More fund raising and organizing support for our Christmas Appeal

During the past few weeks I arranged 2 Charity Sales.    These events take a lot of organizing in gathering, sorting and preparing the items for sale, then transporting them and laying everything out including our publicity stands.   The first in our village carnival proved somewhat of a trial with the weather.  We almost got blown away putting up our gazebo, then laid everything out beautifully before the skies opened and we had driving rain.  There we were holding down plastic covers in high winds - in between the showers I ventured out to gain support for naming my huge teddy bear who was a little damp by this time!.  Like all the other stall holders we wrapped up early a little bedraggled and set off home.  We were both shattered and made 35 pounds. 

A week later we held another sale at our Church and this time we managed to raise 200 pounds but could not have done it without the support of our dear friends who helped in many ways.  We had a lot of stock over and after lifting it all back into storage we came home and were ready for bed!!  However, it is all for God's work and we will do whatever we can to raise awareness and funds. 

We have 3 events coming up:  an Old Time Music Hall Sing a Long at Hirwaun OAP Association Hall at 2 pm on 22nd September including a Cake Stall (my mixers will be out again!!).  The 24th September sees our Annual Charity Walk from Hirwaun to Penderyn - up the Foel Mountain and return to a tasty buffet at our Church.  It is around 10 kilometres and we return to a tasty buffet lunch.    Please contact me if you are able to join us and support the Charity's Projects.    Here is a picture of last year's event.  It is a great fun day.  Please pray for good weather.

This year we have 4 runners enroled for the Cardiff Half Marathon (including hubbie Wayne) on 16th October.  If you would like to sponsor them then please contact me.

We also need further support for our Christmas Shoebox Appeal - this year we are down on our normal 600 children's boxes so if you can help then please contact me for a covered box.  In July we managed to fill around 200 boxes at our Church - thanks to our friend Sheila who covers all our boxes, to our Pastors, the Church elders & all our members, to everyone who supported with filled boxes,  with items to fill them and also to our friend Elizabeth Peters who does so much bargain shopping for us.   We also checked another 100 boxes .  All were packed into large boxes ready for transportation. 

"Little Lambs are Leaping" in Aberdare Park

Before the end of our term we held another "Little Lambs are Leaping" Sponsored Walk for our Pre-School children. The weather was again kind to us as children, parents, grans and friends strolled around the perimeter of the Children's Playground. The sun shone all morning as we enjoyed our teddy bear's picnic - the teddies are certainly in party mood!!!! We invited other people in the park to join us. 

Our thanks to everyone who took park to support Children's Ministries in Romania - we do not yet have a final figure for the fund raising but will let you know in due course. 

I'm back!!!

Where have I been you may ask - just busy busy busy!! Well its catch up time on what we have been up to over the summer.

In addition to our Church ministries, much of May was spent decorating the house in Sennybridge  but alas there were further holdups with the Insurance Company which are still ongoing - it will be 2 years in November since the spillage - please continue to pray with us.

In June I gave a talk about the Charity's work to the Havens (Sheltered Housing Complex) in Hirwaun as part of the Church's monthly ministry there.  We give thanks to Annette (Warden) and the residents of this complex who faithfully support us with our Shoebox Appeal each year. 

Our Annual General Meeting held on 9th July was well attended.    Sadly our income is down on last year due to my limited time in organising fund raising events.  Here we all are studying the reports which took time in preparing.    Our Trustees -  myself and Wayne, our friends, Kay and Ray Jones and Pastor Chris Dawes from our Church were re-elected  and the officers remained the same - Chairman - Chris, Secretary - myself and Treasurer - Ray.  A film show of the projects  followed the meeting while refreshments were served. 

Juggling Eggs in my Basket!

It sure is a busy time and I apologise for the limited blogging.  Amongst the family responsibilities and the Charity and Church commitments I am still decorating my former home which was the subject of a heating oil spillage in 2009. We have also had to overhaul the garden.   It is now 18 months into the Insurance Claim and it has been a time consuming trial of working with so many agencies and personnel.  We are praying that remedial works in the kitchen will soon be completed and the new central heating system installed.   I give thanks for my friend, Teresa for her willing heart to help me. 

I will also shortly return to Ireland to support my son.  Please pray for his ongoing health problems and that he will be successful in securing a job back in Cardiff. 

During the week I gave a presentation on the "Widows Mite" Project at our Church "Almond Tree" Ministry for elderly and disabled people.  My friends, Jenny Williams and Jenny Stewart kindly helped me make cakes for the stall.  With several donations we made a grand total of 160 pounds.  Grateful thanks to all who supported.  Tomorrow we are holding a Charity Meeting at the Church. 

Giving Thanks

Sorry I have been off the air for a few weeks.  My mum had a further health crisis which involved my staying with her for a while, then my son, Neil was taken ill in Ireland and so I flew out there at short notice to support him.    I give thanks that both are now recovering and that Neil returned to Wales with me to spend Easter with all the family which was a real blessing for all of us.  Renovations and decoration at my former home is also taking up a lot of our time at present which will delay my planned May trip to Romania. 

Easter is such a special time as we celebrate the rising of our Lord and Saviour.  We hope you all received our latest Newsletter and Easter Greeting either electronically or in hard copy.  If not, then you can access it via this website.   

I am so looking forward to my summer trip to Romania. 

Aid for people in need in Romania

Yesterday Wayne and I took 2 car loads of aid to Talbot Green in readiness for transportation to Romania next month.  It took me around 2 weeks to sort and pack it all (including some rice and pasta) kindly donated by the Headmistress of our local school.

We are so grateful to Alan and Ann Penrose who run the Charity "Support for Romania" and who transport our goods.  Sadly after 20 years on the road they are retiring but their Charity continues with monetary donations.  We are therefore having to make alternative arrangements for future transportation of our shoeboxes and aid but we give thanks that we currently have a contact who may be able to help.

I can but apologise for the lack of photos for the last few entries - as you know I carry my camera and everywhere.  Whilst at the Church a few weeks ago my charger lead went missing and I am still looking for it - please pray it will turn up.  It is a Japenese camera and I purchased it whilst living in Romania.    

Old Time Music Hall at Llwynon

Our good friends, Billy and Jen recently led an "Old Time Music Hall Singalong" at the Llwynon Sheltered Housing Complex in Crynant in the valley in which we live.  It was a truly blessed afternoon with the elderly joining in with all the war songs over a nice cup of tea and a buffet kindly laid on by the staff.  We took along our RR stand and I spoke briefly about the history of the Charity and the Projects it supports.  Before we left we were given clothing items for Romania and money boxes of coins.  

Jen and Billy (who is Irish) ended the afternoon  with some Irish songs and distribution of Shamrock Shortbread to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  This was followed by a beautiful rendering of "Amazing Grace".

A big thank you to wardens, Pam and Linda, the residents and Billy and Jen for their support.  A total of 75 pounds was raised and they are planning to support our Christmas Shoebox Appeal.