Dear Friends and Family of Rufus

As many of you may/or may not yet know, Rufus will be turning 40 at the end of the month and many of you have been contacting me saying you'd really like to get him something special but not sure what...

Now I've have been racking my brains and things are finally starting to make some sense - so for those of you that feel inclined here is what I propose...

Following the exhibition of his paintings Rufus has been reconnecting with a long time love of his - the night sky - star gazing - and the number one thing on his wish list is a tracking telescope! He has had manual telescopes in the past but these take considerable time and effort to set up and the slightest knock will send it out of focus and you are back where you started - trying to get the damn thing lined up for ages!

To give you an idea of the situation - A good manual telescope is typically in the order of £100 - £200. One then has to make a considerable jump (to around £400 - £500) to access the mid-range tracking telescopes which become a substantial piece of kit... and as it stands is considerably out of reach....!! (Above that there is another jump to around £1000 < to enter professional astronomer territory from £1000 upwards)...

So if you feel inclined to contribute to a very special gift for Rufus that I"m sure will keep him very good company well into his old age please do so here...! Every little (even the tiniest amount will add up in the end)... and even if we only get half way that's half the battle won...

Please help me make some magic happen and spread the word (discretely i.e. not on public Facebook pages that Rufus might see so that we can keep it a surprise) by forwarding this page on to anyone you may know that might like to contribute because I only have a few peoples contacts...

The plan will be to present the Telescope fund ti him at his birthday celebration which happens to align with The Achievers gig at the Ale House, Stroud on Friday June the 1st...more details on that to follow separately... x