Willow, Hertfordshire’s leading Special Days Charity, launches Autumn appeal

Phil recently spoke to David White, Chief Executive at local charity, Willow about their appeal and ‘My Special Memory’ campaign.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper, Bob Wilson, and his wife Megs, have called on the people of Hertfordshire to help their Special Days charity achieve its target of 10,000 donated bags of pre loved items following the recent launch of Willow Charity shops in Welwyn Garden City, Barnet, Stevenage and Hemel Hempstead.

“Now that Willow has a High Street presence the Charity has experienced an increase in Special Day applications from seriously ill young adults living in Hertfordshire and we want to make every one of them a reality,” said Bob Wilson, Willow Life-President. “This autumn, our Charity Shops are leading the fundraising campaign of raising £100,000 through retail sales by Christmas.  To reach this goal we need the local community, who has always been so supportive of Special Days, to continue to shop in our stores as well as donate their pre loved items to Willow.  Every bag really will make a difference.”

“We’ve estimated that we need 250 bags of donations per Charity Shop every week to achieve our goal,” continues Bob who, with Megs, is visiting all four Willow shops to launch the campaign.  “When visiting our shops donors and customers will also have the opportunity to take part in a new in-store initiative.  The ‘My Special Memory’ notice board is a feature wall highlighting the impact of Willow’s Special Days. It also encourages shoppers to leave their own memories and messages of support.  We hope that by sharing their own special experiences our supporters will build a greater affinity with our beneficiaries and Special Days.”

The Wilson’s founded the Herts based charity in 1999 in memory of their daughter, Anna, who died of cancer aged 31.   Fifteen years on Willow is now the UK’s leading Special Days charity supporting more than 1,000 seriously ill young adults every year.  In 2016 Willow aims to double its impact in Hertfordshire by increasing fundraising activities throughout its growing network of Charity Shops and reaching out to more seriously ill young adults with the offer of Special Days.  For more information on how to apply please go to www.willowfoundation.org.uk 

How can you get involved?

1. Donate pre loved clothes, accessories or bric a brac to Willow Charity Shops (large donations can be collected)

2. Volunteer to help in store

3. Make a donation

For more information go to www.willowfoundation.org.uk/shop  or contact info@willowfoundation.org.uk

Willow shops can be found at:

• Welwyn Garden City Willow Charity Shop: 13 Wigmores South, Welwyn Garden City,           Hertfordshire, AL8 6PL

• Barnet Willow Charity Shop: 109 High Street, Barnet, EN5 5UZ

• Stevenage Willow Charity Shop: 17 The Hyde, Stevenage, SG2 9SD

• Hemel Hempstead Willow Charity Shop: 222 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1BJ

St Albans Art Society

This morning we spoke to Edward Bevin of St Albans Arts Society.

The society has played a major role in helping to enhance the history and status of St Albans for well over a century. They host a variety of lectures and demonstrations and the opportunity to take part in workshop studies and life drawing sessions.

The flagship event of the year - the summer exhibition - will undisputedly add to the overall culture and visual arts scene, not only to this corner of Hertfordshire, but to the county as a whole. The exhibition takes place Wednesday 22nd July - Sunday 26th July at the Town Hall in St Albans.

For more information, go to www.stalbans-artsociety.org.uk

Interview with The Battlefields Trust

This morning we spoke to Peter Burley from The Battlefields Trust.

Nearly everyone in the UK lives within half an hour’s drive of a battlefield. Some, like Hastings, Bosworth and Culloden, are familiar to most of us. Others are relatively unknown. Yet the battles fought on them all played their part in shaping the way that we live today. The Battlefields Trust is based in St Albans and helps to ensure that these priceless historical sites are preserved for everyone to understand and enjoy, both now and in the future.

The Battlefields Trust campaign both locally and nationally to defend battlefields from inappropriate development or even destruction. They work hard to make the most of their educational and recreational potential. Members have helped set up information boards at sites across Britain and also prepared battlefield trails for you to follow.

Joining the Trust is a great way of learning more about  battles and battlefields. Many members are experts in their field and are happy to share their knowledge. Regular talks and study days take place and there’s a full programme of battlefield walks, sometimes in areas not normally accessible to the public. You can also become part of a local group, dedicated to the care and interpretation of an individual battlefield. Many people have commented on how they have made new friends and learned new skills as a result of their membership.

Visit www.battlefieldstrust.com for more information on membership. It's also a superb source of information if you’re studying or visiting a battlefield and has a resource centre.

Legal Matters with Stowe Family Law

On Monday we had a Q & A session on legal matters with our show sponsors Stowe Family Law.

Our next session will be Monday 20th July at 10.45am. Tune in to hear it on 92.6FM or www.radioverulam.com

Folk by the Oak

This morning, Phil spoke to Hannah from Hertfordshire-based charity Willow, about the folk and acoustic event Folk by the Oak.

Willow has been Folk by the Oak’s chosen charity since the festival began in 2008, receiving 50p from every ticket sold. Last year was record-breaking, raising more than £7,000 in ticket sales and donations.

Tickets are selling fast for this year’s festival of folk’s finest acts taking place in the grounds of Hatfield House on Sunday 19 July. It's a compact, leafy site making it perfect for families, and as well as the top class performances you can enjoy children's activities, craft and vintage stalls, real ale bar, delicious food stalls and more. You can even bring a picnic and a drink!

Emma Dexter, marketing manager for Folk by the Oak, says: “We are delighted to be working with Willow again. We feel it is important for events such as Folk by the Oak to give something back to the community and our on-going relationship with Willow allows us to do this in a very special and positive way. We would like to offer our sincere thanks to the kind people who join us at Hatfield House each year and give so generously to Willow.”

Willow is the only national charity working with seriously ill young adults aged 16 to 40 to fulfil uplifting and unforgettable Special Days. Each day is a life-affirming experience that can lift spirits, reunify families and be a source of strength when it’s needed most.

Pop along to Willow’s tent to meet the fab team of volunteers and to find out more about Special Days and the many ways in which you can support Willow.

Tickets are currently £37 for adults, £17 for children aged five to 15, with family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) £100.

Doors will open at 12.30pm and the music starts at 1.30pm. The event finishes around 10.30pm. To book and for more information visit: www.folkbytheoak.com For more information about Willow visit: www.willowfoundation.org.uk

Isabel Hospice win Big Lottery Grant

We recently spoke with Gillian McDonald of Isabel Hospice.

Gill told us about the Hospice being awarded of a grant of £489,571 by The Big Lottery Fund.

The money will enable the Hospice to expand existing Hospice at Home service which improves the quality of life for patients living with life-limiting illnesses across Hertfordshire, who want to be cared for at home in their last days.

Last year the Isabel Hospice, Hospice at Home team cared for 214 patients whose last wish was to be at home and made 1,354 home visits during the year.

For more info on Isabel Hospice visit www.isabelhospice.org.uk

Interview with St Albans Civic Society

We recently interviewed Melvyn Teare from St albans Civic Society. Founded in 1961, the St Albans Civic Society is a non party-political and non-religious registered charity affiliated to the Civic Trust.

Its aims are to foster a greater awareness of the amenities and heritage of St Albans
encourage the highest standard of development and design, and campaign for the retention of those features which give St Albans its own special character, contest inappropriate development proposals and stimulate informed debate among residents, developers and the Council.

The Society organises regular meetings with guest speakers, publishes newsletters, participates in Heritage Open Days and arranges visits to other towns and cities. It also hosts the annual Civic Society Design Awards Evening.

New members are welcome. For more information go to www.stalbanscivicsociety.net

Interview with Willow - PAINT IT PURPLE!

We recently interviewed Holly Wright from Willow who are encouraging everyone to get together with their friends, family or colleagues this June, go purple and raise funds for Special Days.

Every Special Day aims to add a little happiness to the lives of seriously ill young adults at the most difficult of times.

You can let your imagination run wild and Paint it Purple in your own way, or get inspired by downloading the fundraising pack at willowfoundation.org.uk/purple

So far Willow have schools holding purple dress down days and fun days and individuals holding purple parties at home

Willow also have Paint it Purple street collections taking place locally, they are looking for volunteers for this so if you’d like to know more then please call Romaine on 01707 259777.

Welcome!

Welcome to the new Verulam in the Morning blog. Here you will find news about the programme, details of forthcoming interviews and interview write-ups. Watch this space!