If you’re looking for a totally unique way to raise funds for charity, why not take part in the #Starlight Hike for Sue Ryder? These amazing 10 kilometre hikes will be taking place across the country during September 2012 and are a fantastic way to keep fit. The courses are held in a great selection of beautiful locations across the UK, including -

• Dundee
• Leeds
• Cheltenham
• Reading
• Aberdeen
• Bedford
• plus many more.

Each course is completely individual, and when taken in the evening under the stars, is sure to be a delight. Before many of the hikes start there is some entertainment and a fun warm up, but remember to bring your torch and some warm clothing!  You even receive a free t-shirt, plus a hot breakfast to warm you up after the your hike.

The money you raise goes a long way to help Sue Ryder to provide long term care to people living with life changing illnesses such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, strokes, brain injuries and many others.

Karen Martin, who was walking for St. Jonh’s Hospice, said -

I am doing the midnight walk this year in memory of my wonderful Dad. Dad spent his last week at Sue Ryder, St John’s. We will always be grateful for the care, respect and support Dad received during this time. The same support was given to the rest of our family and really helped us all through a very difficult time. The nurses and family support staff were amazing, they couldn’t do enough for our family and were always available whenever any of us needed them.

If you are interested in taking part in a Sue Ryder Starlight Hike at one of their beautiful locations in the UK, simply click on the link below to find out more information and the nearest site to you. By taking part, you’ll be spreading an extra bit of Starlight sparkle, and helping to provide much needed funds to aid the amazing work of the Sue Ryder charity.

> > Click here for more info on Starlight Hikes

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Oxfam UK are asking you to come together on Thursday 8th March 2012 to celebrate International Woman’s Day. First started in the early 1900′s, the annual day of celebration was first started in Russia to mark the changing roles of females in society.

Why not register this year and help raise much needed funds for Oxfam UK by taking part in Oxfam’s International Women’s Day celebration? Get the girls together and help women in the world’s poorest countries to build a better future for themselves and their families by holding a -

• Dinner party
• Clothes Swap Event
• Pampering Evening
• Cake Sale

Of the 1.3 billion people living in poverty across the globe, more than two thirds of them are women. With blinkered attitudes towards females denying them basic rights, whole communities are falling further into poverty and it needs to be stopped before it’s too late.

Thousands of people will be hosting events for Oxfam on International Women’s Day, so why not become one of them and know that the money you raise will change the lives of women around the world. Simply click on the link below to register for a fundraising pack that is full of helpful hints and tips on how to make your event is a success. Whatever you raise, the money makes a huge difference to the women who need it most.

> > Click to register for Oxfam fundraising pack

Help Oxfam UK with a Charity Gift

You can help raise funds with Oxfam Unwrapped, where you can purchase virtual charity presents which make ideal and unusual gift for a loved one.

From as little as £6 you could provide 100 school dinners for children in Brazil, or for £95 you can purchase a camel for a village in the Sudan! A charity gift is a great way to put something back into the world whilst also giving your friends and family a real conversation starter.

> > Click here purchase a gift from Oxfam Unwrapped

View other top charity gifts

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Tony Christie has just released a new single called ‘Steal the Sun’ in support of the Afghan Heroes charity. Released digitally on Sunday 23rd October 2011, the track was recorded at the world famous Air Studios, which is owned by legendary Beatles producer George Martin.

The song feature the Band of the Royal Marines and the RAF Choir, and of course Tony, who is best known for his hit single ‘Is this the way to Amarillo?’.

The Afghan Heroes was first founded in July 2009 in memory of Lee Scott by his mum Denise Harris. Lee was part of the Royal Tank Regiment who died during an explosion in Afghanistan. The charity gives support to soldiers in Afghanistan by sending them home comforts every year on Armed Forces Day, with the next one due on Saturday 30th June 2012. They also help provide holiday homes in the UK and a support network to the families of the Fallen.

> > Click here for more information on Afghan Heroes

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Check out the latest advert from International Alert, an independent peace building organisation which has been running for 25 years. The advert, which features the music of Massive Attack and the voice of David Morrissey, depicts how words, not bullets, can help to stop wars and bring peace.

> > Click here to leave comments

International Alert have recently started working in the UK, alongside many countries and continents across the globe, including -

• Africa
• Asia
• Middle East
• Latin America

by anticipating and managing conflicts without violence. Their aim is to help influence governments, and their policies, to help increase the prospects of peace across the world. Simply click on the link below to find out more information on their work and make a donation to help their fight for peace on the planet.

> > Click here for International Alert website

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To look at, Kristin Hallenga is just your average 25 year old woman with painted nails, too many rings, her favourite boots and an oversized bag. And some of you may be forgiven for thinking that CoppaFeel is just your average charity. But it’s anything but. CoppaFeel is a breast cancer awareness charity that educates young people on the importance of checking their boobs regularly and knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

It was founded in October 2009 by Kristin who herself was misdiagnosed twice with breast cancer at age 23; and now lives with secondary breast cancer, in the form of inoperable tumours which call her spine home. CoppaFeel’s identity reflects her tenacity, positivity, devotion to change and appetite for life and living. They are determined to make a difference and dedicated to saving lives.

Given the 1 in 25,000 odds, Kristin Hallenga was diagnosed with Stage IV secondary breast cancer at 23 because she was unlucky. But she was also unaware. Unaware of the risk of breast cancer. Unaware of the need to check her breasts regularly. Unaware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. And unaware of her body. CoppaFeel was founded out of a need to right these wrongs.

CoppaFeel is the only awareness and education breast cancer charity in the UK and the only one that targets young people. Their mission is to stamp out late detection and misdiagnosis of breast cancer by ensuring that everyone knows the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, know what their boobs look and feel like normally, check their boobs regularly throughout their lifetime and have the confidence to seek medical referral if they detect any changes.

From Joggin’ for Jugs and Bikin’ for Boobies to Ramblin’ for Racks and Bakin’ for Baps, there is nothing they won’t do to get this important message across to every young Briton.

Their vision is it to live in a world where no one dies of breast cancer because of late detection or misdiagnosis.

Knowing your boobs could save your life!

> > Click here to for more info on CoppaFeel

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Northampton’s finest party people will be hosted another one of their daytime bashes this weekend in aid of the Always a Chance charity, set up in memory of murdered British tourist, James Kouzaris. The charity has been set up to help try and stop people becoming involved in a life of violent crime before it is too late.

Mr Kouzaris, from Northampton, was murdered whilst on holiday with his friend James Cooper in Florida last April, making front page headlines across the globe. The tragic circumstances surrounding the murders was particularly felt in Northampton, where James was a popular face on the social scene.

The last bash hosted by Gamaluka in April 2011 saw more than 300 attend, and helped raise a fantastic £1,800 for the Macmillan Trust. This time around, the local Northampton lads who organise the party felt it was only right to raise funds to support the Always a Chance charity after what happened on that fateful night in Florida last April.

Gamaluku promoter and DJ, Justin Vanezi, said -

James was known to us through living in Kingsthorpe, and was a close friend at school to my brother. The charity has been set up to help young people stay clear of violent crime and give them a chance in life so this is never the path they take. We fully support this cause and want to do everything we can to raise money for this charity in memory of James, but also for the family and hundreds of other friends who have lost such an amazing person in their lives.

The event takes place at Fever Nightclub in Northampton between 2-10pm on Sunday 28th August 2011, with tickets just £5, and £7 on the door. If you are in the area, why not pop in and show your support, there’s a great selection of DJ’s playing all the latest house sounds from both home and abroad, plus there’s also a free BBQ!

> > Click here for more info on Always a Chance

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WWF charity officials are voicing their concerns as the political deadlock in Madagascar threatens the unique animals found on the island. More than 600 new species have been discovered there since 1999, but many of these animals are now under threat, mostly due to the deforestation of their habitat.

Madagascar’s rain forests are home to a great deal of precious rosewood and other timber, which were torn down during the 2009 political coup. During this time of political upheaval, there was also reports of a huge increase in the illegal hunting of lemurs, with the poaching of other threatened animals also rampant.

WWF’s Madagascar-based regional director, Richard Hughes, said -

We as a species, the human race, we don’t understand the complexities of the natural world around us. We people are the one species with the most power to destroy or protect what’s there.

WWF are calling on the international donors who have cut all but humanitarian aid to Madagascar, to resume support for the many environmental projects that are taking place. With new species being constantly discovered on the island, the wildlife deserves the help of humans to perceiver during the political de stability.

Funds do not need to passed through government officials but directly to private development groups who can ensure the money is used in the proper way. Though WWF have continued to work with government officials to try and expand protected areas, this is becoming more and more difficult as the Madagascan economy  deteriorates. If something is not put into place soon, new undiscovered species of animals and plants will remain that way, will little or no chance of survival against the humans that continue to destroy their habitats for personal gain.

Help WWF UK with a Charity Gift

The WWF is a non profit organisation who can only sustain their tireless work in saving the planet and its inhabitants through donations. You can help raise funds through the WWF Adopt an Animal scheme.

From as little as £3 a month you receive a certificate, a print of your animal, a greetings card, and a soft toy that would make a fantastic charity gift for a loved one.

View other top charity gifts

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Great news for all you comedy buffs out there, as International Alert announce that they will be returning to the Comedy Store for another evening of fun and frolics. ‘Are You Taking the Peace?’ will be held on Monday 19th September 2011 to mark UN’s International Day of Peace, at the world’s most famous laughter house, the Comedy Store in London’s West End.

Tickets are just £16, or £14 for concessions, with doors opening at 7.30pm. The line up is quite stunning, and amongst those performing on the night will be -

• Stewart Lee
• Pete Johansson
• Rob Rouse
• Stewart Francis
• Alistair Barrie

Tickets for the event will be limited, so if you fancy a night of top notch laughter for an amazing cause, I’d click on the link below sharpish as these will be selling like hot cakes, and I’m not ‘Taking the Peace’!

> > Click here to purchase tickets

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To help WWF UK celebrate their 50th anniversary, writer Stephen Poliakoff and director Charles Sturridge have created an amazing short film to commemorate this landmark year. The film, ‘Astonish Me’, focuses the spotlight on some of the most extraordinary species of animals recently found around the world, and you could also be in with a chance of winning the trip of a lifetime!

Simply click on the link at the bottom of this post to take part in this amazing competition, with prizes that include -

• A once-in-a-lifetime trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
• Signed limited edition ‘Astonish Me’ posters
• WWF memberships
• Odeon cinema tickets
• Plus many, more….

The closing date for the competition is Sunday 21st August 2011, with the first place prize for two adults and two children aged 15 and under. Another 103 prizes will be awarded via a random draw, so there’s as much chance of you winning as the next man! So don’t hesitate, click on the link below and enter today for your chance to be astonished!

> > Click here to enter competition

Help WWF UK with a Charity Gift

The WWF is a non profit organisation who can only sustain their tireless work in saving the planet and its inhabitants through donations. You can help raise funds through the WWF Adopt an Animal scheme.

From as little as £3 a month you receive a certificate, a print of your animal, a greetings card, and a soft toy that would make a fantastic charity gift for a loved one.

>> Read More

On Thursday 19th May International Alert is the UK’s leading peace building charity held a charity comedy event “Are You Taking the Peace?” at the Bloomsbury theatre in aid of their sterling work around the world. Comedians including Rich Hall, Sean Hughes and Robin Ince gave up their time for free to help raise almost £5,000 for the excellent cause.

International Alert are a n independent peacebuilding organisation  who  work with people  directly affected by violent conflict to improve their prospects of peace. They seek to influence the policies and ways of working of governments, international organisations like the UN and multinational companies, to reduce conflict risk and increase the prospects of peace.

Putting on a comedy event may seem a bit strange for such a serious organisation but it’s a great way to reach people who otherwise may not have heard of the charity, and of course to get some valuable donations.

I attended the event which was a great laugh from start to finish and included a great joke about why the theme tune to Dogtanion is the happiest song in the world! Listen to the below and I’m sure you’ll agree.

There was also a serious side to the evening with International Alert giving a brief speech on how they are helping human rights in places like Kyrgyzstan. It was a really thought provoking aside which helped to put the evening into perspective.

You can read more about the great work of International Alert on their website.

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