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| Jack Chappell, now aged 91, was the first on the list of people to thank |
Victor's visit
Victor, the Director of Brighter Future In India, wishes to thank all the supporters of Brighter Future for their hospitality, given so generously to him, during his visit to England. He has really enjoyed meeting the sponsors of the children in our homes and can now put a face to those aunties and uncles whom he has met up and down the country. I have Victor with me as I am writing this newsletter, so what better opportunity than to get him to write a few words...
My Thanks Giving visit to UK
I am heartily thankful to all the supporters of Brighter Future for their love and support they have shown me during my visit to them. It is a lifetime experience for me that I could come over UK and meet and explain about the children and leprosy and HIV work we do in India for almost 10 years.I am glad that I could meet some of the supporters and thank them for their continuous support.
I believe my visit to England has given a permanent relationships with all the supporters of Brighter Future. I will treasure all the wonderful love and compassion and good times and experiences that I had during my stay in England.
Thank you so much.
Once again I would like to thank all Brighter Future supporters from bottom of my heart for your warm welcome and love that you have shown me during my visit which I will never forget in my life. Thank you so much.
Namaste
The London 10K and more events for you
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| Some of the 2012 10k team |
After the success of the London 10K, in which we mustered 40 runners,we have decided to get tickets for some other events, like the London Half Marathon, affectionately known as 'Run to the Beat' organised by Nike.Our northern contingent might like to try the Great North Run which is another half marathon, or the Manchester Run.Having done the London 10k several times I am sure some of our regulars would like the challenge of a few more miles. The Great North Run starts in Newcastle.
Tickets for these events are now on sale and get snapped up, so be quick! Let us know if you would like to enter and we will buy the tickets if you guarantee to raise a goodly sum for Brighter Future.
Meanwhile, for those who live near Peterborough, there is a group of our sponsors who do regular short runs throughout the winter, as a prelude to longer events. Remember Glynn Paskin who did the marathon for us? Unfortunately there are no spare London Marathon tickets until 2022 but you could start training now I suppose!
We would also like to hear from members of sports and running clubs who would like to raise funds for Brighter Future Children, If you have any connections do explore them and let us know.
You are not restricted to running! There are swimming events. Katy did two swims for us on lake Windermere. What about cycling and mountain walking challenges? Solo or in a group, of friends or colleagues. The Pennine Way and other walks across the length and breadth of Britain could be part of a family holiday. Have you got a local mountain to climb? Ask friends to sponsor you or turn the whole event into a holiday.There is nothing like having fun, challenging yourself, getting fit and doing it all for our 160 children from leprosy, railway platform and HIV/AIDS backgrounds.
If you would like to do the London 10K, perhaps to better your time, we have tickets for the event which is on Sunday 14th July 2013.
Trying to rationalize our banking
Having recently been involved with the preparation of the accounts for the Charity Commission and the Inland Revenue it became obvious that as our total income last year exceeded 50,000 pounds we no longer get the freedom from Bank charges that we once had . We have to pay 69p for every cheque paid into the Brighter Future account.
While most of our sponsorship income is paid by standing orders and direct debits we are, like many charities, sent cheques for special occasions and special events. If it would be possible to send those Birthday and Christmas extras, and the so very kind responses to appeals, by the internet, as cash over the counter, or some bank to bank method, we would be able to avoid the dreaded bank charges. We have to pay 21.00 pounds to send money to India but this only happens every few months. Lloyds TSB have said that if we pay 26.00 pounds a month we would be exempt from bank charges but it is not worth a little charity like BFIT paying what amounts to 312.00 a year.
We are going to open account at another high street bank to transfer the funds to, so that we don't exceed the 50,000.00.Sponsors will not need to do anything.
Manya is in India again..
... for her usual five or six months visit. She lives with the HIV orphan children at Prem Nivas but also visits other projects, especially the Rainbow children and those concerned with HIV patients.
It is amazing how much the children change in the six months that she is away from them. The children eagerly await news of their sponsors, thinking that she must know them all. This year Victor will be able to show photos to those whose sponsors he has met.
Manya is looking forward to seeing Thompson House and the Pickford Memorial Hospice at the Shanti Nivas site. Having designed the buildings and been a keen overseer until last March, she hopes to add a few homely touches to the buildings and grounds, with the help of the children.
Soon it will be time for Divali, an important festival for children and adults alike. Coloured lights, fireworks, bonfires and special foods accompany this festival.
Christmas is prefaced with all kinds of activities and preparations: card making, the party and entertainment, New dances and hymns to be learned. It is a lovely time for the children and hard work for the staff.
Sue Davies
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| Sue after the 2011 run |
Brighter Future in the UK, and in India, are very sad to report the death on 28th of September, of one of the most ardent supporters of our charity, Sue Davies.
Sue not only raised the profile among the members of the Cardiff Inner Wheel but also encouraged her friends to support Brighter Future.
Last year, at the age of 73, Sue ran the London 10K for us and raised well over 1500 .00 pounds. She ran the race again this July for Cancer Research accompanied by her son, Graham, who ran for Brighter Future.
I met Sue when we shared a room on a cycling tour of the Loire valley in France. Sue was a few years younger than me but when faced with hills we were always to be found at the back of the group, grinding gears or walking up the hills.sue spoke fluent French so we tail-enders were often to be found loitering, with Sue chatting to the locals.
Sue had four adopted children and five grandchildren. She trained as a teacher of the deaf and recently helped blind holidaymakers, guiding them and helping them to 'see' through her descriptions of the places they visited.
Sue has sponsored many children around the world and visited many of them in their home countries.Sue was due to arrive at Prem Nivas last October when it was discovered that she was far from well and was diagnosed with stomach cancer. when i told Sue that one of our Prem Nivas was upset, because although she had a sponsor, she never heard from him, Sue became her surrogate auntie and wrote letters to her.
Sue was an inspiration to all who know her.
Birthdays in November
Rainbow children
Jyothi 27.11.95, bhasker 15.11.96, Manohar A 27.11.04, santosh D 27.11.09, Rajsekhar 13.11.09
Prem Nivas
Chinna rao 8.11.98
How did we do in September?
Children sponsored 7
Sarah's cards 170.00
St Marks Church 1222.00
Bourne Church 120.00
M & CC 750.00
K & KB 100.00
X 50.00
These sponsorship and donations are mostly the result of Victors charisma and people appreciating his genuine love for all in his care.
Contacts
Danny (Treasurer) brighterfutureuk@sky.com 01233 612598 07731191858
Manya ( Chair) pmanya.norris@gmail.com
Charity commission reg, charity no 1110823
