Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. Furthermore, with the postal strikes as they are, this way of donating ensures money gets to Brendoncare safely.

So please dig deep and donate what you feel you can,  especially as I will be spending thousands on the event myself from buying many pairs of clean underpants!!! (I should ask M&S for a donation, eh?)

I am doing the firewalk for two reasons: firstly, for a selfish reason - it is something I have always wanted to do and it is a chance for me to prove to myself that I am stronger than I think and that I can overcome fear by feeling the fear and doing it anyway! Secondly, I strongly believe in the philosophy behind Brendoncare (see below or check out www.brendoncare.org.uk).

The Brendoncare Philosophy

In every civilised community it is the right of older people

    to live secure in the knowledge that, even in the event of illness, they will never have to be         moved from the comfort of their friends or familiar surroundings.

    to enjoy life among kindred spirits in an atmosphere of sympathy and understanding

·         to be cared for by people who appreciate their need for privacy and will in all situations respect their dignity and freedom of choice.

In the 1970's, Phoebe Bacon took ageing friends in to live with her in Winchester, so that they could look after each other and continue to enjoy the company of kindred spirits in familiar surroundings - (something I have discussed with friends as something we could do in the future). Over time, the friends needed more care than just companionship, but wanted to remain together in their home. In 1984, GP Sir Ronald Gibson and Mrs. Bacon's niece put their energies into having a nursing wing added to the house and therefore removed the worry of having to leave the home when nursing care became necessary. The house was called Brendon, and thus Brendoncare was born.     

Brendoncare also run social clubs devoted to giving older people the opportunity to meet new friends, be entertained by a variety of speakers and entertainers, and enjoy club outings. They run more than 70 clubs in Hampshire, Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole, with over 2,000 members and some 400 volunteers. A very dear friend of mine accesses one of these clubs, since her husband died. They come and pick her up, take her to the club and bring her home again. On a regular basis she also enjoys having a 3 course meal, entertainment and socialising. It's fab - all because of Brendoncare. 

Please, please, please will you help me support all their work by donating however much you feel able to. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Helen xxxx (who is poohing her pants!) PS. We'll all be old one day, tick, tock, tick, tock ...