standard wool. In addition to her own donations, Rebecca also managed to convince The Big Pet Store in Hereward Rise, Halesowen, to donate £300 worth of goods to the charity. Store manager, Darren Burke, said: "The dogs that are on the street are often the only thing homeless people have and it strikes a cord with us. “I donated things that I thought they might want: treats, toys, a few blankets and things that I thought they wouldn't have, luxury things that they wouldn't go out and buy.”
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Charlotte Regen, Kelly Ashmore
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/heartwarming-response-community-homeless-dogs-16001685
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2019-04-18 11:15:11+00:00
| 1,555,600,511 | 1,567,542,501 |
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62,138 |
birminghammail--2019-05-20--Golden Tamworth couple celebrate wedding anniversary by donating to charity
| 2019-05-20T00:00:00 |
birminghammail
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Golden Tamworth couple celebrate wedding anniversary by donating to charity
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A kind Tamworth couple celebrated their marriage milestone by giving donations to charity. Golden wedding couple Geoff and Jackie Dawson, from Bonehill, tied the knot in St Helens back on May 10, 1969. But instead of presents, they asked for donations to Macmillan Cancer Support and First Responders at their Statfold Barn celebrations, raising hundreds in the process - £250 for Macmillan and £170 for First Responders. Jackie said: “When you get to this age you have got everything you want and people do want to give so we thought we would ask for donations. We have never needed the charities but you hear so many good reports of what they do.” Jackie, 74, and Geoff, 71 have a shared love of music, theatre and gardening and often take their motorhome to Scotland and France. But when they first met in 1966 Jackie was engaged to another man! Geoff said: “I first met Jackie the day I started work at Pilkingtons in St Helens. I was shown into the computer room where I would be working and my eyes were immediately drawn to an attractive young lady. I remember my first thoughts were ‘I hope I will be working with her’. “And so it turned out - we worked together operating the computer. Initial prospects for us were not promising. I was 18 and she was nearly 21 and engaged but we worked really well together, enjoyed each other’s company and laughed a lot. And, as you can see, it did work out. “Our wedding, like most others back then, was a simple affair. You can see it was a long time ago because the pictures are in black and white! We got married at the local methodist church followed by a reception in the upstairs room of a pub. We only just fit into the room and Jackie had to make her entrance to the top table by crawling underneath it!” Remembering how they got together, Jackie said: “It was a bit slow at first but it was inevitable. We knew after a few months really. We worked shifts together, mornings and afternoons, and we worked really hard so we could finish early.” Their honeymoon was a three day stay in a hotel in Fishguard, south Wales, or so they thought! Geoff recalled: “Unfortunately there was a mix up. The date I thought was our last night, they thought was the day we were leaving and all their rooms were booked by members of a visiting London orchestra. “They took pity on us and found us a local B and B not far away which also had members of the orchestra staying. So on our honeymoon we were serenaded by musicians practising for that evening performance. Maybe that is where our shared interest in classical music first developed!” The couple moved to Bonehill in 1987 and have lived there ever since. They have two sons, Phillip, 47 and John, 44, and four grandchildren, Rose, Natt, Connie and Joe. And asked their secret, Geoff said: “There has always got to be love there but we also get on really well. We are each other’s favourite company. “We still make a great team, we still enjoy each other’s company and we still laugh a lot and long may it continue.” Jackie said: “We just get on really well. We are basically best friends and have the same interests. We don’t stop each other doing anything.”
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Dan Newbould
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/golden-tamworth-couple-celebrate-wedding-16304230
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2019-05-20 16:01:28+00:00
| 1,558,382,488 | 1,567,540,383 |
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66,323 |
birminghammail--2019-09-07--Woman finds 930 stuffed inside an album she bought at Mind charity shop for 350
| 2019-09-07T00:00:00 |
birminghammail
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Woman finds £930 stuffed inside an album she bought at Mind charity shop for £3.50
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A woman got a lovely surprise when she found £930 in cash hidden inside an item she bought at a charity shop for just £3.50. The money was stashed inside the sleeve of a Carpenters LP at a Mind store. Hannah Renwick, aged 26, picked up the record, which was priced at £3.50, and banknotes started to fall out. But honest Hannah did the decent thing and handed the money to shop staff and now it has gone into the mental health charity's coffers. Hannah told the Manchester Evening News about her astonishing find at the Stockton Heath, Warrington, branch. "It was a really weird experience," Hannah said. "I was just looking through the charity shops in Stockton Heath on Saturday, as I absolutely love charity shops. "I try not to buy anything new and like buying second-hand. I was just flicking through the records outside the Mind shop and I was quite shocked and perplexed when money fell out." She initially thought she was the victim of a prank but then realised that the cash was old-style bank notes. Kate Holt, the assistant manger, checked and realised the album was not a gift aid item and they couldn't trace the owner. After returning the cash, Hannah opted to buy the Carpenters album for £3.50. Hannah, a chemistry graduate who works at the National Nuclear Labority, said she thought there would be "around £500 or so", so was shocked when the total came to £930. She said that she had 'no hesitation" about handing the money in to the charity shop. "My grandmother used to hide money in a place she thought it was safe and could never remember where the places were," she said. "It did feel father strange handing over £3.50 for the album after I'd found all that money. Kate Holt said all the money will go to Mind at a national level to provide advice and information to the one in four of people who will experience a mental health problem.
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[email protected] (Helen Bennicke, Jane Tyler)
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/woman-finds-930-stuffed-inside-16881525
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2019-09-07 14:13:00+00:00
| 1,567,879,980 | 1,569,330,862 |
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66,767 |
birminghammail--2019-10-03--Breast cancer charity Coppafeel links with Slug Lettuce to raise awareness of killer condition
| 2019-10-03T00:00:00 |
birminghammail
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Breast cancer charity Coppafeel! links with Slug & Lettuce to raise awareness of killer condition
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A national bar chain is partnering leading breast cancer charity Coppafeel! as part of a mission to raise awareness of the condition. For a limited time only, Slug & Lettuce, will launch festive tipples to educate customers on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, encouraging regular self-checking and empowering young people to see their GP if anything changes The chain will also donate 25p from each Berry Boobtini mocktail sold to the charity. From just £4.95, the specially-designed drink mixes strawberry purée shaken with coconut syrup, cranberry juice, lime and apple juice topped with a dollop of cream and a raspberry. All Slug & Lettuce sites across the country, including those in Birmingham and the Black Country, will be working with CoppaFeel! University Boob Teams to host events and raise funds for the charity. These events include a number of ‘Boob Brunches’ where, for just £6.00 (£2.50 donation to CoppaFeel!) customers can enjoy a brunch dish, a Boobtini, hot drinks, a Boobette talk and a craft activity. The charity looks forward to spreading more awareness with Slug & Lettuce’s support - as it’s proven that early detection of breast cancer saves lives. Ellie Baldwin, at CoppaFeel! said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Slug & Lettuce. At CoppaFeel! we have made it our mission to get our message out there to the masses and what better way than through over 80 popular bars throughout the UK. Not only is the Berry Boobtini delicious but the 25p donation makes it even sweeter!” Sarah Berry, Senior Brand Manager at Slug & Lettuce said: “Our partnership with CoppaFeel! is such an exciting time for us. Not only is it an incredibly worthy cause but the work they do throughout the UK is exceptional. We are excited to bring the Boobettes into bars up and down the country to spread the message even further.”
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[email protected] (Brett Gibbons)
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/breast-cancer-charity-coppafeel-links-17024989
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2019-10-03 14:28:37+00:00
| 1,570,127,317 | 1,570,221,696 |
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67,160 |
birminghammail--2019-10-13--What to expect at Resorts World charity shop selling new high-end fashion at bargain prices
| 2019-10-13T00:00:00 |
birminghammail
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What to expect at Resorts World charity shop selling new high-end fashion at bargain prices
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Looking for a dress for the office Christmas party? Or some new workwear? A new charity shop has opened at Resorts World - but it's no ordinary charity shop for this one sells brand new samples and faulty stock donated by high end retailers. The 1869 Action for Children store is designed to feel like an indulgent shopping experience, without the hefty price tag, enabling you to pick up items for a fraction of their original price. "The items are samples or faulty items donated to us by retailers because they are unable to sell them on the shop floor," said Charrice Richmond, retail project manager for Action for Children. She added: "Some have broken zips or missing buttons, all of which are easily fixed. The labels are always crossed out or cut to make sure people don't try to return them to the original stores." Examples include a blue Hobbs dress with large flowers that had a price tag of £159 but was being sold for £20 at 1869 store, just because the fabric is slightly snagged. Another example is a Damsel in a Dress polka dot dress that would have retailed at £129 on sale for £20 at 1869 because it has a broken zip. "New stock will be arriving each week, we're hoping for some menswear soon and additional childrenswear too," said Charrice. "Everything that's arriving is last year's stock and many of the items from retailers like Hobbs and Phase Eight is faulty. It makes it a really environmentally friendly store. I'm not sure what would happen to all this stock if we didn't sell it. It would be a shame if it went to landfill." What to expect at 1869 The new store has black walls, atmospheric lighting and sofas plus it smells good too. "It was important to us to get the look and the smell of the shop right," said Charrice, "and the reaction we have had to it so far has been great." Nostalgic photographs of a nearby orphanage hang on the wall and there's a selfie photo frame bearing the words 'Looking good bab!' Artificial flowers and greenery is trailed along the clothing racks and there's plenty of space to wander around. There are jumpers folded on round tables and dresses, tops, skirts and trousers separated by colour on rails. A small rail offers childrenswear and there's a section in the corner full of bridalwear. Mannequins in the window boast Amanda Wakeley dresses (normally known for retailing at over £1,000) for as little as £70 each. Where does the money go? Action for Children is hoping people in the Midlands will raise £20,000 to help them support some of the country’s most vulnerable children and young people. The store raised more than £1,000 on its launch night on Thursday October 10. The name 1869 comes from the year the charity was founded when one of the first orphanages was opened in the UK. It was then known as the National Children's Charity. Today, there are nearly Action for Children services across the UK, helping children in every aspect of life in the UK, from disability and youth services to fostering and young carers. Find out more here Charrice added: “Every single purchase will go towards helping vulnerable and disadvantage children across the UK, often in desperate situations – treating yourself to a new pair of shoes or party dress really could make the world of difference. "We want every child in the country to have a safe and happy childhood and we’re so excited to be bringing the 1869 experience to the Midlands." Take a look at these new stores opening around Birmingham this autum: The store has opened in what used to be the O'Neills shop at Resorts World. This large unit was used as a virtual reality experience centre for a while before it closed and remained empty for some time. It's a pop-up store which is due to remain there until Christmas but Action for Children bosses hope it may stay well into 2020. The store has been on tour around the UK since first opening in Watford and Norwich. So far, it has raised a total of £92,000. Run by volunteers, many of whom are students from Solihull looking to gain retail experience and who have helped with the shop design and fittings. The shop is volunteers, offering retail experience to students, and anyone looking for a way to meet new people and get involved with their community . Ian Bennett, operations director of Resorts World Birmingham, said: "We are really excited to welcome the 1869 Action for Children pop-up, it’s a great addition to our retail mix that we think our guests will love. "Action for Children does fantastic work and this is a brilliantly innovative idea that we’re delighted to support." New store launches in and around Birmingham There are lots of new shops coming to Birmingham this autumn - ready for the Christmas countdown. The hmv Vault - said to be 'Europe's largest entertainment store' - has just opened in Dale End, and Levi's is taking over the old Apple store at Bullring. There's also the first H&M HOME concept store opening in the city plus new designer children's store Base too. Action for Children in the Midlands For 150 years, Action for Children has been helping disadvantaged children across the UK through intervening early to stop neglect and abuse, fostering and adoption,supporting disabled children, and by campaigning to make life better for children and families. With some 476 services the charity improved the lives of more than 387,000 children, teenagers, parents and carers across the UK last year. Local services run by Action for Children include several Children’s Centres at Cape Hill, Hillside, Greets Green, Friar Park and Oldbury. It also supports the Midlands Adoption service and Sandwell Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS).
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[email protected] (Zoe Chamberlain)
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/what-expect-resorts-world-charity-17070416
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Sun, 13 Oct 2019 04:30:00 +0000
| 1,570,955,400 | 1,570,971,679 |
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67,947 |
birminghammail--2019-11-13--Shopper who bought £1 Chinese vase from charity shop sells it for nearly £500,000
| 2019-11-13T00:00:00 |
birminghammail
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Shopper who bought £1 Chinese vase from charity shop sells it for nearly £500,000
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A shopper who bought a £1 vase from a charity shop has sold the antique for HALF A MILLION - after it was found to belong to an Chinese 18th century emperor. The unnamed owner decided to pick up the yellow floral pear-shaped vase in a charity shop in Hertfordshire because he "liked the look of it". Unaware of its significance he later listed the small yellow vase on eBay earlier this year only to find himself inundated with messages and bids. Realising its potential he removed it from the site and took it to Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers' in Stansted Mountifitchet, Essex, for a valuation. Specialists discovered the eight inch pear-shaped vase had been made for the Qianlong Emperor, who reigned from 1735 to 1796. It is believed to have been kept in one of the emperor's palaces and commissioned in yellow, a special colour traditionally reserved for the ruler. It is inscribed with an imperial poem that "praises incense" and two iron-red seal marks that read 'Qianlong chen han' - 'the Qianlong Emperor's own mark'. The vase has a flat back so is designed to be attached to a wall, features floral decoration, and also reads 'Weijing weiyi' which translates to 'be precise, be undivided'. The successful Chinese buyer bid a hammer price of £380,000, with extra fees taking the overall figure paid to £484,000. Yexue Li, head of the Asian art department at Sworders, said: "The gentleman vendor was shocked and very excited when we explained its importance. "It's a high quality vase because it was court commissioned, so it would have been of a high value when it was made. "This has been the perfect auction story, a bargain find, a culturally important and beautiful work of art and a life changing sum of money for the vendor. He is understandably ecstatic." The Qianlong Emperor was the sixth emperor of the Qing dynasty. He abdicated in favour of his son, the Jiaqing Emperor, and died three years later aged 87 in 1799
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[email protected] (James Rodger)
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/shopper-who-bought-1-chinese-17248754
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Wed, 13 Nov 2019 11:29:24 +0000
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birminghammail--2019-12-05--Mental health charities to benefit following fundraisers in memory of Lichfield teenager Solly
| 2019-12-05T00:00:00 |
birminghammail
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Mental health charities to benefit following fundraisers in memory of Lichfield teenager Solly
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MONEY raised following the death of a Lichfield teenager will be used to support young people with, and raise awareness of, mental health problems. Solly Morris died at his home on Saturday, November 16, aged 14. The Friary High School pupil was one of eight siblings and his family say they have been overwhelmed by the support and comfort they have received from people in the city. More than £15,000 has been raised through a gofundme page, a fundraiser at the Earl of Lichfield public house and a gathering at Lichfield Skate Park and, apart from the cost of a headstone for Solly, the money will be donated to the Midlands Air Ambulance, Young Minds – a charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people and Shout, the UK’s first 24/7 text service “for anyone in crisis any time, anywhere”. Manned by a team of volunteers, Shout describes itself as a charity people can approach if they are struggling to cope and need immediate help. “Young people should be encouraged to talk about how they feel,” said Solly’s mum Caroline. “I think it will be a positive thing that the money donated will help put more counsellors in place.” Solly’s funeral took place yesterday (Wednesday, December 4) at Lichfield Cathedral followed by a private service and burial at Christ Church. The funeral costs were covered by the Co-operative as Solly was under 18. His family would like to thank everyone who attended and who has made a donation. Solly Morris was born on July 13, 2005. The youngest son in a family with eight siblings he was brother to Alex, 29, Zak, 22, Miriam, 20, David, 18, Nicky, 18, Toby, 16, and Hattie, 11. He attended Christ Church Primary School and then The Friary School in Lichfield. “Solly liked being out and about,” said his mum. “He loved the summer and unless it was wintertime he was never in. “He was interested in lots of things – he could do tricks on his bike, he could ride a unicycle, he was good at archery and juggling.” Caroline described her son, who was a committed vegetarian, as “funny, cheeky, talented”, “a rule-breaker” and “the class clown” but “gregarious” and someone who got on with people of all ages. “He was very popular,” she said. “He had some amazing friends. He was quite a character down at the skate park. “The outpouring of support from his friends has been phenomenal. “They organised a special event at the skate park for him. “We went along expecting a few young people but there were around 80 there. “We would like to thank everyone for their support at this most difficult time – the good wishes and love have helped us. “Solly was a bright, very much loved member of our family. “We are all devastated by what has happened – our lives will never be the same.” For more information about the Young Minds charity visit youngminds.org.uk Anyone in a crisis, feeling anxious, worried or distressed can text Shout to 85258. Volunteers are available to respond 24 hours a day seven days a week.
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[email protected] (Andy Kerr)
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/mental-health-charities-benefit-following-17367527
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Thu, 5 Dec 2019 12:19:46 +0000
| 1,575,566,386 | 1,575,549,101 |
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68,939 |
birminghammail--2019-12-10--Banksy to raise money for homeless charities in wake of Birmingham mural
| 2019-12-10T00:00:00 |
birminghammail
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Banksy to raise money for homeless charities in wake of Birmingham mural
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Banksy will raise money for homeless charities after his latest artwork in Birmingham featured a man sleeping on a bench went viral. The poignant mural is of reindeer taking off into the sky next to, what will now become, an iconic bench in Vyse Street in the Jewellery Quarter . An image of the Banksy and a homeless man called Ryan lying on the bench was posted on the fabled artist’s Instagram on Monday. Banksy said: “God bless Birmingham. In the 20 minutes we filmed Ryan on this bench passers-by gave him a hot drink, two chocolate bars and a lighter - without him ever asking for anything.” #Banksy.” It's today emerged that the artist has created merchandise for a concert in aid of homeless charities in his hometown of Bristol. T-shirts with a festive design will go on sale at the Give a Sh*t Xmas concert, which also features an appearance by IDLES, at Bristol's Marble Factory on Thursday. It was started two years ago by Portishead's Geoff Barrow and his band Beak will also play live on the night, while Martin Roberts from Homes Under The Hammer will compere. All proceeds from the shirts will go to local charities The Wild Goose, 1625 Independent People, Feed the Homeless Bristol and Somewhere to Go. Meanwhile, back here in Birmingham, the Banksy's paint work was 'defaced by a vandal' who reportedly shouted out "shall i tag it?" before spraying red noses on the reindeers. Graffiti artist 'Hers' contacted BirminghamLive on Tuesday claiming he was responsible for the additional paint work. The 25-year-old, from Quinton , said he is a huge fan of Banksy and only spray painted the noses red as "a subtle change." He said: "I am a huge fan of Banksy as I am also a graffiti artist and follow him on Instagram. When I saw the video I went straight over to Vyse Street to take a look. "What annoyed me was the fact that the mural was all about homelessness but then lots of money was being spent on guarding the mural. Why not spend that money helping homeless people? "It annoyed me so I went and got a tin of red spray paint. I had a picture taken on the bench and then I went and sprayed the reindeer's noses red." He said people begged him not to do it and there was 'screaming and shouting' when he sprayed the mural, adding: "I don't regret doing it. I have quite enjoyed the debate which has been taking place since i did it. "I just hope people will start concentrating more on the homeless issue now rather than who painted the reindeer noses red."
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[email protected] (Katie Brooks)
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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/banksy-raise-money-homeless-charities-17397574
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Tue, 10 Dec 2019 20:20:02 +0000
| 1,576,027,202 | 1,576,024,496 |
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77,325 |
breitbart--2019-12-12--Nine-Year-Old Gives Away 130 Bicycles to Charity
| 2019-12-12T00:00:00 |
breitbart
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Nine-Year-Old Gives Away 130 Bicycles to Charity
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A Michigan girl is spreading joy to others by giving them a new set of wheels this holiday season. Piper Shumar, 9, started a can collection to help buy bicycles for those who could not afford them, WPBN reported. Piper began the tradition of donating bikes to her local chapter of Bikes for Tikes last year, when she donated two bikes. This year, she set an initial goal of donating ten bikes, but she blew that out of the water when she collected 50,000 cans, enough to buy a total of 130 bikes to then donate to the charity. Piper and several volunteers took the time out to assemble the 130 bicycles she purchased, along with an additional 110 bikes to be donated to children in Northern Michigan. According to the Piper’s Project Facebook page, she plans on collecting enough cans to get enough money to purchase 200 bicycles next year.
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Katherine Rodriguez
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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/breitbart/~3/irl0ZoL3h1Q/
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Thu, 12 Dec 2019 21:52:40 +0000
| 1,576,205,560 | 1,576,195,672 |
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77,922 |
breitbart--2019-12-23--Border Patrol Charity Gathers Christmas Gifts for Children of Fallen Agents
| 2019-12-23T00:00:00 |
breitbart
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Border Patrol Charity Gathers Christmas Gifts for Children of Fallen Agents
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A group organized by Border Patrol agents recently collected and distributed Christmas and holiday gifts for the children of fallen agents. This marks the organization’s fifth year of giving. Border Patrol agents in the El Centro Sector began an organization that became knows as the Fallen Agents Fund shortly before Christmas 2014, Mike Matzke told Breitbart Texas in his role as president of the fund. Matzke also serves as president of the National Border Patrol Council, Local 2554. “The project began in 2014 when agents working at the Calexico Border Patrol Station decided to put on a Christmas present drive in remembrance of fallen Border Patrol agents and to support their children,” Matzke told Breitbart Texas in a phone interview. “We started with the names of 24 children of fallen agents in the local area. Since then, the number of children on the list has grown and we provided 400 gifts this year to more than 100 children in nine states.” The Fallen Agents Fund, a 501(c)(3) charity that is also listed on the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #75034), puts up Christmas trees in various Border Patrol stations. The trees are decorated with name tags of children belonging to fallen agents. “Agents take the tags and purchase gifts for that child and bring them back to the station,” Matzke explained. “Our group then collects the gifts and transports them to the Border Patrol station nearest the child’s home. Local agents who knew the fallen agent and their family deliver the gifts to the homes of the family or, in some cases, to sector chaplains.” “I think the best part of the Fallen Agent Fund is that during the holidays when the children may be missing their parent,” Matzke continued. “We show them that their Border Patrol family has not forgotten them.” Some families no longer live along the border, having moved to Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, and Louisiana. In those cases, the group incurs the cost of shipping the presents to the families. The group branches out from the El Centro Sector and delivers presents all the way to the Del Rio Sector in Texas. From there, Del Rio agents take over and deliver the gifts to the remaining Texas sectors. “We can’t say enough about the work the chaplain and peer support in Del Rio Sector,” Agent Matzke said. “David Garcia and Rohan Godson do a great job of delivering the presents all across Texas.” After returning from Texas, the El Centro Sector agents move west to the San Diego Sector to complete their rounds. Matzke said anyone interested in contributing to the fund may make a contribution through the fund’s website. A list of fallen Border Patrol agents can be found on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Memoriam to Those Who Died in the Line of Duty page.
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Bob Price
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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/breitbart/~3/hHawlWEJsH4/
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Mon, 23 Dec 2019 15:00:16 +0000
| 1,577,131,216 | 1,577,146,141 |
society
|
welfare
|
155,280 |
drudgereport--2019-12-04--Americans becoming less charitable...
| 2019-12-04T00:00:00 |
drudgereport
|
Americans becoming less charitable...
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Fewer Americans are giving money to charity, and their relationship with God may have something to do with it. The share of U.S. adults who donated to charity dropped significantly between 2000 and 2016, according to an analysis released this month from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Vanguard Charitable. By 2016, just over half — 53% — of Americans gave money to charity, down from 66% in 2000. That figure held mostly steady until the Great Recession. Then it started to drop off and took a dive after 2010, said report co-author Una Osili, associate dean for research and international programs at the Lilly School. The decline amounts to 20 million fewer households donating to charity in 2016 (the most recent year for which data was available) versus 2000, researchers said. See also: Why Melinda Gates’s $1 billion pledge for women and girls is a game-changer The analysis drew on data from the Philanthropy Panel Study, a data set within the University of Michigan’s Panel Study of Income Dynamics, which tracks the same 9,000 families’ charitable giving every two years. One factor driving the decline: Americans are becoming less likely to attend religious services or identify with a specific religion. “Attending services is correlated with giving to religious organizations, but it’s also correlated with giving to secular groups,” Osili said. Giving to charity is, of course, a core belief for many of the world’s major religions. And very religious people of any faith are more likely to give to charity, one study by Baylor University researchers found. But there are fewer very religious people than ever in the U.S. The share of the population who describe themselves as atheists, agnostics or “nothing in particular” is now at 26%, up from 17% in 2009, according to 2018 and 2019 surveys by the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan “fact tank” in Washington, D.C. Some 65% of Americans describe themselves as Christians, down 12 percentage points since 2009, Pew found. Religious organizations have traditionally gotten the lion’s share of Americans’ charitable dollars. But that’s fallen slightly recently. While religious groups still received the largest chunk of charitable dollars in 2018, at 29% of total giving, it was the first year that giving to religion fell below 30% of overall giving, according to the Giving USA annual report on philanthropy, now in its 64th year. See also: The U.S. is the No. 1 most generous country in the world for the last decade Some Catholics have said they’re giving less money to the church because of reports of sexual abuse by clergy. Nearly half of Catholics — 47% — said they were donating less to their individual parishes in response to reports of sexual abuse, a poll conducted by the Catholic magazine America found, according to the Giving USA report. America’s uneven recovery from the Great Recession is also a factor Households led by people with less than a high school education, less than $50,000 in income and/or less than $50,000 in wealth (a household’s total assets) decreased the share of income they donated to charity significantly after the recession, the Lilly School report found. That’s do in part to the fact that not all Americans have recovered equally from the economic downturn, the report authors said. “This shift is due to lower-income and lower-wealth Americans experiencing the slowest economic recovery since the Great Recession, during years when the cost of other items such as food, education and healthcare have increased,” said Jane Greenfield, president of Vanguard Charitable. “This has led to a decrease in the share of income available to give to charity.” Millennials in particular give less of their income to charity than their older counterparts, the analysis found, probably because they “had the misfortune of entering the workforce during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression,” the authors noted. When the baby boomers and Generation X entered the workforce, the percent of income they gave to charity increased. But millennials haven’t yet followed suit. “There’s a general trajectory that as you get older your income grows and your giving grows,” Osili said. “With millennials we haven’t seen that same pattern.”
| null |
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DrudgeReportFeed/~3/nQaTM2kwTdI/fewer-americans-are-giving-money-to-charity-and-it-could-be-because-theyre-spending-less-time-at-church-2019-10-28
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Wed, 04 Dec 2019 00:16:37 GMT
| 1,575,436,597 | 1,575,418,664 |
society
|
welfare
|
158,217 |
eveningstandard--2019-01-08--An online charity shop received a 500k donation of designer items
| 2019-01-08T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
An online charity shop received a £500k donation of designer items
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If you’ve been watching Tidying up with Marie Kondo, you’re probably in the mood to give your wardrobe a major refresh and declutter. And it would seem that one very expensively-dressed individual had the exact same idea. After clearing their closet, an anonymous donor gave £500,000 worth of items to online charity shop Thrift+. With brands like Valentino and Gucci in the pile ("this old thing?") they eventually donated over 600 items. Thrift+, an online clothing donation platform, which sends proceeds to an organisation of your choice, revealed the mammoth haul arrived last month. The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, gave the brand 400 pairs of shoes, 150 dresses, 75 bags and over £6,000 worth of jewellery. (They probably could have opened their own charity shop.) Volume aside, it was the designer names on the labels that really made the platform sit up and take notice. Joe Metcalfe, the founder of Thrift+, said, “When we received this donation, we were shocked. We knew that the total value would be high as the clothes were from such high-end designers, but we had no idea that they would be worth a whopping £500,000!” They revealed that within the haul was a Gucci bag worth over £2,500, a Chloe dress worth £2,600, Alexander McQueen boots worth £1,160 and other brands like Stella McCartney, Givenchy and Valentino thrown into the mix. The haul has already gone live on the site, which anybody can go on to purchase the secondhand items from. Metcalfe added, “Our shoppers are already snapping them up - last week we sold a beautiful Louis Vuitton bag within minutes of uploading it.” The donor asked for proceeds to be sent to Dress For Success, a charity which aims to help women “achieve economic independence” by setting them up for success in the workplace. Proceeds going to Dress for Success help pay for training and an appropriate outfit for women preparing for their first interviews. Interested in donating your old designer (or high street) threads to Thrift+? The clothing donation platform will send a box to your home for you to fill up, then after you’ve dropped it off they run it through their quality control, photograph, upload and sell your clothing on your behalf online, with proceeds going to a charity of your choice. (You also get 25% back to use on Thrift+ if you see something you like.) For more information on Thrift+, you can head to their website and call in your first donation box. To donate to Dress for Success directly or find out more about their cause, check out their site here.
|
Megan C. Hills
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/style/online-clothing-donation-a4033496.html
|
2019-01-08 15:20:00+00:00
| 1,546,978,800 | 1,567,553,414 |
society
|
welfare
|
162,591 |
eveningstandard--2019-02-01--More than 150 volunteers brave freezing conditions to sleep in stations in aid of Railway Children c
| 2019-02-01T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
More than 150 volunteers brave freezing conditions to sleep in stations in aid of Railway Children charity
|
More than 150 people braved sub-zero temperatures to spend the night on station concourses to support the Railway Children charity Volunteers slept overnight in four of Britain’s major stations including London Bridge in aid of vulnerable children who run away from home both in Britain and abroad. The railway is one of the easiest ways to travel for runaway children, and this year the British Transport Police estimates it will deal with 10,000 child safeguarding incidents on Britain’s railways, a 20 per cent increase from 2017/18. Directors from Network Rail, train companies, rail industry partners and politicians, took part in the sleep out, which was sponsored by Virgin Trains, to help raise £25,000 for the charity. Martin Frobisher, Network Rail’s route managing director for the London North Western route, who spent the night at Manchester Piccadilly, said: “As an industry, with thousands of staff in stations across Britain, we are often the eyes and ears who can spot distressed children and young people and help get them the support they need. “On one of the coldest nights of the year so far, the sleep out was a sobering reminder of how important it is to raise money for the Railway Children charity so it can continue to provide much-needed and valuable services.” Among those taking part were the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, who slept out at Birmingham New Street, and the Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, at Liverpool Lime Street. Natasha Grice, executive director of people at Virgin Trains, said: “The experience of sleeping out for just one night helped us appreciate in a very small way some of the many challenges vulnerable children face on a daily basis – particularly in such extreme cold weather. "It was a privilege to be able to join our colleagues from the whole rail industry to help raise the funds Railway Children needs to continue their vital work supporting and protecting vulnerable children and young people.”
|
John Dunne
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/more-than-150-brave-icy-conditions-to-sleep-in-stations-for-charity-a4054946.html
|
2019-02-01 10:00:00+00:00
| 1,549,033,200 | 1,567,549,937 |
society
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welfare
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163,516 |
eveningstandard--2019-02-07--Michel Roux Jr and Andrew Wong help raise more than 70000 for DEBRA charity at the Great Chefs Din
| 2019-02-07T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
Michel Roux Jr and Andrew Wong help raise more than £70,000 for DEBRA charity at the Great Chefs Dinner
|
A night where top chefs cooked for the great and the good has raised more than £70,000 for charity, it has been announced. The Great Chefs Dinner, held at Roux at the Landau – the restaurant inside the Langham hotel – saw six of the capital’s top chefs each prepare a course for an evening in aid of DEBRA, a charity which supports those suffering with life-threatening skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa. Michel Roux Jr, who holds two Michelin stars at London institution Le Gavroche, led the chefs through a six course supper. Those cooking were the Langham's executive chef Chris King and executive pastry chef Andrew Gravett, alongside royal chef Mark Flanagan MVO and Italian chocolatier Gianluca Fusto. The evening’s culinary highlight was Andrew Wong, celebrated for his Chinese cooking at Victoria site A. Wong and his latest venture, Kym’s, which the Standard’s Fay Maschler awarded a rare five stars. The menu included seared Wong's scallop cheung fun, served with crispy Cantonese pork belly with mustard, honey and liquorice soy, and Roux Jr's foie gras-stuffed quail with Jerusalem artichoke, pear and black truffle. Among those in attendance at the £345-a-ticket night were Olympic silver medallist and the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall, nee Phillips, and her husband, former England Rugby captain Mike Tindall. Also present was DEBRA president Simon Weston CBE, the Falklands veteran who survived the 1982 bombing of RFA Sir Galahad, where he was left for dead with 46 per cent burns. Weston dined with his wife Lucy, as well as NHS interpreter and motivational speaker Myra Ali, who suffers from Epidermolysis Bullosa. Ms Ali was joined by her sister Sahira. The night concluded with a live auction hosted by auctioneer Charlie Ross, best known for his appearances on Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip. Among the items Ross auctioned off was a painting done by the hotel’s in-house artist during the evening itself, while a silent auction offered the text of Earl Spencer’s eulogy to his late sister, Princess Diana. Epidermolysis Bullosa, which is thought to affect more than 5,000 people in the UK, is genetic skin condition that causes the skin to blister or crack at the slightest pressure. Accordingly, those with it can suffer sores similar to third-degree burns, while the skin can slowly degenerate until only bone is left. With no known cure, EB can be fatal to those born with it. DEBRA, who have held the charity dinner four years in a row, work to fund research into the disease and provide care where it’s needed. The next DEBRA fundraiser, the Butterfly Ball, will be on June 14 at Kensington’s Royal Garden Hotel, where Jason Atherton will be cooking alongside legendary three Michelin star chef Pierre Koffman. Tickets are £195 and can be bought here.
|
David Ellis
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/restaurants/michel-roux-jr-andrew-wong-debra-charity-dinner-a4060606.html
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2019-02-07 15:28:00+00:00
| 1,549,571,280 | 1,567,549,298 |
society
|
welfare
|
165,586 |
eveningstandard--2019-02-20--The Book Club is serving aposperiod pancakesapos and tampon macaroons to raise money for charity
| 2019-02-20T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
The Book Club is serving 'period pancakes' and tampon macaroons to raise money for charity
|
Next month, Shoreditch bar the Book Club will be serving up ‘period' pancakes in support of the Bloody Big Brunch fundraising drive. The eye-catching dish comes as part of a campaign from the group to destigmatize the conversation around periods, and, more pressingly, to raise funds for those who can't afford menstrual products. The red velvet pancakes will be on the menu alongside macaroons shaped like tampons, and will be available from Sunday March 3–10, including on Pancake Day itself. Costing £8, or £9.50 with a macaroon, 15 per cent of the profits will support Bloody Big Brunch and their partners. A boozy brunch on the first Sunday will kick off the campaign, with celebrity stylist Grace Woodward, Made in Chelsea’s Jess Woodley, and Tom Read Wilson from Celebs Go Dating all attending. Guests can also expect DJs and drag performances. Attendees can bring along sanitary products to the event to exchange for a Bloody Mary, while those who forget can make a donation that will go towards giving products to those in need. Big Bloody Brunch estimate they have helped more than 5,000 women purchase sanitary products they otherwise would be unable to pay for, and support charities including The Red Box Project, Bloody Good Period, Girlguiding Scotland, YWCA and Freedom4Girls.
|
Lizzie Thomson
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/attractions/the-book-club-period-pancakes-shrove-tuesday-a4071811.html
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2019-02-20 15:05:00+00:00
| 1,550,693,100 | 1,567,547,868 |
society
|
welfare
|
171,886 |
eveningstandard--2019-04-16--Blues Kitchen Camden to host world record-breaking 100-hour charity jam
| 2019-04-16T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
Blues Kitchen Camden to host world record-breaking 100-hour charity jam
|
A 100-hour blues jam will take place in north London this summer in an attempt to break a world record, while also raising money for charity. The marathon music session, which will be hosted by the Blues Kitchen Camden, will run from 8pm on Sunday June 9 until midnight on Thursday June 13. Musicians of all abilities are invited to take part on a pay-to-play basis, contributing to more than four days of non-stop jamming. The aim is to break the current Guinness World Record of 50 hours — also held by the Blues Kitchen Camden — which was set during celebrations for the venue’s fifth birthday in 2014. Special musical guests will be announced both in the run up to and during the event. Beds will also be set up in the venue’s upstairs offices for any musicians in need of a restorative nap. The jam will be raising money for Help Refugees, which aids and advocates for refugees around the world, as well as Camden Music Trust, which funds music education programmes and scholarships in the area. Musicians need to donate £3 to take part, and attendees will be asked to contribute the same amount. Volunteers will also be collecting money from audience members during the jam. For those who can’t make it down to the event, the whole thing will be live-streamed on the venue’s Facebook and YouTube pages, with a button allowing viewers to donate online. The jam comes as part of the venue’s 10th birthday celebrations. The Blues Kitchen has two other London branches in Brixton and Shoreditch. Musicians can sign up to play here.
|
Jochan Embley
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/blues-kitchen-camden-100-hour-jam-play-dates-a4118876.html
|
2019-04-16 08:01:00+00:00
| 1,555,416,060 | 1,567,542,798 |
society
|
welfare
|
173,151 |
eveningstandard--2019-04-29--DEBRA Butterfly Ball 2019 Jason Atherton and Pierre Koffmann to reunite for charity dinner
| 2019-04-29T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
DEBRA Butterfly Ball 2019: Jason Atherton and Pierre Koffmann to reunite for charity dinner
|
Internationally acclaimed chefs Jason Atherton and Pierre Koffmann will be among those creating dishes for a night in aid of UK charity DEBRA. The DEBRA Butterfly Ball will take place on June 14 at Kensington’s Royal Garden Hotel, and the black tie event will see Atherton and Koffmann join world-class pastry chef Claire Clark MBE and the venue’s executive chef Steve Munkley to cook a four course dinner for guests. The night will also include a Champagne reception, wine with each course, live music from band 29 Fingers, and an address from Falklands war veteran and DEBRA president Simon Weston CBE. Weston famously survived the 1982 bombing of RFA Sir Galahad, though it left him with 46 per cent burns. Multi Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social chef and international restaurateur Atherton will be cooking a starter of Colchester crab on toast with brown crab butter, lemon gel, pickled cucumber and celery. Legendary French chef Koffmann – one of the few UK-based chefs to have held three Michelin stars – will be in charge of the meat course, cooking up a fillet of beef wellington served with sauce Bordelaise potato gratin and seasonal vegetables. Munkley will prepare a fish course of pan seared stonebass and pistachio arancini, while Clark with close the meal with a dessert of “tea and toast”, featuring an Earl Grey cheesecake with bergamot gel, lavender crème fraiche parfait and baba toast. The event follows the fourth edition of the Great Chefs Dinner in February, which saw Michel Roux Jr and Andrew Wong help to create a six-course feast at the Langham hotel, also in aid of DEBRA. The night raised more than £70,000. Tickets for the Butterfly Ball will cost £195 per person, with all proceeds going towards DEBRA, the only UK charity dedicated to funding research into and supporting people who suffer from Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a life-threatening condition which causes severe blistering. It is said to leave skin as fragile as a butterfly’s wing – hence the evening's name. DEBRA Butterfly Ball will take place on June 14 at Royal Garden Hotel, 2-24 Kensington High Street, W8 4PT. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit debra.org.uk
|
Ailis Brennan
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/restaurants/debra-butterfly-ball-2019-jason-atherton-pierre-koffmann-a4128926.html
|
2019-04-29 10:33:15+00:00
| 1,556,548,395 | 1,567,541,724 |
society
|
welfare
|
174,267 |
eveningstandard--2019-05-07--Brits aposlosing trust in charitiesapos as donations fall for third year in row
| 2019-05-07T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
Brits 'losing trust in charities' as donations fall for third year in row
|
The number of people in the UK regularly giving to charity has dropped for the third year in a row. The Charities Aid Foundation said it was a sign the public’s trust in charities is falling. The foundation’s “UK Giving” report today found the proportion of people either donating money to charity directly or sponsoring a friend or family member dropped to 65 per cent in 2018. This was down from 69 per cent in 2016. And just 48 per cent of those surveyed said they believed charities were trustworthy. Susan Pinkney, the Charities Aid Foundation’s head of research, said: “With three years’ worth of data, we can now see a clear trend in people’s charitable giving and it is headed in a worrying direction. “If people lack trust, that means they worry that their hard-earned money is not being well spent when donated to charities. “This is a challenge that the entire charity sector needs to tackle head on, and find ways to inspire people to give and demonstrate to them that their money is making a difference.” However, the report also made clear the UK remains one of the most generous countries in the world, consistently ranked in the top 10 of the foundation’s annual “World Giving Index”.
|
James Morris
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/brits-losing-trust-in-charities-as-donations-fall-for-third-year-in-row-a4136001.html
|
2019-05-07 11:24:25+00:00
| 1,557,242,665 | 1,567,540,956 |
society
|
welfare
|
175,377 |
eveningstandard--2019-05-28--aposEgg Boyapos donates 54000 to charity supporting victims of the Christchurch terror attacks
| 2019-05-28T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
'Egg Boy' donates £54,000 to charity supporting victims of the Christchurch terror attacks
|
A teenage boy who went viral for egging an Australian senator has donated £54,000 to the victims of the Christchurch terror attack. Will Connolly, 17, smashed an egg on the head of former federal senator Fraser Anning over his comments blaming Muslim immigration for the attack at two mosques that killed 51 people. The teenager shot to Internet fame as “Egg Boy” after a video of the incident at a press conference in Melbourne went viral. Supporters of the teenager set up two GoFundMe pages to raise money for his legal expenses but Will decided instead to donate the nearly $100,0000 AUD to a charity that supports the victims of the attack. In an Instagram post Will wrote: “Finally!!! After a huge amount of red tape,$99,922.36 has today been transferred to the Christchurch Foundation and Victims Support. “For those of you who don’t know, there were 2 Go Fund Me pages set up to help cover the cost of my legal fees and to ‘buy more eggs’. “Gratefully, Gordon Legal acted probono for me so I don’t have any legal fees. I decided to donate all monies to help provide some relief to the victims of the massacre... it wasn’t mine to keep. Melbourne teenager Will Connolly, known as ‘EggBoy’ speaks out “I want to thank Corey and @sajjad12345 who set up the funds and every single person who donated to the money and made this possible. “To the victims of the Tragedy, I whole heartedly hope that this can bring some relief to you. The post was liked nearly 64,000 times and commenters praised the teenager as a “legend.” In an interview following the egging, Will said: "This egg has united people and money has been raised, tens of thousands of dollars has been raised for those victims," Mr Connolly said. "It's going to help people affected by the tragedy in Christchurch, every cent." He maintained the stunt was intended to be a “few laughs with mates” and did not expect the Senator to react to the egging. Mr Anning appeared to hit the teenager twice after he was egged and his supporters then restrained Mr Connolly on the ground.
|
Bonnie Christian
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/egg-boy-donates-54000-to-victims-of-christchurch-terror-attacks-a4153136.html
|
2019-05-28 14:03:26+00:00
| 1,559,066,606 | 1,567,539,960 |
society
|
welfare
|
175,438 |
eveningstandard--2019-05-28--Ex-wife of Amazon boss Jeff Bezos pledges half of her 275 billion fortune to charity
| 2019-05-28T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
Ex-wife of Amazon boss Jeff Bezos pledges half of her £27.5 billion fortune to charity
|
The ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has promised to donate at least half her fortune to charity, just months after finalising her divorce from the world's richest man. MacKenzie Bezos, 49, reportedly received a stake in Amazon worth around £27.5 billion when she amicably divorced her husband of 16 years in April. She has now agreed to give more than half of the money to philanthropic causes by signing the Giving Pledge – a commitment made by America’s billionaires to donate a majority of their wealth to charity, either during their lifetimes or in their wills. The Giving Pledge was launched in 2010 by 40 of America’s wealthiest individuals and couples, including Bill and Melinda Gates. Since then, it has been signed by 204 billionaires from across the world, ranging in age from 30s to 90s, according to the philanthropic collective’s official website. In her letter to the Giving Pledge, Ms Bezos said she had “a disproportionate amount of money to share”. "We each come by the gifts we have to offer by an infinite series of influences and lucky breaks we can never fully understand," she added. “My approach to philanthropy will continue to be thoughtful. It will take time and effort and care. But I won’t wait. And I will keep at it until the safe is empty.” Ms Bezos ranks 22nd on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, with a a personal fortune estimated at $36.6 billion (almost £28.9 million). Her former husband leads the global rankings with a net worth of roughly $114 billion (around £89.9 million) although he is notably absent from the Giving Pledge’s list of signatories. Mr Bezos expressed pride at his former wife’s move, writing in a Twitter post: “MacKenzie is going to be amazing and thoughtful and effective at philanthropy, and I’m proud of her. Her letter is so beautiful. Go get ‘em MacKenzie.” The author and mother-of-four was one of 19 new Giving Pledge signatories announced on Tuesday. The group also included Brian Acton, the co-founder of WhatsApp messenger and Paul Sciarra, the co-founder of Pinterest. American business magnate and veteran investor Warren Buffett is one of the Giving Pledge’s co-founders. He has praised the group’s generosity, calling it “a reflection of the inspiration we take from the many millions of people who work quietly and effectively to create a better world for others, often at great personal sacrifice.”
|
Harriet Brewis
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/mackenzie-bezos-pledges-half-wealth-to-charity-a4153161.html
|
2019-05-28 14:16:00+00:00
| 1,559,067,360 | 1,567,539,966 |
society
|
welfare
|
178,284 |
eveningstandard--2019-06-27--Kit Harington donates over 7000 to Game of Thrones fansapos charity fundraiser
| 2019-06-27T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
Kit Harington donates over £7,000 to Game of Thrones fans' charity fundraiser
|
Kit Harington donated over £7,000 to an online fundraiser set up by Game of Thrones fans in aid of learning disabilities charity Mencap. The actor sent his “deepest and most heartfelt thank you” to fans as he added £7728.75 (£6,138 with £1545.75 Gift Aid) to the fund to help it meet its £50,000 target. In an emotional message shared on Mencap’s official website, Harington wrote: “To those of you who set this page up in my name and to those of you who contributed and left messages, please accept my deepest and most heartfelt thank you. “This donations page lifted my heart and brought tears to my eyes, what a beautiful gift to receive… how generous from you all. “Mencap is a truly wonderful charity and the money given here will go to the most incredible cause.” The star signed off his message by sending “love and respect from beyond the wall.” Harington has been an ambassador for Mencap since 2016 and fronted a video campaign for the charity the following year. Fans started the JustGiving page after the Game of Thrones finale as a way of thanking the star for “the sheer amount of love and skill he put into Jon Snow for us to enjoy.” “Kit Harington has given so much to the fans of Game of Thrones over the past decade playing the King in the North, Jon Snow,” the description on the page read. “He absolutely nailed his performance and we loved every second of screen-time we had with him. “This fundraiser is here to show Kit that we’re incredibly thankful to him for the sheer amount of love and skill he put into Jon Snow for us to enjoy.” Harington’s message comes after he checked into a “wellness retreat” in order to focus on “personal issues.” A representative for the actor told Standard Online: “Kit has decided to utilise this break in his schedule as an opportunity to spend some time at a wellness retreat to work on some personal issues.”
|
Katie Rosseinsky
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/kit-harington-donates-over-7000-to-game-of-thrones-fans-fundraiser-a4176961.html
|
2019-06-27 07:25:00+00:00
| 1,561,634,700 | 1,567,537,838 |
society
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welfare
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179,338 |
eveningstandard--2019-07-04--Social Sunday Everything you need to know about Jason Athertonaposs charity spectacular
| 2019-07-04T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
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Social Sunday: Everything you need to know about Jason Atherton's charity spectacular
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Jason Atherton deals in good food – but this week, the chef and restaurateur is more interested in food that does some good. The fifth annual Social Sunday kicks off on July 7, a day which will see top chefs take part in fundraising meals and initiatives hosted across Atherton’s restaurants and beyond, with proceeds going towards the charity Hospitality Action. The charity was first established back in 1837, and offers support to individuals who work or have worked in the hospitality industry, and who find themselves in times of crisis. Atherton is the principal patron of Hospitality Action, and the Social Sunday initiative has raised more than £150,000 over the last five years. Three restaurants from Atherton’s The Social Company group will be joined by special guests for fundraising lunches, with a total of 85 dining hotspots across London and the rest of the UK getting involved in all sorts of ways. Smaller happenings include restaurants 12:51 by James Cochran, The Stafford, El Pastor, Berners Tavern, Bryn Williams at Somerset House and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal donating £1 from every bill to the charity, with The Drapers Arms and Elystan Street donating the same from every roast dinner sold. Collaborations from big name chefs are among the most exciting prospects on offer. Claude Bosi will be welcoming friend and fellow two Michelin-starred chef Sat Bains to his highly acclaimed restaurant at Bibendum – unfortunately, but understandably, this event has now sold out. Keen foodies can, however, still get their hands on tickets to many more star-studded dinners. This is our pick of the best events happening in London this Social Sunday. Atherton himself will host lunch at his flagship restaurant Pollen Street Social, with some very distinguished guests joining him. Alongside the restaurant’s head chef Dale Bainbridge, Atherton will be joined by his former mentor, legendary three Michelin-starred chef Pierre Koffmann, and rising star Tom Brown, whose Hackney Wick restaurant Cornerstone was recently named the third best in the country at the National Restaurant Awards. The quartet will together cook a six-course menu peppered with their signature dishes. In Farringdon, Mark Jarvis will be joined at his restaurant Anglo for a five-course feast by four acclaimed chefs: Ben Murphy of Launceston Place, Oisin Rogers of The Guinea Grill, Neil Rankin of Temper and Karan Gokani of Hoppers. It’s been all change at this Pollen Street spot recently – Atherton’s restaurant Little Social closed in May before reopening pretty sharply as No.5 Social. Former Pollen Street Social chef Kostas Papathanasiou is now in charge, and he’ll be inviting two fellow chefs from across The Social Company to cook with him on Social Sunday. Alex Craciun of currently closed, Japanese-inspired restaurant Sosharu will present a sashimi, while Paul Walsh – formerly of City Social, soon to be head chef of The Betterment – will cook a main of rose veal cutlet. If you don't want the charitable fun to stop with the weekend, Dukes is continuing to be social until Tuesday. The Mayfair hotel may be best known for how it mixes a martini, but next week it’s blending the talents of two Norfolk-born chefs. On July 9, executive chef Nigel Mendham will be joined by Tom Aikens of Tom's Kitchen to create a six-course tasting dinner inspired by their shared East Anglian backgrounds and the county's coastal cuisine. The Social Company boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants in its midst: Mayfair stalwart Pollen Street Social and Soho spot Social Eating House. At the latter, chef patron Paul Hood will be joined by Matt Gillan, the Great British Menu winning chef who earned a Michelin star while head chef at The Pass in Sussex. The pair will cook up an epic eight-course menu, with dishes including cured and confit trout with pickled cucumber and caviar, and Goosnargh duck with apricot and golden beetroot.
|
Ailis Brennan
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https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/restaurants/social-sunday-2019-jason-atherton-london-hospitality-action-charity-a4180751.html
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2019-07-04 13:11:03+00:00
| 1,562,260,263 | 1,567,536,874 |
society
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welfare
|
182,960 |
eveningstandard--2019-08-24--Youth charity partners with Sony Music to help vulnerable teens ahead of Notting Hill Carnival
| 2019-08-24T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
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Youth charity partners with Sony Music to help vulnerable teens ahead of Notting Hill Carnival
|
A charity which helps steer vulnerable young people away from a life of crime is working with Sony Music UK to keep teenagers off the streets during the summer holidays. The Young Urban Arts Foundation uses its Outreach Media Bus to teach music production skills to youngsters who are at risk of being groomed into crime. Chart-topping artist and BBC Sound of 2017 winner RayBLK, who is Stormzy's cousin, visited the bus on Friday to highlight the charity’s important work ahead of Notting Hill Carnival. Over the five-week summer break, the bus has worked six days per week to visit some of London’s most disadvantaged areas, including the Grahame Park Estate in Barnet and the new Barking Riverside development. CEO Kerry O’Brien approached Sony CEO Jason Iley to work with the charity over the school break – one of the most important times of year for them to help keep young people off the streets, where they can be targeted by grooming gangs. The charity’s founder, who is also an MC and won Best Female at the National Drum & Bass Awards, said there is now an “urgent need” for the charity’s work, amid a rise in serious violence across the capital. She said: “The need for what we do has been building over the years, and now there’s a really urgent need for it – we have the bus and we want to go and keep young people safe. “Young people have got the summer off school, and that’s when they’re vulnerable to gang grooming. “We work with people from some of the most vulnerable backgrounds and the most deprived estates, and when they have nothing to do, that’s when they become vulnerable to gangs. “When I say gangs, I’m talking about child exploitation groups – you’ve got children as young as eight or nine being groomed by children aged ten or 11, who’ve been trained by these groups for financial gain. “It’s been getting worse since we got a Tory government in 2015 – all the councils lost their youth services, including youth clubs, and that has led to the increase in serious violence.” Since it started ten years ago, the charity has helped more than 17,500 young people across the UK. Ms O’Brien added: “The majority of these problems are because of government cuts, they have nowhere to learn and be kept safe like we did back in the 90s and 00s. “Youth clubs supported and challenged us, and they also help build stronger mental health, which means they have a much lower chance of being picked up by gangs. “We’re not just intervening, we actually go into places where problems are at risk of developing. “We want to engage, educate and empower these young people so that as they get older and are approached by these grooming gangs, they’re more knowledgeable. “Every area is different, so we have to try and understand the challenges, whether that’s violence or mental health. “A lot of these young people have witnessed or experienced serious violence and they’re so traumatised – they’re in fear, they’re scared. “They commit acts of violence out of fear, they don’t want to go out and carry knives or kill people.” Ms O’Brien, who grew up in south east London, said she had a difficult upbringing, and wants to “show young people their potential,” as mentors once did for her. She said: “I was one of those young people who went through that trauma. “I have a fantastic mother but my dad was an alcoholic and an addict and he could be violent, it was something I witnessed and experienced frequently. “I didn’t want to be at home so I went to find that sense of family elsewhere, and find my community. “I was groomed into a gang because I thought they wanted to help me. “My dad had given me the gift of music and I loved performing, I got such a high from being on stage and performing, and it was my music mentors who gave me that wake-up call – I could have been on my way to prison if it had carried on. “They said it wasn’t who I was and took me under their wing. They showed me my potential and we want to do the same for these young people.” RayBLK, who visited the bus on Friday, openly speaks about how music put her onto a better path. The artist first witnessed a gun at the age of 14, when she was at a party and two boys began to row about the volume of the music. She said: “The youth are the future so we have to give them enough attention and support, so that they don’t make the same mistakes as the generation before. “This is especially important in underprivileged areas, and why it’s important to me. I come from the same background as these kids.”
|
Megan White
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https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/youth-charity-partners-with-sony-music-to-help-vulnerable-teens-ahead-of-notting-hill-carnival-a4220301.html
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2019-08-24 09:50:15+00:00
| 1,566,654,615 | 1,567,533,489 |
society
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welfare
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183,038 |
eveningstandard--2019-08-26--PhilosophyTube YouTube star set to raise 100000 for charity by livestreaming complete works of Sh
| 2019-08-26T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
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PhilosophyTube: YouTube star set to raise $100,000 for charity by livestreaming complete works of Shakespeare
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A YouTuber and professional actor has raised almost $100,000 (£82,000) for charity in three days by reading the complete works of Shakespeare live online. PhilosophyTube founder Olly Thorne, 26, began his ambitious fundraising feat on Friday, admitting it would be “gruelling and take several days.” Taking place 24 hours a day, the “Shakespeare marathon” has so far featured full renditions of favourites including Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Merchant of Venice, with other big titles still to come. Olly’s current aim is to hit $100,000 in donations, which will go to emotional support charity Samaritans. He told the Standard: “As someone who’s struggled with mental health issues, I wanted to use my platform to raise money for a cause I care about. “Samaritans saved my life when I was considering suicide, so I wanted to give something back.” The actor and self-styled “renegade philosopher” has broadcast each reading on live streaming platform Twitch, which is more commonly favoured by professional video game players. “I didn’t think people would be so interested since Twitch is more for gamers, but the response so far has been amazing.” The 26-year-old raised more than $93,608 (around £75,000) by Monday evening, with 13 hours to go until the end of the challenge. “I thought we’d raise between $2,000 and $5,000 – nothing on this scale,” he said, explaining that the platform operates in dollars, which is why the amount is not shown in his native currency. Asked why he chose the Bard as his fundraising muse, the drama school graduate said it was all to do with what it means to be human. “I remember Judi Dench once saying ‘Shakespeare features every human emotion’ – or words to that effect. “So I thought, if I act in every one of Shakespeare’s plays, I’ll have at least touched on a bit of everything.” Olly has performed multiple roles in each play for the past three days, with only brief breaks in between. But he has been joined by a number of eager participants, who have read other parts alongside him. “I invited people on Twitter and my YouTube channel to message me if they wanted to join in and they have done. People from all over have stepped up.” American actress Mara Wilson, best known for her leading roles as a child star in Matilda and Mrs Doubtfire, is among those to have lent their voices to the cause. She took the iconic role of Lady Macbeth on Sunday night, he said. The Royal Shakespeare Company has tweeted its support to Olly, calling his endeavours an "amazing achievement". Samaritans said it was thrilled by his contribution, tweeting: The brilliant Olly @PhilosophyTube has been reading the complete works of Shakespeare round the clock to raise money for Samaritans, so we can be there for more people when they need us. “He started on Friday and he’s still going. What a guy!” Olly, who is originally from Newcastle but now lives in London, has more than 100,000 followers on Twitter and 483,000 on YouTube. He said a 57-hour Donkey Kong stream by his friend Harry Brewis – and endorsed by US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – inspired his innovative fundraising attempt. “Harry raised more than $340,000 (£278,000) for British transgender chairty Mermaids by Twitch-streaming himself gaming non-stop, I wanted to emulate that in my own way. “Last month I did a YouTube video all about the philosophy of mind and mental health last month, and it got such a great reception. “I realised I should try to do something similar again, but this time help others by raising money for a cause that really does save lives.”
|
Harriet Brewis
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https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/youtuber-on-track-to-raise-100000-for-charity-by-livestreaming-complete-works-of-shakespeare-a4221456.html
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2019-08-26 16:38:40+00:00
| 1,566,851,920 | 1,567,533,348 |
society
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welfare
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184,391 |
eveningstandard--2019-09-11--Grayson Perry and Anthony Gormley among artists to donate works to London charity auction
| 2019-09-11T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
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Grayson Perry and Anthony Gormley among artists to donate works to London charity auction
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Celebrated artists and photographers including Rankin, Grayson Perry, Sir Anthony Gormley and Mark Wallinger have donated works to be sold to support a charity helping seriously ill young adults. The Extraordinary Collection will be showcased to the public at Coutts bank for five days before being auctioned in aid of Willow, which was founded by former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson. Rankin submitted a brightly-coloured work of a model with a stuffed parrot, with Sir Anthony donating a beige figure work. Proceeds will go to Willow, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year after providing almost 17,000 special days out to sick people in the past two decades. Rankin told the Standard: “The concept of Willow is fantastic. And it is always good to be in good company of award-winning artists donating works for such a great cause.” Wilson said: “We anticipate The Extraordinary Collection to be a momentous achievement in fundraising for Willow, and we are so grateful to each and every artist for their contribution.” For more information about the public exhibition or attending the private auction visit 20for20.org
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Lizzie Edmonds
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https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/arts/rankin-anthony-gormley-grayson-perry-donate-charity-auction-a4234001.html
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2019-09-11 14:35:11+00:00
| 1,568,226,911 | 1,569,330,385 |
society
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welfare
|
185,602 |
eveningstandard--2019-09-29--West Ham release limited edition pink shirt to raise funds for breast cancer charity
| 2019-09-29T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
West Ham release limited edition pink shirt to raise funds for breast cancer charity
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West Ham Women have released a limited-edition pink shirt that they will wear in October to raise awareness of breast cancer. The Hammers have announced they will be swapping their traditional claret and blue colours for pink for every game next month, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. West Ham players will wear the pink shirt for the first time during the warm-up for their landmark WSL game against Tottenham at the London Stadium on Sunday. The club will be donating the entire profits from the sales of the pink shirts to Breast Cancer Now, one of the UK’s leading breast cancer charities for research and care. Fans will be able to purchase the shirts via the club’s London Stadium store and online from Sunday. West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said: “We are extremely proud to be standing side by side with Breast Cancer Now to ensure no one faces a breast cancer diagnosis alone. “Breast Cancer Now are a fantastic charity, providing life-changing support that helps people cope with the physical and emotional impact of breast cancer. Together we believe can make even greater progress in tackling breast cancer so that research findings in the labs turn into new hope on the hospital wards and beyond. “With that in mind, we were delighted that volunteers recently educated the women’s team at Rush Green through their experiences of breast cancer, as well as the signs and symptoms to look out for which, in turn, the women’s team will be continually helping to demonstrate to a wider audience.” The limited-edition pink Umbro shirts will incorporate a label detailing the ways to check for potential signs and symptoms of breast cancer. West Ham Women managing director Jack Sullivan said: “Any opportunity we have to use our status as a professional football club to highlight and raise awareness of important health issues we are keen to support. “Our commitment to the partnership started last year when we wore t-shirts prior to a game, but this year we wanted to go one step further and we are thrilled to be launching this shirt before we play this historic fixture. “The introduction of a new limited-edition shirt will allow for our support to be visual prior to the match, but our commitment to selling the shirts in our official stores and donating all of the profits to the charity shows our full backing for Breast Cancer Now and the incredible work they do." Captain Gilly Flaherty added: "I hope all West Ham fans will back this great cause and come down to the game to show their support for our team but Breast Cancer Now and the partnership as well. It would be great to see fans in the same shirts as the team throughout October!”
|
GIUSEPPE MURO
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https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/westham/west-ham-release-limited-edition-pink-shirts-to-raise-funds-for-breast-cancer-charity-a4249281.html
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2019-09-29 06:00:25+00:00
| 1,569,751,225 | 1,570,221,948 |
society
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welfare
|
188,476 |
eveningstandard--2019-11-08--Rylan Clark-Neal: Charity visit will motivate me during karaoke challenge
| 2019-11-08T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
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Rylan Clark-Neal: Charity visit will motivate me during karaoke challenge
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Rylan Clark-Neal has said his recent visit to a youth club in Essex will spur him on during his upcoming 24-hour charity challenge. The presenter, 31, will be singing karaoke for 24 hours to raise money for BBC Children In Need. Ahead of the challenge he visited a Triple T youth club, which is a weekly club provided by the Southend Association of Voluntary Services (Turning Tides). He said: “It was amazing and do you know what, I didn’t actually think about this when I signed up to do this. “I didn’t really think that I would need that, but actually visiting the project and meeting all the kids and volunteers and speaking to them and understanding how much this money impacts their lives, when I am sort of dying at four o’ clock in the morning trying to garble together a song I know what I’m doing it for now”. During his visit he took part in some arts and crafts and also participated in a few games including Hungry Hippos and Dodgeball. The Southend Association of Voluntary Services (Turning Tides) is one of the projects funded by Children in Need. It benefits from a three-year grant to provide three weekly Triple T clubs for disadvantaged young people in Southend. Radio 2 DJ Clark-Neal will also be joined by a few famous faces during his singing challenge. The challenge follows a 24-hour danceathon done by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman for Comic Relief last year, but Clark-Neal said he will not be asking them for advice. He said: “My training is to forget about it because if I think about it too much… I remember I spoke to Tess and Claudia when they did the 24-hour danceathon for Comic Relief and they are two people I will not talk to about this because I know they will probably talk me out of it!” The karaoke challenge begins at the end of the Zoe Ball Breakfast show 9am on November 12 and will take place at Radio 2’s studios in London. It will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, and streamed live on the BBC Red Button, where viewers will be able to see Clark-Neal and his guests performing. The It Takes Two presenter added: “At the moment I have no idea what songs I’ll be singing, or who will be joining me on the day, or what outfits I’ll be wearing – I’m being kept in the dark for the moment and it’s all a surprise. “But my go to karaoke song would have to be Craig David Fill Me In – so let’s hope that one comes up! My absolute dream karaoke duet partners would be all five of the Spice Girls, obviously – but to be honest I usually sing with whoever is willing to take me!”.
|
Tobi Akingbade
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https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/rylan-clarkneal-charity-visit-will-motivate-me-for-karaoke-challenge-a4282591.html
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Fri, 08 Nov 2019 16:21:23 GMT
| 1,573,248,083 | 1,573,259,780 |
society
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welfare
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188,804 |
eveningstandard--2019-11-11--Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster put £1m target on menu for cancer charity
| 2019-11-11T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
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Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster put £1m target on menu for cancer charity
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Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster have promised “lots of little connections” to them at a charity evening for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The couple have invited 180 guests to the Memories that Matter event in London and hope to raise as much as a £1 million. Billed as a private dinner party, they have designed the cocktails, drawn-up the menu and Stewart will perform live. Model and photographer Lancaster, who has two sons with Stewart aged eight and 13, told the Evening Standard that teenagers often face lots of difficulties without the added trauma of cancer. She said: “Since our boy has just turned into a teenager he’s come along to a couple of charity events. You think teenagers are going through so much as it is... and the idea of having to deal with cancer on top as well — I could not think of anything worse.” The night revolves around a silent auction with prizes including a trip to jewellery firm Swarovski’s HQ in the Austrian Alps and dinner at the Ritz with Rod and Penny. Other prizes include memorabilia from Celtic, Stewart’s favourite club, a print by his former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood and a five-night stay in a castle in Umbria, Italy, donated by Evening Standard proprietor Evgeny Lebedev. The fundraiser on November 22 is the idea of marketing expert Mark Aldridge, who plans to make it a regular event. The Trust’s chief executive Kate Collins said: “Every day, seven young people, aged 13-24, are diagnosed with cancer. “Teenage Cancer Trust’s specialist nurses, hospital wards and support teams work hard to help young people and their families cope with the huge impact that a cancer diagnosis and treatment has on their lives. But none of this work would be possible without our wonderful supporters.”
|
Robert Dex
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https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/rod-stewart-and-penny-lancaster-put-1m-target-on-menu-for-cancer-charity-a4283761.html
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Mon, 11 Nov 2019 10:04:00 GMT
| 1,573,484,640 | 1,573,475,401 |
society
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welfare
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188,831 |
eveningstandard--2019-11-11--Turnbull & Asser launch new Christmas gifting experience for Crisis charity
| 2019-11-11T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
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Turnbull & Asser launch new Christmas gifting experience for Crisis charity
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Recently opened on November 8, Turnbull & Asser’s Christmas gifting destination has collaborated with six other British brands and craftspeople. The experience, running until Christmas Eve, is located in its Davies Street store, and will see 10 per cent of all profits donated to Crisis. The shirtmaker, originally founded in 1885, is partnering with brands that ‘share the same values, craftsmanship and pride in British manufacturing’. For the Davies Street gifting destination, the partnering brands include London-based jeweller Alice Made This, coffee company Climpson & Sons, luxury leather goods manufacturer Ettinger, textile artist Jo Elbourne, London Undercover umbrellas and men’s barbers, Pankhurst. All of the partnering brands have donated some of their products to a luxury gift box which customers of the Turnbull & Friends Christmas Gift Shop will have the opportunity to win by entering a prize draw. Crisis, the charity which is benefitting from the gifting experience, is one of the UK’s leading homeless aid charities. Founded in 1967, the charity offers one to-one support, advice and courses for homeless people across England, Scotland and Wales. For more information, visit turnbullandasser.com and crisis.org.uk
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Jess Benjamin
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https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/turnbull-and-asser-christmas-gifting-experience-for-crisis-charity-a4284261.html
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Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:24:36 GMT
| 1,573,507,476 | 1,573,518,954 |
society
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welfare
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189,134 |
eveningstandard--2019-11-13--Prince William marks 50 years of homeless charity Centrepoint with south London visit
| 2019-11-13T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
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Prince William marks 50 years of homeless charity Centrepoint with south London visit
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The Duke of Cambridge today marked 50 years of the homeless charity Centrepoint with a visit to affordable housing for former homeless youngsters. William, patron of the charity, visited the home in south London to learn first hand how the former homeless youngsters have been assisted to independent living. The visit came ahead of the Centrepoint 50th anniversary gala to celebrate the charity at The Roundhouse, Camden. The gala, where the prince will make a speech, will promote the achievements of individuals supported by Centrepoint, highlight the issues they face and encourage supporters to help change the story for homeless young people. During two engagements William showcased Centrepoint, which provides homeless young people with accommodation, health support and life skills to get them back into education, training and employment. Since starting out in the basement of St Anne's Church in 1969, the organisation has grown to become the UK's leading youth homelessness charity, supporting over 9,000 homeless young people a year. William’s first visit of the day was at a new “Apprenticeship House” which aims to support young people who share living quarters. As part of a wider programme developing housing solutions in London and Manchester to support young people moving on from supported accommodation and into work, the charity has transformed an existing building in south London into a seven-bed shared home for young people on apprenticeship programmes. After chatting with the youngsters in private, William said: “You guys are the creme de la creme of what Centrepoint can achieve.” Speaking to a number of employers who have taken on the apprentices, William said: “It is fantastic that employers like you are able to help these young people seize the chance for independent living. “They are punching into the ether of society. Hostels are one thing but now they have somewhere to live and somewhere to work.” Asked by one of the young people if he enjoyed the recent visit to Pakistan, William joked: “Apart from the near-death experience on the plane, it was amazing.” Antonio Sibson, 20, from Leeds said: “It means the world to me having a place. The longest I’ve stayed is Centrepoint. Mr Sibson, who has got a job with two other residents at Arros QD in Fitzrovia, added: “It’s great to have a wonderful house and a wonderful job. I can find a career and it’s given me hope for the future.” Royal Ross, 21, Folkestone, said: “I grew up in care but this independent living programme has given me real hope for the next stage in my life.”
|
Robert Jobson
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https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/prince-william-marks-50-years-of-homeless-charity-centrepoint-with-south-london-visit-a4286231.html
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Wed, 13 Nov 2019 11:53:00 GMT
| 1,573,663,980 | 1,573,648,256 |
society
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welfare
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191,347 |
eveningstandard--2019-12-04--How to give charitably this Christmas
| 2019-12-04T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
How to give charitably this Christmas
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With Christmas just around the corner, giving to others is the spirit of the season and there’s no better time to give charitably than the present. Donating to charities is the obvious way to lend a helping hand, simply pick one close to your heart and give as much as you can afford - but there are several other ways to be charitable this Christmas too. With this is mind, we’ve rounded up our favourite alternative ways to help others this Christmas below. Buy a Beam gift card to help the homeless Research earlier this year found that a homeless person dies every 19 hours in the UK. Beam is one of the many charities trying to put a stop to this and help get the homeless off the streets. The way Beam works is a homeless person is referred to them by a charity or local council. They are then given a dedicated support specialist who makes sure the person is mentally and physically ready to enter full time employment. The support specialist then helps the person develop a tailored career plan, which is where the public comes in. The public can donate to a person via Beam’s website, either by funding one person’s training or by funding everyone equally and receive regular updates about the progress of that person’s career. This Christmas, Beam is introducing gift cards to buy your friends and family that include a one-off donation you can allocate to any homeless person crowdfunding on Beam’s platform. All donations go directly to the individual’s employment training. To find out more about Beam, visit beam.org and to give a give card, visit beam.org/gifts Donate to the Shelterbox Winter Warmth Appeal to help Syrian refugees Temperatures in Syria plummet during the winter, and Syrian refugees need your help. Families in the war-torn country have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict, often arriving in emergency camps with just the clothes on their backs. Shuttlebox writes: “They are totally unprotected from the harsh winter temperatures. Warm blankets could make all the difference. “A complete winter warmth bundle has everything a large family needs to survive the cold - from mattresses to a kitchen set for cooking warm food. It also includes insulated baby sleepsuits, children’s thermal underwear, and children's jeans and jumpers.” The winter warmth bundle is £250, but donors can opt to donate as much or as little as they like - £39 can buy three baby clothing sets and £70 can buy 10 blankets. To find out more, visit shelterbox.org/winter-warmth-appeal Gabriela Hearst is donating 100 per cent of profits to Save the Children from December 2 to 9 During the first week of December (2 to 9), fashion designer Gabriela Hearst will donate 100 per cent of net proceeds on all products to Save the Children and its work in Yemen. While Save the Children helps children worldwide, more than 12 million children in Yemen have been trapped in a cycle of starvation and sickness for the past four years as a result of war. Just £48 could provide a family of seven with food for an entire month meaning, buying this Gabriela Hearst dress for $1,990 or this top for $1,250 could do a world of good. Hearst said in a statement: “Save the Children is one of the largest non-profit organisations on the ground in Yemen. The humanitarian crisis has fallen out of media discourse, given the speed of our current news state. The catastrophe is present and needs as much help as possible. For me personally the holiday spirit should be about giving, and this is why we are donating all net proceeds to this important cause. I have deep admiration for the past, present, and future work of Save the Children.” To find out more and to donate, visit gabrielahearst.com and savethechildren.org.uk/yemen. Housing and homelessness charity, Shelter, has opened a pop-up shop in Covent Garden this year that will be open daily until December 21. Targeting the housing crisis this Christmas, UK supporters will be able to use ‘tap to donate’ points to automatically donate £3 to the charity. The store will be a mix of high-end bargains, seasonal gifts and cards as well as jewellery and collectibles. Shelter has also launched a new range of stocking fillers which can be bought in the shop or online – Emergency Chocolate bars (£5 for medium and £10 for large) and coins (£2). The Shelter pop-up will also see an event on December 16 run by the Secret Styling Club. Hosted by interior influencers Laurie (@lifeofaninteriorstylist) and Maxine (@welovehomeblog), who will teach guests how to make a stylish table centrepiece along with tablescaping tips and how to buy vintage this season. The workshop is limited to 15 places and tickets are £10 each, all proceeds going to Shelter. You can buy tickets here. Attend the refugee pop-up in the Old Truman Brewery on December 11 Next Wednesday (Dec 11), leading refugee business network TERN will run London’s first refugee-led pop-up in the Truman Brewery in Spitalfields. There, it will host five emerging refugee-founded business in the Brewery’s Dray Walk between 11am and 4:30pm where shoppers will have the chance to find out more about the brands and buy the products including Sidr Honey, luxury lingerie and handmade tote bags. TERN are supporting 100 entrepreneurs in 2019 alone, with a goal of launching 1,000 refugee-led businesses by 2025. This could provide employment for more than 3,000 people over the next five years. For more information on TERN, visit wearetern.org and for more information about the event, visit eventbrite.co.uk For the third year in a row, Choose Love has popped up in London, this year at 47 to 49 Neal Street in Covent Garden. Set up by Help Refugees, Choose Love is the world’s only store that sells products and services for refugees across the globe. Since 2017, the stores in London, New York and LA have welcomed 45,000 customers and distributed 1.6 million items to those in need. Visitors can buy individual products and services and ‘bundles’ of items that will be given to refugees. New for this year is the ‘Bundle of Warmth’ featuring hot food, a child’s coat, firewood and a warm blanket; the ‘Bundle of Love’ featuring baby grow, child’s boots, nappies, basic wash bag, tent, tarp and pallet; and the ‘Bundle of Hope’ which features mental health support, adult learning and women’s support. If you’re feeling extra generous, you can ‘buy the store’ for £650. You also don’t need to live in London to give, Choose Love also has an online store that you can choose gifts from as well. To find out more, visit choose.love While in Covent Garden visiting Shelter and Choose Love, be sure to also visit Action for Children's Secret Santa Pop-Up Store open from December 5 to 18. Here, visitors can be a secret santa for a vulnerable child by purchasing a gift inclusing a hot meal, warm clothes and a safe place to sleep. Shoppers will also be able to support the charity by buying one of their stylish celebrity-inspired ‘happy’ and ‘safe’ t-shirts and jumpers. All proceeds will go towards the young people Action for Children support. To find out more, visit actionforchildren.org.uk
|
Laura Hampson
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/charitable-gift-ideas-christmas-a4303526.html
|
Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:36:00 GMT
| 1,575,473,760 | 1,575,462,594 |
society
|
welfare
|
191,983 |
eveningstandard--2019-12-08--Victoria Park Santa Run: Thousands take part in charity Christmas race in London
| 2019-12-08T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
Victoria Park Santa Run: Thousands take part in charity Christmas race in London
|
Thousands of people dressed as Santa Claus took part in a charity run around London's Victoria Park. About 3,000 people entered this year's London Santa Run to raise money for various charities on Sunday morning. The annual event, which is now in its 10th year, encouraged people to swap their usual running gear for a red coat, jaunty bobble hat, and white beard, before taking part in either a 5k or 10k course around the east London park. After completing the route, tired runners were treated to free mince pies and an official souvenir medal for their efforts. Organisers Skyline Events said they hope to raise between £500,000 and £1 million for about 65 charities represented on the day. Save the Children was the 2019 headline charity, but participants could choose to support a variety of other organisations. Siobhan Dillon, spokesperson for Skyline Events, said: "Seeing 3,000 Santas in Victoria Park is a pretty mad sight. It's the biggest one yet, which is pretty incredible. "Before everyone set off, we had a couple of elves on stage helping with the warm-up, and then at the end we had Christmas carols playing and mince pies for everyone. "It was really good fun and it gets everyone into the Christmas spirit." The run coincided with another annual Santa dash held up in Glasgow, Scotland, which saw more than 7,000 people take part.
|
Luke O'Reilly
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/santa-claus-run-victoria-park-charity-christmas-a4308046.html
|
Sun, 08 Dec 2019 16:32:00 GMT
| 1,575,840,720 | 1,575,851,301 |
society
|
welfare
|
192,380 |
eveningstandard--2019-12-11--Give back: how to gift charitably this Christmas
| 2019-12-11T00:00:00 |
eveningstandard
|
Give back: how to gift charitably this Christmas
|
With Christmas just around the corner, giving to others is the spirit of the season and there’s no better time to give charitably than the present. Donating to charities is the obvious way to lend a helping hand, simply pick one close to your heart and give as much as you can afford - but there are several other ways to be charitable this Christmas too. With this is mind, we’ve rounded up our favourite alternative ways to help others this Christmas below. Buy a Beam gift card to help the homeless Research earlier this year found that a homeless person dies every 19 hours in the UK. Beam is one of the many charities trying to put a stop to this and help get the homeless off the streets. The way Beam works is a homeless person is referred to them by a charity or local council. They are then given a dedicated support specialist who makes sure the person is mentally and physically ready to enter full time employment. The support specialist then helps the person develop a tailored career plan, which is where the public comes in. The public can donate to a person via Beam’s website, either by funding one person’s training or by funding everyone equally and receive regular updates about the progress of that person’s career. This Christmas, Beam is introducing gift cards to buy your friends and family that include a one-off donation you can allocate to any homeless person crowdfunding on Beam’s platform. All donations go directly to the individual’s employment training. To find out more about Beam, visit beam.org and to give a give card, visit beam.org/gifts Donate to the Shelterbox Winter Warmth Appeal to help Syrian refugees Temperatures in Syria plummet during the winter, and Syrian refugees need your help. Families in the war-torn country have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict, often arriving in emergency camps with just the clothes on their backs. Shelterbox writes: “They are totally unprotected from the harsh winter temperatures. Warm blankets could make all the difference. “A complete winter warmth bundle has everything a large family needs to survive the cold - from mattresses to a kitchen set for cooking warm food. It also includes insulated baby sleepsuits, children’s thermal underwear, and children's jeans and jumpers.” The winter warmth bundle is £250, but donors can opt to donate as much or as little as they like - £39 can buy three baby clothing sets and £70 can buy 10 blankets. To find out more, visit shelterbox.org/winter-warmth-appeal Gabriela Hearst is donating 100 per cent of profits to Save the Children from December 2 to 9 During the first week of December (2 to 9), fashion designer Gabriela Hearst will donate 100 per cent of net proceeds on all products to Save the Children and its work in Yemen. While Save the Children helps children worldwide, more than 12 million children in Yemen have been trapped in a cycle of starvation and sickness for the past four years as a result of war. Just £48 could provide a family of seven with food for an entire month meaning, buying this Gabriela Hearst dress for $1,990 or this top for $1,250 could do a world of good. Hearst said in a statement: “Save the Children is one of the largest non-profit organisations on the ground in Yemen. The humanitarian crisis has fallen out of media discourse, given the speed of our current news state. The catastrophe is present and needs as much help as possible. For me personally the holiday spirit should be about giving, and this is why we are donating all net proceeds to this important cause. I have deep admiration for the past, present, and future work of Save the Children.” To find out more and to donate, visit gabrielahearst.com and savethechildren.org.uk/yemen. Housing and homelessness charity, Shelter, has opened a pop-up shop in Covent Garden this year that will be open daily until December 21. Targeting the housing crisis this Christmas, UK supporters will be able to use ‘tap to donate’ points to automatically donate £3 to the charity. The store will be a mix of high-end bargains, seasonal gifts and cards as well as jewellery and collectibles. Shelter has also launched a new range of stocking fillers which can be bought in the shop or online – Emergency Chocolate bars (£5 for medium and £10 for large) and coins (£2). The Shelter pop-up will also see an event on December 16 run by the Secret Styling Club. Hosted by interior influencers Laurie (@lifeofaninteriorstylist) and Maxine (@welovehomeblog), who will teach guests how to make a stylish table centrepiece along with tablescaping tips and how to buy vintage this season. The workshop is limited to 15 places and tickets are £10 each, all proceeds going to Shelter. You can buy tickets here. Attend the refugee pop-up in the Old Truman Brewery on December 11 Next Wednesday (Dec 11), leading refugee business network TERN will run London’s first refugee-led pop-up in the Truman Brewery in Spitalfields. There, it will host five emerging refugee-founded business in the Brewery’s Dray Walk between 11am and 4:30pm where shoppers will have the chance to find out more about the brands and buy the products including Sidr Honey, luxury lingerie and handmade tote bags. TERN are supporting 100 entrepreneurs in 2019 alone, with a goal of launching 1,000 refugee-led businesses by 2025. This could provide employment for more than 3,000 people over the next five years. For more information on TERN, visit wearetern.org and for more information about the event, visit eventbrite.co.uk For the third year in a row, Choose Love has popped up in London, this year at 47 to 49 Neal Street in Covent Garden. Set up by Help Refugees, Choose Love is the world’s only store that sells products and services for refugees across the globe. Since 2017, the stores in London, New York and LA have welcomed 45,000 customers and distributed 1.6 million items to those in need. Visitors can buy individual products and services and ‘bundles’ of items that will be given to refugees. New for this year is the ‘Bundle of Warmth’ featuring hot food, a child’s coat, firewood and a warm blanket; the ‘Bundle of Love’ featuring baby grow, child’s boots, nappies, basic wash bag, tent, tarp and pallet; and the ‘Bundle of Hope’ which features mental health support, adult learning and women’s support. If you’re feeling extra generous, you can ‘buy the store’ for £650. You also don’t need to live in London to give, Choose Love also has an online store that you can choose gifts from as well. To find out more, visit choose.love Have someone in your life that wears their Pandora bracelet religiously? This Christmas, buy them a charm with a conscience as Pandora has teamed up with UNICEF to create a Sterling Silver Bracelet and My Smile Charm (£60) and a My Girl Pride Charm (£15) with 100 per cent of the profits going direct to UNICEF. To find out more, visit pandora.net/pandora-for-unicef While in Covent Garden visiting Shelter and Choose Love, be sure to also visit Action for Children's Secret Santa Pop-Up Store open from December 5 to 18. Here, visitors can be a secret Santa for a vulnerable child by purchasing a gift including a hot meal, warm clothes and a safe place to sleep. Action for Children has partnered with a number of known names to create its 'safe' and 'happy' t-shirts and jumpers, including Stacey Solomon, Mrs Hinch and Una Healy. T-shirts retail for £19 and jumpers for £30 and all proceeds will go towards the young people Action for Children support. To find out more and to purchase the merchandise online, visit actionforchildren.teemill.com and secretsanta.actionforchildren.org. Donate to a charity and potentially win a trip of a lifetime with GoodGood Giving GoodGood Giving is a fundraising platform with a difference - it creates incredible experiences and donates the money to charities in need. To get involved, all you need to do is visit GoodGood's site, pick the experience you want (right now choose between a trip to the 2020 Monaco Grand Prix and a South African safari) and donate £10 to a charity to enter the draw. A winner will be selected at random who will be whisked away on the trip of a lifetime. To find out more, visit goodgoodgiving.org
|
Laura Hampson
|
https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/charitable-gift-ideas-christmas-a4303526.html
|
Wed, 11 Dec 2019 14:00:00 GMT
| 1,576,090,800 | 1,576,110,806 |
society
|
welfare
|
213,932 |
france24--2019-01-09--French public gave less to charities in 2018
| 2019-01-09T00:00:00 |
france24
|
French public gave less to charities in 2018
|
Public donations to charities dropped sharply in France in 2018, plunging by more than 6.5 percent on last year, with some forecasting an overall 10 percent fall. France Générosité – a union representing 97 charitable organisations nationwide – reported a €200 million shortfall in the €2.9 billion collected on average each year. “Charities are very worried about their capacity to maintain their programmes… Donations are crucial for NGOs,” Laurence Lepetit, chief executive of France Générosité, told FRANCE 24. The union largely attributes the drop to recent changes in the country’s tax system, including the government’s decision in 2018 to replace a tax on wealth with a property tax. Under the previous rules, households with an income over €1.3 million could deduct 75 percent of charitable contributions (or up to €50,000) from their declarations. Although taxpayers can still write-off donations under the new property tax, it applies to only half as many people. “For major donors, the transformation in our wealth tax is a big explanation,” Lepetit explained. “(Because) the change in the law divided contributors by two, charities received far less this year. We noticed a drop of 54 percent in donations, which is roughly €150 million.” Small donors – in particular retirees – have also been hard hit by the new fiscal reforms, which has scrapped some taxes, but increased social charges. “The overall feeling in France of having less buying power has contributed to a huge drop in small donations. Many NGOs have received letters from faithful donors saying that this year they don’t have the capacity to give,” Lepetit said. There are fears that private donations to charities may continue to slide in 2019, as the government is introducing a controversial, new system which automatically deducts income tax from workers’ paychecks. “There are still many questions and a lot of anxiety among the population about this new tax system, and some donors have explained that they prefer to postpone donating this year in order to understand what their buying capacity will be in 2019,” Lepetit said. Among the litany of organisations that have flagged a decline in donations in 2018 are some of France’s most iconic and popular group, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and Secours Catholique [Catholic Aid]. Not all NGOs, however, have been impacted in the same way. MSF reported an uptick in donations at the end of the year – a popular time for charitable giving – while the Secours Islamique [Muslim Aid] reportedly saw an increase in bequests in 2018. “We also know that charities working towards animal welfare or the environment have better results than the others. But the overall big picture is a significant drop for most of them,” Lepetit said.
|
FRANCE 24
|
https://www.france24.com/en/20190109-france-public-donations-charities-plunges-2018-tax-reforms
|
2019-01-09 18:44:00+00:00
| 1,547,077,440 | 1,567,553,349 |
society
|
welfare
|
360,757 |
newsweek--2019-01-21--Twitch Stream Pulls in 250000 for Mermaids Charity Featuring Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Owen Jones
| 2019-01-21T00:00:00 |
newsweek
|
Twitch Stream Pulls in $250,000 for Mermaids Charity, Featuring Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Owen Jones and More
|
Over the past 50 hours, Harry “HBomberGuy” Brewis has been streaming on Twitch and raised $250,000 for a UK-based transgender help group. The stream has been a roaring success, with tens of thousands of viewers tuning in to watch Brewis try to complete Donkey Kong 64. Streaming from the “woods near Manchester” he said on stream, Brewis has managed to rally a lot of people to help a good cause. Brewis’ videos focus on attacking the ignorance of skeptics on the internet and trying to talk through hypocrisy. Other prominent YouTubers like Lindsay Ellis, ContraPoints and Jim Sterling appeared on stream, talking to Brewis through his Discord channel. At one point, Brewis had been stuck on the “Beaver Bother” level of DK64 and managed to pick the minds of speedrunners for the game. What started as a small YouTuber trying to raise some money quickly blossomed into a movement. The whole idea for a charity stream began when Graham Linehan, who Brewis described on stream as a “comedy writer who did some work on a good show 20 years ago,” appeared on national television and pleaded his fan base to reach out to the National Lottery, which was funding Mermaids, to complain. Mermaids is an organization that offers support hotlines for trans members, education and advocacy for trans rights. On stream Brewis explained that originally he didn’t think he would break $50,000, but quickly surpassed that goal within the first day. Traditional celebrities have started to post about the stream. Cher, Neil Gaiman, Matthew Mercer, Paris Lee, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Adam Conover and author Owen Jones have all shown their support on twitter. Ocasio-Cortez and Jones appeared briefly in the Discord channel, sharing their support and admiration for Brewis. The stream will continue until he completely finishes Donkey Kong 64, which you can catch on his Twitch channel. He’s already smashed through every goal he’s set and it’s unclear how much money we will see at the end. If you want to support Mermaids and watch a man slowly descend into madness, you won’t find a better place.
| null |
https://www.newsweek.com/twitch-stream-pulls-250000-mermaids-charity-featuring-alexandria-ocasio-1298710?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution
|
2019-01-21 00:55:01+00:00
| 1,548,050,101 | 1,567,551,463 |
society
|
welfare
|
368,661 |
newyorkpost--2019-01-16--Fan gives 175K to charity after Syracuse upset of Duke
| 2019-01-16T00:00:00 |
newyorkpost
|
Fan gives $175K to charity after Syracuse upset of Duke
|
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A central New York businessman says he’s following through with a pledge to donate $150,000 to area Boys & Girls Clubs in the aftermath of Syracuse’s upset of No. 1 Duke. Adam Weitsman, a well-known Orange fan and owner of recycling and shredding business, posted on Facebook before the game that he would make the donation if Syracuse won. The visiting Orange upset the Blue Devils 95-91 in overtime Monday night. Weitsman told ESPN that he called officials with the Boys & Girl Club on Tuesday and made arrangements to deliver $50,000 apiece to three Boys & Girls Clubs in Owego, Binghamton and Syracuse. His friends reminded him he had forgotten to mention another club in Endicott, so he added another $25,000 donation for a grand total of $175,000 to charity after his favorite team’s upset victory. According to the ESPN report, Weitsman is a convicted felon who spent nearly a year in prison in 2004 for bank fraud. Since then, he has made a fortune as the owner of Upstate Shredding, a $1 billion scrap metal and recycling company. He reportedly owns a $30 million mansion on Skaneateles Lake in New York. Weitsman said he would not have made this donation when he was younger. “When I was younger, I was pretty selfish,” Weitsman told ESPN. “I just want to be a different man than I was when I was young. Hopefully, [my donation] spurs other people to do the same.” Weitsman told the Post-Standard of Syracuse that on the way to the game at Cameron Indoor Stadium he was reading about a Syracuse recruit who learned to play the game at the Boys & Girls Club in Rochester, New York. That’s when the idea of the donation came to him. Weitsman’s grandfather was a founding member of a Boys & Girls Club in New York. Also, the foundation of Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim and wife Juli supports branches of the organization. Weitsman was among a group of Syracuse fans that sat behind the team bench for the victory. He says “it’s amazing to be able to help them out.”
|
Associated Press
|
https://nypost.com/2019/01/15/fan-gives-175k-to-charity-after-syracuse-upset-of-duke/
|
2019-01-16 02:43:36+00:00
| 1,547,624,616 | 1,567,552,261 |
society
|
welfare
|
385,589 |
npr--2019-05-28--MacKenzie Bezos Pledges To Give More Than Half Of Her Billions To Charity
| 2019-05-28T00:00:00 |
npr
|
MacKenzie Bezos Pledges To Give More Than Half Of Her Billions To Charity
|
MacKenzie Bezos Pledges To Give More Than Half Of Her Billions To Charity MacKenzie Bezos, who received more than $35 billion in her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has signed the Giving Pledge, making a commitment to give more than half her fortune to charity or philanthropic causes. "We each come by the gifts we have to offer by an infinite series of influences and lucky breaks we can never fully understand," Bezos wrote in a letter announcing her pledge. "In addition to whatever assets life has nurtured in me, I have a disproportionate amount of money to share." As one of the wealthiest women in the world — and the ex-wife of a billionaire who has not signed the Giving Pledge — Bezos is the most prominent name on the list of new signatories to the pledge. Jeff Bezos celebrated the news, saying via Twitter, "MacKenzie is going to be amazing and thoughtful and effective at philanthropy, and I'm proud of her." Discussing her pledge, MacKenzie Bezos, a novelist, quoted from Annie Dillard's The Writing Life: By signing the Giving Pledge, wealthy benefactors promise to give away more than half their assets, either during their life or after their death. The group does not require donors to name the organizations or causes they plan to support with the bulk of their fortunes. Bezos said she will give careful thought to how she distributes the money. And in what may be a sign that she intends to far exceed the pledge's requirement of giving away more than half her money, she added, "It will take time and effort and care. But I won't wait. And I will keep at it until the safe is empty." In the past, Bezos has backed several social and charity initiatives, from funding research into cancer and Alzheimer's disease to pushing for marriage equality. And she's currently the executive director of the Bystander Revolution, an anti-bullying group she founded in 2013. In late 2018, Bezos and her then-husband announced they would spend $2 billion to support homeless families. And they gave millions to TheDream.US, which offers college scholarships for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors. The Giving Pledge was started in 2010 by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. And while it has been praised as giving very public inspiration to anyone who wants to help others, the pledge has also been criticized for lacking a legal enforcement tool. Those who sign the Giving Pledge make "a moral commitment to give more than half of their wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes," according to the Giving Pledge's website. And while the wealthy donors use the group to share ideas about how to use their money effectively, their funds are not pooled for a common goal. Complicating matters further, many wealthy signatories of the pledge create family trusts and charitable foundations — steps that, while having the potential to spread their wealth around, can also make it hard to define when their personal pledge has been fulfilled. More than 200 wealthy philanthropists have now committed to the Giving Pledge, the group announced Tuesday. Other notable new pledges include Pinterest co-founder Paul Sciarra and his wife, Jennifer; WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton and his wife, Tegan; and Ryan D. "Jume" Jumonville, owner of the health care company United Networks of America. This year's pledge class also includes Stewart and Sandy Bainum, whose fortune derives in part from Stewart Bainum's longtime leadership roles at Choice Hotels International and Artis Senior Living.
|
Bill Chappell
|
https://www.npr.org/2019/05/28/727612204/mackenzie-bezos-pledges-to-give-more-than-half-of-her-billions-to-charity?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=news
|
2019-05-28 18:53:00+00:00
| 1,559,083,980 | 1,567,540,040 |
society
|
welfare
|
485,360 |
skynewsus--2019-05-28--Amazon boss ex-wife pledges half her 36bn fortune to charity
| 2019-05-28T00:00:00 |
skynewsus
|
Amazon boss' ex-wife pledges half her $36bn fortune to charity
|
Ex-wife of Amazon boss pledges to give half her $36bn fortune to charity Ex-wife of Amazon boss pledges to give half her $36bn fortune to charity Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos pictured at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in California The ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has promised to give away to charity half of the reported $36bn (£28.4bn) she received following her divorce. MacKenzie Bezos finalised her split from the world's richest man in April and it is claimed she received a 4% stake in the online shopping giant. On Tuesday, she became one of 19 people to join the Giving Pledge, which started in 2010 by 40 of the wealthiest people in the US, including Bill Gates. It involves billionaires pledging more than half of their wealth to charitable causes, either while they are alive or when they die. The 49-year-old, who is the world's third-richest woman, said in a letter: "We each come by the gifts we have to offer by an infinite series of influences and lucky breaks we can never fully understand. "In addition to whatever assets life has nurtured in me, I have a disproportionate amount of money to share. "My approach to philanthropy will continue to be thoughtful. It will take time and effort and care. But I won't wait. And I will keep at it until the safe is empty." Jeff Bezos, who tops the Forbes list of world billionaires with an estimated net worth of $131bn (£103.5bn), was quick to support his ex-wife following their amicable divorce. He tweeted: "MacKenzie is going to be amazing and thoughtful and effective at philanthropy, and I'm proud of her. Her letter is so beautiful. Go get 'em MacKenzie." He is not among the 204 wealthy people from 23 counties who have signed up to the Giving Pledge, which on its website says is "not a legal contract" - but a "moral commitment to give".
| null |
http://news.sky.com/story/ex-wife-of-amazon-boss-pledges-to-give-half-her-36bn-fortune-to-charity-11730427
|
2019-05-28 17:23:00+00:00
| 1,559,078,580 | 1,567,540,075 |
society
|
welfare
|
495,879 |
sottnet--2019-01-27--The richest man on earth Jeff Bezos drops a token of his 160B fortune to charity
| 2019-01-27T00:00:00 |
sottnet
|
The richest man on earth, Jeff Bezos drops a token of his $160B fortune to charity
|
Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has given only a tiny fraction of his $160 billion fortune to philanthropic causes, falling far behind fellow billionaires such as Bill and Melinda Gates and former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, public records show.Although Bezos, 55, and his estranged wife MacKenzie recently pledged $2 billion to a new charitable initiative,Out of $100,000, that would be like spending $90.06 on charity.said Queens City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, whose district includes Long Island City, where Amazon plans to set up a corporate headquarters. "When they make promises of how generous they will be, I look at what they have done in the past to know what the truth really is."Over nearly two decades, Jeff Bezos has given paltry donations to the Bezos Family Foundation, a charity that was started by his parents in Washington state in Sept. 2000, state incorporation filings show.Between 2000 and 2017, Bezos contributed just under $6 million to the group that Jacklyn and Miguel Bezos kickstarted with $20,000. Ma and Pa Bezos, who were early investors in their son's fledgling company in 1995, are worth as much as $30 billion today.In 2004, Bezos, who had already amassed a net worth of just over $2 billion, joined the board of his parents' non-profit, along with his wife and siblings Mark and Lisa and their respective partners, according to tax filings for the group reviewed by The Post.In 2017, Jacklyn and Miguel Bezos contributed $30,266,250 in stock to their charity, public documents show. (The foundation makes donations to educational initiatives in the US and around the world.)It wasn't until 2011 that Jeff Bezos, whose wealth had shot up to more than $18 billion, finally gave his first contribution to the Bezos Family Foundation: $940,538 in Amazon stock through Zefram LLC, a company that he controls, federal filings show.As his wealth climbed, Bezos continued to keep a tight rein on his cash, at least when it came to his family charity. In 2015, the year his wealth took a nearly $30 billion leap and his net worth shot up to $58.4 billion, the family foundation received a total of $5,002,590 in Amazon stock from Jeff and MacKenzie, public records show.The $5,943,128 the tech titan donated to his parents' charity over the last 17 years averages less than $350,000 annually.Bezos has long been known for his stingy ways with employees at Amazon. According to Brad Stone's 2013 book The Everything Store, meals in the company cafeterias are not subsidized for workers and new employees receive a backpack with orientation materials and various pieces of equipment, including a power adaptor, that they are asked to return upon resignation.But in the last year Bezos seems to have opened his philanthropic spigot slightly. He took to Twitter to ask his 700,000 followers for suggestions on the direction his philanthropy should take, and he recently doled out $33 million to finance scholarships for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the US as children and $10 million to With Honor, a political action committee that helps veterans enter politics.After announcing the creation of thean initiative to battle homelessness and support early childhood education with the creation of Montessori schools in needy neighborhoods in September, Bezos earmarked $97.5 million to homeless charities across the country.who signed on to billionaire investor Warren Buffett's 2006 challenge to give half their fortune to philanthropy.is the most generous philanthropist in the US according to a survey by "The Chronicle of Philanthropy," a Washington-based group that tracks giving. Gates has given out $35.8 billion - more than one third of his current $96 billion net worth - in contributions to global health, education and relief projects from his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation since 2000. In 2018, federal filings show the couple doled out nearly $5 billion in contributions, equivalent to 5 percent of their wealth, in a single year.Last year, Bloomberg, who is worth an estimated $46.3 billion, pledged $1.8 billion to Johns Hopkins University, to be used exclusively for financial aid. Previously, he has donated a total of more than $6 billion to charitable causes, or nearly 13 percent of his net worth.Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, whose wealth is estimated at $54.3 billion, has pledged to donate 99 percent of his shares in the social media site to charity.In Long Island City, where Amazon is set to gain more than $1.5 billion in city tax credits and a helipad for executive use in exchange for agreeing to set up half of its headquarters - the other half is slated for Arlington, VA - the company has so far promised $5 million for "work force development," Van Bramer told The Post. The company said that it plans to create 25,000 jobs in the city."It's not very encouraging," Van Bramer said of Bezos' past lack of largesse, adding that Amazon executives and City Council members are meeting on Wednesday to address the company's role in community development in Long Island City. "Bezos needs to be more philanthropic."
| null |
https://www.sott.net/article/405914-The-richest-man-on-earth-Jeff-Bezos-drops-a-token-of-his-160B-fortune-to-charity
|
2019-01-27 20:53:57+00:00
| 1,548,640,437 | 1,567,550,707 |
society
|
welfare
|
529,157 |
sputnik--2019-03-25--Affluent German Family to Reportedly Give 10 Mln to Charity Due to Nazi Past
| 2019-03-25T00:00:00 |
sputnik
|
Affluent German Family to Reportedly Give €10 Mln to Charity Due to Nazi Past
|
One of Germany's wealthiest families, the Reimanns, with an estimated net worth of €33 billion and with shares in such companies such as Pret a Manger and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, will donate €10 million to charity after newly emerged evidence revealed that their ancestors backed Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime, Bild reported on Sunday. Peter Harf, the spokesman for Reimann's JAB Holding Company, later confirmed to the German newspaper that the Reimanns' ancestors used forced labourers from Russia and France and donated to the SS forces even prior the establishment of Nazi rule in the country. "It is all correct," Harf said. "Reimann senior and Reimann junior were guilty… they belonged in jail." This comes after the Reimanns decided to hire historians from the University of Munich in 2014 to study the issue after they found family documents dating back to the times of Nazi rule. Both of the ancestors are now dead — Reimann senior died in 1954, and the son passed away in 1984.
| null |
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201903251073517150-nazi-family-charity/
|
2019-03-25 11:58:00+00:00
| 1,553,529,480 | 1,567,544,958 |
society
|
welfare
|
536,033 |
sputnik--2019-06-20--Hero of the Day Metallica Shocks Manchester Charity Donates 40000 to Fight UK Rough Sleeping
| 2019-06-20T00:00:00 |
sputnik
|
'Hero of the Day': Metallica Shocks Manchester Charity, Donates £40,000 to Fight UK Rough Sleeping
|
Heavy metal legend Metallica donated £40,000 to homeless charity Coffee4Craig before performing in Manchester earlier this week. “We didn't really want to get our hopes up,” Coffee4Craig head Hendrix Lancaster told the BBC after discovering that Metallica would support the them through All Within My Hands, the band’s own organisation, a few weeks in advance. Metallica’s All Within My Hands, which raises funds for charities in the San Francisco Bay Area and donates to music education programmes and food banks, requested that production companies find a charity to support during their tour, and Mr Lancaster’s appearance on the BBC programme Watchdog tipped off one of Metallica’s team members. Coffee4Craig began after Mr Lancaster and his wife, Risha Lancaster, founded the charity after her brother, Craig White, died whilst sleeping rough in Cardiff in 2013 after suffering from mental health issues. The charity aims to help “those most vulnerable to regain some dignity and well-being”. Metallica fans and charities alike showered the band with praise on social media and congratulated Coffee4Craig for receiving such a gesture of goodwill. Coffee4Craig volunteers were also given the chance to meet the band and attend their Manchester show, where the band gave them the donation. “The donation blew us away, not only the financial donation but all the leftover food from catering and dressing rooms went to our out-of-hours drop in,” Mr Lancaster said. “They were very humble and really interested in what we do and who Craig was.” According to Mr Lancaster, the charity costs £2,000 a week to operate, adding that “we're not going to be panicking about getting stuff” following Metallica’s donation. Metallica is set to perform at Twickenham Stadium on 20 June before continuing their tour across Europe.
| null |
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201906201075987829-hero-of-the-day-metallica-shocks-manchester-charity-donates-40000-to-fight-uk-rough-sleeping/
|
2019-06-20 16:17:04+00:00
| 1,561,061,824 | 1,567,538,625 |
society
|
welfare
|
538,186 |
sputnik--2019-07-21--Cougar Robin Hood British Lady Uses Silver Sex Appeal to Raise Over 100000 for Charity
| 2019-07-21T00:00:00 |
sputnik
|
'Cougar Robin Hood': British Lady Uses Silver Sex Appeal to Raise Over $100,000 for Charity
|
Fran Sawyer, a 50-year old lady from the UK, has come up with an interesting way of helping charitable fundraisers: by rewarding her social media followers who donate to such causes with sexy photos of herself. According to the Daily Star, she already raised about $125,000 for charities via this method, styling herself as a "sexy Robin Hood". In an interview with the newspaper, Fran, whose 15-year old son was born with a tumour and whose father had MS, revealed that she spend quite a lot of time at hospital and "realised there were so many kids that needed disability aids". "So I created the cougar with a little bit of a twist. I’ve used my sexuality for the last three years – people have bought my pictures and even my hair when I shaved it off," she said. "I look at the different charity pleas on GoFundMe and I just take the link for a person’s page and put it on my social media. Then I tell my fans to put any money they want into that person’s funding." According to the newspaper, Fran usually asks her followers to send her a screenshot confirming their donation, to which she then responds with a “saucy snap” of herself as thanks; this scheme ensures that the money goes directly to charity causes. "I love seeing people happy after I’ve helped them. There was a guy who needed a special wheelchair to play rugby and three months after he got it, he tried to thank me," she confessed. "But I feel really embarrassed by it all. I just reply ‘I use what Mother Nature gave me’."
| null |
https://sputniknews.com/society/201907211076311899-cougar-robin-hood-sexy-photos-charity/
|
2019-07-21 11:12:10+00:00
| 1,563,721,930 | 1,567,536,261 |
society
|
welfare
|
552,781 |
sputnik--2019-12-12--Naughty and Nice: Instagram Babe Strips to Raise Money for Christmas Charity
| 2019-12-12T00:00:00 |
sputnik
|
Naughty and Nice: Instagram Babe Strips to Raise Money for Christmas Charity
|
Gemma McCourt, who runs a travel/lifestyle blog and posts racy content online, has decided to use her assets for charitable giving. Last Saturday, she announced a 24-hour-long fundraiser: every penny viewers spent on her private account on the members-only platform OnlyFans would go to Crisis UK, a national charity for homeless people. “Every £28.87 reserves 1 seat this Christmas,” she wrote. “I’m also using the live feature on my page for the first time.” A subscription to McCourt’s account costs $14.99 per month; her pay-to-view private messages, as well as other content, are available there for an additional price. As for the wholesome folks who don’t what to see her naked photos, she encouraged them to donate directly to the charity or to her OnlyFans account. The 22-year-old raised a total of £1,443.50 ($1,900) in 24 hours. She shared a screenshot of her donation with her 65,000 subscribers on Twitter, saying: “I’ve round this up to cover the cost of 50 places for the homeless at Christmas. I genuinely really appreciate everyone’s support.”
| null |
https://sputniknews.com/viral/201912121077549483-naughty-and-nice-instagram-babe-strips-to-raise-money-for-christmas-charity/
|
Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:25:07 +0300
| 1,576,160,707 | 1,576,154,992 |
society
|
welfare
|
564,819 |
tass--2019-04-23--Sport and Charity Become One at SPIEF 2019
| 2019-04-23T00:00:00 |
tass
|
Sport and Charity Become One at SPIEF 2019
|
St. Petersburg, April 23. Acting Governor of the Kursk Region Roman Starovoit will lead the region’s delegation to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2019). The Forum will take place in St. Petersburg on 6–8 June 2019 under the main theme of Creating a Sustainable Development Agenda. Roman Starovoit also plans to join the Roscongress SPIEF Race. The Roscongress Foundation and World Class, Russia’s largest gym chain, organize the race. The first SPIEF Race was held in 2016. About 300 people participated that year. "I look forward to being a part of and joining such a large-scale sporting event as Roscongress SPIEF Race. As far as the participants, the place and the format, it is a fine and unique initiative. I sincerely support the Foundation in this project. For me, participation in the race is a continuation of a heart-warming tradition that we are also actively keeping up in the Kursk Region. We have the ‘Kursk Runs. You Run’ project through which we promote sports, a healthy lifestyle and philanthropy. I believe that together with as many people as possible, both in deed and word, we can achieve better results. Everyone is important because the positive changes first occur within ourselves and then spread beyond. A sport like nothing else encourages it, builds endurance, and in our case, also a team spirit, when the race is not just for strong body and soul, but for a meaningful purpose! The Roscongress Foundation's particular attention to philanthropy and organization of such events are particularly gratifying, and we are excited to step in," - said Roman Starovoit, Acting Governor of the Kursk Region. "Kursk Runs. You Run" is a charity project of the Kursk Region for those into sports and helping children. It is a way to directly support families in hardships: multi-child households, fire victims, single mothers, disabled children and children in need of expensive medical treatment. Anyone can participate in a race by donating 100 roubles or more to the account of The World of Childhood regional charity Marathon. Age group 18+ **The Roscongress Foundation** is a socially oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer of international conventions, exhibitions, and public events. The Roscongress Foundation was founded in 2007 with the aim of facilitating the development of Russia’s economic potential, promoting its national interests, and strengthening the country’s image. One of the roles of the Foundation is to comprehensively evaluate, analyse, and cover issues on the Russian and global economic agendas. It also offers administrative services, provides promotional support for business projects and attracting investment, and helps foster social entrepreneurship and charitable initiatives. The Foundation’s events draw more than 80,000 participants each year from 195 countries, with more than 10,000 media representatives working on-site at Roscongress’ various venues. The Foundation benefits from analytical and professional expertise provided by 2,500 people working in Russia and abroad. In addition, it works in close cooperation with economic partners from 75 countries worldwide. www.roscongress.org **The Social Platform** is a strategic initiative of the Roscongress Foundation that aims to establish and maintain a stable dialogue between the business, government and civil society structures. We create feedback tools within the framework of existing forums, continuously promote the social agenda, and facilitate the development of a healthy social environment and philanthropy in Russia. The platform’s mission is to facilitate the consolidation, establishment of a dialogue, and cooperation between the entities involved in the social ecosystem and also promote socially significant projects and the development of a culture of social inclusion in Russia. In February 2019 the Innosocium Foundation for Social Development Aid was established. The Foundation’s main objectives are to provide practical support for priority areas of social development, create and promote the social agenda at the communication platforms of the Roscongress Foundation, implement socially significant and charitable initiatives, facilitate the development and enhance the effectiveness of NPOs and corporate social responsibility in addition to international cooperation within the sustainable development agenda, and strengthen the positive image of Russia. The key focuses of Innosocium are social issues, culture, education, the environment, social communications, and women’s leadership. One key aspect of the Innosocium Foundation’s activities is to participate in business programme events organized by the Roscongress Foundation as well as organize sessions using its own platform.
| null |
http://tass.com/press-releases/1055141
|
2019-04-23 10:38:39+00:00
| 1,556,030,319 | 1,567,542,007 |
society
|
welfare
|
568,723 |
tass--2019-08-07--Ballet dancer Polunin opens charity fund to support and encourage arts in Russia
| 2019-08-07T00:00:00 |
tass
|
Ballet dancer Polunin opens charity fund to support and encourage arts in Russia
|
MOSCOW, August 7. /TASS/. Choreographer and ballet dancer Sergei Polunin has established a charity fund to support talented kids and professional dancers, the dancer told TASS. "We have just picked up the charity fund registration certificate from the Russian Ministry of Justice. Its full name is 'Sergei Polunin’s Charity Foundation for Support and Encouragement of Arts'," he said. The choreographer pinpointed the three key aims of the fund. The first is to search for young talented children across Russia, while the fund can also support kids from other countries. The second is patronage of professional dancers, ballet masters, choreographers, composers and artists. "It is equally important to support artists when they have already reached the professional level and, on the contrary, have reached the age which is considered as pre-retirement in this profession. The world of classical dance is hierarchical and even despotic, the rigid limitations often make it impossible to fully explore the talent and realize all ideas," he added. Polunin stressed that the third aim of the fund is to encourage the development of ballet as an art and create choreography of the future. The dancer also noted that the fund is currently devising its first charity programs. "We will present them later, while we begin with scouting and personal grants. The fund’s board of trustees is also being formed now. We are holding partnership negotiations now. We will be glad to work with companies and organizations that share our values. We have ambitious plans," Polunin stated. The ballet dancer also pointed out that he understands the importance of personalized support first-hand, his ballet trainings in London were sponsored by the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation, and now he knows how this mechanism works and what can be improved. He also told TASS that he had taken up supporting four young talents in Serbia this year, while the fund’s creation will allow him to carry out a larger-scale and more systematic work in Russia. Sergei Polunin was born on November 20, 1989 in Kherson (Ukrainian SSR). At the age of 13, the would-be dancer moved to London where he studied at the British Royal Ballet School. From 2007 to 2012, Polunin was the Royal Ballet’s principal dancer. In 2012, he became the principal dancer of the Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theater and, at the same time, permanent guest principal dancer of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater. In 2016, he was invited for a position of the guest principal dancer at the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich. In 2016, Stephen Cantor’s biopic about Sergei Polunin’s life and career was nominated for the Producers Guild of America Award in the best documentary category. In 2017, he also played a role in Murder on the Orient Express, as well as played a bit part in Red Sparrow (2018) alongside Jennifer Lawrence. In the end of 2018, Polunin received Russian citizenship.
| null |
https://tass.com/society/1072264
|
2019-08-07 08:22:04+00:00
| 1,565,180,524 | 1,567,534,652 |
society
|
welfare
|
582,066 |
theblaze--2019-03-25--Company that owns big businesses like Krispy Kreme Panera is terribly sorry for ancestors Nazi pa
| 2019-03-25T00:00:00 |
theblaze
|
Company that owns big businesses like Krispy Kreme, Panera, is terribly sorry for ancestors’ Nazi past. So it plans to donate $11 million to charity.
|
Company that owns big businesses like Krispy Kreme, Panera, is terribly sorry for ancestors’ Nazi past. So it plans to donate $11 million to charity.
|
Sarah Taylor
|
https://www.theblaze.com/news/company-who-owns-big-businesses-like-krispy-kreme-panera-is-terribly-sorry-for-ancestors-nazi-past-so-it-donates-11-million
|
2019-03-25 16:16:08+00:00
| 1,553,544,968 | 1,567,544,961 |
society
|
welfare
|
593,050 |
thedailybeast--2019-04-15--Bernie Sanders Donated 226 to Charity Tax Returns Show
| 2019-04-15T00:00:00 |
thedailybeast
|
Bernie Sanders Donated 2.26% to Charity, Tax Returns Show
|
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) released a decade’s worth of tax returns on Monday, detailing millions in income—2.26 percent of which he donated to charity. The documents show that over the years, Sanders’ income ranged from $205,617 to $1.1 million, while his charitable giving ranged from less than 1 percent to just over 4 percent depending on the year. Last year, Sanders’ total income was $566, 421 and he donated $18,950 or 3.35 percent. In 2017, his income was $1.1 million and he gave away $36,300 or 3.15 percent. The year before that he also made more than $1 million but donated $10,600 or less than 1 percent. His income peaked in 2016 and 2017 due to sales of his book, Our Revolution. Based on IRS data, Sanders’ rate of giving was below the average for his income bracket in some years and or at or above in other years. Sanders had resisted releasing his tax returns during his last run for office, sparking speculation as to what would be in the records that could prove political problematic. The top line number shows that the Senator is among the millionaire class that he often bemoans. But the charitable giving also presents its own set of political vulnerabilities, which Sanders’ team appeared to acknowledge in a statement on its website explaining that the tax returns do not include proceeds from one of his books, The Speech, “which are donated directly to charity.” “The Sanders do not take a tax deduction for those contributions, so they do not show up on their tax returns,” the statement read. “The Sanders’ donations have gone primarily to senior centers, low-income organizations, educational entities, and environmental and housing advocacy groups,” the statement said. Reached for additional comment, Sanders’ campaign spokeswoman Arianna Jones noted that the senator’s policy platform calls for a greater government footprint in areas that are currently struggling to survive on charitable largesse. “Over the last decade, Bernie and Jane Sanders have donated more than $100,000 to charity. Their overall charitable giving rates have been roughly in line with the average rates in America as a whole,” the statement read. “In some years, they gave more than 3 or 4 percent of their income to charity. They have given to senior centers, low-income organizations, educational entities, and environmental and housing advocacy groups. They also believe that while voluntary charitable donations are commendable, they can never replace ongoing public investments in major social programs and services that improve people’s lives.”
| null |
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thedailybeast/articles/~3/22WSPvQ_QzU/bernie-sanders-donated-226-to-charity-tax-returns-show
|
2019-04-15 23:00:13+00:00
| 1,555,383,613 | 1,567,542,898 |
society
|
welfare
|
594,229 |
thedailybeast--2019-06-23--Scouted TOMS Added Four Issues to Its Charitable Portfolio From Ending Gun Violence to Access to S
| 2019-06-23T00:00:00 |
thedailybeast
|
Scouted: TOMS Added Four Issues to Its Charitable Portfolio, From Ending Gun Violence to Access to Safe Water
|
We all know that behind the comfortable, throw-on-and-go nature of TOMS is a charitable mission that gives shoes to those in need with every purchase. But with their newest charitable endeavor, Stand For Tomorrow, you can choose what your purchase goes towards. TOMS has expanded that charitable mission to include four additional issues that affect millions of people globally. Choose your favorite style, then choose the issue that you want to support, whether that’s giving shoes, ending gun violence, providing access to safe water, supporting equality, supporting mental health resources, or giving back to the homeless. You’ll also get $10 off your first order, which makes it even easier to donate. Stand For Tomorrow is about owning the issue that you find important in your life and taking a step (get it?) towards a better world. You can choose any style, from the classic canvas slip-on to a pair that you’ll wear to all those upcoming summer weddings. Pick your stand and do your part. Scouted is internet shopping with a pulse. Follow us on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter for even more recommendations and exclusive content. Please note that if you buy something featured in one of our posts, The Daily Beast may collect a share of sales.
| null |
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thedailybeast/articles/~3/BVk5WtFlorA/toms-stand-for-tomorrow-program-gives-back-to-more-charities
|
2019-06-23 13:10:00+00:00
| 1,561,309,800 | 1,567,538,366 |
society
|
welfare
|
603,453 |
thedailycaller--2019-05-29--MacKenzie Bezos Plans To Give Half Of Her 37 Billion Fortune To Charity
| 2019-05-29T00:00:00 |
thedailycaller
|
MacKenzie Bezos Plans To Give Half Of Her $37 Billion Fortune To Charity
|
MacKenzie Bezos announced Tuesday she would be donating half of her fortune, received in the divorce from ex-husband Jeff Bezos, to the Giving Pledge. MacKenzie, 49, is one of the wealthiest women in the world and the announcement makes her one of the most prominent people to sign the pledge this year, according to a report published by NPR. “In addition to whatever assets life has nurtured in me, I have a disproportionate amount of money to share,” MacKenzie shared. “My approach to philanthropy will continue to be thoughtful. It will take time and effort and care. But I won’t wait. And I will keep at it until the safe is empty.” MacKenzie now owns a four percent stake in Amazon equaling roughly $36 billion. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has not signed the pledge himself, but celebrated MacKenzie’s decision on Twitter. (RELATED: MacKenzie Bezos Takes 25% Of Amazon Stock In Finalized Divorce) “MacKenzie is going to be amazing and thoughtful and effective at philanthropy, and I’m proud of her,” Jeff shared in a tweet. The Giving Pledge was started by Bill Gates, Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet in 2010. People who sign the pledge make “a moral commitment to give more than half of their wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes.” The organization announced they now have more than 200 philanthropists contributing.
|
Lauryn Overhultz
|
https://dailycaller.com/2019/05/29/mackenzie-bezos-giving-pledge-donation/
|
2019-05-29 15:56:33+00:00
| 1,559,159,793 | 1,567,539,910 |
society
|
welfare
|
641,931 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-03--Savvy shoppers scramble to classy Edinburgh charity shop for slash price designer goods
| 2019-01-03T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
|
Savvy shoppers scramble to classy Edinburgh charity shop for slash price designer goods
|
A charity shop in an upmarket area of Edinburgh has been hit with a Black Friday-style scramble after it put designer goods up for sale at bargain prices. Shoppers queued outside Shelter Scotland in the city’s Stockbridge area for the chance to grab a pair of designer Christian Louboutin shoes for £50 and Cashmere knitwear for just £10 in the 16th annual event. Around £4000 ended up being raised in the first two hours of the sale after store opened at 10am. Thrifty shoppers grasped the opportunity to land some high-end bargains on designer items and collectibles. The sale included items from top brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith, Christian Louboutin, Amanda Wakely, and Tommy Hilfiger. A first edition of J.R.R Tolkien’s The Two Towers was just one of the high-end items for sale at £500. Some of the fashion items of note this year include a Tory Burch designer leather jacket for £100 and an Ede & Ravenscroft Man’s Herringbone wool coat for £60. A desirable Victorian silk top hat still in its original leather case went on sale for £100. Other collectibles on sale include dozens of boxed Fleischmann miniature gauge railway trains and carriages, a brass Buddha head and a pink 1960s vintage telephone. There was also an antique brass microscope by Reichert for £80 and original artworks and prints from £6. Assistant shop manager, Brenda Myles said: “It’s been manic but well-behaved – we’ve taken around £4,000 in the first two hours. “People were queuing down the street from early this morning and many have now gone home happy with some fantastic bargains.” And manager Pete Jew said: “This is our 16th annual January event and I’m delighted to say that we have a fantastic array of designer clothes and collectibles. “As ever, we are looking forward to welcoming eager shoppers looking for real bargains. “From Vivienne Westwood to Paul Smith and Cabbages and Roses to Amanda Wakely – the number of designer label bargains is amazing. “This is an exciting shopping experience unlike any other.” All funds raised from the annual sale will go towards Shelter Scotland’s work to help tackle homelessness and badly housed households across Scotland. He added: “This annual event can only happen because of the generosity of our customers and supporters who every year help us raise as much money as possible to support Shelter Scotland’s work.”
|
dailyrecord
|
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/savvy-shoppers-scramble-classy-edinburgh-13808866
|
2019-01-03 17:56:31+00:00
| 1,546,556,191 | 1,567,554,117 |
society
|
welfare
|
641,947 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-03--Wishaw charity makes Lapland dream trip come true for sick kids
| 2019-01-03T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
|
Wishaw charity makes Lapland dream trip come true for sick kids
|
Christmas came early for sick youngsters who travelled to visit Santa in Lapland thanks to a Wishaw charity. The Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation took five children with life-limiting illnesses and their parents to meet the real Father Christmas in Finland on December 22. The kids and their parents travelled alongside a paramedic and Les and Dream Assistant Laura for the trip of a lifetime. It was 24 hours packed full of festive fun and adventure. The group set off at 7am and flew to the North Pole. Flight attendants on board the TUI flight made sure the kids were geared up for what lay ahead. They played festive songs, had dance-offs with the kids, provided puzzles and delicious food. They even invited the youngsters into the cockpit to meet the pilot. When the kids arrived at the winter wonderland they had the chance to meet Santa after embarking on a train journey through magical caves. They went snowboarding, husky riding, drove snowmobiles and caught up with Santa’s little helpers. Les Hoey said: “ It was fantastic to see the wee DreamMakers so excited and enjoying themselves after such a hard year. “They even got to sit in the cockpit of the plane. That’s our final event of 2018 but Team DreamMaker have so many plans for next yea
|
Lynn McKenna
|
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/wishaw-charity-makes-lapland-dream-13807254
|
2019-01-03 11:14:50+00:00
| 1,546,532,090 | 1,567,554,117 |
society
|
welfare
|
642,274 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-09--Friends pull on football boots for mental health charity in memory of tragic East Kilbride teenager
| 2019-01-09T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
|
Friends pull on football boots for mental health charity in memory of tragic East Kilbride teenager
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Friends of tragic East Kilbride teenager Alex Lindsay are to hold a charity football tournament in his memory, marking what would have been his 19th birthday. The popular St Leonards teen will be remembered during the seven-a-side event at K-Park this Sunday – three days after his birthday – which aims to raise awareness of mental ill-health. Alex, an apprentice mechanic, former pupil of Calderglen High and avid Motherwell FC supporter, died in his St Leonards home on July 8 last year. He was described by his heartbroken family as the “most beautiful, handsome boy”. A minute’s applause was held at Fir Park for the dedicated member of fan group Motherwell Bois in the 18th minute of ’Well’s League Cup match with Edinburgh City on July 17 and banners were held aloft in his honour. An online fund started by the fans raised over £7000 which was donated to a charity chosen by his parents Robbie and Jill. The Alex Lindsay Cup is set to be an annual celebration of his life organised by close friends Jack Smith, 19, from St Leonards and 21-year-old Stewartfield man Joe McDermott. More than 120 players have signed up to take part in the knockout tournament, including Alex’s dad Robbie, who will pull his boots on for five minutes in the first match in honour of his beloved son. Robbie, 47, said: “We are once again overwhelmed by the generosity of so many, not least, Alex’s friends for arranging this tournament in his honour. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to those who have donated prizes and to those who will lend their support by attending the event on the day.” As well as marking Alex’s birthday and passing, the lads are aiming to raise hundreds of pounds for Beautiful Inside and Out (BIO). The charity was set up by Pauline Moriarty following the death of her daughter Jenna, who took her own life, and serves to offer support for those affected by suicide, especially youngsters. Said Joe: “We wanted to set this up in Alex’s name because football was such a big part of his life. We miss him every day. There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t think of him. “It seemed fitting to make this a yearly event where a good team of boys can have a kickabout in his name. He knew so many people and every player had their own personal relationship with him – they all jumped at the chance to take part.” Jack added: “This is in memory of our good friend Alex who, like his favourite Stone Roses song, was adored.” Each player will pay a donation of £10 and entry is £5 at the gate with all proceeds donated to BIO. There will be a function in Barocco bar in the Village afterwards for all players taking part. Kick-off is 3pm with the trophy presentation taking place at 6pm.
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Andrea Lambrou
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/friends-pull-football-boots-mental-13829671
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2019-01-09 06:00:00+00:00
| 1,547,031,600 | 1,567,553,298 |
society
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welfare
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642,300 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-09--Parents run half-marathon for charities that helped newborn son during the scariest time of their l
| 2019-01-09T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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Parents run half-marathon for charities that helped newborn son during the ‘scariest time of their lives’
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A Broomridge couple are taking on the Great Stirling Run to raise funds for charities that helped them during the ‘scariest time of their lives’. Parents Toni Tollan, 21, and Ben Wardrop, 19, are hoping to run the half-marathon for the children’s charities that assisted them with their newborn son Kai. Kai John Wardrop was born on September 3 with Pierre Robin Sequence, a condition which results in a child having a smaller jaw than normal at birth. The resulting small chin meant that Kai had difficulty breathing and developed a cleft palate. Just hours after being born, Kai was rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow to receive major surgery for a tracheostomy, which mum Toni says was the “only hope for him”. The young parents had to undergo a “distressing” six weeks training course so they could learn how care for the tracheostomy. Baby Kai needs to have his tracheostomy changed every second day, otherwise he might not be able to breathe. Toni told how she has to resuscitate Kai if such an emergency arises. “This can happen at any point and has happened to me in a clothes shop, in the bath, and on a walk in the rain,” she added. “ It’s very scary but you just have to do it. “Only Ben and I are trained to look after Kai and his daily needs like his suctions, nebulizer, and tracheostomy changes. He has to be with us at all times.” She added: “Throughout the pregnancy, we were told we had the perfect baby and there was nothing to worry about. So this was a horrible shock for both of us. “Kai means absolutely everything to us and we are so proud of him and how he is able to keep smiling every day even though he is going through the wars.” Mum Toni, from Broomridge, is currently studying Criminology and Psychology at The Open University and hopes to join the police. Dad Ben is originally from Alva and works as an apprentice electrician for Ross-Shire Engineering. The couple have been together for four years, and became engaged on September 28 while Kai was still in hospital. At five weeks old, Kai had another surgery for a jaw distraction, which would help to lengthen the jawbone and allow the child’s tongue to move from the back of the throat. He had also had to spend seven and a half weeks in an intensive care unit in Glasgow, and is currently waiting to have another two surgeries. Toni explained that during this time a number of charities had stepped in to provide them with support. “Ronald McDonald House put us up for the full time Kai was in intensive care, so that we could be close to him,” she said. “Without them, we would not have been able to see our son each day. “They made the worst time of our lives so much easier and we would love to be able to give back to them.” Toni and Ben have set up an online fundraiser on JustGiving, receiving £375 in donations so far - 50 per cent of their fundraising total. The Simplyhealth Great Stirling Run half marathon will take place on April 28. Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.
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Warren Hardie
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/parents-run-half-marathon-charities-13833947
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2019-01-09 14:24:34+00:00
| 1,547,061,874 | 1,567,553,296 |
society
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welfare
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642,500 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-11--West Lothian climber to tackle Mount Everest base camp for charity that helps step-daughter
| 2019-01-11T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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West Lothian climber to tackle Mount Everest base camp for charity that helps step-daughter
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A West Lothian woman will climb to the base camp of Mount Everest in a bid to raise money for a charity that helps her step-daughter. Sarah Thomson, who lives in Polbeth, will take on the massive trek this March for Epilepsy Scotland which supports her step-daughter Lauren. Sarah said: “Just imaging being in a position of not knowing when you may suffer from a seizure, you could be on the bus, you could be out for drink with friends, you could be surrounded by strangers or doing your ironing. “This constant worry affects a close family member, it is hard to see the bruises and damage caused when she has not been in a safe place during an episode.” Sarah said she decided on the Mount Everest journey for her fundraiser because: “You either go big or go home.” She said: “I said what’s the biggest challenge I could so I picked that one. If I’m going to pick a challenge then pick the biggest.” The charity climber will begin her challenge on March 7 this year until March 24 and has been training for it for around a year. Sarah said: “I’ve been training with an outdoor fitness group in West Lothian, Burn It Fitness. I’ve been training outside to get used to the weather. “I was doing a lot of walking in the Pentlands and the Munros since I signed up to do Everest about a year ago and then about six months ago I decided to step in up another gear.” Sarah has already raised over £3000 for Epilepsy Scotland and hopes to reach her £5000 target for the charity. To support Sarah in her charity climb to Everest Base Camp visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-thomson11 .
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Sean O'Neil
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/west-lothian-climber-tackle-mount-13841923
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2019-01-11 19:57:00+00:00
| 1,547,254,620 | 1,567,552,948 |
society
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welfare
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642,503 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-11--Wishaw bingo players urged to donate unwanted Christmas presents to charity
| 2019-01-11T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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Wishaw bingo players urged to donate unwanted Christmas presents to charity
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Bingo hall bosses have urged players to donate any unwanted presents to charity. Mecca Wishaw is collecting gifts to donate to the Carers Trust. Parcels will be handed over to those giving their time to look after elderly, disabled and ill friends and relatives. Billy MacLeod, manager at Mecca on Kirk Road, said: “Christmas is all about sharing and feeling generous, but we know that some of us do receive gifts that aren’t suitable or that we already have. That’s why we are launching this amnesty campaign to save presents languishing in the back of the cupboard and instead be donated to a worthy cause. “There are no words to describe the importance of what carers do in our community, and it’s an honour to continue supporting Carers Trust and help make life that little bit easier for the many unpaid carers across Wishaw.” The bingo hall is open every day, with players able to hand over presents to be regifted. A survey revealed 71 per cent of Brits received one unwanted parcel this year. Across the UK, the value for these is likely to top £17m. Bosses want these to be handed out to carers, rather than go to waste. The Carers Trust works to improve support, services and recognition for those providing vital help across the country. There are at least 759,000 carers aged 16 and over in Scotland and 29,000 young carers. The value of their work is estimated at over £10million every year. To attend a Mecca Club you do need to be aged 18 years or over and be a customer of Mecca Bingo. Joining is free of charge and you can sign-up at 1 or at the club.
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Lynn McKenna
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/wishaw-bingo-players-urged-donate-13841581
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2019-01-11 10:56:16+00:00
| 1,547,222,176 | 1,567,552,947 |
society
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welfare
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642,527 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-12--Leading sight loss charity seeking volunteers in West Lothian
| 2019-01-12T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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Leading sight loss charity seeking volunteers in West Lothian
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A leading sight loss charity is calling for volunteers to help run a Bathgate-based support group for people with macular disease. The Macular Society is appealing for anyone living locally who would be willing to give up some of their time to help run the group. Duties will include organising meetings, booking speakers and serving refreshments to members. The Bathgate Macular Support Group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month (excluding July, August and December), 1om to 3pm, at the British Legion Hall, 50 North Bridge Street, Bathgate EH48 4PP. Its next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 24. The group, which is organised by the Macular Society in partnership with local people, is one of more than 400 of its kind in the UK. It offers information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by macular disease. Macular disease is the biggest cause of blindness in the UK. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected and many more are at risk. The disease can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces. Many people affected describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement. There is still no cure and most types of the disease are not treatable. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 600,000 people, usually over the age of 50. Jamie Cuthbertson, Macular Society regional manager, said: “The Bathgate Macular Support Group provides a real lifeline for people living locally with sight loss. “The peer support offered by the groups is absolutely vital – it’s incredibly reassuring for people to know that there are others who truly understand their situation. “With around 300 people in the UK being diagnosed with macular disease every day, the existence of our support groups has never been more important. “No prior experience of macular disease is needed – just excellent organisational skills, lots of enthusiasm and a passion for helping to make a difference to peoples’ lives. “Support will be available for all new volunteers from myself and our services and volunteering team as they learn their new roles. “If you have some free time and would be willing to help out, we would love to hear from you.” With an ageing population, more and more people are affected by macular disease It is therefore more important than ever that the charity raises as much money as possible to help fund research into treatments and to help find a cure, as well as continuing to provide information and support for those with macular disease. Fundraising activities include appeals both for research and services; corporate sponsorship; a weekly lottery and raffle; promotion of events such as runs; our popular Tea for MD parties and recycling schemes. For more information about the Bathgate Macular Support Group, please contact Jamie Cuthbertson, Macular Society regional manager, on 0141 942 1083 or 07903 520 350, or email [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> For more information on macular disease, call the Macular Society’s Helpline on 0300 3030 111 or email [email protected]. Alternatively call the helpline on 0300 3030 111 or 01264 350 551 for more general enquiries.
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Debbie Hall
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/leading-sight-loss-charity-seeking-13847236
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2019-01-12 17:20:07+00:00
| 1,547,331,607 | 1,567,552,802 |
society
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welfare
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642,589 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-13--Santa visit raises over 2700 for West Lothian childrens cancer charity
| 2019-01-13T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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Santa visit raises over £2700 for West Lothian children's cancer charity
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A trip to see Santa Claus boosted the fundraising efforts of children’s cancer charity, Team Jak, thanks to a record-breaking collection. As well as donations from the public after a visit to the Cameron Toll centre’s free Santa’s grotto, the charity raised a total of £2729.33 from a range of fundraising activity including gift wrapping, sales of reindeer dust and Santa cocoa and a Christmas raffle. The charity also hosted carol singing in the mall that featured local group Star Harmonies. The total raised was the highest ever Christmas charity collection at Cameron Toll in Edinburgh. The Livingston-based charity, which was inspired by teenager Jak Trueman whose life was sadly cut short following a brief and aggressive battle with a rare form of blood cancer, provides practical, social and emotional support to children and young people with cancer and related illnesses, their family and friends and those bereaved. Allison Barr, CEO at Team Jak said: “We are blown away by the support from all the shoppers at Cameron Toll. They really embraced our charity and we received a very warm welcome. "We are looking forward to a fabulous year ahead with the opening of our new, bigger, more accessible Den, scheduled to open May 2019. "The monies raised from the Christmas Activities at Cameron Toll will be going towards the cost of a beautiful bespoke memorial angel tree to remember Jak and all our angels and will have pride of place in our beautiful landscaped gardens.” Hazel McLinden, fundraising and volunteer co-ordinator for Team Jak said: “We are delighted with the generosity shown by the customers at Cameron Toll but also with the interest shown in the charity and support offered in many other ways. "Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who helped us achieve this, especially so close to Christmas when everyone is busy but a massive thanks to Santa, he really was superb and it was a delight to listen to his interactions with the children. Hope to see him again Next Year.” Claire Jefcoate from Cameron Toll Shopping Centre said: “The generosity of the shoppers has led to the highest amount we have ever raised at Christmas. Team Jak’s volunteers made Christmas at Cameron Toll and we are delighted that so much was raised for a charity that does so much for children and families facing cancer and related illness.” Jak’s Den hosts drop-in sessions, music therapy, counselling, pamper days, alternative therapies, support groups, mindfulness, activity days including cake decorating, puppet making, magic shows, teen days- X-Box and PS4 challenges, arts and crafts, coffee mornings and much more. In addition, the charity provides bespoke outreach support to families who can’t make it to Jak’s Den and schools support for peer groups and bereavement support. Team Jak also provides snacks and goody bags to Ward 2 at the Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital and sponsors the Palliative and Bereavement Teams Rainbow Cart which provides items to make a room more homely when a child is sadly going to gain their wings in hospital. The charity partnership with Cameron Toll Shopping Centre sees Team Jak working with the centre management and its retailers to fundraise and increase awareness of the charity to help it grow and provide care for children, and their families, living with cancer. For more information on Team Jak, visit www.teamjak.org.uk or call 01506 412302.
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Marjorie Kerr
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/santa-visit-raises-over-2700-13851235
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2019-01-13 17:57:24+00:00
| 1,547,420,244 | 1,567,552,691 |
society
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welfare
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642,665 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-14--West Lothian school kids invited to enter first ever animal charity film competition
| 2019-01-14T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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West Lothian school kids invited to enter first ever animal charity film competition
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West Lothian school kids are being invited to enter the Scottish SPCA’s first ever primary and secondary school film competition. Scotland’s animal welfare charity visits schools every year to deliver their free Prevention through Education programme, encouraging pupils to become responsible animal citizens. The programme links in with many areas of the Curriculum for Excellence and aims to encourage empathy and compassion towards animals. Primary and secondary schools have been invited to submit a short film that educates the public, and in particular their peers, on key animal welfare issues that the Scottish SPCA regularly have to tackle. The competition gives schools the opportunity to engage their students in a creative and cross curricular activity with the opportunity to win prizes for both themselves and the school. The judging panel will be looking for innovative and creative methods of conveying a key message to the public, in particular to other school students. Scottish SPCA head of education and policy, Gilly Mendes Ferreira, said the competition aims to encourage children to riase awareness of the charity and charity encourage kid to contact them if they have concerns over animal welfare. She added: “Since 2010 we have seen over 300 per cent increase in the number of calls where children have alerted us to animals in need of our help, which saved injured wildlife and uncovered cases of neglect. "We are thrilled to be launching this competition for both primary and secondary schools and hope that this continues to encourage children and young adults to be #AlwaysAnimalAware. “We truly believe children are the key to making a real difference to animal welfare in Scotland.” For more details on the competition and for consent forms and terms and conditions visit the Scottish SPCA website at scottishspca.org/education/. The winning films will be announced in June 2019.
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Marjorie Kerr
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/west-lothian-school-kids-invited-13854995
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2019-01-14 16:57:00+00:00
| 1,547,503,020 | 1,567,552,565 |
society
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welfare
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642,701 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-15--Glenboig pupils raise nearly 2k for Beatson charity
| 2019-01-15T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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Glenboig pupils raise nearly £2k for Beatson charity
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Pupils at Glenboig Primary were walking on air after smashing their fundraising target for the school’s chosen good cause. They joined forces with staff and parents to collect a grand total of £1780 for the Beatson cancer charity, through sports day events and a sponsored walk. Beatson representative Calum McNair – and the charity’s colourful mascot, Bella Bee – recently visited the school to receive the bumper cheque. Youngsters from the Coatbridge school had first set up their fundraising committee in October 2017 and went on to become the faces of last year’s Off the Beatson Track 10km fundraiser around Glasgow, taking part in a special launch photoshoot at Kelvingrove museum. They raised the money thanks to all of the Glenboig pupils taking part in a 5k run before their summer sports day; and then a group of 30 youngsters, staff and parents tackling the 10km walk in Glasgow in August. Click here for more from Monklands Head teacher Cat Calvert told the Advertiser: “All the children, from Primary One to Primary Seven, did the 5k before our sports day, and we had lots of Beatson flags and paraphernalia for the event; and we then had a big group of pupils, families and staff taking part in Off the Beatson Track. “Everybody was absolutely delighted with how much was raised – we were hoping for £400 and certainly didn’t expect to achieve that amount. “It’s testament to the school community and the support given to the children in their fundraising – and it’ll be an ongoing thing as we’ll keep fundraising for the Beatson.” She added: “Many people are touched by cancer and we felt it was a really appropriate charity to link with, especially with the Lanarkshire Beatson being nearby at Monklands Hospital and the charity doing so much to support local people. “Calum from the charity had come into the school and spoken with the children; they were really interested in Bella Bee and finding out about what the Beatson does.”
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Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/glenboig-pupils-raise-nearly-2k-13860895
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2019-01-15 16:49:42+00:00
| 1,547,588,982 | 1,567,552,397 |
society
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welfare
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642,830 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-16--Thousands of pounds raised at charity football tournament in memory of tragic East Kilbride teen
| 2019-01-16T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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Thousands of pounds raised at charity football tournament in memory of tragic East Kilbride teen
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A football tournament in memory of a tragic East Kilbride teen has raised thousands for a suicide support charity. The inaugural Alex Lindsay Cup was held at K-Park on Sunday in tribute to the well-kent footy fan, marking what would have been his 19th birthday. Around 500 people joined the former Calderglen High pupil’s friends and family in an overwhelming show of support in a bid to raise awareness of mental health. More than 120 players took part in the knockout tournament with Samuel Bullough, Cammy Fyfe, Ross Martin, Reece and Evan Duffy, Lee Davidson, Cammy Price and Lewis Doherty named winners, winning 2-0 in the final. Funds will be donated to the Beautiful Inside and Out (BIO), which offers support to those affected by suicide, especially youngsters. Organiser Joe McDermott, from Stewartfield, said: “The tournament was superb and for over 500 of Alex’s friends making the effort to show support for his family is something I could not be more proud of – it just shows how much Alex was adored. “There was constant football being played by 120 players. The raffle held at Barocco Bar afterwards was a brilliant way to round off the night and raise even more money for BIO. “I would not only like to thank K-Park and Barocco Bar for hosting us, I’d like to give a special thank you to everyone who pulled together to help us run this event; from collecting donations with charity buckets, to helping out with the raffle, and even photographing the event. “And of course to all those who played – we really wouldn’t have had such an excellent day without you.” Eighteen-year-old Alex was found dead in his St Leonards home on July 8 last year. His dad Robbie and mum Jill told the East Kilbride News: “We have no words to express how proud we are of all the boys who took part. “Joe and Jack’s hard work, organisation and determination to succeed resulted in a truly remarkable tribute to their friend. The fact so many turned out to play and support is testament to the seriousness these young people take Alex’s untimely death and how popular he was. “They are a credit to the youth of today. Thank you everyone for the overwhelming support, yet again.”
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Andrea Lambrou
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/thousands-pounds-raised-charity-football-13860215
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2019-01-16 06:00:00+00:00
| 1,547,636,400 | 1,567,552,232 |
society
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welfare
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642,837 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-16--Wishaw charity given helping by boxing gym owner and promoter
| 2019-01-16T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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Wishaw charity given helping by boxing gym owner and promoter
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A Wishaw charity received a bumper cash boost this New Year – thanks to a host of sporting events held in 2018. Les Hoey’s DreamMaker Foundation – which arranges treats for children with life-threatening diseases – received a cheque for £2700 from FSG/Goldstar Promotions. The company, part-owned by businessman Francis Gilluley who runs the popular Fighting Scots Gym in Bellshill, puts on sporting events all year round, with proceeds from ticket sales and auctions being donated to the good cause. Such events in 2018 included evenings with boxing legends Tommy ‘The Hitman’ Hearns, Tyson Fury and Roy Jones Junior, as well as football nights with former Rangers manager Walter Smith, and ex-players Lee McCulloch, Ian Durrant and Barry Ferguson. A further £600 will also be donated following the auction of a signed Mike Tyson boxing glove last month. Francis explained: “We host a number of events throughout the year and work closely with Les Hoey and his DreamMaker Foundation, supporting and promoting the wonderful work they do for children across Lanarkshire and the wider Glasgow area. “We met with Les prior to Christmas to hand over the cheque for £2700. “However, we were also delighted to host our annual Boxing Day auction of a signed Mike Tyson boxing glove, which raised a further £600 for the charity. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with the charity in 2019.” Meanwhile, the next FSG event set to take place with proceeds for the charity, is an evening with former Celtic managers Neil Lennon – who is currently at the helm at Hibs – and Gordon Strachan. The event, which includes a Q&A session, entertainment, stories from the game, and photo opportunities, will take place at Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre on Friday, February 15. For tickets please visit the website Culture North Lanarkshire or call 01698 403120. Meanwhile, Les Hoey’s DreamMaker Foundation are looking for people to take part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk on April 28 and help raise money for their small charity. Les said: “Firstly, a huge thank you for the continued support from FSG/Goldstar Promotions, it is greatly appreciated. “And secondly, we are receiving new applications daily for the Glasgow Kiltwalk. “If you would like to support the foundation, then we have discount codes available for the 23-mile and 15-mile walks. “Please call the office on 01698 651789 for your code.”
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Wishaw Press
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/wishaw-charity-given-helping-boxing-13859498
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2019-01-16 12:00:00+00:00
| 1,547,658,000 | 1,567,552,233 |
society
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welfare
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643,350 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-24--East Kilbride Celtic fan faces 100 mile Sahara charity challenge in memory of the daughter of a Rang
| 2019-01-24T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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East Kilbride Celtic fan faces 100 mile Sahara charity challenge in memory of the daughter of a Rangers legend
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A Celtic fan is on a mission to raise vital funds for a charity launched to remember the daughter of Rangers legend Willie Henderson. Fifty-six-year-old Denis Griffin, from the St Leonards area of East Kilbride , has embarked on a 100 mile trek across the Sahara desert this week. And, by taking on the gruelling challenge, the council print officer is hoping to raise vital funds the Michelle Henderson Cervical Cancer Trust. Michelle died on her 28th birthday in October 2012 before fulfilling her goal to set up the charity and in the years since, Denis, Willie and teams of willing volunteers have helped establish her legacy. Denis was one of the first to help with the charity, having met the former Ibrox winger on a trek through Mongolia. Although Denis was there on behalf of the Jimmy Johnstone Charitable Trust and Willie for the Davie Cooper centre, the duo found their common goal was to change lives. Ever since they have joined forces to help tackle the UK’s most common cancer in women under 35. The dad-of-two said: “We recently were lucky enough to be able to invest £110,000 in a state-of-the-art piece of equipment for the new Victoria hospital. “The team there have already told us that two cases of cervical cancer have been picked up in women, who without such specialist equipment, may have gone undiagnosed. “News like that makes it all worthwhile and spurs us on to do more.” Now a trustee of the charity, Denis has trekked the Indonesian Jungle, Spain’s Camino de Santiago and the volcano Krakatoa, as well as other challenges, helping raise almost £300,000 to date. Despite the long months of training and the prospect of crossing some of the world’s most forbidding environments, Denis relishes his fundraising trips. He added: “I’ve been all over the world doing this and so enjoy being part of the charity and seeking out new and unique options for our fundraising events. “To many people it might sound daunting, but I would encourage anyone even thinking about it, to give it a go. “For me it has been a life-changer.” If you would like to support Denis, who is undertaking the trek with colleague Graeme Goodwillie, you can do so here at www.virginmoneygiving.com/graemegoodwillie
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Paul Thomson
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/east-kilbride-celtic-fan-faces-13892625
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2019-01-24 17:30:00+00:00
| 1,548,369,000 | 1,567,551,055 |
society
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welfare
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643,530 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-27--A Lanarkshire charity are on a mission to bring African schoolboy here for life-changing surgery
| 2019-01-27T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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A Lanarkshire charity are on a mission to bring African schoolboy here for life-changing surgery
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A Lanarkshire charity are determined to bring a deaf African schoolboy here for life-changing surgery. Project Gambia: People Feeding People have submitted a second visa application in a desperate bid to help young Mohammed Cham, also known as Alieu. They want to bring him to Scotland for medical treatment that will enable him to hear for the first time. The charity, who support St John’s School for the Deaf in the Serrekunda area, tried to bring Alieu over last year but had their visa application denied. Now it is hoped they will find out if the application has been successful in the next few weeks . Rebecca Lafferty, Project Gambia fundraising director, said: “The plan, should this second visa application be successful, is for Alieu to have the operation done voluntarily by staff here in Lanarkshire. “This is all with the help of the recent partnership Project Gambia has formed with NHS Lanarkshire and one of Scotland’s top ENT surgeons, and would mean the medical team involved will stay after their shift has been completed to do this operation, so it does not affect the patient care of anyone living in Scotland.” Lynne MacDonald, Project Gambia trustee, added: “The equipment has also been donated so this operation will run entirely on a volunteer basis. “We’d like to thank the medical team at University Monklands Hospital. We’d also like to thank the Catholic Diocese of Motherwell. If not for the support we’ve received from the different parishes in the West of Scotland, this venture would not be possible”. Project Gambia was set up seven years ago to support St John’s School for the Deaf in the Gambia. Thanks to the charity the school has undergone massive improvements over the years. These include a school feeding programme that sees the 350 pupils receive food every day and given school uniforms, clothing and learning materials.
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Leona Greenan
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/lanarkshire-charity-mission-bring-african-13901766
|
2019-01-27 09:00:00+00:00
| 1,548,597,600 | 1,567,550,668 |
society
|
welfare
|
643,649 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-29--Ayr blind swimmer takes to water to raise cash for charity
| 2019-01-29T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
|
Ayr blind swimmer takes to water to raise cash for charity
|
A blind swimmer has taken to the water in a bid to raise charity cash. Ayr girl Fern Walker, will attempt more than 1400 lengths over the coming weeks. The 32-year-old is putting in the aqua miles at her favourite pools in Prestwick and Troon in the hope of raising more than £1000. Fern, who lives with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS), is completing the challenge with the aid of her care team at Partners For Inclusion. She said: “I really enjoy my swimming and I come to the pool three times a week. “It will be tough to complete all these lengths and I’ve just started out – but I’m enjoying it so far.” BBS is a rare genetic disorder with symptoms including sight loss, obesity and reduced kidney function. Like many other sufferers, Fern was also born with extra digits. The condition affects just one in 250,000 people across the world. Sister Leigh, 33, said: “We’re all incredible proud of Fern and what she’s trying to achieve. “She was diagnosed with BBS at a very young age and her condition, particularly her sight, has deteriorated through time. “But she is never one to complain so this is typical of her attitude – she’s just determined to get out there and do something worthwhile.” Staff at Prestwick and Troon pools are helping encourage Fern during her bid, as she tackles up to 50 lengths at a time during each session. And the former Mainholm Academy pupil hopes to complete the marathon water trip while stacking up the cash for BBS UK. The charity provides support for those living with the condition and their carers. Leigh added: “It would be nice if Fern’s story going public could help with her fundraising effort. “She has her small group of friends and carers but it would mean the world to her to get support from further afield and raise as much as she can.”
|
Stuart Wilson
|
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/ayr-blind-swimmer-takes-water-13923590
|
2019-01-29 16:37:40+00:00
| 1,548,797,860 | 1,567,550,404 |
society
|
welfare
|
643,793 |
thedailyrecord--2019-01-30--West Lothian charity champion 75 conquers fear of heights to raise over 3000 with abseil
| 2019-01-30T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
|
West Lothian charity champion, 75, conquers fear of heights to raise over £3000 with abseil
|
A 75-year-old charity champion who has raised over £60,000 for good causes has added to his total after conquering his fear of heights to abseil from the Forth Rail Bridge. John Thompson was delighted to present cheques for £3067 to both Pathways and Eliburn Support Services, which help additional needs adults aged 16 to 65. John, an ex-army piper and formerly of the 1st Battalion Royal Highland Fusiliers took on the Ultimate Challenge abseil to raise £525 for Chest, Heart and Stroke. He also received permission to raise money for the two local additional needs charities at the same time. John, who is a tenant at Bield Retirement Housing at Craigengar Park in Craigshill, put aside his fears and joined 230 other daredevils to take the 165ft plunge from the bridge’s viewing platform to the beach below. Known locally a as being a “serial fundraiser”, John has raised over £60,000 for various charities over the past 46 years. But he admitted that this most recent endeavour had been one of the most frightening experiences yet. John said: “It was terrifying being on the bridge, my knees were shaking. “I nearly had to bring a spare pair of trousers. “Although it was scary, it was a great experience and I am proud that I conquered my fear and went through with it. “I had great support on the day from my friends and family.” Over the last few years John has raised over £60,000 for various charities and doesn’t intend to stop now, adding: “It’s hard to stop helping other who need it.” John also volunteers for the Poppy Scotland appeal for three weeks every year in Morrisons at Livingston and Bathgate and last year raised over £7000 with a half mile swim at Xcite Bathgate. His efforts that time helped six centres for the elderly and patients with dementia and the year before John raised £6000 with a 25 mile cycle for 14 additional needs and autistic schools in West Lothian. John said this year he’ll be looking to walk from his home in Craigshill to Harthill and aims to keep his fundraising local, helping charities that are close to his heart. John told the Courier he decided to start fundraising after leaving the Army to give himself something to focus on. He chose to start raising money for schools for children with additional support needs as his grandson has additional needs. John said he in his spare time he also enjoys looking after the garden at Craigengar and helps to organise social activities. He added: “I was delighted to present the cheques for £3067 to each of the centre managers, Lorraine Bolton from Pathways and Mark Crosbie from Eliburn. “Also in attendance were three West Lothian councillors, Pauline Clark, Damian Timpson and Angela Doran to watch the handover. “After having some photos taken it was nice to have some tea, coffee and cake and some conversation with a lot of the supporters. Places are still available for this year’s Ultimate Challenge abseil off the Forth Rail Bridge in aid of Chest, Heart and Stroke. Visit www.abseil.scot.
|
Debbie Hall
|
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/west-lothian-charity-champion-75-13927397
|
2019-01-30 10:56:01+00:00
| 1,548,863,761 | 1,567,550,259 |
society
|
welfare
|
643,957 |
thedailyrecord--2019-02-02--Lanarkshire charity bringing African school boy to Scotland for surgery
| 2019-02-02T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
|
Lanarkshire charity bringing African school boy to Scotland for surgery
|
Lanarkshire charity Project Gambia: People Feeding People have been successful in their bid to bring a deaf African school boy to Scotland for life-changing surgery. The team learned last week that a visa application has been accepted for young Muhammed Cham, known as Alieu. And he will now travel to Lanarkshire for receive treatment that will enable him to hear for the first time in his life. Alieu is a pupil at St John’s School for the Deaf, in the Serrekunda region of the African nation, and first met the Project Gambia team last year while they were they were there on an aid mission. HAMILTON ADVERTISER: All the top news as it happens The volunteers were touched by the fact that Alieu had been born with no ears. And with the help of Arunachalam Perumkulam Iyer and his team at University Hospital Monklands, he arrives next Saturday to get the gift of hearing. Project Gambia co-founder Frank Devine said: “We are delighted to announce that the visa has been accepted for Muhammed to come to Scotland to receive life-changing medical treatment. “Project Gambia co-founder Paul Lafferty flew out to The Gambia on Saturday to return to Scotland this weekend coming with Alieu. FACEBOOK: Join in the chat with thousands of our followers “Arrangements will then be made for the operation to take place at University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie. This will take place after Arunachalam Perumkulam Iyer and his medical team have finished their shifts, so that it won’t affect the patient care of any UK citizens. “Thank you to everyone who has helped make this impossible venture possible, including Alasan Camara, our volunteer in the Gambia. Also to Sharon Wardle, the High Commissioner to the Gambia, and her deputy, Gregor Gorman, for their support of the visa application. “Thank you also to Andrew Coleman and his associates at Latta Law for their support and guidance with the application. We’d also like to give a special thank you to all of our fantastic supporters and volunteers, who have been supporting and praying for us every step of the way and have made this dream come true.”
|
Leona Greenan
|
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/lanarkshire-charity-bringing-african-school-13937377
|
2019-02-02 07:00:00+00:00
| 1,549,108,800 | 1,567,549,857 |
society
|
welfare
|
644,326 |
thedailyrecord--2019-02-08--Nine year old with anxiety thanks Rutherglen charity by donating her savings
| 2019-02-08T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
|
Nine year old with anxiety thanks Rutherglen charity by donating her savings
|
A kind-hearted young girl, who credits Project 31 with helping her overcome anxiety, has donated her savings to the charity. Rebecca Brady, nine, donated £222 to the play scheme after she and her two brothers – Jack, 13, and four-year-old Calum – saved their spare change over several months. The trio normally spend their savings while on holiday, but this week handed much of it over to Project 31 which has brought them joy for years. The charity, which provides organised play activities throughout Rutherglen and Cambuslang, proved especially valuable to the Brady family in 2018 as Rebecca was struggling with her confidence. Her mum Donna Brady said: “Last year Rebecca had a lot of anxiety and confidence issues. “She had been working through that and Project 31 really helped her. “The Young People’s Park is an event where the children go independently [from their parents] with Project 31 workers at Cambuslang Park. “They do forest school things, team work, learn new skills and it really helps things like anxiety. Rebecca has come on so much, I can’t believe the difference in her. Friends and family are commenting so much on how she is coming out of her shell.” Donna added: “Lorna Bamford and Elizabeth Dewar at Project 31 – Rebecca thinks they are absolutely wonderful. They are great role models for her. “She wants to volunteer and become a member of staff when she is older. She is hoping to volunteer soon and pass on what they have taught her.” Explaining that Rebecca and her brother Jack were amongst the first children to attend project 31 events when the scheme started in 2011, Donna says that the team of staff and volunteers are incredible at looking at each child’s needs at their activities. She takes all three children to sessions for the whole family and says her children wanted to “give back” to an organisation that has been so supportive of them. Donna added: “We saved pennies, five and 10 pences all last year. They usually take that on holiday with them, but they kept some back, adding to it, and family members helped with the donation too. Delighted Lorna Bamford, project manager of Project 31, said: “We always feel very lucky when we receive donations to the project, but this is a very special one indeed! “The brilliant Rebecca, who was one of our first ever Project 31ers, her brothers Calum and Jack and their family have been saving their pennies for us since last March. “We can’t tell you how much this is appreciated or how much such kindness means. “Funding is a constant challenge and takes up far more of our time and energy than we would like it to, so donations like this really are amazing.” Project 31 hosts a range of activities for people of all ages at venues across the Camglen area. For more information search for Project 31 on Facebook or log on to www.project31.co.uk
|
Edel Kenealy
|
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/nine-year-old-anxiety-thanks-13969572
|
2019-02-08 09:19:00+00:00
| 1,549,635,540 | 1,567,549,211 |
society
|
welfare
|
9,022 |
aljazeera--2019-01-29--Zimbabwe lawyers demand independent judiciary to try protesters
| 2019-01-29T00:00:00 |
aljazeera
|
Zimbabwe lawyers demand independent judiciary to try protesters
|
Lawyers in Zimbabwe are demanding a free and fair justice system for hundreds of anti-government protesters arrested earlier this month. The lawyers fear interference in their clients' fast-track trials by both the ruling party and the security forces.
| null |
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/zimbabwe-lawyers-demand-independent-judiciary-protesters-190129190115517.html
|
2019-01-29 19:01:15+00:00
| 1,548,806,475 | 1,567,550,412 |
crime, law and justice
|
judiciary
|
9,480 |
aljazeera--2019-02-07--Spanish PM travels to Strasbourg to defend countrys judiciary
| 2019-02-07T00:00:00 |
aljazeera
|
Spanish PM travels to Strasbourg to 'defend' country's judiciary
|
Madrid, Spain - Spain's Pedro Sanchez is in Strasbourg to speak to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), making him the country's first serving leader to do so. Sanchez will visit both the ECHR and the Council of Europe on Thursday, where he is expected to "defend" the Spanish court system a week before 12 Catalan politicians go on trial. Spanish media said Sanchez will assure the ECHR that "individual rights, public liberties and the rights of minorities are guaranteed" and will stress on Spain's "respect of jurisprudence". The trial of the 12 Catalan leaders is due to begin in Spain's capital Madrid on February 12. The Catalan separatists have been charged with rebellion, disobedience and embezzlement of public funds during a failed independence bid in 2017 and face up to 25 years in jail. One of the legal teams representing the jailed Catalan leaders confirmed to Al Jazeera on Thursday that they plan to appeal to the ECHR if the Spanish Supreme Court delivers a guilty verdict. Critics say Spain's Supreme Court lacks independence and is politically biased against the Catalan leaders. Indictments against those facing trial say they ignored the "grave" risk of violence while holding the October 1 referendum, which met a police crackdown described by rights groups as "excessive". In March last year, Spanish newspaper El Diario wrote that Pablo Llarena, the judge charged with investigating the Catalan referendum case, distorted "the reality of what occurred in Catalonia to extremes difficult to believe". Josep Costa, the first vice president of the Catalonia parliament, told Al Jazeera in an interview that the court's "impartiality" regarding the trial must be taken into account. "It's a very conservative court," Costa, who is also a professor of political science at Barcelona's Universitat Pompeu Fabra, said. The judges "have political ties with the more conservative branch of the judiciary," he said. Spanish conservatives have taken a hardline approach towards Catalan nationalism. During the push for independence, the government headed by former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy from the conservative People's Party, refused to speak with Catalan leaders about self-determination, suspended the region's autonomy and called snap elections hoping to depose separatist leaders. Many Catalans believe the Supreme Court will adopt a similar strategy during the trial: "They will have the opportunity to show their [judicial] independence which will confirm their conservative approach," said Costa. There is no legal precedent of the trial of the Catalan leaders in Spain's democratic history. This makes the Supreme Court's jurisdiction over the case open to interpretation. But Ignacio Garcia Vitoria, assistant professor of constitutional law at Madrid's Complutense University, told Al Jazeera that "there is no basis for a general criticism of the independence of judges in Spain". "We are a country completely in agreement with European standards," he said. Among the many concerns critics have is the issue of which court being competent to try the accused. Apart from its Supreme Court, Spain also has an Audiencia Nacional, a special high court which has jurisdiction over the country as well as on cases of international crimes over which it has authority. Both courts have held sessions concerning their jurisdiction over the trial of the 12 Catalan leaders, though the proceedings were eventually sent to the Supreme Court. Lawyers for the Catalans say the Supreme Court trying the criminal case violates fundamental rights, since the court's decision cannot be appealed within Spain and must be taken up with the ECHR. "We will see how they are resolved and, where appropriate, the decision will be reviewed by the Constitutional Court and by the ECHR," Garcia said.
| null |
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/spanish-pm-travels-strasbourg-defend-country-judiciary-190207115050261.html
|
2019-02-07 15:34:33+00:00
| 1,549,571,673 | 1,567,549,344 |
crime, law and justice
|
judiciary
|
1,096,816 |
westernjournal--2019-01-10--China ambassador accuses Canada and allies of racism
| 2019-01-10T00:00:00 |
westernjournal
|
China ambassador accuses Canada and allies of racism
|
The Western Journal has not reviewed this Associated Press story prior to publication. Therefore, it may contain editorial bias or may in some other way not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal. TORONTO (AP) — China’s ambassador to Canada accused the country Wednesday of “white supremacy” in calling for the release of two Canadians detained in China last month, while describing the detentions as an “act of self-defense.” The arrests were in apparent retaliation for the arrest of a top Chinese tech executive in Canada. But Ambassador Lu Shaye’s charged in op-ed in the Ottawa-based Hill Times that Western countries are employing a “double standard” in demanding the immediate release of the Canadians. “The reason why some people are used to arrogantly adopting double standards is due to Western egotism and white supremacy,” Lu writes. “What they have been doing is not showing respect for the rule of law, but mocking and trampling the rule of law.” TRENDING: Ex-Wrestler Who Accused Republican Jim Jordan in Abuse Case Gets Arrested China detained Canadian ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor on Dec. 10 on vague allegations of “engaging in activities that endanger the national security” of China. In the op-ed, Lu seemed to admit detaining the Canadians was in retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, something China has previously denied. “I have recently heard a word repeatedly pronounced by some Canadians: bullying. They said that by arresting two Canadian citizens as retaliation for Canada’s detention of Meng, China was bullying Canada. To those people, China’s self-defence is an offence to Canada,” Lu wrote. The arrests came 10 days after Meng was arrested in Canada at the request of the U.S., which wants her extradited to face charges that she misled banks about the company’s business dealings in Iran. A Canadian judge granted Meng bail while she awaits extradition proceedings. Le writes that “elites” in Canada are completely dismissing China’s law by demanding the immediate release of the Canadians. “It seems that, to those people, the laws of Canada or other Western countries are laws and must be observed, while China’s laws are not and shouldn’t be respected,” Lu writes. Lu also writes that Meng was arrested without violating any Canadian law, suggesting that Canada should never detain someone for extradition. “It seems that, to some people, only Canadian citizens shall be treated in a humanitarian manner and their freedom deemed valuable, while Chinese people do not deserve that,” he writes. “I don’t know what the ambassador was trying to accomplish but his article won’t help China’s cause. The reference to white supremacy was bizarre and unfortunate,” Paris said. “There is false equivalency in this article. Canada is a rule of law country. China is a rule by law country and the distinction is important. Meng was not illegally detained as the ambassador claims.” Paris noted Canada is following the letter of the extradition law it has with the U.S. and while the Canadians were grabbed in China under suspicious circumstances and China has held them without charge. Julian Ku, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Hofstra Law, called Lu’s claims ridiculous and said he is playing the race card in an apparent effort to win sympathy from Chinese Canadians and Americans. “He’s making it seem like the two legal proceedings are morally equivalent and they are not,” he said. “On one side you have due process, which makes a huge difference, and the other side you don’t, but he says it’s all the same.” Ku noted China has still not revealed any specific information about what Kovrig and Spavor are charged with and have not given them a judicial hearing and thus Canada is not wrong with calling the arrests arbitrary. “I am struck by how brazen they are being by making this appeal,” Ku said. “He says “You are being racist by not respecting our law.’ That’s an easy card to play.” A message for the Chinese embassy in Ottawa was not immediately returned. Alex Lawrence, a spokesman for Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, did not address Lu’s claims, but reiterated that Canada is “deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention by Chinese authorities of two Canadians last month and reiterate our call for their immediate release.” Canada has embarked on a campaign with allies to win the release of the detained Canadians. The U.S., the U.K. the EU and Australia have issued statements in support. Trudeau called U.S. President Donald Trump this week about it and the White House called the arrests of the Canadians “unlawful.” Trudeau spoke with Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, on Wednesday and thanked him. “Canada remains closely engaged with partners, who have also spoken in support of these detained Canadians and the rule of law, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the EU, the United States, and Australia,” Lawrence said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
|
AP Reports
|
https://www.westernjournal.com/ap-china-ambassador-accuses-canada-and-allies-of-racism/
|
2019-01-10 03:14:12+00:00
| 1,547,108,052 | 1,567,553,180 |
crime, law and justice
|
judiciary
|
1,053,857 |
truepundit--2019-08-13--Lindsey Graham reiterates support for red-flag gun laws 2nd Amendment is not a suicide pact
| 2019-08-13T00:00:00 |
truepundit
|
Lindsey Graham reiterates support for red-flag gun laws: ‘2nd Amendment is not a suicide pact’
|
There are plenty of judicial proceedings every day in America where somebody is adjudged to be a danger to themselves and others and they’re put into a mental health facility. That goes on all the time, so that process would apply to gun ownership. Nobody’s going to lose their gun unless they have their day in court, but we’re not going to create a situation where the cops sit on the sidelines and watch somebody blow up when there are plenty of warning signs. The Second Amendment is not a suicide pact, so we have judicial hearings all over America every day, dealing with people who become a danger to themselves and others, and this is just an extension of that concept.
|
admin
|
https://truepundit.com/lindsey-graham-reiterates-support-for-red-flag-gun-laws-2nd-amendment-is-not-a-suicide-pact/
|
2019-08-13 18:52:44+00:00
| 1,565,736,764 | 1,567,534,297 |
crime, law and justice
|
judiciary
|
862,435 |
therussophileorg--2019-05-21--Britains Media Freedom Smokescreen to Hide War Crimes and Persecution of Independent Journalists
| 2019-05-21T00:00:00 |
therussophileorg
|
Britain’s ‘Media Freedom’: Smokescreen to Hide War Crimes and Persecution of Independent Journalists
|
This [post](https://21stcenturywire.com/2019/05/21/britains-media-freedom- smokescreen-to-hide-war-crimes-and-persecution-of-independent-journalists/) was originally published on [this site](http://21stcenturywire.com/) 21CentyryWire | _‘Champions of Media Freedom’: Celebrity lawyer Amal Clooney and Jeremy Hunt._ **Nina Cross [21st Century Wire](https://21stcenturywire.com/2019/04/30/revealed-the- british-governments-war-on-assange-and-media-freedom/)** **As Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks, fights on from inside high-security Belmarsh prison, we see a stream of ‘Media Freedom’ campaign tweets from the Foreign Office. Jeremy Hunt’s campaign is apparently running parallel to Assange’s arrest and battle against extradition to the US by way of Sweden. But Hunt’s campaign cannot erase or hide the fact the British government is[persecuting a journalist](https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2019/04/22/the- prosecution-of-julian-assange-is-infinitely-bigger-than-assange/) who has dared to empower people throughout the world with knowledge of their leaders’ war crimes. Nor can its shiny press releases blind us to its increasingly hostile and repressive position towards journalists and truth-tellers. ** On the day Wikileaks tweeted the first warning that Assange could have his asylum imminently withdrawn, British Foreign Secretary **Jeremy Hunt** announced that the government’s new Media Freedom campaign which would be fronted by celebrity human rights lawyer [**Amal Clooney**](https://21stcenturywire.com/2019/04/07/whats-behind-jeremy-hunts- appointment-of-amal-clooney-as-media-freedom-ambassador/). It was a media circus. It was noticeable that despite Clooney’s previous role in Assange’s legal counsel, any connections between the two were effectively left out of mainstream media reports, so that without prior knowledge or research nobody would have known this was the case. As Hunt’s media campaign got going, so did Clooney’s “[Trial Watch](https://www.law.columbia.edu/news/2019/04/trialwatch),” part of her **Clooney Foundation for Justice** project, with a particular focus on journalists. In its promotional video a narrator points out some telltale signs of an unfair court: **_“Was the court’s presiding official impartial?_** **_Are the public allowed to enter the courtroom?”_** After Assange was betrayed by Ecuadorian president Lenin Moreno and arrested by UK police on 11th April, he was found guilty at Westminster Magistrate’s Court of skipping a police bail in 2012 when he sought asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy, fearing extradition to the US via Sweden. This is how ex-ambassador **Craig Murray** [described](https://consortiumnews.com/2019/04/15/assanges-judge-a-disgrace- to-the-bench-former-uk-ambassador-says/) the judge’s treatment of Assange that day: _“District Judge **Michael Snow** is a disgrace to the bench who deserves to be infamous well beyond his death. He displayed the most plain and open prejudice against Assange in the 15 minutes it took for him to hear the case and declare Assange guilty last week, in a fashion which makes the dictators’ courts I had witnessed, in Ibrahim Babangida’s Nigeria or Isam Karimov’s Uzbekistan, look fair and reasonable, in comparison to the gross charade of justice conducted by Michael Snow.”_ At Southwark Crown Court on 1st May, the judge imposed a 12 month prison [sentence](https://www.rt.com/uk/458038-julian-assange-court-sentencing/) on Assange for skipping the police bail in 2012 despite the fact no charges had ever been brought against him and successive Swedish investigations into sexual allegations had been dropped, with the most recent case dropped in 2017. If we went looking for a ‘fair and reasonable’ application of the law it seems we would not find it in this court. Anyone would have expected this sort of sentence in Victorian England or possibly in one of Donald Trump’s ‘[shithole countries](https://twitter.com/21WIRE/status/1130054564101664768)‘. At Assange’s [third court appearance,](https://consortiumnews.com/2019/05/02 /assange-to-extradition-court-i-wont-surrender-to-the-us-for-doing- journalism/) on 2nd May, which was conducted by video link, very few friendly faces were able to make it into court, as his case was moved to a small courtroom where only a few people were accommodated, despite many supporters turning up to attend. Only a few accredited press were allowed into small court, some of whom could have spent years smearing Assange.   So bearing in mind all of these questions hanging over the fairness of the British court system for Julian Assange, according to the standards of Clooney, the face of Hunt’s media freedom campaign, it seemed reasonable for this author to submit a ‘trial alert’ request to the Clooney Foundation to ask for Assange’s case to be monitored. To-date they have yet to respond, but perhaps they are weighing up the odds it would meet with approval given husband George Clooney’s political alliances with Hillary Clinton who once suggested [droning Assange](https://www.rt.com/usa/361459-secretary-clinton-drone- assange/) . Unfair treatment of Assange is not only visible through conditions set out in Clooney’s _Trial Watch_ video; according to the **United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention** the sentence for skipping bail is [disproportionate,](https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24552&LangID=E) and contravenes the “ _principles of necessity and proportionality envisaged by the human rights standards.”_ Damning all round, by UN human rights standards and by the standards of Hunt’s very own media freedom envoy. The day a British court [dismissed entirely the human rights](https://www.scribd.com/document/408285158/JA-Mitigation) of a journalist fighting persecution, Hunt’s Media Freedom campaign told us the British government cares about media freedom. Yes, we are to believe we have a civilised and fair government: Starting Hunt’s campaign a few weeks before **World Press Freedom Day** allowed for a constant flow of Foreign Office propaganda about media freedom: Hunt’s campaign is a trust-building exercise. The government cannot be [attacking civil and human rights](https://21stcenturywire.com/2019/04/30 /revealed-the-british-governments-war-on-assange-and-media-freedom/) or the power of journalists as the _Fourth Estate_ , or [abusing its legal systems and courts](https://21stcenturywire.com/2019/04/30/revealed-the-british- governments-war-on-assange-and-media-freedom/) if it is seen promoting media freedom, [giving scholarships to students in Africa](https://twitter.com/foreignoffice/status/1123894449384382465), and showing it concern for ‘bastions of a free society.’ We were presented with courageous female role models who bring us the truth: And the role models were carefully picked: **Christiane Amanpour** ‘ **s** career [advocating for western military intervention](https://consortiumnews.com/2016/08/23/propaganda-for-syrian- regime-change/) is a long and impressive one, spanning from Yugoslavia, to Iraq, the Libya and Syria. Recently, she has spent years [promoting regime change in Syria](https://www.mikelofgren.net/christiane-amanpour-shills- for-u-s-intervention-in-syria/), which the British government has supported alongside its allies in the EU, the US and Gulf State dictatorships, making her a handsomely paid useful corporate media mouth piece. What are the odds of seeing a Gazan reporter being given a platform by the Foreign Office? [World Press Freedom Day](https://en.unesco.org/events/world-press-freedom- day-2019) saw the airbrushing of Julian Assange by the liberal press freedom organisations the day after he began his fight in court against extradition to the US on charges that are effectively an unprecedented [attack on journalism](https://theintercept.com/2019/04/11/the-u-s-governments- indictment-of-julian-assange-poses-grave-threats-to-press-freedoms/). _“Promoting journalistic safety and combating impunity for crimes against journalists are central elements within[UNESCO](https://en.unesco.org/news /world-press-freedom-day-2019-academic-conference-safety-journalists-attracts- over-200)‘s mandate.” _ How is it possible to have a World Press Freedom Day which promotes the role of the press in holding the powerful to account and at the same time ignores this unprecedented attack on truth-tellers? The risk has been [repeatedly stated](https://21stcenturywire.com/2019/04/13/on-the-day-assange-was- arrested-how-did-british-corporate-media-see-its-future/): if Assange is extradited to the US, [no journalist or publisher is safe](https://21stcenturywire.com/2019/04/21/why-julian-assanges-war-is-our- war-too/) from persecution by the US government. This is the dilemma of the liberal class: they want to champion human rights of journalists so they can hold power to account and at the same time they want to protect the status quo of the established Western liberal world order, whose [corrupt and psychopathic nature](https://www.mintpressnews.com /remember-the-crimes-of-exposed-by-julian-assange/257652/) has been exposed in unprecedented detail by a journalist. What’s more, the leaders of the order also promote democracy and human rights and fund press freedom projects. **The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Global Media Freedom Inquiry** by the Foreign Affairs Committee is running alongside Hunt’s campaign. It is another platform selling the idea the British government can tolerate its own people or peoples from around the world holding it to account. This very notion of willingness to be accountable is particularly unlikely given the government’s increasing [contempt for international law](https://www.globalresearch.ca/rogue-state-britain-railing-against- international-norms-laws/5674265) and its increasingly authoritarian behaviour towards its own country’s media for ‘[national security](https://pressgazette.co.uk/uk-climbs-press-freedom-rankings-but- global-picture-shows-anger-at-press-has-degenerated-into-violence/)‘ reasons. These include the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) on the media: _“It has put journalists and their sources at risk because it enables the authorities to go fishing through vast quantities of information. It allows the state to legally access journalistic communications and material in secret (including information capable of identifying journalistic sources), and there are no judicial hearings at which the interests of the journalist are represented. The cumulative impact of these developments for our industry is both_ _detrimental and profound.”_ Other examples can be seen on the **National Union of Journalists** [website](https://www.nuj.org.uk/news/nuj-calls-for-no-detrimental-changes-to- official-secrets-laws/) which also describes [cases](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/15005721.cleveland-polices- use-of-ripa-on-my-personal-mobile-phone/) of journalists being placed unlawfully under police surveillance. It’s important to note that although the UK recently rose in the [press freedom index](https://rsf.org/en/ranking) from 40 to 33, out of 180 countries, this followed changes in ratings of other countries, as [ explained](https://pressgazette.co.uk/uk-climbs-press-freedom-rankings-but- global-picture-shows-anger-at-press-has-degenerated-into-violence/) by **Journalists Without Borders** : “ _Although there have been improvements in some areas, unfortunately, part of the reason for the rise in the UK’s ranking is that the press freedom climate deteriorated so sharply in other countries._ _We should hold ourselves to a higher standard, and seek to be one of the best, not worst-performing countries in Western Europe.”_ The UK is likely to crash down the press freedom index if recommendations by the **Law Commission** follow the suggestions in its 2017 [Review of the Official Secrets Act](https://www.nuj.org.uk/news/nuj-calls-for-no- detrimental-changes-to-official-secrets-laws/). This has been [described](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/feb/12/uk-government- accused-full-frontal-attack-prison-whistleblowers-media-journalists) as a “full frontal attack on whistle blowers” that would lead to prison sentences of up to 14 years and expand the definition of espionage to affect the people receiving the information, in other words journalists and publishers. This could lead to lengthy prison sentences for journalists and the criminalisation of journalism in the UK. Interesting Hunt’s media freedom campaign will coincide with another potentially crushing blow to journalism in 2019. This takes us back to the government’s media freedom drive. The motive behind the Foreign Affairs inquiry is likely to be multi-faceted and involves the [triggering of funds destined for the Foreign Office](https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/foreign-office-minister-pledges-as- many-resources-as-we-can-to-fight-persecution-of-journalists-worldwide/). This is likely to be used in part in political meddling using journalists, steeped in human rights rhetoric – a practice already seen in countries such as [Venezuela](https://21stcenturywire.com/2019/03/01/british-aid-to-venezuela-a -soft-power-tool-kit/), where the UK is supporting the US-backed coup attempt against the democratically elected government. Common sense and evidence tell us that, for the domestic audience, Hunt’s media freedom campaign is simply a public relations show designed to cover-up the true nature of a corrupt regime which has tried to dehumanise a journalist and which is slowly criminalising the profession of journalism. *** _Author Nina Cross is an independent writer and researcher, and contributor to 21WIRE. To see more of her work, visit her[Nina’s archive](http://www.21stcenturywire.com/category/nina-cross)._ **READ MORE ASSANGE NEWS AT:[21st Century Wire Assange/Wikileaks Files](http://www.21stcenturywire.com/tag/wikileaks)** ** _ SUPPORT 21WIRE – SUBSCRIBE & BECOME A MEMBER @[21WIRE.TV](https://21wire.tv/membership/plans/)_**
|
Nina Cross
|
https://www.therussophile.org/britains-media-freedom-smokescreen-to-hide-war-crimes-and-persecution-of-independent-journalists.html/
|
2019-05-21 07:40:13+00:00
| 1,558,438,813 | 1,567,540,247 |
crime, law and justice
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judiciary
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684,078 |
theguardianuk--2019-01-09--Chinas ambassador accuses Canada of white supremacy in Huawei CFO arrest
| 2019-01-09T00:00:00 |
theguardianuk
|
China’s ambassador accuses Canada of ‘white supremacy’ in Huawei CFO arrest
|
China’s ambassador to Canada has accused the country of “white supremacy” in calling for the release of two Canadians detained in China last month. The arrests were in apparent retaliation for the arrest of a top Chinese tech executive in Canada. But Ambassador Lu Shaye said in an op-ed in the Ottawa-based Hill Times on Wednesday that western countries are employing a “double standard” in demanding the immediate release of the Canadians. “The reason why some people are used to arrogantly adopting double standards is due to western egotism and white supremacy,” Lu wrote. “What they have been doing is not showing respect for the rule of law, but mocking and trampling the rule of law.” China detained Canadian ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor on 10 December 2018 on vague allegations of “engaging in activities that endanger the national security” of China. The arrests came 10 days after Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada at the request of the US, which wants her extradited to face charges that she misled banks about the company’s business dealings in Iran. A Canadian judge granted Meng bail while she awaits extradition proceedings. Le wrote that “elites” in Canada are completely dismissing China’s law by demanding the immediate release of the Canadians. “It seems that, to some people, only Canadian citizens shall be treated in a humanitarian manner and their freedom deemed valuable, while Chinese people do not deserve that,” Lu said. Lu also wrote that Meng was arrested without violating any Canadian law, suggesting that Canada should never detain someone for extradition. “I don’t know what the ambassador was trying to accomplish but his article won’t help China’s cause,” Paris said. Paris noted Canada is following extradition law while the Canadians were seized in China under suspicious circumstances and China has held them without charge. Julian Ku, the senior associate dean for academic affairs at Hofstra Law, noted China has still not revealed any specific information about what Kovrig and Spavor are charged with and have not given them a judicial hearing and thus Canada is not wrong with calling the arrests arbitrary. “I am struck by how brazen they are being by making this appeal,” Ku said. “He says: ‘You are being racist by not respecting our law.’ That’s an easy card to play.” Lu also seemed to admit detaining the Canadians was in retaliation for the Meng arrest. “I have recently heard a word repeatedly pronounced by some Canadians: bullying. They said that by arresting two Canadian citizens as retaliation for Canada’s detention of Meng, China was bullying Canada. To those people, China’s self-defence is an offence to Canada,” Lu wrote. Alex Lawrence, a spokesman for Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland, did not address Lu’s claims. Huawei, whose billionaire founder Ren Zhengfei has long had ties with both the People’s Liberation Army and the Communist party, has faced national security concerns in multiple countries. Huawei has been banned from involvement in the installation of 5G mobile networks in India, New Zealand and Australia, blocked from making acquisitions in the US and banned from selling phones on military bases by the Pentagon. But, in his column, Lu dismissed such concerns and instead pointed to monitoring and spying programs carried out by the US National Security Agency and the Five Eyes alliance countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US). “Something is considered as ‘safeguarding national security’ when it is done by western countries. But it is termed ‘conducting espionage’ when done by China. What’s the logic?” he wrote.
|
Guardian staff and agencies
|
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/09/china-ambassador-canada-white-supremacy-huawei
|
2019-01-09 21:39:03+00:00
| 1,547,087,943 | 1,567,553,315 |
crime, law and justice
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judiciary
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499,100 |
sottnet--2019-03-23--Primal Behavior The Academic Mob and its fatal toll
| 2019-03-23T00:00:00 |
sottnet
|
Primal Behavior: The Academic Mob and its fatal toll
|
In 1992, the ethics committee of the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University accused neurology and neurosurgery professor Justine Sergent of failing to properly obtain their approval for her work using radioactive isotopes to study the brain function of pianists. Sergent claimed no wrongdoing other than, at most, a technical mistake of not re-requesting specific approval to study pianists reading sheet music when she had already received approval to use the same technology to study brain function in people reacting to images of human faces. The following year she was officially reprimanded for the alleged breach but filed an appeal in arbitration.Over the next two years, Sergent's dispute with the ethics committee grew bitter and she claimed it was based on personal grievances and not on the validity of her work. Sergent fought to defend herself and the integrity of her work but the stream of pettiness aimed at her increased. In an attempt to further tarnish her, an anonymous source (presumably from within McGill), mailed a letter to the Montreal Gazette accusing her of fraud in her scientific practice.The Gazette then published an article entitled "Researcher Disciplined by McGill for Breaking Rules." Shortly after the Gazette published this article, Sergent wrote a letter in which she stated that her love of research was too great to ever consider tampering with data. She defended the quality of her work and stated:On April 11 1994, with the assistance of her husband Yves Sergent, Justine Sergent committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning from a motor vehicle that was parked in her garage with a hose running from the tailpipe and into the window of the car. Yves Sergent then composed his last letter:Yves Sergent returned to the car and sat in the drivers seat. He attempted to slit his own throat but failed to hit an artery. He later died, like Justine Sergent, from carbon monoxide poisoning.On April 12 1994, Justine and Yves Sergent were found dead in their garage sitting beside each other in the drivers and passenger seats of their car. This is the devastating power that an academic mobbing can have on its targets.In a 2016 article for University Affairs entitled "Academic Mobbing, Or How To Become Campus Tormentors," Eve Seguin wrote, "Mobbing is social murder and, by definition, people cannot survive their own murder."We would be hard-pressed to find people in society deserving of punishment so severe that those who receive it take their own lives. This in itself makes academic mobbing an inhumane act. The deaths of Justine and Yves Sergent were not isolated extremes;Kenneth Westhues professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Waterloo has become an internationally recognized authority on academic mobbing and defines it as In 2004, Dr Janice Harper was halfway to tenure in the University of Houston's Department of Anthropology when she was lured away by an offer from the University of Tennessee Knoxville to go there and build up their cultural anthropology program. At UTK Dr Harper would begin research on two ambitious projects that would require an unflinching look at the damage done to powerless people by powerful entities. The first was a study of the town of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which played a pivotal role in the Manhattan Project, and the second was a study on the use of depleted uranium in munitions which she planned to publish as a book with Left Coast Books, Weapons of Dust: The Cultural and Scientific Battlefields of Depleted Uranium.The gender divides in the department were palpable and Dr Harper found herself subjected to a common problem women face in the workplace: men could speak openly at faculty meetings but when she presented a contradictory opinion to her male colleagues she was accused of complaining."I was on the forefront of change and trying to get women hired," Dr Harper said. "I was an outspoken woman in a department that did not have a history of outspoken women, or pretty much any woman at all. Since its founding in the midcentury, the department had only tenured two women, one of whom left and the other retired."In 2007, after Dr Harper filed an allegation of sexual harassment against a colleague at UTK, she became socially isolated in her department. Her classrooms were moved from week to week; she was removed from all committee assignments and not notified of faculty meetings. Just a few weeks earlier her Department Chair had written that she was "indispensable to the department," but after she reported her concerns to him about the employee, he told her that because she had made her report, he could no longer support her for tenure.Dr Harper confided in a colleague that the social isolation and uncertainty were making her feel suicidal and, although she assured her colleague she would not take her life, the colleague reported to the university that Dr Harper was "making death threats." She was then interrogated by campus police as a possible threat to the safety of students, which resulted in her file being forwarded to the FBI Department of Homeland security along with accusations that she was possibly a nuclear terrorist.Shortly thereafter, Dr Harper was interrogated by the FBI as a possible threat to the safety of faculty. "At one point, they were interrogating me about my 'obsession' with bombs, asking questions like, 'Do you always make a habit of talking about bombs in your classes?' to which I replied, 'Would that be in my class on warfare or my class on the atomic bomb?'"The allegations against Harper were largely based on testimony that her department head solicited from two students; one claimed that Dr Harper might have been planning to build a hydrogen bomb to blow up the campus stadium. The student cited a lecture Dr Harper had given in which she explained the difference between acts of violence that destroy infrastructure opposed to ones that destroy an important symbol within a culture. She said that if someone bombed the Stadium on the UT campus, it would be an act of symbolic destruction because it would not affect the infrastructure of the campus.The other student alleged that Dr Harper's then ten-year-old daughter had threatened the life of her Department Head (who happened to be a diabetic) by joking that she intended to bake him a batch of chocolate cookies.In what appears to read like a Hollywood comedy, the UT Police Report reads as follows:Harper fought UTK and despite the absurd nature of the allegations levelled against her, her department successfully cast her out by denying her tenure. Harper followed with a lawsuit but couldn't hold out financially and was forced to settle out of court.Those thrown out of the academy must transition from living within the security of their dream job to suddenly trying to find their place in society with no income, no health care, and serious health issues such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and often more serious health complications that stem from trauma. The damage runs deep and the health implications are severe."First there's the shock," Harper later wrote in her book Mobbed! In a recent interview Dr Harper said:As traumatic and damaging as the experience was, Dr Harper applied her anthropological expertise to understanding the social processes that led so many people to rapidly turn against her once the decision was made to cast her out. As the mobbing intensified, she continued teaching courses on warfare and genocide, and began to note parallels between how people are persuaded to turn against their neighbors and fellow citizens in genocidal contexts, and how people in any group setting can be persuaded to join in dehumanizing and abusing someone marked by leadership for exclusion and destruction.The result of her work was a series of articles in The Huffington Post and Psychology Today, as well as a book, Mobbed! What to Do When They Really Are Out to Get You , in which she challenged the anti-bullying movement's focus on "the difficult employee" or "evil bully," and called instead for a focus on the group psychology that leads otherwise good people to inhumanely attack another person without terms or limits.By examining primate and other animal behavior, along with witchcraft accusations, the McCarthy era, and the mid-eighties hysteria that led daycare workers to be accused and convicted of impossible feats of child sexual abuse,"Ultimately, mobbing didn't break me. It made me," Harper said. "It taught me a great deal about myself and others and made me a far more patient and compassionate person. But it's a cruelty and violence that is both unnecessary and far more damaging than I think even the attackers can imagine."In her essay "The Anatomy of an Academic Mobbing," Joan Friedenberg states that "most mobbers see their actions as perfectly justified by the perceived depravity of their target, at least until they are asked to account for it with some degree of thoughtfulness, such as in a court deposition, by a journalist or in a judicial hearing."The flip side to the depravity of the target is the righteousness of the mob. What makes members of the mob so passionately inhumane is that their position as righteous becomes instantly wrapped up in the successful destruction of the target. As Friedenberg writes "An unsuccessful account leaves the mobber entirely morally culpable."Every effort will be made to increase the allegation count, magnify the severity of each accusation, reinterpret any past actions of the target as malicious, and wipe away any sign that the target ever had a single redeemable quality that could point to the fact that they are undeserving of total destruction and shunning. For this reason "bullying" is a common accusation levelled against mobbing targets. As Dr Harper warns targets in Mobbed! No matter how educated or enlightened a person may think they are, when faced with the primal nature of a mobbing most people will betray their own principles and move to the safety of power. The people most closely associated with the target may then become the target's fiercest attackers since there is no better way to create distance from the primal danger of a mob than to attack with vigor. Once they begin attacking their own identity as righteous then becomes intertwined with the depravity of the target....I am going to tell you that the closer people are to you-as a friend-the more likely they will turn against you. They will prove to be extremely aggressive."Of course, mobbings also have devastating effects on the families of those who are mobbed. If members of a mob believe that they are righteously punishing a single person then they have no understanding of the collective force with which they are attacking not just an individual but also those closest to that individual, such as spouses like Yves Sargent or children like Dr Harper's daughter."My daughter went through major trauma at the fear of not knowing where we were moving," Dr Harper said, "Trauma at having seen people she considered her godparents, not to mention her babysitter (one of the students to make the allegation that Dr Harper was building an H-Bomb), turn me over to the police and FBI, watch me interrogated by the FBI. And now she has virtually no memory of me as a professor.""Things have worked out well for her," Dr Harper said, "but she still bears the scars. So many people end up divorced, or their spouses endure the depression and anger they can no longer understand. So when you write about what happens to us, remember what happens to our families."Brad Cran served as the Poet Laureate for The City of Vancouver from 2009-2011.
| null |
https://www.sott.net/article/409666-Primal-Behavior-The-Academic-Mob-and-its-fatal-toll
|
2019-03-23 11:19:05+00:00
| 1,553,354,345 | 1,567,545,160 |
crime, law and justice
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judiciary
|
312,840 |
mercurynews--2019-04-20--Columbine anniversary In Bay Area as elsewhere school threats everyday occurrence
| 2019-04-20T00:00:00 |
mercurynews
|
Columbine anniversary: In Bay Area, as elsewhere, school threats everyday occurrence
|
SAN JOSE — On Thursday, a student at a charter school in East San Jose emailed a teacher, threatening to “shoot up the school” if he didn’t get good grades. Several days before, in South San Jose, a 12-year-old boy, fuming over being bullied at school, sat in the principal’s office and muttered aloud how he wanted to “burn down this school and blow it up.” In each case, police went to the student’s home, checked for any access to guns and determined that the threat was empty. The students were left in the care of school administrators, who offered counseling services. Two decades after the massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado, such threats have become an everyday occurrence in schools around the country. Most turn out to be baseless. Some do not: Witness the troubling case of Sol Pais, who FBI officials said was “infatuated with Columbine” and whose broad threats, combined with her purchase of a shotgun, prompted officials in the Denver area to close hundreds of schools. After a massive manhunt, Pais, 18, was found dead Wednesday, reportedly from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, on a trail about 50 miles west of Columbine. But for every mass school shooting — or threatened shooting — there are far more threats that are handled, and defused, by authorities before they ever reach the public’s attention. San Jose police Sgt. Sean Morgan, one of SJPD’s chief school liaisons for the 10th largest city in the country, said his department receives reports of threats to schools as frequently as three times a week, and on a few occasions twice in a day. Each must be investigated. “Saying, ‘I’m going to shoot up a school’ these days is the same as saying you have a bomb on a plane,” Morgan said. “It’s taken seriously no matter how much it might seem like a joke.” Morgan said the threats are often posted on social media, made by students playing Fortnite or delivered personally to classmates or teachers. They observe no geographical or economic boundaries, coming from schools all over the city. In the vast majority of cases, the threats turn out to be a cry for help or, increasingly, a prank or a way of blowing off steam. “In a lot of cases, it’s just a one-time, one-off event,” said Chris Funk, superintendent of the East Side Union High School District in San Jose, which has the largest high school enrollment in Northern California. “Once the light was shined on them and the police were involved and the parents were involved, that’s the end of that story.” He added, “I think we’re ahead of the game in prevention, but we still have a lot of work to do.” In at least one case last year, the threat of violence was more serious, said Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Marisa McKeown. On a spring day in 2018, a man newly out of high school texted his girlfriend, musing about suicide and saying he admired Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber. The former student followed up with a message saying he wanted to “shoot up the school” she attended. The girlfriend knew he had a homemade rifle and a handgun. Her mother grew concerned and reported it to San Jose police, who obtained a restraining order allowing law enforcement officers to seize the man’s weapons. Police decided to approach him outside of his home, on the street. The tension dissipated quickly. The man volunteered to turn in his weapons, while they investigated and assessed how serious he was about the threat. It turns out, McKeown said, that the man “was just spouting off to his girlfriend.” J. Reid Meloy, a forensic psychologist based in San Diego, said in cases where students exhibit worrisome signs, the response is best handled by a threat assessment team composed of a senior school administrator, a school resource officer, a counselor and a faculty member, who develop a management plan for a student. Depending on the case, he said, the best intervention could be one-on-one — a trusted teacher meeting with a student who is growing increasingly disengaged. Meloy pointed to successful programs in Virginia and Los Angeles aimed at detecting and heading off school threats. The Los Angeles program, in particular, is considered a national model. The program involves cooperation and exchange of information among law enforcement officers, educators and mental health professionals, who together determine whether students are “on a path to violence” or venting out of unhappiness or psychological troubles with no real intention of harming anyone. Maria Martinez, a mental-health clinical supervisor at the L.A. County Department of Mental Health and the steward of the county’s program that handles school threats, said that in the 2017-18 school year, the program looked into 305 cases. Referrals come from schools, police, parents and other sources, and the team assigned to investigate the threat constructs a profile of a subject, including criminal record, academic background and access to weapons. “That way you have a complete picture of the person,” Martinez said. From there, the team decides what sort of intervention and, often, mental health treatment the person might need and keeps tabs on what happens next, keeping in touch with a therapist or with family members, conducting home visits and tracking the person’s contact with the mental health care system. Santa Clara County has a less extensive system, where mental-health clinicians, sometimes in tandem with law enforcement, are on call to respond to crises before they escalate into violence. The county Department of Behavioral Health Services has a presence in 13 South Bay school districts, holds meetings regularly with county chiefs and provides training to teachers and police officers. The agency also runs a crisis-texting hotline that young people can contact if they are stressed. More help for cities and counties might be coming at the national level. A bipartisan bill pending in the Senate and House, called the Threat Assessment Prevention and Safety Act, would appoint a task force to create national standards for identifying “patterns of dangerous behavior” and provide grants for local agencies to set up assessment teams similar to those in place in Los Angeles. Santa Clara County prosecutor McKeown said that, in California, the emphasis on proactive measures also is a function of having limited legal recourse to deal with threats that have not been acted on. She noted that while calling in a bomb threat to a school is a criminal act, threatening to shoot up a school, by itself, is not. She has promoted the use of the so-called gun-violence restraining orders, also known as “red flag” laws, that allow the seizing of firearms from people who have exhibited threatening behavior. The tactic has elicited criticism from gun-rights groups who say such laws are unconstitutional; McKeown responds by noting the orders expire in 21 days and require a judicial hearing to be extended. In any case, Morgan said, the goal has to be getting to troubled people as early as possible and hammering home the gravity of how disruptive even baseless threats can be. “We want catch to these red flags,” he said. “We also want to send the message, ‘You can’t do this anymore. It’s not a joke anymore.’ ”
|
Robert Salonga, Nico Savidge
|
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/04/20/columbine-anniversary-out-of-public-view-school-shooting-threats-a-routine-reality/
|
2019-04-20 14:00:47+00:00
| 1,555,783,247 | 1,567,542,317 |
crime, law and justice
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judiciary
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293,180 |
mail--2019-01-10--China ambassador accuses Canada and allies of racism
| 2019-01-10T00:00:00 |
mail
|
China ambassador accuses Canada and allies of racism
|
The arrests were in apparent retaliation for the arrest of a top Chinese tech executive in Canada. But Ambassador Lu Shaye's charged in op-ed in the Ottawa-based Hill Times that Western countries are employing a "double standard" in demanding the immediate release of the Canadians. "The reason why some people are used to arrogantly adopting double standards is due to Western egotism and white supremacy," Lu writes. "What they have been doing is not showing respect for the rule of law, but mocking and trampling the rule of law." China detained Canadian ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor on Dec. 10 on vague allegations of "engaging in activities that endanger the national security" of China. In the op-ed, Lu seemed to admit detaining the Canadians was in retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, something China has previously denied. "I have recently heard a word repeatedly pronounced by some Canadians: bullying. They said that by arresting two Canadian citizens as retaliation for Canada's detention of Meng, China was bullying Canada. To those people, China's self-defence is an offence to Canada," Lu wrote. The arrests came 10 days after Meng was arrested in Canada at the request of the U.S., which wants her extradited to face charges that she misled banks about the company's business dealings in Iran. A Canadian judge granted Meng bail while she awaits extradition proceedings. Le writes that "elites" in Canada are completely dismissing China's law by demanding the immediate release of the Canadians. "It seems that, to those people, the laws of Canada or other Western countries are laws and must be observed, while China's laws are not and shouldn't be respected," Lu writes. Lu also writes that Meng was arrested without violating any Canadian law, suggesting that Canada should never detain someone for extradition. "It seems that, to some people, only Canadian citizens shall be treated in a humanitarian manner and their freedom deemed valuable, while Chinese people do not deserve that," he writes. Roland Paris, a former foreign policy adviser to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, called Lu's claims "hogwash." "I don't know what the ambassador was trying to accomplish but his article won't help China's cause. The reference to white supremacy was bizarre and unfortunate," Paris said. "There is false equivalency in this article. Canada is a rule of law country. China is a rule by law country and the distinction is important. Meng was not illegally detained as the ambassador claims." Paris noted Canada is following the letter of the extradition law it has with the U.S. and while the Canadians were grabbed in China under suspicious circumstances and China has held them without charge. Julian Ku, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Hofstra Law, called Lu's claims ridiculous and said he is playing the race card in an apparent effort to win sympathy from Chinese Canadians and Americans. "He's making it seem like the two legal proceedings are morally equivalent and they are not," he said. "On one side you have due process, which makes a huge difference, and the other side you don't, but he says it's all the same." Ku noted China has still not revealed any specific information about what Kovrig and Spavor are charged with and have not given them a judicial hearing and thus Canada is not wrong with calling the arrests arbitrary. "I am struck by how brazen they are being by making this appeal," Ku said. "He says "You are being racist by not respecting our law.' That's an easy card to play." A message for the Chinese embassy in Ottawa was not immediately returned. Alex Lawrence, a spokesman for Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, did not address Lu's claims, but reiterated that Canada is "deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention by Chinese authorities of two Canadians last month and reiterate our call for their immediate release." Canada has embarked on a campaign with allies to win the release of the detained Canadians. The U.S., the U.K. the EU and Australia have issued statements in support. Trudeau called U.S. President Donald Trump this week about it and the White House called the arrests of the Canadians "unlawful." Trudeau spoke with Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, on Wednesday and thanked him. "Canada remains closely engaged with partners, who have also spoken in support of these detained Canadians and the rule of law, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the EU, the United States, and Australia," Lawrence said.
| null |
https://www.mail.com/news/politics/8942108-china-ambassador-accuses-canada-allies-racism.html
|
2019-01-10 03:14:00+00:00
| 1,547,108,040 | 1,567,553,021 |
crime, law and justice
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judiciary
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644,840 |
thedailyrecord--2019-02-17--Lanarkshire charity LEAP secures 47000 funding for the elderly
| 2019-02-17T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
|
Lanarkshire charity LEAP secures £47,000 funding for the elderly
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Lanarkshire charity LEAP has secured more than £47,000 funding for its Learning and Leisure programme for older people. The total figure of £47,140 will allow the charity to continue its activity programme for a further two years. They will also now be able to expand to other areas of South Lanarkshire. It’s part of a £1.4million National Lottery Community Fund cash boost to help older people in many parts of Scotland to get out of their homes and into the community. Sixteen projects benefited from this run. LEAP’s programme will have something for everyone, including tango, new age kurling, IT courses, tai chi, Spanish classes and a singing group. Louise Hope (66), from Hamilton, joined the Singing for Fun group in the town about a year ago. She had just retired, was wondering how she would fill her spare time, and wanted to get back to singing, which she had always enjoyed. Louise said: “I love the fact the group is really affordable, especially for people on a pension, as tuition is out of the question, and that it’s local. “We have an excellent teacher in Caley; she is professional, patient and has a great sense of humour. “I have found that being part of the group has helped in other ways – the breathing exercises help my asthma, and I always feel a real surge, a mood boost if you like, when I’m singing. “I’ve also met a lot of people who are also benefitting from the group in other ways, such as combating loneliness – but most of all it’s great fun. “I would recommend it to anyone, come along and find out more.” It is these changes to people’s lives that Catriona MacGregor, LEAP’s learning co-ordinator, thinks are most important to people. “We see these changes in people in all of our activities,” she said. “People come along because they want to fill their day or they feel they are becoming cut off from their communities, and being in a group changes all of that. “The money from the National Lottery Community Fund means we will be able to continue to support these people for the next couple of years, and it will also allow us to develop a programme into other areas of South Lanarkshire, and help even more people who might otherwise find themselves isolated and lonely. LEAP chairman Gilbert Feron commented: “We’re really grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for supporting our Learning and Leisure programme. “It is the backbone of the charity and is as relevant now as it was a quarter of a century ago when we were formed.” Maureen McGinn, National Lottery Community Fund Scotland chair, said: “I am delighted that LEAP’s Learning and Leisure programme has been successful in securing a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. “The award will make a big difference where it is needed most, and I wish LEAP every success as it goes on, to develop and expand its project for the benefit of their local community. “Our name might have changed recently, but our focus remains the same – funding projects which matter to people and communities. “Feelings of isolation or loneliness are not just something that affect one particular age group or generation, but can become more acute in later life. “So I am delighted that some of this funding will go to projects supporting older people to engage with their local communities, and also contribute to them using their skills and experience.” Lightburn Elderly Association Project (LEAP) is a charity supporting people in Lanarkshire aged 50 and over. It delivers support in Blantyre, Bothwell, Cambuslang, East Kilbride, Hamilton, Rutherglen, Stonehouse, Strathaven and Uddingston. If you want to find out more about the charity, visit www.leap-project.co.uk or call 0141 641 5169.
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Leona Greenan
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/lanarkshire-charity-leap-secures-47000-14002672
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2019-02-17 09:00:00+00:00
| 1,550,412,000 | 1,567,548,247 |
society
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welfare
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646,267 |
thedailyrecord--2019-03-20--Need for emergency food aid has doubled says Dumbarton foodbank charity
| 2019-03-20T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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Need for emergency food aid has doubled, says Dumbarton foodbank charity
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The number of people left in desperate need of food aid has doubled in West Dunbartonshire due to the devastating impact of Universal Credit. Foodbank charity Food For Thought claim they have been left struggling to cope with the demand to help those in financial crisis. Staff at the organisation, based in St Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Dumbarton, are currently giving out 12 parcels of emergency food aid every day to those in need. Prior to the full roll out of the controversial benefits system in West Dunbartonshire on November 28, volunteers say up to six food packages would be handed out. The shocking increase in referrals has now left the charity fighting to keep their shelves stocked, costing them up to £200 per week. And a spokesman from Food For Thought says those being plunged into poverty are directly linked to the new one payment system – which replaces six separate benefits. He said: “We have had a spike since January and that is a result of Universal Credit (UC). “Before Christmas we were giving out five or six parcels a day and now we’re averaging 12 food parcels per day. “It doesn’t sound a lot but we are open five days a week and we also run a community kitchen two days a week so in terms of our supply it is difficult for us to keep it up. “Universal Credit fully rolled out in West Dunbartonshire just before Christmas so we feel there is a direct link there. We predicted that this would happen. “Ninety percent of the people who come through our doors have been sanctioned as a result of Universal Credit.” Volunteers at Food For Thought previously said they were “preparing for an onslaught” of those in need after it was revealed new UC claimants would be left with no benefits for over a month throughout the festive period. The organisation, which also runs a community kitchen at the church hall every Wednesday and Thursday, was able to cope with the demand due to donations handed in by the community over Christmas. However, the donations are now all gone and volunteers are having to stock up by shopping in Dumbarton supermarkets in order to continue providing their vital service. The spokesman added: “We were fortunate to receive a lot of donations at Christmas time but we are now into March and those donations are gone. We are now at a point where we are having to keep spending money in supermarkets just to keep up with the demand. They are now appealing to residents in West Dunbartonshire to donate if they can. “We don’t have anyone giving us money at the moment so we are sometimes surviving on donations of £10 or £20 from people who come in. “Having to pay this money out is going to have an effect on the service which we provide, as we are talking about £150-£200 every week just to keep our shelves stocked. “We are happy to take any donations from the community whether it be food or money which we can spend on our food supply as we do not receive any money from anywhere else so we do need the help and support.” A DWP spokeswoman said: “Universal Credit is a force for good, helping people into work faster than the old system, and we’ve made significant improvements to make sure people can access money quicker. “Less than three percent of people subject to requirements for their benefits are under sanction, and only when they haven’t met them without good reason.” Anyone wishing to help can drop donations off at St Augustine’s Episcopal Church, the Coffee Station at Dumbarton Central train station and Crafts4U in Loch Lomond Galleries. For more local news, click here.
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Carla Donald
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/need-emergency-food-aid-doubled-14164272
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2019-03-20 16:57:16+00:00
| 1,553,115,436 | 1,567,545,523 |
society
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welfare
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646,422 |
thedailyrecord--2019-03-22--Heart attack patients from Dumbarton and the Vale raise over 1000 for vital charity
| 2019-03-22T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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Heart attack patients from Dumbarton and the Vale raise over £1000 for vital charity
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A group of cardiac patients have raised over £1000 for a cause very close to their hearts. The local men and women who attend at Hazel Mills’ exercise class every week – which is helping them through their rehabilitation – completed an impressive one million steps between them. Collecting donations for their efforts, they handed over a bumper cheque worth £1010 to football legend and pundit Murdo MacLeod, who himself suffered a serious heart attack nine years ago. Physiotherapist Hazel runs the circuit training class every week in Jamestown and helped spur participants on to their target which they reached just before the end of last year. She told us: “We had raised money for British Heart Foundation previously but decided to do something different this time. “We set ourselves the challenge of completing 1,000,000 steps between us by counting our steps during the class. It took us 12 weeks and we asked family and friends to sponsor our efforts or perhaps give a donation. Amazingly, we collected £1010. Murdo MacLeod, who stays locally, went along on the night to accept the cheque on behalf of the British Heart Foundation. Hazel added: “He was a real gentleman. He spoke words of encouragement to everyone, offering motivation and even watched the class for a while. “It was a terrific boost for the class. We will no doubt raise more money for the British Heart Foundation later this year again as this is the charity nearest to our hearts for many reasons. “I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who participated in our challenge and to everyone who donated money to the British Heart Foundation. "A special thank you to Murdo MacLeod for his interest and support.”
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Jenny Foulds
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/heart-attack-patients-dumbarton-vale-14173781
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2019-03-22 16:00:00+00:00
| 1,553,284,800 | 1,567,545,241 |
society
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welfare
|
646,468 |
thedailyrecord--2019-03-22--West Dunbartonshire parents can get old toys uplifted for free by charity
| 2019-03-22T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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West Dunbartonshire parents can get old toys uplifted for free by charity
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People from West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh are being urged to pack up their old toys and donate them to charity this spring. The British Heart Foundation is looking for cuddly toys to train sets and everything in between which will be sold on and funds donated back to the charity. The big bonus for busy parets is that the charity has a team of van drivers ready to go to your house and pick up your donations over the Easter break. Retail director for the British Heart Foundation, Allison Swaine-Hughes, said: “As a parent I know how easy it can be for toys to end up piled everywhere – with some not played with for months! “The British Heart Foundation toy amnesty is here to help clear out those toys that are ready for a new home and a whole new set of adventures. “Call the BHF for a free collection or pop in to one of our 550 shops and donate in person. Every item sold in a BHF shop helps us to raise even more funds for our lifesaving heart research.” "Progress" but Dumbarton and Alexandria schools in bottom half of league table Last year the BHF made £3million from the sale of toys alone. Donate your pre-loved toys to your local British Heart Foundation shop and you can help the millions of children and adults across the UK living with heart and circulatory disease. To book a free collection, call 0808 250 0220 or find your nearest shop at www.bhf.org.uk/shop For more local news, click here
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Lorraine Weir
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/west-dunbartonshire-parents-can-old-14171744
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2019-03-22 10:14:32+00:00
| 1,553,264,072 | 1,567,545,241 |
society
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welfare
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646,707 |
thedailyrecord--2019-03-30--West Lothian hosts reunion gig to raise money for charity
| 2019-03-30T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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West Lothian hosts reunion gig to raise money for charity
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Dreadnought Rock saw musicians reunite to raise money for charity. The Bathgate reunion gig brought together local high school bands from the late 80s and early 90s. All the bands and musicians had been part of the West Lothian Schools Rock Platform, set up by teachers to give their pupils a chance to form bands and play gigs. Guitar teachers Robin Robertson and Ronnie Berry and music teachers Alan Hastie and Val Meechan were the driving forces behind the project and for musicians in high school it created a social scene and vital part of their musical education. Gigs were usually held in community centres and high schools and they helped young musicians meet each other, gain confidence and learn performance skills. Twenty years on local musicians Hud McGilliard and Lynda Korimboccus decided that the time might be right to organise a reunion night and raise some money for charity. Alison Train explained: “The Dreadnought came on board as the venue and were massively supportive. “In the end five bands were able to get together and play on the night. “Sweet Pain, Buzz Bomb and Vital Sines managed to pull together their original line-ups. “Also playing were Fine Line and Strontium Dog, who were put together by people who were keen to play but couldn’t get whole original line-ups on board. “Lots of other familiar faces came along to reminisce and catch up and it was an excellent night. “A large proportion of the people involved on the stage and in the crowd remain active in the music world, both amateur and professional. “The overwhelming feeling on the night was that our committed music teachers and our music education gave us opportunities that were invaluable to us and that others perhaps didn’t get. “Given that West Lothian Council are now charging for music lessons in schools, the story of how school music teachers and free music tuition made such a significant and long-lasting impact is really pertinent. “The evening also raised nearly £500, which we have decided to donate to the charity Calm in memory of one of our number who we lost to suicide in 2015. “We were proud to raise this amount of money and the organisers want to extend huge thanks to The Dreadnought and everyone who came along and took part.”
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Debbie Hall
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/west-lothian-hosts-reunion-gig-14199020
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2019-03-30 10:01:00+00:00
| 1,553,954,460 | 1,567,544,673 |
society
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welfare
|
647,001 |
thedailyrecord--2019-04-03--Young Kilmarnock fan 10 starts his stadium marathon to raise money for charity
| 2019-04-03T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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Young Kilmarnock fan, 10, starts his stadium marathon to raise money for charity
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Two Kilwinning organisations are supporting a young Kilmarnock fan who is gearing up to walk around the 12 Scottish Premiership grounds. Lochlan Murdoch, 10, will trek the equivalent of more than a marathon as he laps around the likes of Celtic Park and Ibrox – as well as Hampden Park and Cumnock’s Townhead Park. The young striker, who has type 1 diabetes, is raising money for the Kris Boyd Charity and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). He said: “The fundraising idea I have had is to do a stadium marathon, which will cover two miles at 14 grounds. “I have type 1 diabetes and was diagnosed five-and-a-half years ago so this is why I really want to raise funds for JDRF Scotland. “They do lots of work and research for people like me and hopefully one day they will find a cure for type 1. “Also in May 2018, I suffered a really bad leg break whilst playing football for Cumnock Juniors 2008s. “I had to have an operation to fix it and was in a cast and then a leg brace for four months. “I became very sad and felt left out and really alone. I lost my confidence because I couldn’t play football. “I stopped going to watch training and games because I felt so sad at not being able to take part and play with my friends. “Once I told my mum how I was feeling, she got me some help and I’m starting to feel a bit better. “This is why I have chosen The Kris Boyd Charity as I know it is important to tell someone how you are feeling.” Lochlan added: “I decided I wanted to challenge myself and get myself back to being fit and healthy and to reach a new goal. “Football is my favourite thing in the world and Kilmarnock are my team. “I train with Kilmarnock’s development team too and when I am older I want to play professional football like Jamie MacDonald and Kris. “I don’t want type 1 or being sad to stop me from achieving everything I want to achieve.” And 1st Alliance Credit Union Ayrshire, based at Kilwinning Main Street, and the Pennyburn Regeneration Youth Development Enterprise (PRYDE) have sponsored Lochlan. Anne Robertson, chair for both organisations, said: “We are so in awe of wee Lochlan, he’s fantastic. “He is such a wee character, we were gobsmacked at how he takes it all in his stride. “We should all be aspiring to be like Lochlan.” She added: “PRYDE sponsored two miles at Hampden, and 1st Alliance Ayrshire sponsored two miles at Cumnock, and one mile at every other ground.”
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Kilmarnock Standard
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/young-kilmarnock-fan-10-starts-14230231
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2019-04-03 12:36:19+00:00
| 1,554,309,379 | 1,567,544,199 |
society
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welfare
|
647,086 |
thedailyrecord--2019-04-05--Dalbeattie Primary pupil to brave the shave to help cancer charities
| 2019-04-05T00:00:00 |
thedailyrecord
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Dalbeattie Primary pupil to brave the shave to help cancer charities
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A Dalbeattie Primary pupil is set to brave the shave to help two cancer charities. Ten-year-old Nicole McMurtrie will have her locks cut in the summer to raise money for Cancer Research UK. And the cut hair will be donated to The Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair as a result of having cancer. Nicole’s mum Kimberley said: “Her close friend and my dad’s neighbour, Catherine Johnston, died of cancer last October. “She decided she wanted to do something. She spoke about this and I told her to think about it as she had to be sure.” Nicole will have her hair cut on July 29 to allow it to grow longer for The Little Princess Trust – and also so she can be a bridesmaid at her uncle’s wedding. Anyone who would like to sponsor her can do so by visiting https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/nicoles-giving-page-191 .
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Stuart Gillespie
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/dalbeattie-primary-pupil-brave-shave-14238963
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2019-04-05 08:31:56+00:00
| 1,554,467,516 | 1,567,543,902 |
society
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welfare
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