PAST EVENTS
Sunday 15th August
Family fun day:Bailbrook House
The sun shone which put everyone in the right frame of mind and make the most of being outdoors where there was plenty to see and do. Held at Bailbrook House, in Batheaston, guests of the hotel mingled with visitors and enjoyed morris dancers, a crew of street dancers from Melksham, jewellery stalls, plant and bric a brac stands, the wares of a chocolatier and a baker. It was even possible to buy cards for all occasions.
There were sporting activities, a magic show, balloons, a bouncy castle, stocks, hook a duck, face painting and an entertainer on hand helping the children make the most of the day and allowing parents to relax. A veritable feast on the barbeque and a full bar service kept everyone fed and watered.
More stops were pulled out in the evening when the garden was transformed into an outdoor jazz lounge, lit by hundreds of candles. Yet more delicious food and drink, provided by the hotel, helped everything go with a swing until late into the night.
Enormous thanks goes to Tracey, Wayne, Claire and team who made it all happen.
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6th March 2010
Whytehouse
Our thanks go to 3 B>P members and Ambassadors: Ernie Messer, Simon Hutchinson and Tony Hooper plus Mike Whittaker and Kevin Malton who collectively make up the extremely talented band, Whytehouse who raised the fabulous sum of £700.00
Music ranged from the swinging 60's right through to Amy Winehouse. Lots of fun was had as we joined in the band as backing singers and air guitarists and the air guitarist of the night was won by non other than a good friend and supporter Kathy Weir. Well done.
Val attempting to sign Mustang Sally as a backing singer and Kathy Weir performs with her winning Air Guitar act!
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22nd February 2010
Quiz and Curry Evening
Our sincerest thanks go to Mynah and his team at the Melksham Tandoori Restaurant for their generous part in sponsoring the event, Alex of The Fox Pub in Broughton Gifford for donating an auction prize of a 3 course meal with wine for 2 won by Mike and Sherene Jefferies. The winning team were in fact Bath Chronicle!
We raised £670 and a fantastic evening was had by all at our first quiz and curry night.
The evening was such a success and was so enjoyed that we will be making it a regular event! We are planning the next one for August, but watch this space for confirmation!
Mynah and the RHM team - the competitors and Alex and his team from The Fox
Staff from various businesses, Kings Court Financial Planning and Sally Vanson and her team from The Performance Solutions
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December 2009
What businesses have linked up with Robin Hood Ministries to help raise funds this christmas?
Nicholas Wylde - Bath's leading Designer Jeweller. Your chance to have won one of four top prizes, Nicholas Wylde Gift Vouchers worth £250
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Opera Sulis
A truly enchanting evening was had by all when Opera Sulis, professional soloists accompanied by a chorus of young voices performed in the beautiful St Michaels Church Broad Street, Bath on Saturday 5th December. A wonderful selection of seasonal and sacred music, from medieval quartets to traditional carols was heard by many as they were able to enjoy a glass of mulled wine to compliment the festive evening.
Our sincere thanks go to Opera Sulis for their generosity in raising funds for Robin Hood Ministries at this event. A grand total of £330.00 was raised which will go towards the work of the Medical Centre in Romania.
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Lotty Skinner - Gran Fondo MarcoPantani
September 2009
Held in the Italian Alps, the Gran Fondo is a 172km cycle ride over 3 mountain passes - not to be attempted by the untrained! This event encorporates the Mortirolo, said by Lance Armstrong to be the most challenging mountain climb ever!
Lotty is challenging herself to complete this event to raise money in support of the St Joseph's Creche, Haiti. Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere. There are 13 children living at the orphanage,from8 months old to8 years old they all arrive severely malnourished and are desperate for good food and medical care. The orphanage does not get any government assistance and has no way to generate an income. They are in desperate need for money to buy essentials like food, nappies and soap.
All the money raised from this event will go to build a new bathroom for the 13 children at St Joseph's. Please help Lotty reach her target of ₤3,000.00 and give these desperate children the facilities they need by donating on her Justgiving page here.
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Dress4Dignity Event,
Bath 3rd October 2009
The Dress4Dignity campaign will culminate in a one day event in Bath on Saturday 3rd October 2009 where women can gain advice on ways to draw out their natural, inner beauty. Catherine Webster, Event Organiser said ‘We feel sure many businesses in the Bath area will benefit from sharing in this event and we look forward to hearing from them’.
If you have a business and would like to be involved in this event, please register your interest by contacting us. For more information on this unique event in Bath, visit the Dress4Dignity website.
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Stonar School Sponsored Bike Ride
Raising money for the Stonar School Romania Challenge 09, a team took to the tow path for 50 miles raising a huge £1,200.00!!
All money raised will go towards improving the conditions of the Axiniei Family who, evicted from their home found shelter in an abandoned and dilapidated concerte store, they must make improvements to ensure their stay. Their living conditions are very poor and they have no finances to make the repairs themselves.
To find out how your school can get involved in something like this, please contact us, we would love to hear from you.
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Dress4Dignity Press Launch,
Vienna 30th April 09
Dress4Dignity is an event to enable women of all ages and at all stages of their life to find their personal style, enhance their natural beauty and instill confidence. The heart of the Dress4Dignity message is to show how to draw out inner beauty in a way that is not extravagant.
Robin Hood Ministries Ambassador and event organiser, Becky Hannan says, ‘Vienna is an ideal backdrop to launch the campaign. Not only is it a beautiful city, it has the highest number of international visitors and residents in all of Europe. From these we have gathered a fantastic group of women at all stages of their life to demonstrate the Dress4Dignity concept at our launch event’.
For up to date information please visit the Dress4Dignity website
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Mount Sinai Trek
18th - 25th April 09
A massive £4,449.00 raised for Robin Hood Ministries!!!
Long term supporters of Robin Hood Ministries, Terry & Jenny Caie, challenged themselves to trekking high up the remote mountains of the Sinai desert for 8 hours each day. Terry & Jenny quickly got a flavour of ancient civilisations and desert cultures in the wind-sculpted desert scenery, providing a unique insight into what it must have been like for the Israelites to wander in the desert for 40 years. As well as a dawn ascent of Mount Sinai, following in Moses' footsteps, where Terry & Jenny watched the sunrise over the desert, they also climbed up Egypt’s highest peak, Mount Catherine.… All this in 8 days!
If you would still like show your support by donating to Terry & Jenny, please donate on their Justgiving page.
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India Blanket Appeal 08
Thank you to all who generously donated to the blanket appeal at Christmas. We were able to send enough money to purchase 452 blankets! These pictures show just some of the people who benefited from the appeal.
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Celebrating 5 years of Changing Lives
A warm log fire and drinks reception welcomed guests to an evening of fun and celebration at the 5th birthday party, held at Homewood Park Hotel, Hinton Charterhouse. As guests indulged in a 3 course dinner, images of lives changed through Robin Hood Ministries over the past 5 years were displayed on a big screen.
After dinner, an auction of surprise birthday gifts took place. Robin Hood Ministries’ own auctioneer, Bill led the bidding against project needs, the winner choosing a surprise gift, ranging from Tea for Two at the Bridge Tea Rooms to a pair of Black pearl and diamond earrings.
We would like to thank The Bridge Tea Rooms, Citroen Peugeot Specialist Garage, Woolley Grange, Nicholas Wylde Goldsmith, La-Di-Da and Delta Force Charity Paintball for donating birthday gifts for the auction. Donations from the auction raised over £1,000 – 100% of which will be sent directly to our projects.
A huge thank you to everyone for joining us to help celebrate 5 years of changing lives and for taking part in the auction, helping to raise so much money for the projects. We would also like to thank Homewood Park and Great Western Wines for helping us to make this event so successful.
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"A Silent Tsunami which knows no borders is sweeping the world"
This is how the UN World Food Programme summed up the food shortages currently affecting many parts of the world. Unfortunately, it is those who live in extreme poverty that are hardest hit.
!We must... leave this conference with a sense of purpose and mission, knowing that we are allied in our determination to make a difference. Only by acting together, in partnership, can we overcome this crisis, today and for tomorrow. Hundreds of millions of the world’s people expect no less". Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in address to a High-Level Conference on World Food Security in Rome, Italy, - June 2008.
Our Feed A Child Programme in Romania is also suffering. Many children are being turned away because of increasing food prices which are escalating on a daily basis. You can help make a difference click here
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Bradford on Avon ‘Freedom from Poverty Week’
FUNDRAISING CHARITY DINNER AT THE FAT FOWL RESTAURANT
Saturday 5th July 2008
Our ‘Freedom from Poverty’ Week came to a fitting climax with a superb dinner at the Fat Fowl restaurant in Bradford on Avon and what a great night it turned out to be. Thirsty guests gathered upstairs in ‘The Roost’ and as they arrived they were entertained with a live performance from Zeyamusic. The food was lovely and the guests bought tickets for raffle prizes donated by local businesses. Our thanks go to Orton Jewellery, The Georgian Lodge, Inspiration Beauty and Treatment Centre, The Courtyard Hairdresser, Citroen Peugeot Specialists, Threshers, The Granary, The Bridge Tearooms, All Things Nice, Elise and Elizium. Fleurtation donated our beautiful table centres and these were individually purchased at the end of the evening. Our theme for the evening was Rags or Riches and one pauper turned up with holes in his jeans and t shirt. As he was the only one in rags, he received a special prize.
There was a short presentation about the work of Robin Hood Ministries and a Bingo game with a difference. All the numbers related to facts about Robin Hood Ministries and their projects. Our guest was Matt Graham who is the author of the BBC TV series ‘Life on Mars’ and ‘Ashes to Ashes’ The highlight was when Matt auctioned off a signed DVD set of each of the series with signed photos of the stars. Tension mounted as the bids went up and a total of £270.00 was raised. Then Matt sprung a great surprise by offering an all expenses paid VIP trip to the set of Ashes to Ashes when they start filming a new series in the autumn. Several bidders joined in but the final bid of £500.00 won the prize.
Our thanks goes to everyone who attended and gave their support and also to owner Arlene of the Fat Fowl Restaurant who not only provided superb food but also offered a meal for two to include drink in the auction.
A great evening all round.
Business Networking Event
Wed 2nd July 2008
The Swan Hotel was the venue for our Business Networking Event as part of our Freedom from Poverty week.
Robin Hood Ministries works with business partners to the benefit of both the company and the charity and we gathered with friends old and new. The evening started with half an hour of networking and then Bill Huxley, Managing Trustee, introduced Val his wife to give a presentation on the work of the charity. Joy Fraser followed on with a talk on how a business partnership can work. Graham Massey, from ‘thehouse’ branding agency in Bath, then spoke from the heart of how he first became involved with Robin Hood Ministries and how an awareness trip to Romania impacted him deeply. Graham is a long term friend of Robin Hood Ministries and he and his staff continue to support us.
After the talks there was more time for networking and plenty of cheese and wine. Several of those present expressed an interest of working with Robin Hood Ministries in the future. Any businesses wanting to know more about getting involved with Robin Hood Ministries should email Michelle, michelle@robinhoodministries.org.
Fun Day in Bradford on Avon
Saturday 28th June 2008
After a week of variable weather the day dawned bright and sunny although a little windy. We had stood in Westbury Gardens earlier in the week and prayed for a fine day even though the forecast was poor, and our prayers were answered.
Everyone began to arrive and suddenly the gardens were transformed into a small village with gazebos and stalls popping up. West View Nursery provided activities for the children including jousting, face painting and making a helmet and shield. The stall holders arrived one by one and the Children’s Centre set up their information stand. The Fat Fowl restaurant arrived to barbecue the food and sell ice cream and the Robin Hood staff set up their side shows and their presentation stand. Then people began to arrive and the real fun started.
Organiser Joy Fraser braved the stocks for the Bath Chronicle photographer and later in the day children in fancy dress arrived for the Mayor of Bradford on Avon, Cllr Paul Skidmore, to judge the competition. The ‘hook a duck’ game and the tombola proved very popular with the children and the home made cake stall was a favourite of the adults.
Then just as suddenly everything was packed away and the gardens were peaceful once more. Everyone at Robin Hood Ministries would like to thank all who helped in any way. It was a great day and we made new friends amongst the townsfolk of Bradford on Avon- and maybe we will do it all again next year. See you there.
Robin Hood Ministries Barn Dance,
Saturday 21st June 2008
What a great night we had in spite of the weather. We had great fun setting up the barn and we thank Michael and Jane Brake for allowing us to use it. Joy and Val turned electricians as they installed extra lights. More help arrived in the afternoon in the form of the Ginny and her crew from the Facelift building company who set up tables, help decorate the barn and swept up the yard. The evening arrived looking grey and damp but it did not dampen the spirits of those who came. We ‘stripped the willow’ and ‘swung our partners’, dancing to the wonderful Packhorse Band who entertained us magnificently. The Hog Roast and desserts were lovely and we all went back for seconds. The raffle raised well over £150 and altogether about £880.00 will go towards the work of our projects.
Thanks go to all our supporters, sponsors, volunteers and all those who braved the weather to be there.
The clean up begins, first with sweeping out the barn and then electrics to put up!! Thomas receives a serenade from the band
All dressed up and ready for action. The jigging begins whilst others watch on.
Time to take a breather. Well just enough before we start again!
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Bath to Paris cycling challenge lives up to its name!
April 2008
Helen Baines (middle) and friends arrive at the Eiffel Tower
Helen Baines' most recent fundraising event proved to be the challenge she lives for. Previously the University of Bath graduate who lives in Oldfield Park has run in the Bath Half Marathon and done a tandem parachute jump to raise money for charity. On Wednesday 2nd April she set out to travel the distance between Bath and Paris by bicycle with no back up after a last minute change of plan. "Our support driver had to back out because of illness and so I had to think quickly how to carry enough gear for any situation and change the transport and accommodation plans. For me it just added another element of challenge to the ride and a greater sense of achievement!"
After being inspired by friends who had done an organised ride from London, Helen had organised the ride herself preferring to go from her home town and with the intention to raise more money for her chosen charity, Robin Hood Ministries.
"I didn't really know what to expect from the ride as I'd never done such a distance in the time I had planned for this. The route was very hilly and each night I was ready to sleep, sometimes even before the day's destination had been reached! There were many hard moments whether it was getting used to carrying the extra weight, tackling the hills or having to detour when the signs said no bicycles were allowed along the planned route. I certainly broke through mental and physical barriers to get there, I often had to remind myself that if it was easy then anyone would do it and it wouldn't be a challenge. At the same time I did manage to enjoy it especially when the sun was out, speeding through changing scenery and just the sense of achievement at the end of each day."
In all, the route was 47 miles longer than planned after detours and road restrictions on the way in to Paris. The ride ended after four days and 287 miles under the Eiffel Tower to a welcoming party of friends from London and Germany. “I was so tired I could hardly believe that I had actually done it so it was good to have friendly faces at the end. I was so happy that I would be able to say I had made it especially after overcoming Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 3 years ago and that the hard work was worth it in view of the sponsorship of over £1,120.00 I had gathered for my chosen charity"
Robin Hood Ministries is looking for cyclists who would like to take part in an organised London to Paris cycle ride from 10th – 14th September 2008.
The cyclists pay for their trip themselves and then raise sponsorship for the charity from their friends and family. If Helen’s achievement has inspired you to do something similar contact us on 01225 869325 or click here to show your interest
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ST PATRICK'S FUNDRAISING EVENING
March 2008
A great evening was had by all when a fundraising evening was held by Darrell and Anthea Cocup at their home to celebrate St Patricks Day. There were over 50 attendees, all dressed in green and ready to party. People showed off their general knowledge skills (or not!) in answer to the Quiz that was hosted by Sonia Nicolls and the winners each won an Easter Egg. The raffle tickets sold like hot cakes and over £300.00 was raised on the tickets alone. RHM literature and posters were dotted around the walls and people were able to obtain knowledge of the work we do to support the projects we work with. One child was sponsored on the evening and others took leaflets away with them.
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CHRISTMAS CONCERT
DECEMBER 2007
What a great evening we all had, and thank you to everyone who came along to enjoy a festive evening of big band music, comedy and gospel choir.
The GBH Big Band opened the evening with a wonderful selection of jazz numbers including a couple of Christmas favourites- White Christmas, and Let it Snow. Their soloists and vocalist entertained us magnificently. A short presentation for the charity followed and after the interval local comedian Fred Wedlock, who was also the shows compere, treated us to some rib tickling songs and jokes. The evening was rounded off with a powerful performance by the Bath Community Gospel Choir and the GASP Choir from the University of Bath. The 100 strong choir swayed and clapped their way through nine numbers and got the audience to their feet to join in the well known Christmas number 'Mary had a Baby'. People who paid to attend the pre-concert reception enjoyed wine and canapes to the music of the Blue Moon Band in the Ballroom at the Forum.
Over all a sum of just over £2000.00 was raised for the work of Robin Hood Ministries and our thanks goes to Peter Hirsch of Total Bathrooms and the Art of Bathrooms for their generous sponsorship of the event.
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PAINT FOR POVERTY EVENT
OCTOBER 2007
(Place your cursor over each picture to read the storyboard of how the evening progressed).
Scan below to see how local businesses helped in the build up over the week to the Paint 4 Poverty Auction and to see the final amount raised
The following were events leading up to the main Paint4Poverty Auction
Bloomberg
8th August 2007
Paint4 Poverty was the brainchild of Simon and Annette Eason from the Atworth basedfine arts publishing house,Prime Arts. Along with their son Ben and members of staff at the company they contacted all the celebrities and provided them with the canvas and paints to produce a picture to be auctioned off at the Guildhall in Bath on 13th October 2007.Sixty celebrities returned their canvases and then all the planning for the main auction swung into action.
Part of the build up to the main event was a press launch held at Bloomberg's prestigious building in Finsbury Square London on 8th August 2007. Members of several National papers and magazines attended along with supporters of Robin Hood Ministries and all the canvases were on display. Two of our celebrity artists attended, Kevin Eldon, a comedy actor who has played in TV shows including 'I'm Alan Partridge', 'Fist of Fun' and 'Nighty Night', and Michael Bond creator of the Paddington Bear stories.
We are very grateful to Bloomberg for the use of their facilities and to Jane Phillips in particular who helped with all the arrangements.
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Stubbs Rich Business Networking Event
3rd October 2007
On Wednesday 3rd October Prime Arts and Robin Hood Ministries held a Business Networking Evening hosted at the Executive Offices of Stubbs Rich Architects in the centre of Bath. Bath'sMP Don Foster opened the event and the evening was well attended by local businesses who were able to relax and networkover a glass of wine with canapes donated by Waitrose Limited. The evening was supported with some superb raffle prizes donated by Bijou Jewellery, Great Western Wine and Brandy Classics. www.stubbsrich.co
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Everybody to Paint4Poverty
All week at Bath Abbey
The Celebrity Art Canvases were on display in the Abbey for the week before the auction in the Guildhall. Many visitors to the Abbey stopped to view the paintings and to look at the Robin Hood Ministries stand. The public had the opportunity to let their creative juices flow as the Abbey allowed us to set up easelsin St Alphege's Chapelfor Everyone to Paint4Poverty. With local artists in attendance to oversee the painting, several remarkable canvases were produced and put up for sale in the Abbey, One even sold before the paint was dry and another was produced by a tourist from the USA who was leaving the city the next day. Also on display were the pictures of Wallace and Grommit coloured in by school children from around the area and quite a stunning show they made.Saturday morning saw the grand prize giving for the children who were winners and who took away their framed pictures and a Paddington Bear prize. Our grateful thanks go to the Abbey staff for making us so welcome for the week.
(We are still receiving donated canvasses and we are extremely grateful for them. We plan to do some kind of Auction or sale in November as potential Christmas gifts) www.bathabbey.org
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The Corridor
Thursday 11th October
Two of our long term supporters, Gary Naylor of Eclipse Creative Design and Melanie Higgins of Bijou Jewellery, organised a fun event in the Corridor on Thursday 11th October. All week long businesses in The Corridor helped to raise funds for Paint4Poverty by holding collecting tins in their shops and asking for donations from their customers.
On Thursday Gary set up a series of images in The Corridor, theme 'Opposites'. There were images of poverty on one side and images of cartoons on the other. During the day and into the evening the atmosphere was enhanced with buskers, drummers, and street theatre and great fun was had by all.
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Abbey Courtyard
Saturday 13th October a.m
On Saturday 13th October there was a fundraising event in the Abbey Courtyard. We attempted to make a penny mile by laying pennies in four trails across the paving stomes. We were wonderfully assited by a certain Uncle Bobtail, an elderly gentleman(?!!) with a stick who was in great competition with Mark Hannan, our Chair of Trustees, to build the longest trail. All ages joined in and there were balloons and small cuddly owls to give away to the children. A great fun filled way to raise money for Robin Hood Ministries.
