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Thanks to the generosity of readers who have gifted money to our Love Darg Fund, “The People’s Friend” is proud to support Contact the Elderly, a national charity that aims to improve the lives of lonely people over the age of seventy-five. They hold tea parties throughout the UK, made up of their volunteers and members, one Sunday afternoon a month. It’s a chance for people to get together in someone’s home and enjoy tea, cake and company, to share stories and to make lasting friendships. In September 2011 the charity will launch a new tea party group, to be known as “The People’s Friend” group, which will be based in Angus. Contact the Elderly would love to hear from any “People’s Friend” readers throughout the UK who would like to volunteer as a host or driver, or who would like to join a tea party group themselves.
www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk
“The People’s Friend” has chosen the British Red Cross as the charity partner for 2011’s Love Darg Appeal. The British Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – the world’s largest humanitarian network. It is a volunteer-led organisation that helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. They respond immediately to emergencies both at home and overseas – from fires and floods in the UK to earthquakes and conflict around the world, they can help people cope in crisis situations. In order to deliver this life-saving work, the British Red Cross relies on raising funds from a variety of sources, with more than half their income coming from donations from individuals. This year, “People’s Friend” readers are invited to make and donated knitted and crocheted blankets, scarves and gloves which will be sold in Red Cross shops across the UK to raise much-needed funds.
Throughout 2009, readers of “The People’s Friend” were enthralled by the story of Ursa, a beautiful yellow Labrador, as she progressed through her training to become a fully fledged Dog for the Disabled. Eventually, there was a fairytale happy ending, when Ursa was paired successfully with Allan, her new owner. Ursa was trained by the charity to support Allan with a range of tasks so that he can enjoy living more independently – she can retrieve his keys when they slide out of his hand, or pick up an item that might be knocked off a shelf in a shop by his wheelchair. As Allan himself says, “Ursa has made a great difference to my life. The future certainly looks good and I’m looking forward to living life with her, enjoying her companionship and the assistance she can give me.”
This national charity trains dogs to alert deaf people to important sounds and danger signals in the home, workplace and public buildings. In 2010 “The People’s Friend” ran a series of features about the charity and its work, and readers were captivated by the adventures of trainee Hearing Dogs Poppy and Timmy. Small breeds are often chosen to be Hearing Dogs, and this cute pair captured hearts whenever they appeared in the magazine!
This registered charity, which is part of the RNIB group, offers over 200 top publications in a choice of accessible audio formats. If your eyesight isn’t what it used to be and you’re struggling to read print, you don’t have to miss out on your favourite newspapers and magazines. “The People’s Friend” is one of the most popular magazine titles in the NTNM catalogue.
In March 2011 “People’s Friend” readers were touched by the story of Lucy Fensom, who was so distressed by the conditions in which some donkeys were being kept in the Holy Land that she decided to roll up her sleeves and make a real difference. Today, eleven years on from its launch, the charity has over 150 donkeys in its care and runs mobile vet clinics and education programmes to teach children and adults how to look after their donkeys.
