It's awesome you're here :) you have good taste :P but this is how the cookie crumbles:

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http://youtu.be/6xUzNeg9HDE

Have you ever looked at your community and wondered what has happened to it?  So do we.

Have you ever experienced or seen suffering beyond your control. Something where you have tried to help, but the situation was beyond your capabilities?  So have we. 

Have you wished for an equal society, where those with additional needs are treated fairly and with the care they deserve? We do this every hour of everyday. 

Today Britain is the 7th richest economy in the world (Out of 196 countries); and yet millions of families are suffering under the weight of extreme poverty. It’s sad to think that many people have now died as a direct result of the inadequate safety nets that were put in place by our Government, in a supposed bid to help them. 

Stephen and I both act as support workers, and have done for 2 years now. We run campaigns, support groups and an advocacy service in an effort to reach as many of those in need as we can. These families come from many different kinds of backgrounds, working and claiming, who now feel destitute and alone. Many face the serious threat of losing their homes, and have to make a daily choice of heating their home, or eating a meal each and every day. We have witnessed pensioners eating tinned pet-food, because they could not afford a suitable meal, the very people who fought for our freedom

The protection of these families should be at the forefront of our minds, and especially so for our parliament, and MPs. We are now watching our communities get pulled apart by the sweeping policy changes put in place by this government. We believe that as a nation we are the same, but sadly one that is united in its suffering. 

We are a 1st world nation, spearheading a modern society… and these things simply shouldn't be happening! 

Hidden angels x x

 

I am a great believer in people power, as are the members of my team. When we care about something we will go to extremes to help in anyway we can, it’s just in our nature. 

That why Stephen and I have opted to walk a 100k charity ultra-marathon; to try and raise funds for a charity which has captured my heart. The same charity the reporter ‘Ros Wynne Jones’ (who we hold in the highest regard) reported about:

 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ros-wynne-jones-biscuit-fund-band-3476422

That charity is called ‘The Biscuit Fund’

Now imagine this - everything in your life has just gone wrong, you have shut yourself away, fearing the world after a brutal mugging. All your trust and hope in humanity has been lost because of a nasty event which was totally beyond your control. Well we believe angels do exist because this is how the Biscuit Fund reacted - after they spotted this story in a newspaper article, they sent the two elderly ladies in question financial aid, accompanied by a simple letter 

“We wanted to write to you with a small donation,” the letter said. “Although there are bad apples out there, there are many whose hearts have been touched by your ordeal.” 

 “Please accept our love, thoughts and very best wishes. The Biscuit Fund.”

Sarah, a mum of three and carer for a disabled child, who hadn't eaten properly for months and was living on food bank handouts, received a special delivery. The note said: 

 “Here is food to fill your cupboards, from The Biscuit Fund.” 

John was a man who had his benefits removed because he stayed with his Son, who was awaiting an important operation. These sanctions left John destitute and without food, despite him having a very good reason. But the Job Centre still took his benefits away because he missed his Job Centre appointment; he was so hungry and emotionally drained. As luck would have it, the Biscuit Fund spotted this. 

They sent him a letter. 

“Dear John, we would like to send you some money for food. It’s a gift – with love, The Biscuit Fund.”  

This perfectly illustrates my point, it doesn't matter where you come from, who you are, this charity doesn't care; they will help you in your hour of need, if they see your in distress, like hidden angels they appear, and that is an amazing thing. 

95% of your donations from this event go to this charity and straight to the families, not one crumb goes on expenses, and if you would like to read more about these hidden angels please visit their website www.TheBiscuitFund.org

 Reaching for the stars

We believe that the majority of people do actually care, but are not aware of exactly what is happening to our communities. At this present time we cannot think of a faster way of reaching the families that we are unable to support, (I won’t lie, tears have been shed because I wished things could be different and that I could do more. Unfortunately I don’t have a magic wand, but charities like this can help in those areas that I/we cannot). A donation from The Biscuit Fund can get to a family in a matter of hours, once they have been spotted. 

After talking to the Biscuit Fund admin team via email, the average gift from them is £100 so with that in mind we are looking at raising £2500. This could potentially mean The Biscuit Fund can reach a further 25 families in need - no matter where they come from or what their previous situation. But what if we could raise an even more amazing amount? without a tragedy happening, because for some reason it takes something awful or sad happening to see a positive huge movement. 

Imagine a UK movement of donations, so this charity can reach many more (that would be a dream for me, and I bet for them too, plus for all the people they could help) Also knowing that all the money that everyone donates goes to the people in need (bar the 5% just giving fees), that’s really sealed who we wanted to raise money for. The biscuit fund has no expenses, and chose their name because of the extortionate amount that was spent by MP’s on Biscuits, over 6 months amounting to £100,000; whilst the Government take away vital services. 

We wanted to go one further than that as it is a registered event, and really protect what you donate, that is why we have chosen the self funded option to protect your sponsorship and the Biscuit Fund. We have even gone so far as selling items to do this, because we are hoping the return will be greater; that is the operative word here HOPE. Plus otherwise the event organisers would have taken a percentage from the sponsorship, which we didn't agree with. So everything you give, with the exception of the Just Giving fees (5%), goes directly to The Biscuit Fund 

If you can spare anything for a donation please do so, no matter how little, every penny really will help. If you can’t afford to make a direct donation, you can still help us by sharing the event and sponsorship details far and wide. We really are trying to achieve something truly amazing for a group of people that have offered hope to so many, but now need the funds to reach the volume of people in need. 

Every day I dream that it won't be like this forever, and that positive change will come, hence why my team and I have been fighting to support causes like this and creating campaigns. When I saw a group of people installing hope back into families' lives, as The Biscuit Fund are, enabling these families to become stronger and fight for many days to come, we had to do something to help. 

I have also told Stephen from first-hand experience that the pain we will feel from doing this event is nothing compared to the pain felt from not being able to fix a situation and support your family: 

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/dec/23/food-bank-salisbury-christmas 

We all are fighters, we just have to join hands and support our Brothers and Sisters, and that is why I have chosen the Biscuit Fund because they truly are Angels on this earth x 

Thank you all for reading this rather large write up, 

The Event: http://www.grandunionchallenge.com/ 

 WE WILL GET PAST THE FINISH LINE, NO MATTER WHAT