John Parker knows from first hand experience how EB affects lives, as he was born with EB simplex.
He is therefore extremely passionate about his job of regional fundraising manager for Greater London, Kent and East Anglia, helping to raise vital funds for DebRA.
John’s region stretches from Oxford in the west to the Norfolk and Kent coastlines in the east, taking in the whole of London.
John is always willing to support groups who wish to organise their own events but if you would like an alternative way to support DebRA then why not volunteer to be a collector - John would love to hear from you!
Call him on 01707 879887 or email john.parker@debra.org.uk
Santa Visits Chessington Garden Centre - in aid of DebRA
A fantastic Dickensian Street scene, Santa's Grotto and a Wishing Well are the star attractions at Chessington Garden Centre this festive season.
Children can visit Santa and receive a gift and all customers can make a Christmas wish at the Wishing Well.
Surbiton Rotary Club will be helping with both attractions over the Christmas period and all the proceeds will be coming to DebRA.
Many thanks to the garden centre and the rotary club for their festive support.
Connie and Lynn trek and blog for DebRA
Active DebRA supporter Connie Johnson is aiming to raise an amazing £20,000 when she heads to New Zealand on trek of a lifetime in December.
Connie, who has raised thousands of pounds for DebRA with a variety of social events in the Richmond area, is embarking on the adventure with her friend Lyn Chamberlain-Webber.
The duo have already raised almost £10,000 in sponsorship but have set themselves the amazing target of £20,000.
They have set up a Just Giving page to make sponsoring even more simple.
Please visit www.justgiving.com/conniejohnson1
If you would like to help at all please contact Connie directly on 07900 667000.
Read Connie and Lynn's blog at http://connieandlyn.blogspot.com/
Thanks to the Hilton London Tower Bridge
The hotel took on DebRA as its Charity of the Year and has now donated a fantastic £3,935.
DebRA Dinner Raises £700
Connie Johnson held a DebRA dinner on the 24th July at Mamma Ristorante at East Sheen.
A group of 40 diners helped to raise an amazing £700. Thanks go to Jeff & Amanda Flowers, Richmond, James & Oddbins, East Sheen, Giles E Egan, Kew Gardens, Flowers of Love, East Sheen, King of Cotton, Kew, Tolley & Partners, Opticians, East Sheen, Julie @ Faith Shoes, Molton Brown, Kings Road, Mamma Mia, East Sheen amd everyone above donated/helped with the event.
Pub crawl gives DebRA funds a step-up
It was a quiet Bank Holiday in Richmond and the weather was not great, yet hard-working DebRA supporter Connie Johnson still managed to collect more than £300 during a 'pub crawl'.
Connie and a handful of friends toured the town's bars - Stein's Biergarten, The Mitre, Orange Tree, Sun Inn, Cricketers, Princess Head, The Old Ship, Watermans Arms, Victoria Inn, White Cross, Dukes Head and The Marlborough - and collected £336.62 for DebRA.
iVintners event raises over £300 for DebRA
A group of DebRA supporters gathered in May to sample exquisite Italian wines and to enjoy a special buffet at the iVintners event in Richmond. Connie Johnson would like to thank iVintners, the Mama Mia Restaurant in East Sheen, Paul's Patisserie in Richmond, Starbucks in Richmond Station, Gelateria Danieli and Katja of Roseberg Flowers. Their combined effort raised a fantastic £311.20!
Dining for DebRA at Cafe Bonjour
A fundraising evening, organised by DebRA supporter Connie Johnson, was held at Twickenham restaurant Cafe Bonjour (pictured left) in March. The evening was a great success and raised £609.00 for DebRA.
Many thanks to all those who kindly donated raffle prizes, including Heinz Luchterhand from iVintners, William Curley from Chocolatier, Perry from Starbucks, Rory from Threshers, Eva from House of Chocolates, Annie's Restaurant (Barnes), Sandrines (East Sheen), Flowers Oasis, James Oddbins and Tilbrook Jewellery.
And a special thank you to Alida and Willem, the children who assisted with the raffle and Anne who organised the wine quiz.
Coffee morning at Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance held a coffee morning in December with proceeds distributed between DebRA and BLESMA.
The morning, organised by long standing DebRA supporter Dick Weller, included a raffle and a guess the wight of the cake competition and raised in excess of £2,500 which will be matched by Clifford Chance. The day was completed with a disco in the evening.
If your company would like to arrange a coffee morning, please get in touch with John Parker (see contact details above).
Holt parents raise over £1K
Holt parents Veronica and Michael Pearson, whose daughter Daisy May has EB, have raised over £1,000 for DebRA by holding stalls, attending various events, car boot sales - and even a stall outside their house, selling fresh produce from their allotment!
In December, the couple also took part in Fakenham Church and Holt Church Christmas Tree Festivals to raise awareness and funds for DebRA.
Flower power raises over £2K for DebRA
DebRA supporters Graham Harmes and Sheila Chivers helped raise £2,400 for DebRA in the summer by holding two horticultural events in Kent.
With Sheila's assistance, Graham held a wonderful evening of flower arrangement displays in Orpington which raised £2,000 for DebRA.
After meeting Melissa Smith, who has EB, at the event, Sheila decided to open her garden at West Wickham in July. The afternoon raised £400 for DebRA and was a great success. The sun shone and lots of people came along to support the afternoon, buying plants, cream cakes and tea.
We are very grateful to Sheila and Graham for all their help.
Over £10,000 raised at London to Brighton Bike Ride
On 17th June, a team of forty-four riders from Clifford Chance raised at least £10,000 for DebRA by taking part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride. The event was organised by Dick Weller and supported by Suzanne Daniel. This year, the team dedicated the event to the memory of Cliff Salmon who had previously supported the event but sadly died tragically on holiday.
British Transport Police donate TVs to DebRA
Televisions destined for the auctioneer’s hammer are getting a new lease of life thanks to British Transport Police (BTP) officers.
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A batch of eighteen TV/DVD combinations have been donated to DebRA - the majority of which have been delivered to DebRA’s charity shops throughout the UK, whilst the remaining sets will be used for training purposes.
Margaret Walford, Regional Manager for DebRA shops, said: “We’re very grateful to British Transport Police for their generous donation of the eighteen TV/DVD sets.
“This donation will allow us to create a greater awareness of DebRA’s work within our shops. We will showcase a number of DVDs, such as the award-winning programme “The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off” featuring Jonny Kennedy.”
BTP Chief Inspector Andy Hunt added: “DebRA works tirelessly within the community and through one of our officers we heard about their work and realised that these televisions could be put to much better use helping the children that DebRA supports.”
DECADES quiz nights and London city tours
DebRA supporter Stevie Dixon is offering to run special DECADES Quiz Nights in London (in locations close to Underground stations) to raise funds for DebRA.
You choose a decade - 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s etc - and Stevie will produce a quiz comprising of questions from that era, including TV, Movies, Music, News and Trivia from the chosen decade.
The quiz night can also be combined with a disco playing music from your selected decade - and guests are encouraged to get in the party mood by donning the Fancy Dress of that decade.
Stevie's quiz nights are no ordinary quiz nights! He utilises various audio visual systems, including music, picture and video rounds.
If anyone in the London area would like to hold a fundraising event for DebRA then please contact Stevie Dixon on 07952 589516 or email Stevie at GREATBRITTONS@aol.com (ensuring you write Stevie's Trivia Challenge Night for DebRA in the Subject block at the head of the email).
Stevie also conducts Free Guided Walking Tours of the city for visitors to London YHA hostels, with all donations from the tours going to DebRA.
Anyone who is planning to visit the city who would like an entertaining and interesting tour of the city, should please get in touch with Stevie using the email address above.
Stevie's tours range from general tours such as Royal London, Beatles London, Old City Tours, and for the fearless even a Jack The Ripper Tour. There are also the Pirates, Pioneers and Pilgrims Tour, Historic Inns and Taverns Tour, the Infamous Murders Tour and Rock Legends Tour.
All donations for tours will go to DebRA.
Need a DJ in the North London Area?
If you need a DJ in the North London area Kris Templett is your man. He will offer his services for free as long as the proceeds of the event go to DebRA.
For more information contact: john.s.parker@tesco.net
