Participants: Mancunians - Carl A, Stefan C, David C, John F, Matthew H, Stewart H, Chrissy L, Gareth P, Christian P, Les P, Michelle R, Wayne S, Georgina S, Alex T, Chris T, Gareth W, Dave W, Londoners - Scott B, Jack C, Jesse G, Matt F, Katie H, Hayer R and Peter L
Mission Malawi II · 12 March 2006 ·
Answer: Currently there is no cure for AIDS. However, there are drugs that can slow down the progress of HIV and thus slow down the damage to your immune system. These drugs are called antiretrovirals (ARV's). ARV's slow down the reproduction rate of HIV. Once the virus is reproducing at a slower rate, it is less able to harm your immune system. If your immune system is functioning properly, your body is less likely to become sick. Your immune system is your body's defense system against infection. Since ARV's slow down the damage to your immune system, if they are used properly, they allow you to live a longer, healthier life.
http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/pubs/public_info/F/87102/6
There are other factors to help her survive. a) she needs to take them at regular times - she has no watch. b) she needs to go to the hospital to check her CD4 count - the cells that HIV attacks - she has no money and is too ill to travel to her local hospital 31 miles away. c) ARV's are more successful if you live on a balanced diet, she did not, she has no means to support herself other than let locals give her hand outs.
The centre looking after 6500 orphans costs only £3600 a year. There are almost 100 local volunteers to help with all those children. And to put some costs into perspective, some malawians work harvesting tea at £1 per week.
Other issues affecting some Malawian people are; Some men will not allow their wives to protect themselves against contracting HIV, yet some men visit sex workers known to have HIV and pass the infection to their wives, some of which give birth to 16 kids before they reach 40. Over 180,000 a year are infected by HIV (these are only the reported cases, many more go undiagnosed due to the stigma of having HIV). Today the government of malawi and action aid provide only 36,000 with ARV's. These lucky enough to receive treatment need to take ARV's at the correct time, eat a balanced diet and visit local hospitals to have their CD4 count checked.
On a pleasing note, so far Mission Malawi 2 has raised over £125,000 to-date, and monies go directly to action aid to help those like the 12 year old above.
As I see you all over the next few months, I will tell you how much joy those in Malawi have in their life. I cycled through the villages waving at all the locals. They smiled the biggest smiles and waved back, kids often running alongside cheering and laughing.
I stayed on another week and helped to recce the route to Mission Malawi 3, which will take part in 2008. Let me know if you are coming?!! I have also been talking to an irish lady called mags who currently runs a clinic that she set up in Cape Maclear. It is my intention to funding an orphanage next to her clinic. I will keep you posted on this. There is lots of work to do, but I feel Mission Malawi 2 was my calling to do more for these lovely, lovely people suffering from the effects of this dreadful disease.
If you haven't yet contributed, shame on you.
If your about to make a huge donation, thank-you from the bottom of my heart. If you were thinking of donating £10, make it £20. If you were thinking of donating £20, make it £50. In a country such as Malawi with a catastrophic problem like HIV/aids affecting 1 in 7, your donation of £100 could make all the difference between a child living or dying.
Donate money online... www.justgiving.com/missionmalawidave or write a cheque to 'mission malawi' post it to Mr.D.Armstrong, 68 Acresfield Rd, Irlam O'th Heights, Salford, M6 7GE Tell all your friends and colleagues to visit the justgiving site
The story so far... Mission Malawi II events to date 21st August - Bell Boat Race at Salford Quays - MM2 came a fantastic second place to secure silver medals all round!! One second away from the leaders Northern Wave (professional swimmers - not bitter). A tremendous team effort by all. 26th-29th August - Manchester Pride - successful fundraising through stalls in market place selling calandars, pledge bands and massage and a great looking float - my legs are tired from all that cycling!!! Total raised = £2785.55 20th October - Wine Tasting and Art Night - A fantastic sell out of tickets... auction by Andrew Roe of Charles Taylor.. with some great prizes! (Thanks Andrew) and performers Izanyane Lesilo... Extra special thanks to Clare Slack of fine french wines for supplying all the wine (To order wine contact clare at: clare-slack@mpbox.co.uk) Thanks to Sharon Kelly and Kathryn Boyd our two fabulous artists and finally thanks to those who supported by buying tickets and spending on the night. Over £3000 raised!!! 2nd December 2005 - Big Red Ball - Super Fun, with super raffle prizes. Thanks to all those who offered prizes and supported the event. 3rd December 2005 - Supermarket Sweep - Gorgina, Chrissy, Rebecca, me and Gorginas mum took on a team in London to raise as much money as possible packing bags in Sainsbury's in Sale! Err they beat us, but the day raised over £750! Flixton Cricket Club Quiz. Raising over £500 for MMII - Monday 13th February, bag packing at M & S in Prestwich, Thursday 16th Feb @ Out of Africa, African Buffet - the delights of african cooking. Sat 4th March - Farewheel Party at Carlton Club, Carlton Road, Whalley Range - Superb event raising over £900!!! Well done Lou and Michelle. 11th March Madness and mayhem in Hollywood Showbar - Well done Carl Austin.
My HALL OF FAME, all those that have generously given so far... Come and join them!
John F, Jamie P, Mark D, Gary &Gwyn (don't be arguing one who's name came first), Richard W, Martin Mc - all thoroughly good IceBreaker Volunteers constantly giving up their time for the good of the gay community... - Martin Costa, DS Smith Louth, Top bloke - Andrew Hiett, Rowley Dickinson Solicitors - 'anthony from Big Brother' "Alreeet" with legal jargon, Peter Ingham - East Lancs Box, Boy can he sell! Imti - My estimating and life coaching guru - my mate Lee Brammer, Stockport Barbie - This one needs a box of wine to explain. Andy Black - Go-Kart Champ of Ashton-in-Makerfield 2001. Martin Brown and Imti - Imti is now Official Fundraiser at Mondi Packaging. All at Easypack (Corrugated Cases) Ltd, Unit 14, Finchley Avenue, Mildenhall, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 7BG Tel: 01638 715922 - Get your packaging requirements here! Neil Humphrey (SCA Darlington). Mi Julie and her Nick - Julie's moved on from Irlam O'th Heights to Altringham... she may not speak to me anymore and her nick has lovely cushions! Bib - Best party DJ and Roulette player in Yorkshire - See girls, Yorkshire men can be generous. All at Croft Racing Circuit - including Steve Williams at Harrogate HC, Tony and Jill at Hexham HC and Ian Law at TVR. Marky Hunter - Best 70's dancer in Denton and beyond! Jan 'Wild Leopard Spotting' Worsley - she spots wild leopards, honest... never touches a drop of the communion wine. Steve Guyan - Nottingham's most eligable gay man. Nic - Gorgeous, but fading cos I owe her an ice cream! My Sister - She got the good looks of the family!!! Paul Martin - Chief Exec of LGF, works flat out for the benefit of the Lesbian and Gay and Transgendered community of Manchester. Bren Kelly - Sexiest man in a wet suit! Period! Jo Goode - middle name 'very' or 'never' you decide! Emma Tatlock - I'm sure some of my brain cells came from sitting next to her in A level maths. Martin - A born poet! Thankyou for that little rhym. Alex Porritt - Looking forward to many more fun times at Blueberry Lake... now stop messing about on the internet and build me my cabins!!! hehe Dave McCabe - Shame your brain cells didn't rub off on me in A level maths!!! Alex McGuiness - I have never ever seen as many Christmas Tree lights in my life, nor will I ever! If you get anymore Santas groto's for me to view, let me know! Robert Worsley - Congrats to you and Sophia, now married! Ian Logge - Terrorising the cardboard box industry. Somebody has got2 now I'm not! Go Ian!! Cecile Buckley - Merci Buckets!! Martin Iddon - Smurfit Tarleton - Thanks Pal.. are you sure you dont fancy tasting some wine? Barry Haywood - Donation very gratefully received! Andrew Roe - Charles Taylor Auctioneers... A truely super job andrew and some very generous prizes too! Thanks Clare Slack of Fine French Wines and Manchester Paper Box. For wine orders email Clare at; clare-slack@mpbox.co.uk Sharon Kelly - What a talent, my painting is beautiful, it gives me much pleasure! Kathryn Boyd - Well done for conquering your fear of heights and taking those fantastic pics!! To see more of Kathryn's work email me at; batwandi@aol.com Coleen Nolan - Loving your work Coleen. Loose Women rules! Chris Brereton - DS Smith Bristol - Cheers Mate - Could introduce you to Coleen if you like?! Steph Ganly and Joan Jervis - DS Smith Clay Cross - You will both always have a special place in my heart xx Jane Ambler - Bennetts Solicitors - Macclesfield - (01625) 424666 - Thanks Jane, especially for calling my church an interesting project!!! My generour neighbours in Acresfield Road who have supported my events! Christine Edwards at Jackson Stephens - Cheers luv. Robert Hunt at Hunt Brothers - cheers mister, say hi to Austin when you speak to him next. Vic and Emma at Grange Packaging - I am doing this one for Christine, she was a great inspiration to me xx Sue Putterie - Phwoor, if only I was straight, ur an amazing lass and I am pleased you didn't write a witty comment... it's the computer! David Hynes - Jackson Stephens - Much better looking than Justin Collingham, but could do with knowing the barber of Mike Jackson, not! Anne Barrett - Thanks, I still haven't finished bringing in chocs yet!!! Might bring some over in my cycling shorts soon...anyone else in the office feeling generous? Yes, yes, yes, thanks anne again... Michelle what a beaut. Anymore in the office? Thanks Mondi Wetherby xx Stella - Agent to the stars.... much appreciated!! Del, Steve and Steve from Whitefield Insurance in Manchester. Jannine Wootton (DS Smith Featherstone - loved working with you, thanks from ur homo-pho-pho), Andrew Littler at Littler and Associates for his very very generous donation. Stan Dawes Fencing, The Dickinson's of Aspull... Owners of cabins at Blueberry Lake - Looking forward to meeting you all. Ickle Mo, who incidently has never been to a desperate and dateless ball ever!!! The gorgeous Shelley Hughes, The Almonds, Peta, Charlie, Ben and Miles and my Dad... £500 - super! Thank-you!!
Finally - Stephen Moss - My gorgeous partner! For supporting me and putting up with the Mission Malawi Madness and Mayhem!
THANKS TO YOU ALL, YOU ARE SUPER STARS - I won't forget your generosity!!!!!
Charities pay a small fee for our service. Learn more about fees
