You know that photographer, the one who works for the Daily Echo, you know, the one with the tache ? ...well not for much longer.  After 30 years, it's coming off  - but only if the price is right!!!  

Yes, it's true, I'm actually going to do it at the end of July and it's all in a great cause!

In October this year, a group of 19 students from Oakmead College in Bournemouth together with some staff and 3 members of the local  community (including me) are heading to Ethiopia with The CRED Foundation to work for a week  with special needs children in the slums of Addis Ababa. 

Whilst there, we'll be planning, preparing and delivering a playscheme/ activity week to help transform the lives of some of the poorest children on earth. This is carried out in conjunction with Ethiopian charity IHA-UDP, which is a pioneering project in the poorest slum areas of the city, empowering local communities to deal with issues such as healthcare, sanitation and education and employment.

One young person who took part in the trip last year wrote in their journal. 

“By going on this trip I have learnt that it’s the simple things in life that matter like family, friends and community and that it’s not all about material possessions. I have seen children that have absolutely nothing but still manage to have a smile on their face and children that get so excited about simple things like bubbles or a parachute. They had never seen things like this before and by being there for that week I may have changed their lives as well as mine. They will never forget me and I will never forget them because I built special relationships with them that are worth more than anything. They are the most kind and caring people in the world and are willing to give up everything they have for us…can you imagine someone in England doing that?! "

The reality is that  this trip is so far removed from our comfort zone and our cosy lifestyles that it will be a huge culture shock to all of us who are going. We won't be living it up in a cosy hotel either. The hostel we're staying in is basic and most of our time will be spent in the slums, working one to one with the children, giving them as much of a fun time as possible. 

The students are working hard to raise the funds for this trip with all kinds of events and activities. But they have to find over £1000 each to participate.They are feeling really challenged about this. They want to make a difference. All power to them I say. 

So if you want to help them do this amazing thing then go on, what's it worth to see the new look, clean shaven, tache-free Richard?

 And you never know, I might just let the most generous donor do the deed.... but preferably not with a pair of scissors!!.

Cheers folks

Richard

PS. 

 All the money  donated will go to help the  Oakmead students  with their fundraising target.

You can check out  more about CRED from their website  and view a great video of last year's trip at www.cred.org.uk/pages/thezone 

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