Journal of Events
The Early Days in 2003
I travelled to Gambia with Thomas Cook airlines. I arrived at Gatwick 3 hours before check-in desk was open with 5 suitcases extra. I stood underneath a security camera, eventually a young man, Christopher Pots who came and asked me if I was travelling with Thomas Cook that morning. I told him I was James Bond and I was on a mission. I wanted to get these suitcases to the Gambia but I didn't want to pay Thomas Cook any money. He asked me if I had any proof that I did any work in the Gambia. I showed him the receipts from Western Union for which I had sent out the money for the water and electricity bills. He took them away, came back and told me that when I check in they would all vanish.
So with the monies that were all saved. I went into a town called Surrekunida and bought a 29inch TV, a dvd player and a stand for these items. Also a fridge freezer. We took it back to the compound in Brikaima. About 90% of the people in the compound had never seen a TV or a fridge freezer. Malcolm tuned the TV in with a massive audience of curious children. When Malcolm switched the TV on, they asked where the door was to let the people out.
2004
My boss, Jeremy West suggested instead of funding it all myself as I was fast running out of money, I should do a fund raising event. So I took the bull by the horns and organised a 60's disco at the Dagenham and Redbridge football club, Victoria Road, Dagenham (they do not charge me for the use of the hall). I've never done anything like this before. I was in a panic mode for months beforehand. But the night was absolutely brilliant, the hall was packed and £3000, including donations was raised that night.
So, armed with this £3000 I went back to the Gambia.The roofs were well overdue for repair, costing £3100.
The materials were corregated sheets, 47 packs, 20 sheets per pack, plus the special nails and new wood. The carpenters labour being an extra £300. He started work in the November and worked through until March. I know he did this for peanuts, which I appreciated. The difference being funded by myself.
£500 for food arriving on donkeys.
All the work was completed in March 2005. No one now gets wet in the rainy season. They can sleep in peace now knowing the heavens will not fall in on them. But sadly, everything inside is rotten from years of the water coming in from the roofs.
I took clothes and household items as usual, a sport shop gave me 250 pairs of Umbro football shorts, red, blue and white. So we now have 250 children running around in red, blue or white football shorts! Football is their favourite past time. Thomas Cook, once again, bless them let me take it for free.
Future Fundraising Events
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2005
During 2005, we raised £7000 by doing the following...
I done a bootsale with one of my trustees, Leanne Stanley to raise money. I started putting shop own brands instead of well known brands and putting the difference in price in a jar, which I still do to this day.
In October we done another sixties night. Yet another success.
Our 2005 project was to build a cinema to give them some pride in themselves. A reason to get up in the mornings. A little income, but with this they can pay their council tax. Plans were passed and the mission was on to build the cinema. We found a man to build the bricks. 6 labourers were working on it. They were paid and given a meal every day.
The charity sponsers the satelitte dish which brings in two programmes at once so they can show 2 football matches at once. We also bought two freezers so that they could sell cold drinks and ice lollies in the cinema.
2006
2 fundraising events; 60's night and a Karoke night. Raising a total of £5000
November 2006
Back to the Gambia.
Cinema finished and working. 6 fans in and plenty of seating. What a difference!
£1000 on food.
Work begins to renovate inside 2 houses. New ceilings, tiled floors so there's nowhere for the cockroaches to hide and they're painted a bright colour.
