So, How Do Charities Spend Your Money?

Posted on by

Oxfam launches nationwide search to find a member of the public to see for themselves how money donated to the charity is spent

Oxfam is today launching a nationwide search to find a member of the public to travel to one of their projects and see for themselves how money donated to the charity is spent. The successful applicant of this unique opportunity will report back with their personal experience of Oxfam’s work helping communities out of poverty and will feature in a major advertising campaign.

Oxfam’s research highlights that uncertainty about whether donated money gets to where it’s needed or if it even makes a difference long term can be a major barrier to giving. The ‘See For Yourself’ campaign aims to dispel these myths and show how giving just £3 a month to Oxfam really can transform people’s lives. The core of the initiative is being open and honest about how donated money is spent by showing Oxfam’s work from an impartial point of view.

Earlier this year mum-of-two and Oxfam supporter, Jodie Sandford, became the first person ever to take part in ‘See For Yourself’ when she travelled to Zimbabwe to see Oxfam’s work first-hand. Now, in an unprecedented step, the charity is widening the recruitment for the next phase and is specifically looking for someone who is not an Oxfam supporter to travel with them to Malawi, southeast Africa.

Oxfam are looking for someone who is curious and not afraid to ask questions. They will need to be willing to embrace new experiences as the trip itself will be physically and emotionally challenging. The journey will take them to an Oxfam project, where they will meet the local people and share their personal account of their thoughts and feelings about directly witnessing Oxfam’s work.

The whole experience will be filmed as part of a TV, print and online campaign which will launch this autumn to encourage more people to donate to Oxfam on a regular basis.

Oxfam’s Paul Vanags, Head of Public Fundraising added: “Regular donations make Oxfam’s life-changing, life-saving projects possible but we urgently need to do more. We believe that the most powerful way to encourage more people to give is to show them our work through the eyes of someone impartial who’s never seen it before. This trip will not only offer an experience of a lifetime, it will also form the basis of a major initiative to help us find new regular supporters.”

Prospective candidates will need to hold a valid UK passport and be available to travel for up to two weeks in July or August 2012. Recruitment is open from 6-14 June 2012 and Oxfam will be interviewing short-listed applicants on 21-22 June 2012.

To apply go to www.oxfam.org.uk/apply

JOE McELDERRY OFFICIALLY OPENS TEENAGE CANCER TRUST UNIT

Posted on by

JOE McELDERRY OFFICIALLY OPENS TEENAGE CANCER TRUST UNIT IN NEWCASTLE

Teenage Cancer Trust ambassador Joe McElderry officially opened Teenage Cancer Trust’s new state-of-the-art unit at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.

The £220,000 unit opened to patients earlier this year and will provide care for 18 to 24 year olds with cancer from across the North East and Cumbria. It complements the charity’s existing unit at the Great North Children’s hospital for 13-19 year olds. Young people aged 13-24 diagnosed with cancer in the North East now have access to specialist services.

The new unit in Newcastle includes seven inpatient beds and will provide a home from home for many young people and their families. Unlike ‘ordinary’ hospital wards, it has a kitchen, pool table and a recreational area including a digital jukebox and access to media facilities such as the internet, TV and music. The charity has also provided a further en-suite room on Ward 33 for patients who are in isolation after receiving a bone marrow transplant.

The new unit will bring young people together to be treated by teenage cancer experts in an environment tailored to their needs. Designed to feel like a home from home, the walls are bright, each room is individually styled, the furniture is funky and there’s always a place to watch films and surf the net. Combined with specialist nursing staff, the unit has everything to make a young person’s stay in hospital comfortable.

Speaking at the event, Joe said: “Teenage Cancer Trust is an absolutely amazing charity. These units feel like home and really help to boost morale for the young people being treated here. Not only do they look great, but there is a real family atmosphere in the charity and I love that! I’m so proud to have been asked to open this spectacular new unit today and have thoroughly enjoyed looking around and meeting the inspiring young people that are already benefiting from this great service.”

Dave Shaw, Deputy Director of Services at Teenage Cancer Trust, “We are incredibly excited to see the unit up and running and are confident that our patients, their families and unit staff will benefit from the specialist support and care it provides. I would like to say a huge thank you to the Hospital and to everyone who has been involved in supporting Teenage Cancer Trust locally over the last few years.”

The state-of-the-art unit is a result of years of determined fundraising by Teenage Cancer Trust and supporters. Matthew and Hilary Engel lost their 13 year old son Laurie to a rare and aggressive cancer in 2005. Since then the family have raised over £1.1million for Teenage Cancer Trust, and have kindly donated over £160,000 to this new unit in Newcastle. Their tireless fundraising has ensured that young people across the country are treated in an environment suited to their age.

Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for the six young people aged between 13 and 24 diagnosed with cancer every day. We build specialist units within NHS hospitals bringing young people together to be treated by teenage cancer experts in a place designed just for them. We want every young person with cancer to have access to this specialist support, no matter where they live.

Traditionally treated alongside children or elderly patients at the end of their lives, young people can feel extremely isolated during treatment, some never meeting another young person with cancer. Being treated alongside others their own age can make a huge difference to their whole experience.

Teenage Cancer Trust also educates young people and health professionals about cancer to ensure a swift diagnosis and referral to specialist support. Cancer in young people is rare but we want young people to know the common signs and symptoms so they can seek medical advice if they are worried.

Donations are still needed for the upkeep of Teenage Cancer Trust’s unit and to provide services in the region. For more information about Teenage Cancer Trust and how you can get involved, visit www.teenagecancertrust.org

Teenage Cancer Trust’s North East Fundraising Board has pledged to raise £100,000 over the next year to help support teenagers and young adult diagnosed with cancer in the region. All funds raised by the Board will go towards the running costs of both Teenage Cancer Trust units in Newcastle. To kick-start their fundraising, they are holding a Glitz and Glamour ball in October. If you’d like to get involved by sponsoring the event, providing auction prizes or would simply like to find out more please contact Jonathan Wallis by emailing Jonathanwallis@georgefwhite.co.uk

JENNIE ANNOUNCES NEW RESTAURANT VENTURE

Posted on by

Jennie McAlpine has announced an exciting new venue with long-term partner Chris Farr to refurbish a Manchester landmark. Corrie actress Jennie and Chris, an experienced restaurant manager, will be opening a new restaurant in the city centre in Autumn 2012. Situated on Old Bank Street, off St Anne’s Square, Annies will cater for lunches, evening service and private functions, as well as pre and post theatre menus for the neighbouring Royal Exchange. The new restaurant will be housed in what used to be known as Bar 5 and prior to that The Conservatory. Having been closed for several years, a major refurbishment programme is now underway. Commented Jennie: “I am so excited to be working with Chris on this new venture. We hope to create a space that will deliver on style, with all the comforts of home. Our menu will centre around classic British food. It’s going to be a busy summer with filming commitments and the refurbishment but we have a great team in place to help make it all happen.“ Annies is scheduled to open early Autumn 2012.

Play the Very Lazy Footie Feast Challenge during the Euros this summer

Posted on by

Play the Very Lazy Footie Feast Challenge during the Euros this summer
New online game for super fast footie food!

Forget junk food and pizzas for half time. With a new online game from cooking ingredient specialist Very Lazy, you can now whip up a quick and tasty half time treat for you and your mates and be back in front of the TV for the second half. Easy Peasy.

The challenge is simple. All you need is a few key ingredients, a pan or wok and the Very Lazy Footie Feast Challenge online game! Here’s how it works:
• Start off with a base of noodles during the first half of the game
• Every time you spot one of the listed events, click the circle on the pitch [right] to add an ingredient to your dish
• Get in the kitchen at half time and cook your dish in 10 minutes
• Relax and watch the second half of the game with your Very Lazy dish
When a red card is produced the game won’t be the only thing hotting up as you add some Very Lazy red chillies to the mix! The Footie Feast Challenge is more fun and a lot healthier and quicker than ordering a takeaway. Footie fans have an easy recipe for half time and begrudging viewers will have a fun game to pass the time while the match is on!

The ingredients needed to play the full game are: Very Lazy red chillies, Very Lazy ginger, Very Lazy garlic, cooked chicken, prawns, mushrooms, spring onions, soy sauce, cashew nuts, red pepper, sesame oil, bean sprouts, honey, greens and nutmeg. But don’t worry if you are missing some of the ingredients – feel free to swap them for one of your family favourites.

Very Lazy may not be able to give England an advantage on the pitch, but its range of top notch essential cooking ingredients does give you an unfair advantage in the kitchen, allowing you to whip up a footie feast in just ten minutes.

Have some Very Lazy fun by visiting www.facebook.com/VeryLazyFood and clicking on the Footie Challenge icon. But don’t worry if you miss the first match, here’s a list of some other key fixtures:

• France V England: Mon 11 June, 17:00
• Sweden V England: Fri 11 June, 19:45
• England V Ukraine: Tues 19 June, 19:45
• Quarter finals: Thurs 21 June – Sun 25 June
• Semi finals: Weds 17 June – Thurs 18 June
• The final: Sun 1 July, 19:45

Organic Children’s Clothes at Less Than Half Price. {Save it}

Posted on by

STUNNING SCANDINAVIAN CLOTHING BY SERENDIPITY ORGANICS NOW UP TO 65% OFF TO CASABU MEMBERS

Kit your children out this Summer with some beautiful clothes from Serendipity Organics.

Designed in Scandinavia, the clothing range is made from certified 100% organic and fair-trade cotton, and it is now available at up to 65% off its original price to members of Casabu.

Choose from jumpsuits, baggy dresses and over-sized tees for a stylish yet understated look. Key pieces in the sale include: a Baby Mini Suit in Blueflower for £16.65 (original price £37), a Blue Flower Border Blouse for £15.40 (original price £44) and a lovely Strap Dress in Seastar for just £17.50 (original price £50).

The Serendipity Organics clothing sale is on now and, for babies clothing, will run until May 30 while the clothing sale for girls and boys expires on June 1.

Anyone can join the private sales website www.casabu for free. Once signed up, members can access the daily sales events via their computer, laptop, tablet, Smartphone or via Twitter @casabu_tweets and there are incentives for referring Casabu to friends.

Casabu releases new deals on stylish clothing, toys, nursery equipment and maternity gear at discounts of up to 70% off original prices daily at 8am.

MAJORITY OF WOMEN LIE TO THEIR PARTNERS OVER SPENDING

Posted on by

MAJORITY OF WOMEN LIE TO THEIR PARTNERS OVER SPENDING ON CLOTHES

Two thirds of women regularly fib to partner about real cost of new clothing

Survey by online fashion retailer Lovarni.com also finds one in 10 women keeps every new fashion purchase secret

The majority of women lie to their partners about the amount of money they spend on clothes, a new survey reveals.

Two-thirds admit they “usually always” tell a porkie about the real cost of a new dress, top or pair of shoes.

Most argue that a “little white lie” or a “harmless fib” is better than telling the truth — and starting an argument.

Incredibly, almost 10 per cent rely on their partner’s lack of observation and keep EVERY new clothes purchase a secret.

They only ever come clean if they are caught out by bank statements or hard-to-hide delivery parcels.

The figures were released yesterday by online fashion store www.Lovarni.com, which surveyed 1,000 of its female shoppers.

A spokesman for the site said women are spending up to 50 per cent more online than what they do on the High Street because there is a less of a tell-tale paper trail.

She said: “It’s clear from our research that men are totally clueless about the amount of money their wives or girlfriends are spending on new clothes.

“Our figures show that most female shoppers usually always lie, or tell porkie-pies, about the actual cost of new purchases.

“Indeed, a small number keep every new purchase a secret and almost all only spill the beans if they are forced to do so.

“The upshot of all of this is that between eight and 12 per cent of women admit spending one and a half times as much online as on the High Street – primarily to prevent arguments, but also because they are less likely to get caught.”

According to a recent survey by ecommerce company WorldPay, the average British women spends £315 online on fashion and clothing per year.

Shoes are the most popular fashion and clothing item bought online, with almost 50 per cent of women having purchased a pair in the last year, while the most money is spent on handbags — an average of £187.

The new poll of 18-40 year-olds found that 62 per cent of women in relationships feel guilty or embarrassed about the cost of their wardrobe, and find it easier to lie than to justify their spend.

Virtually all (78 per cent) believe it is better to tell a white lie than risk a row, while a tenth said “complete secrecy” was safer-still.

According to Lovarni.com, a small proportion of women are spending more online than on the High Street because hiding numerous bags can be “very, very difficult”.

“Put simply, online shopping allows consumers to purchase their guilty pleasures without worrying about hauling bags around town,” a spokesman for said.

“It’s also easier to arrange deliveries when he’s out of the house, and saves having to hide lots of shopping bags.”

WORLD RECORD FREERUNNER BEATS THE UK’S FASTEST TRANSPORT

Posted on by

GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FREERUNNER BEATS THE UK’S FASTEST MODE OF TRANSPORT

CHASE ARMITAGE flaunts his win to London actor TAMER HASSAN.

New footage hits social networks this week of record-breaking athlete proving it’s quicker to freerun through the UK’s most congested cities than to use public transport.

The ‘Man vs. Tube’ race saw the UK’s quickest mode of public transport fail to win by an incredible 11 minutes and 10 seconds. Top Freerunner and Guinness World Record holder CHASE ARMITAGE was challenged by top British actor TAMER HASSAN (DEAD MAN RUNNING, THE BUSINESS) to beat the time it takes to travel a 1.3 mile course on the London Underground. While TAMER HASSAN relied on public transport, freerunner CHASE ARMITAGE back-flipped and wall jumped his way to the finish line first, despite getting lost on the way.

RESULTS:

* Chase Armitage completed the challenge in 11 minutes and 21 seconds.
* Tamer Hassan completed the in 22 minutes and 31 seconds (the projected time for this journey is 14 minutes).
* The total time difference was 11 minutes and 10 seconds.

TAMER HASSAN was inspired to test out the method after starring opposite Danny Dyer in the action adventure film, ‘FREERUNNER’, out now on DVD and Blu-ray (Revolver Entertainment). The movie depicts freerunners crossing an entire city in 60 minutes, to fend off dangerous gangsters – arguably a similar pressure felt by commuters in the UK every day, in their race to get to work on time.

CHASE ARMITAGE commented, “Freerunning is not only fun, but it’s the quickest and fastest way to get around the UK’s bustling cities. It’s cheap to learn and helps to you to keep fit – physically and mentally. You don’t get all the stress of commuting; no fretting over whether you’ll be late for work, worrying if your train service has been cancelled or anxiety about the bus or tube being overcrowded. I’m glad I’ve finally proved to the public that they have an alterative, and no longer have to rely on expensive and unreliable transport methods.”

TAMER HASSAN said, “After today’s race, I think that I think I may have to invest in a pair of running shoes, because the whole journey took me over 22 minutes and Chase looked like he’d be resting for ages by the time I reached the finish line.”

If unhappy British commuters were to invest in, and switch to freerunning to reach their workplace, they could potentially save over £2,000* a year each in travel costs (see below).

75% of Brits don’t check car’s engine oil

Posted on by

· Three-quarters of UK motorists don’t know how to check their car’s oil – a vital element in basic vehicle maintenance

· Half of drivers don’t even know why oil is used; majority unaware of damage caused by lack of lubrication

· Improved fuel economy and reduced engine wear proven from using quality synthetic motor oil

· Save Fuel With Mobil 1 offer sees Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 five-litre packs offered at selected Esso service stations with £10 discount

A staggering three out of four Brits don’t know how to check the oil in their car, according to new research from Mobil 1. More worryingly still, almost half of the drivers questioned were oblivious as to why oil is even used in their vehicle’s engines.

The research also found 94% of motorists were unaware that using the correct oil can significantly prolong the life of their engine, as well as potentially improve fuel economy. All of which means that at a time when British car owners are feeling the pinch like never before, they could be driving blindly towards expensive engine problems in the future.

Mobil 1 commissioned the survey in order to gain insight into motorists’ habits, specifically in the areas of engine maintenance and servicing. The study discovered that although as a nation Britons are typically on the lookout for ways to save money, they are significantly less savvy when it comes to understanding how to cut their motoring costs.

“It’s clear from this research that drivers are largely unaware of the benefits of using synthetic motor oil – and in some cases people don’t even have a basic understanding of the fundamental role played by engine lubrication,” said Dan McGoldrick, Field Marketing Advisor UK, Nordic and Benelux for ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialities, makers of Mobil 1. “Using the right oil for your engine can potentially improve fuel economy, reduce engine wear and save lots of expense in the long run. Our aim is to help make drivers aware that checking oil is essential for keeping cars running smoothly and efficiently.”

Expertly developed to help prolong engine life and optimise efficiency, Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 is designed to help provide exceptional cleaning power, wear protection and overall performance. The oil has the potential to improve fuel economy and save you money.

Mobil 1 is currently helping consumers to stay on top of engine maintenance by offering a Save Fuel With Mobil 1 £10-off price when purchasing five-litre packs of Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 in selected Esso service stations. By taking advantage of this offer, drivers can save at the point of purchase, and further down the line thanks to potential enhanced fuel economy. The offer price means packs can be purchased for £44.99 (down from £54.99). Further details on how to Save Fuel With Mobil 1 can be found on www.mobil1.co.uk where Mobil’s online product selector, ‘Which oil’, makes it easy for consumers to identify the correct engine oil to optimise their vehicle performance by simply inserting the registration number of their car.