Section Headings:
How it all Began
Reuben and Friends was established in February 2004 by a group of 9 people who were friends of Reuben and his parents. The team had not worked together before, but brought with them a wealth of experience across a broad section of industries; from Sales and Marketing to Teaching and Nursing. They also brought a passion to make a difference
Their aim was to form a Charitable Trust in the name of Reuben Grainger-Mead, who has a life threatening bone marrow condition.
Additionally, they set themselves the goal of raising £5,000 in their first year of fund raising.
They immediately set to work on contacting the Charities Commission with the help of their solicitor - John Rothery. John's invaluable advice on the configuration and positioning of the group meant that, just twelve months after forming, the group received its Charitable status on March 2nd 2005!
Eight Ladies on a Mission
As
previously mentioned, their initial goal was to raise £5,000, this was
in fact realised at the very first event, a themed fancy dress auction,
which alone raised £8,000!
Funds continued to grow over the first year through various events, as shown on the Diary of Events section.
In their first year they finally raised a total of £28,000, not bad for a new team of volunteers - only working on a part-time basis.
Their target for this year is £50,000. Watch this space...
<click here> to find out more about the people on the team.
Our Patron
Prior to a live broadcast on Calendar TV in July 2004, Duncan
Wood had taken the time to spend a day with Reuben and his family
in order to get to know the true extent of Reuben's condition and how it
affected his everyday life. He was also concerned as to what the future held
for them all as well.
Reuben instantly warmed to Duncan and they spent hours crawling in and out of Reuben's toy hospital and playing on his drum kit. This marked the start of a firm friendship.
The whole team felt that the natural next step was to invite Duncan to be their Patron, which he gladly accepted. He said that he "felt honored to accept and is proud to be part of the team."
Duncan is now a regular attendee at their events and has offered the Trust a huge amount of support in their aim to increase the profile of the charity in the local community and beyond.
Major Donations and Sponsored Activities
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FROM PARIS TO PISA FOR REUBEN
A group of friends pedaled from Paris to Pisa on an 800 mile cycle ride from the Eiffel Tower in France to the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. The 8 day ride- approx 100 miles a day travelled through The Alps, Lake Geneva and a stretch along the Mediterranean coast!!
The team raised just under 6000.00 for Reuben and Friends and commented the hardest part was one stretch where they pedalled uphill through the Alps for a staggering 7 hours but found it was one of the most rewarding and exciting things they had ever done in their life!!!
Ready Steady Cook
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ACANTHUS Golf Centre Launch Event
The Laura Crane Trust was invited to attend the launch of the Acanthus Golf Centre complex at Tingley on Saturday 23rd February. The ‘black tie’ evening was a Bond Themed ‘License to Trill’, with live entertainment and a sprinkling of celebrities.
Karen Jeffery grom Acanthus and LCT fundraiser Helen met at the Hill Office Furniture Wine Tasting fundraiser last autumn. As well as working in partnership with her husband and brother-in-law and Acanthus, Karen is also Chair of Trustees of ‘Reuben and Friends’. Reuben and friends is a charity based in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire that raises funds to support children with rare blood disorders.
The Acanthus Golf Centre consists of a driving range, a nine-hole golf course, conference and event facilities, JafJaf Ristorante and a 5-star Fitness gym owned by Huddersfield Giant, Ryan Hudson and Jamie Field, who plays for Featherstone Rovers (and who attended Brighouse High School with Laura Crane and LCT fundraiser Helen Mervill). Ryan Hudson’s sister, actress Lucy-Jo Hudson from Coronation Street and Wild At Heart with her Fiancé, Alan Halsall (Tyrone from Coronation Street) and Andy Whyment (Kirk from Coronation Street).
Karen generously chose Laura’s charity to benefit from the auction at the event as well as Reuben and Friends. The Laura Crane Trust benefited by £750 from this event.
The Laura Crane Trust would like to thank Karen Jeffery and Acanthus for supporting its work with young cancer patients and Helen would like to thank Karen for making her and her guests so welcome at the event.
Review of some early Fundraising Events
Jazz/Swing night on 23rd September at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford. Over 220 people attended the much awaited
event. The evening included a 3 course dinner, a raffle, an auction and
a disco. Entertainment was provided by swing-jazz band 'Powder Swing Quartet'
and a jive/swing demonstration by Patrice and Kevin 'The Jolly Jivers'.
Many guests got into the swing of things by dressing up in a black
and white theme with a 30's/40's twist! We raised in excess of £4,700
through ticket sales, raffle and auction of which prizes included a trip
to Paris, A House of Commons Tour and dinner with Members of Parliament,
Executive tickets to a premiership game at Old Trafford, A dinner for
8 people cooked and served in your own home and a family day at the YTV
Calendar Studios!
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"Through the Decades" |
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Sep 2005 - Wheatsheaf Pub - Sponsored Walk Raised - £525.32 |
Sep 2005 - Book Launch - Borders
Book Store |
August 2005 - Borders Book Store - Raffle Raised - £265.73 |
September 2005 - Cabaret Evening - Cardiff Raised - £925 |
May 2005 - Wheatsheaf Pub - Cake Stall Raised - £272.82 |
July 2005 - Car Boot Sale Raised - £145 |
| * * * * * * * * * * * * * * March 2005 - Charitable Status Awarded * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
March 2005 - 'James Bond' Themed Evening Raised - £7,100 |
October 2004 - Halloween Brighouse Sports Club. Raised £540 |
December 2004 - Rugby Match, Swan Pub, Liversedge. Raised £860 |
August 2004 - JJB Sports Birstal Sponsored Treadmill Raised £427 |
August 2004 - Family Fun Day at Spotted Cow Driglington. Raised £773 |
July 2004 - Non-Uniform Day at schools and nurseries around Gomersal area Raised £685 |
August 2004 - Bike Ride from Eiffel Tower, France to Leaning Tower of Pizza, Italy. Raised £5,987 |
June 2004 - Soul Night Batley WMC Raised £1,100 |
June 2004 - Blood Donor Session at Cleckheaton Town Hall - 250 attended |
May 2004 - Cake Stall at The Wheatsheaf in Gomersal Raised £250 |
June 2004 - 'Retro' Fancy Dress Auction Event at Brighouse Sports Club Raised £8,000 |
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In addition to thanking every one for their hard work in organising and supporting the above events, we would also like to acknowledge the help and support of other organisations and individuals, some of whom have asked to remain anonymous, but who have raised money on our behalf These include:-
In total we have raised almost £45,000 since February 2004. If you would like further information about how you can help; <Click Here> |
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Reuben and Friends is a registered Charity: no.
1108692
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