Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Angel Tree supports prisoners in their family relationships by providing
 a way for them to give Christmas presents to their children. Local
Prison Fellowship volunteers raise funds and work with churches and
prison chaplains to buy and deliver the presents.

Valdeir's Story

Certainly there will be times when you will want or need to confront or even fight for something that you believe in.

These FLOWERS were created by a resourceful prisoner using plastic bottles and waste materials.

Please help this cause by buying my artwork FLOWERS (recommended minimum £20-£30, depending on the flower) or give a donation (no minimum amount - all donations welcome).  You can choose a flower from the photos at the bottom of this page - each one has a number.

Here is my story:

This was a difficult story to write for a number of reasons because this experience has forced me to confront the reality of my actions and deal with the pain of my guilty conscience.

Like most people after a long day at work, I went out to spend a relaxing time with friends.  I took a serious and wrong decision to drive home under the influence of alcohol which had fatal consequences.

It is hard to forget those things from the past and go forward when you are holding inside your heart the regrets of your mistakes.  You cannot go back in time and change what has happened.

I am currently in prison serving a 5 year sentence after pleading guilty and taking complete responsibility for causing death by dangerous driving.  In prison, devastated by the events that brought me here, and with a lot of other feelings torturing my heart, I have received support from healthcare and the mental health team.  I have attended courses to address my alcohol use and educational training to develop my lifestyle.  I also learned, inside my cell, to make FLOWERS using plastic bottles and waste materials.  This has helped me to take myself out of the deep depression I had been experiencing, deal with my personal feelings and use this hard time in a positive way.

So far I have won a Certificate of Achievement in the prison library art competition and first prize in the art competition at the High Wycombe British Beekeepers Association.  I am very proud to share some of my pictures with you. 

I also entered my work in the Koestler Trust Art Award Scheme 2016.  This competition received over 6000 entries and I am proud be one of the 230 entries picked for a prize - I won a commended prize and received a certificate.

I have had a lot of positive feedback and encouragement from people regarding my art and my family and friends are happy at the way I choose to use my time.

Now with the support of THE MOUNT PRISON REDUCING RE-OFFENDING I have started to sell my artwork to raise money and donate to Prison Fellowship Angel Tree.

All this illustrates the proactive approach I have had to my self-development and self-improvement in prison.  I believe that sharing my experience with others may help them to understand that sometimes the worst things that happen in our lives can have a positive effect.

It doesn’t mean that everyone else needs to be in prison or wait for a tragedy to happen to them.  They should just find time in their life to look around and give more value to those who love them the most.  Never forget your roots and family because no matter what’s happening to you they will always be there for you.

Stop for one moment and think about what happened in my life and the message I bring to you today:

DRINK CAN MAKE YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE INVINCIBLE, WHEN YOU ARE MORE VULNERABLE.

PLEASE THINK, DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE.  Make peace with your past so it won't hurt you in the future.

For more details about Angel Tree, please visit the website:

http://www.prisonfellowship.org.uk/what-we-do/angel-tree/

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