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Choose Organic Every Day For National Organic Fortnight

Posted by Gemma Parmar Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:36:26 +0000


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Organic

As you probably know, we love to give international days our Leap Love, so with today marking the start of National Organic Fortnight, we’re positively ecstatic!

Starting today and running until the 17th September its’ National Organic Fortnight, so we’ll be bringing you was you can take part and benefit from living the good life for a fortnight.

Top 5 Reasons To Go Organic:

1. A better planet > You’ll be helping the planet by choosing locally sourced organic food.

2. Your well-being > You’ll be doing yourself and your body a great favour by eating a healthier. We like to think our body is a temple don’t we? So why not put this into practise by eating delicious and fresh home grown food?

3. Animal Welfare > By picking organic food, you’ll be ensuring that animals have been given free- range upbringing to they’ll have had plenty of space and fresh air to thrive and grow.

4. Our Wildlife > Organic farms provide great homes for wildlife such as bees, birds and butterflies to thrive in. Studies have shown that plant, insect and bird life is up to 50% greater on organic farms.

5. A GM free diet > European law bans the use of genetically modified organisms in all aspects of food and farming. Buying organic means that animals are not modified in any way and their feed is free from GM substances.

Want to do something now? Sign up for these great events: 

4th September 2010 
 
Surrey Docks Market This Saturday enjoy a vibrant day at the Surrey Docks City Farm with plenty of entertainment for the whole family.This event marks the third of the new monthly markets down at the farm. Many stalls and surprises will be unveiled on the day..

 
The Big Seed Swap Getting tired of your office plants? Connect with the Haringey community and swop plants, cacti and seeds to jazz up the ol' office.The Finsbury Park Community Garden is holding its annual plant and seed swap. Bring along seeds and plants that you don't want and exchange them for ones you do. 
 

6th September 2010 
 
Pick and Cook at Spitalfields Spitalfields FREE Pick and Cook sessions are an opportunity to learn how to cook using garden produce to create tasty, interesting and nutritious meals, and to share food in a friendly setting.

 
7th September 2010
 
Gets Your Hands Dirty and Grow Food Come along to Spitalfields City Farm every Tuesday and learn how to grow, pick, eat and cook organic produce from the wholesome soils of one of London's most colourful City farms. It's a women only session every Tuesday, so bring along a gal pal and get digging!

 
8th September 2010 
 
Gardening at Spitalfields City Farm This volunteering opportunity is for everyone from those with green thumbs to others who haven't got a clue. Learn how to grow food and herbs, cultivate the gardens to attract butterflies and bees and keep unwelcome insects away.

 
The Greenhouse Effect Join the Hammersmith Community Gardens Association at their weekly volunteering opportunity at the Ravenscourt Community glasshouses. The community grows flowers, fruit and vegetables for community projects in the borough for school garden clubs, allotments as well as for Loris and Godolphin Gardens.


11th September 2010 
 
Garden Feast The Farmstead Road Community Garden garden is taking shape, fast! To celebrate the work that’s been done so far, they’re holding a community feast with food, fun and entertainment. Come along and enjoy delicious homegrown, produce, cookery demonstration, bulb planting,  scarecrow building, potato printing and a smoothie bike.

 
12th September 2010 
 
Spitalfields Show & Green Fair Breath in the fresh farm air of London's most famous inner city farm at the Spitalfields City Farm's annual horticulture show of flowers, fruit, vegetables, handicraft and home produce. Come along to pet the donkey, feed the chicken and pick a 5kg marrow at The Spitalfields City Farm.

 
15th September 2010 
 
The Greenhouse Effect Join the Hammersmith Community Gardens Association at this weekly volunteering opportunity at the Ravenscourt Community glasshouses.The community grows flowers, fruit and vegetables for community projects in the borough for school garden clubs, allotments as well as for Loris and Godolphin Gardens.
 
Gardening At Spitalfields City Farm Help the Spitalfields City Farm out with some gentle, hands-on gardening. This volunteering opportunity is for everyone from those with green thumbs to others who haven't got a clue. Learn how to grow food and herbs, cultivate the gardens to attract butterflies and bees and keep unwelcome insects away.

Find out about more ways to Organic and it's benefits, take a peek at the Soil Association's site, or follow them on twitter
 

Tagged in National Organic Fortnight, Volunteering, Events, Community, Organic Food


There Are More Tigers In Captivity Than In The Wild!

Posted by Gemma Parmar Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:29:54 +0000


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panda    

In aid of National Zoo Awareness Day, we've selected WWF as our charity of the week. WWF is best known as the world’s leading conservation body.  Read about their Save The Tiger campaign and how you can help make a difference.  

More tigers are kept in captivity in the U.S. state of Texas than are left in the wild.  Right now, there are as few as 3,200 tigers left in the wild and that number is falling. Tiger habitat is being lost at an alarming rate and poaching has surged over recent months.

Thankfully, there’s still hope. Given protection, space to roam and sufficient prey, tiger numbers can increase rapidly. They can claw their way back from the brink. But, we need your help.


tiger

Want to do something now?

Click here to sign the Tiger Summit Petition

Adopt a tiger from a little as £3 a month. 

Keep up to date with the latest from WWF and their campaigns with WWF on facebook

Show your support and help raise awareness on Twitter. Add a Save The Tiger twibbon.

Tagged in Guest Post, WWF, Campaigns


The Best Events (for good) In London This Week

Posted by Gemma Parmar Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:54:37 +0000


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ldn

Take a look at the best events happening in London this week, all for a good cause. 

Monday 30th August

Be Gay Do Sports Organised by the GMFA Gay Men's Charity, the Gay Sports Day London event provides a series of camp and tongue in cheek sporting events, including a handbag throwing competition and a 50m mince. Other races on the day include the space hopper obstacle course and the drag relay.  the Gay Sports London event encourages everyone to spend the bank holiday being out and proud and having fun.


Afternoon Tea Delights
To mark this occasion you are cordially invited to a very special elegant tea party on the occasion of The Garden House Hospice's 20th birthday.
Come an enjoy a relaxed afternoon with friends and loved ones for good causes in the community with live music.


Tuesday 31st August

Get Your Hands Dirty (Grow Food) Come along to Spitalfields City Farm this Tuesday and learn how to grow, pick, eat and cook organic produce from the wholesome soils of one of London's most colourful City farms. It's a women only session every Tuesday, so bring along a gal pal and get digging!

Afghanistan in the UK The Frontline Club screens the latest VICE film Afghanistan in the UK, a documentary with a different take on the British involvement in the war in Afghanistan. Followed by a Q&A session with film directory, Andy Capper, the documentary shows the audience the gruelling reality of recruitment, training and combat - illustrating an altogether different understanding of warfare.


Wednesday 1st September

You are a fish  Join The Natural History Museum as they expose the deep evolutionary history humans share with fish. Discover the many parts of our skeleton that we have in common, including the bones of our skull, arms and legs, and our backbone.

Capture: cure Capture:Cure 2010 invites you to a one-off art exhibition and auction that is harnessing the power of social media to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Although the big event takes place in the real world, all the action leading up to it is taking place online at www. facebook.com/capturecure.
It’s here you can submit an image of your original artwork or vote for your favourite submission.


Thursday 2nd September


Get Dirty Gardening For Good
How does a weekly dose of floating habitat islands, scrub bashing, planting up lakes, coppicing, making barley straw sausages and a dash of hedge laying sound? You'll be taken to one of a wide range of nature reserves and wildlife areas in London to carry out a variety of practical conservation work. Get out there and get some exercise in the fresh air with good people.

Selected Debating the evolution of leadership at the Royal Society of the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). What makes a good or bad leader, why are some people followers, and what are the benefits of each? In their new book Selected, Mark van Vugt and Anjana Ahuja fuse psychology, business, history and current affairs to examine how and why leadership has evolved over tens of thousands of years.


Friday 3rd September

Amnesty For My Soul 
Join Amnesty once again for a big night of great music, selected and played for you by people who really know their onions. You'll be hard pressed to find a night with more vintage classics than this... A great night, for a great cause. The theme is still 60's & 70's soul with a dash of funk, reggae, ska & other funky treats. Get yer groove on, dress up and dance yer socks off.

Cake In The City Cake can make everything better, right? Cake in the City is a charity cake sale in London's Spitalfields Market to raise money for flood-stricken Pakistan. The event will be held on Friday, 3 September, from 11am-4pm, and will sell cupcakes from the renowned Hummingbird Bakery.


Saturday 4th September 

End Domestic Flights Now Join the Campaign against Climate Change team in their special carriage on the train for a full fun day of aviation activism! Put this date in your diary now! This will be the time to take the agenda forward on aviation, and insist that at this time of climate emergency we cannot afford to be using high-emission forms of transport where viable alternatives exist.

Fayre Extraordinaire Discover the Surrey Docks City Farm in the middle of London with all its attractions, animals and produce. This Saturday will see the third of the new monthly markets down at the farm.  We would love to see you there.  Many stalls and suprises will be unveiled on the day. 

Sunday 5th September

RSPB Wildlife and Country Fair
RSPB presents the RSPB Wildlife and Country Fair for old and young to enjoy wildlife-based activities, walks and stands plus craft marquees, children's activities, rides and inflatables - all set within the fabulous North Kent Marshes landscape. 

Tagged in Things to do in London, Events, Volunteering, fun things to do, charity, fundraising


Leap Loves... Care International

Posted by Gemma Parmar Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:41:20 +0000


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Care International

This week we’re giving some Leap Love to our charity of the week Care International. They are currently working on Pakistan to provide emergency shelter, water, sanitation and health care to those affected by the flood. As well as responding to emergencies abroad, CARE also works on long-term development projects that tackle the underlying causes of poverty. Read their guest post below reporting from Pakistan. Words by Deborah Underdown. 

The word flood has taken on a new meaning for me. Last month a flood was a burst water pipe in my flat in London, a few ruined carpets and the inconvenience of sleeping in my lounge.
 
Today a flood means your entire home being submerged with water. A flood is all your possessions being washed away. A flood is something that forces you to live in a tent wondering where fresh water and food will come from.
Nowshera is about an hour and a half drive from Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. When I arrived I was shocked to see the floods waters hadn't receded. On my left were the submerged houses and on the right, overlooking what used to be their homes were families living in tents.
I met Khayal Marjan.  She smiled at me from inside her tent, provide by CARE, and spoke to me about the floods, she said: " Our sewing machine was damaged in the flood - it was our only source of income .I also had 40 chickens and some goats and cows - they all drowned.  We only had time to save ourselves."
 
Around 400 families are living in tents provided by CARE - a shelter from the monsoon rains that continue to fall. The needs of the families in these camps are numerous and range from shelter to clean water and food along with medical care. CARE continues to help - there is a mobile health clinic treating skin diseases and the growing number of diarrhoea cases.
 
The scale of this disaster is overwhelming and unimaginable. Nowshera is just one area of Pakistan affected by these floods - there are many other cities, towns and villages in the same situation - all needing more support.

Some additional information about Care's emergency response work in Pakistan:
  • CARE has been working to provide shelter, including tents and family survival kits, which have been distributed to 6,975 people in the districts of Nowshera, Charsaddah and Swat.
  • CARE’s health clinics in the Upper Swat region have treated approximately 12,000 people.
  • In Sindh, CARE has established a camp for 2,138 people and food, shelter, family survival kits and primary health care are being provided.

Click here to donate to Care International's Pakistan Flood Appeal

Tagged in Guest Post, Care International, Features


The Best Events (For Good) In London This Week

Posted by Gemma Parmar Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:17:09 +0000


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Tower Bridge


From art that saves lives to big batty walks, to the Frontline and back again we've got events, volunteering opportunities to suit you. So what are you waiting for? Get stuck into some of these fun events! 

 
Monday 23rd August
 
Art Saves Lives Art Saves Lives supported by rehabilitation charity NACRO is cordially inviting you to the Big Variety Night at the Leicester Square Theatre. The event caters to everyone's entertainment needs PLUS you get a preview of the highly appraised play, The Lost Children.

Pumping the Green Iron The BTCV Green Gym inspires you to improve both your health and the environment at the same time. Haringey Green Gym is led by experienced leaders and is focused on helping the community garden around the Broadwater Farm Community Centre. Not only will you be able to improve your health, but you will also get to eat (or veg) of your labour.
 

Tuesday 24th August

Take It To The Streets After the recession, now come the cuts. Explore with the Frontline Club and an expert panel From budget cuts to riots in the streets: How will Britain react to government spending cuts? Or in other words: what happens when the budget cuts will be implemented and the people become restless? Join the panel and explore how Britain will react to government spending cuts.

 
Wednesday 25th August

Waterway Orienteering Discover the waterways of East London on the Thames21 Waterway Orienteering Day and explore if East London can become a "water city", just like Amsterdam? All equipment will be provided and the participants will receive a certificate for their attendance.
 
 

Thursday 26th August

Get Naturally Fit Join us once more at Adelaide Local Nature Reserve. We will be improving the biodiversity on this ancient meadow, where the sun always shines. Adelaide LNR has been a nature reserve since 1984. It was co-founded by Ursula Granville and there is a plaque to commemorate her. 

Big Batty Walks London Wetland Centre is one of the best places to watch bats in London. Our Bat Walks consist of a talk by one of our bat experts before heading out to the wild reserve, complete with bat detector, to see which species are swooping around and to listen to them ‘chattering’ as they hunt for food.  


Friday 27th August 
Festinho An intimate, friendly festival in a magical setting, Festinho is a delicious cocktail of the best in eclectic music, sunny Brazilian vibes, a laid-back feel and shedloads of wonderful nonsense. All profits go to the ABC Trust, which helps Brazilian children and young people on the streets to transform their lives.

Get Walking Throughout the summer, and for ever after that, Thames21 are hosting weekly health walks, exploring London's Lea River Park area, with Walk Tower Hamlets. The walks will take in local sites and nature spots and are dog friendly.


Saturday 28th August 

We heart Vintage Vintage Amours is proud to invite you to The Vintage Amours City Garden Party for age UK. Coming all the way from Paris, the Vintage Boys and Amour Girls have decided to make a difference by teaming up with AGE UK and organising a City Garden Party. Pop in for a few drinks, some tea and a browse through our vintage items. £1 of each item sold will be given to AGE UK

Gardening With A Twist Do you love a spot of gardening? Do you love the summer/autumn?
Well then this could be the perfect opportunity for you! A chance to do good and volunteer for Richmond Environment Network. Gardening volunteer opportunities are available every Saturday. You can do one Saturday or a whole bunch of Saturdays, it's entirely up to you.  


Sunday 29th August  

Balls Out The 2010 GOAL London Tag Rugby Championships will bring the curtain down on London’s summer Tag Rugby season as a spectacular celebration sees a large number of teams descend on the nation’s capital for Try Tag Rugby’s feature event of the year.  The event will be followed by an after party.

Tagged in Best events in London, Fun events, Volunteering, charity, Things To Do


Top Charities To Support for World Humanitarian Day

Posted by Gemma Parmar Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:12:25 +0000


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aid

Large or small there are many charities and organizations that help provide those in need with the proper humanitarian aid. Here are some that are continually working towards providing help and relief in times of crisis. Take action today and support these amazing charities.


 

oxfam

Oxfam Oxfam is a global movement dedicated to fighting for an end to poverty and suffering worldwide. It approaches this aim in three ways; campaigning for change, development work and emergency response. Oxfam was founded in 1942 and now works with over 3000 partners in more than 100 countries.

 

 

action aid

Action Aid With more than 2,000 civil society partners worldwide, Action Aid work with and support the poorest and most vulnerable people to fight for and gain their rights to food, shelter, work, basic healthcare and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. 

 

medical foundation  

Medical Foundation The Medical Foundation is a human rights organisation that exists to enable survivors of torture and organised violence to engage in a healing process to assert their own human dignity and worth. 

 

 

 

red cross

Red Cross The Red Cross enables vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. When the crisis is over, they help people recover and move on with their lives.

 

 

 

Concern

Concern - Concern Worldwide works with the poorest people in the poorest countries of the world to enable them to transform their lives. They seek out those who most urgently need our support, and work with them through thick and thin to tackle poverty, hunger and disaster.

 

 

 

merlin

Merlin - Merlin specialises in health, saving lives in times of crisis and helping to rebuild shattered health services. hey work in the worlds most difficult and dangerous environments: in countries ravaged by civil war, blighted by drought, devastated by earthquakes and landslides.

 


DEC

DEC - The DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) is a umbrella organization of 13 humanitarian aid charities. Their purpose is to unite these charities in times of disasters such as floods, earthquakes or famine wherever in the world it may be. 

 

 

amnesty 

 Amnesty International - Amnesty International are ordinary people from around the world standing up for humanity and human rights. Our purpose is to protect individuals wherever justice, fairness, freedom and truth are denied.

Tagged in World Humanitarian Day, Charities, Aid


World Humanitarian Day - 19th August 2010

Posted by Gemma Parmar Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:11:12 +0000


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world humanitarian day

World Humanitarian Day (19th August) was created by the UN to increase awareness about humanitarian issues globally and the importance of cooperation. It’s also a day to honour all those who are continually working towards providing humanitarian aid wherever it is needed. 

Humanitarian workers strive to make sure those in need of relief and aid receive it, wherever in the world they may be. This fun and heart-warming video below released by UN puts a face to humanitarian workers and shows their diverse their cultures and backgrounds.

Five Things You Should Know About World Humanitarian Day:

 

  • The UN describes the need for humanitarian aid is to “... protect life and health and ensure respect for human beings.” 
  • The day was created in December 2008 by the General Assembly to increase awareness about humanitarian work being carried out and to honour those workers who have lost their lives while helping others.
  • The aims of this years day are three-fold; to highlight humanitarian needs across the globe, to show what humanitarian work consists of and to remember those who have lost their lives while saving others. 
  • Most humanitarian workers come from the countries they are working in and, as the above video shows, reflect all cultures and backgrounds. 
  • Due to the increasing number of humanitarian aid workers, especially in the past 20 years, the humanitarian community has been able to give effective relief to crises, both natural and man made. 

Tagged in World Humanitarian Day, United Nations, charity


The Best Events For Good In London This Week

Posted by Gemma Parmar Sun, 15 Aug 2010 22:39:33 +0000


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ldn


Check out the best events for good happening in London this week. Take your pick from charity fundraisers, gigs, clean ups and picnics that are taking place this week all for a good cause! 

 

Tuesday 17th August


Be Green, Burn Calories Help invigorate the wildlife area in the Calthrope Project, a community garden, part of our community network and just a few minutes walk from our Kings Cross office. You’ll be able to work in the wildlife garden to create a deadwood hedge, building a plethora of insect habitats and insect hotel from the deadwood collection piling up on site, mending the compost bins and building a hurdle fence for the new food growing area.


Summer Fun with Jo Jingles Looking for a fun activity to keep your under 5's amused over the summer holidays? Avoid crowded parks and play areas this August by booking onto a Jo Jingles Summer Fun Workshop in Watford or Radlett in Aid of the Peace Hospice. All profits are being donated to the local Peace Hospice.


Wednesday 18th August

Gardening at Spitalfields City Farm Do you want to help maintain the most beautiful places in London? Help the Spitalfields City Farm out with some gentle, hands-on gardening. In order to keep it all nice and tidy for its thousands of thousands of visitors every year, Spitalfields City Farm invites you to lend a helping hand.


Iraq Revisited The Frontline Club welcomes Jim Frederick, Time managing editor and an expert panel to revisit Iraq and discuss what the future holds for the Iraqi people and the soldiers that served there. Drawing on extensive interviews Frederick's book investigates how 1st Platoon, Bravo Company descended into indiscipline, substance abuse and brutality that culminated in one of the worst war crimes perpetrated by US soldiers of the conflict.


Thursday 19th August

Underwater Portaiture Oscar award-winning fashion photographer and fresh2o founder Candice has pioneered underwater photo shoots of celebrities such as Keira Knightley, Lily Cole, Kelly Brook, Sir Nick Faldo and many more to highlight the plight of millions of people suffering globally from the lack of clean water. Fresh2o invites you to join us for this exciting evening and meet celebrities, view the amazing portraits as well as enjoy superb canapés, drinks and dinner.


Get Dirty Gardening For Good How does a weekly dose of floating habitat islands and making barley straw sausages and a dash of hedge laying sound? Volunteers will head off to one of a wide range of sites (nature reserves and wildlife areas) in London to carry out a variety of practical conservation work which includes such exciting tasks as creating floating habitat islands, scrub bashing, planting up lakes, coppicing, making barley straw sausages and hedge laying.


Friday 20th August

Shouting Fire As part of the Liberation Season, Frontline Club presents Shouting Fire. The film examines the naked truth behind this monumental canon on which America; "the land of the free", rests. For all those who want to know what may lie ahead in terms of freedom of speech, not only in America but across the west, Shouting Fire is the first port of call.


Get Walking Throughout the summer, and for ever after that, Thames21 are hosting weekly health walks, exploring London's Lea River Park area, with Walk Tower Hamlets. The walks will take in local sites and nature spots and are dog friendly.



Saturday 21st August

Nature through the lens This is a nature photography workshop for beginners and will be run by a professional photographer. The workshop is aimed at beginners looking at simple photography tips in the setting of Ruskin Park, Lambeth, London. It will cover basic camera settings and will look at composition tips for taking better nature and help to give participants the skills and confidence to go beyond the auto mode of their digital camera.


Beekeeping 101 A one day introductory course, aimed at people with little or no experience of beekeeping. Participants will learn about: Equipment needed to start beekeeping, The nature of the honey bee and colony structure, Bee handling and colony inspection (this will only be possible in good weather),What do bees need: forage, location etc, The bee keeping year – Seasonal Managemen, Hive Health, Honey Extraction.


Sunday 22nd August

Caught Red Handed RED HANDED THEATRE COMPANY are proud to present a one off celebrity gala performance of Robin Soans' Open Windows, a vibrant selection of scenes from life, directed by Jessica Swale. The performance will raise funds for Red Handed's production of PALACE OF THE END by Judith Thompson, a play awarded the Amnesty International Award for Freedom of Expression 2009, to be premiered in October-November 2010.


Picnic, Fun & Rock 'n' Roll In association with Friends of Hilly Fields Park, Rock and Roll band The Roosters will give a concert in aid of the North London Hospice and Alzheimers Society. Join them at the park, bring a picnic and relax for the afternoon.



Tagged in leap anywhere, Charity Events, Best events in London, Things To Do, Volunteering


Love Your Thames with Thames 21

Posted by Gemma Parmar Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:06:50 +0000


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Our favourite welly wearers and charity of the week, Thames 21, are giving you the opportunity to give some love back to the Thames with their Cleaner Thames Challenge. Taking place between the 12-15th August, the campaign invites Lononders to step outside and get stuck in having fun, doing good while improving London's waterways. Words by James Aldous. 

We are the welly-wearers!

It’s that time of the year once again where we challenge Londoners to take part in our big River Thames clean-up – the Cleaner Thames Challenge! True to Leap’s spirit – we also like to have fun doing good too! But we do it in wellies!

river

This year will be the fifth year that we (Thames21 – London’s leading waterways charity) have run the four-day event to rid the river of harmful litter items that end up on our foreshores. In past years we have tended to focus on the Isle of Dogs (where our volunteers have removed over 250,000 plastic bags!) but this year we’re cleaning up different four sites:

- Brentford (Thursday 12 August)

- Isle of Dogs (Friday 13 August)

- Fulham (Saturday 14 August)

- Erith (Sunday 15 August)

It might sound like hard work, or that it’s not that enjoyable, but truthfully – it’s brilliant fun and everyone taking part is sure to have a great experience. We work with over 8,000 volunteers every year who leave our events feeling that they’ve positively given something back to London.

thames
(Photo courtesy of Gavin Parsons)

We find plastic bags, shopping trollies, tyres, traffic cones, cotton bud sticks and all manner of litter that sadly gets stuck on the Thames foreshore. Removing it means we make a cleaner and greener natural environment and reduce the risk of litter being washed out to sea. Occasionally we find other interesting historical items too such as a saxon spearhead recently – which just goes to show, our history is in the Thames, but importantly our future is there too.

So come and lend a hand with us this week – everyone is welcome and we provide everything you need, just wear some old clothes you don’t mind getting a bit muddy. Full details available here

Tagged in Charity of the Week, Guest Post, Thames 21, Cleaner Thames Challenge, Volunteering in London


Top 10 Good Cause Blogs

Posted by Gemma Parmar Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:48:20 +0000


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At Leap, we like to see the world a little differently from everyone else. We like to look for the good going on in the world, and we hope to use our views to influence other people to make differences to help others and themselves. It is especially reassuring to find that there are other folk who have the same ideas and passions as we do at Leap HQ. We like to see it as a way for opportunities to help and have fun. So just for you, we’ve searched the corners of the internets, to find the best good cause blogs that motivate, inspire and above all are about having fun and doing good. Words by Jack Wilson and Gemma Parmar. 

Mashable For Non-Profits Dubbed a “local blogging guru” by the Washington Post, Geoff Livingstone writes Mashable For Non-Profits, combining a perfect blend of social media innovation and doing good.

Mashable Geoff Livingstone

Good – Good Magazine is the definitive source of news about everything good going on in the world. You name it and these guys have found something good about it. Put simply, it is what GOOD is.

good

 

Huffington Post – ‘The internet newspaper’ – This site, partnered with causecast - is dedicated to news about all the good happening in the world and how you can help support good causes.

huff

 

Look To The Stars We have Jackie Chan to thank for this celebrity charity site sill going after the husband and wife team who created the site received a kind worded letter from him, spurring them to keep going. It is now the site to come to for all the latest celebrity do-gooding antics.

look to the stars

 

Osocio is more than a blog. It’s a complete resource for all things in the world of non-profit and social messaging. It’s a platform for global and local social issues, both large and small. It’s a community of social thinkers and marketing do-gooders.

osocio

 

Operation Nice Go on, get happy. Operation Nice reminds us all the benefits of going that extra mile to be nicer. A collection of stories, news, and inspiration, the blog makes it looks easy and fulfilling to spreading some kindness in the world.

Operation Nice

 

Causecast - is the 'One stop philanthropy shop' where social media, networking and entertainment are combined for good. The blog actively connects people with good causes.

causecast

 

Do The Green Thing - Geared around ‘seven things that’s you can do to help lead a greener life’ these green guys have helped save their users over 13.55m kgs of CO2 since their launch, which isn’t too shabby. Have you done the green thing recently?

do the green thing

 

Do Something - A site with the incentive to inspire the next generation of do-gooders, giving people opportunities online to go do good offline. The site gives people the tools to take action about something they care about.

do something

 

Tree Hugger - After catching the eye of Oprah Winfrey, and the Sundance Channel this blog has quickly become the one stop shop for green goings on in the world. This should be your go-to place for up to the minute green info about every subject you can possibly imagine.

tree hugger

Tagged in Best Blogs, charity, Good Causes, Mashable, Tree Hugger, Features


The Best Events For Good In London This Week

Posted by Gemma Parmar Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:41:01 +0000


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river  thames

Stuck for ideas of fun things to do in London this week?  You should take a look at our charity of the week Thames 21 who have some fantastic events coming up as part of their Cleaner Thames Challenge. If that's not to your liking then we've found plenty of fantastic events happening in London this week that are fun and for a good cause. 

 

Monday 9th August  

Pumping the Green Iron The BTCV Green Gym inspires you to improve both your health and the environment at the same time. Haringey Green Gym is led by experienced leaders and is focused on helping the community garden around the Broadwater Farm Community Centre. You’ll be improving your health, and you’ll also get to eat the fruit (or veg) of your labour.

India’s Forgotten Women As part of the Liberation Season, the Frontline Club shows India's Forgotten Women followed by a Q&A with Director Michael Lawson India is the world's largest democracy. A democracy, however, where contradictions are rife. Where the president is a woman, yet presides over a nation where women are bought, trafficked, enslaved and ritually raped often without repercussion.

 

Tuesday 10th August 

Fun with Jo Jingles Looking for a fun activity to keep your under 5's amused over the summer holidays? Avoid crowded parks and play areas this August by booking onto a Jo Jingles Summer Fun Workshop in Watford or Radlett in Aid of the Peace Hospice. All profits are being donated to the local Peace Hospice.

Power To The People? Social media has opened up new ways for people to communicate, organise and campaign. But in what ways are people using social media for political ends? Looking at examples from around the world we will be examining the ways in which new tools are being used and the ways they have been used to challenge authority.

 

Wednesday 11th August 

Walk Your Way To Health BTCV teamed up with Haringey Council to organise weekly Health Walks in the Park and along the glorious river, Lee. Enjoy the greenery of the recently re-opened Markfield Park and walk your way to a healthy self. There will be a FREE goodie bag for all new walkers (for a limited period only).

 

Friend of Foe? This is a part of the Frontline club's monthly On the Media discussion series in association with the BBC College of Journalism, the Frontline Club asks: "Google: friend or foe for news publishers?" There's no doubting the power of Google: having re-written the online advertising rule-book, publishers around the world now use its AdSense system to make money and rely on its search algorithm to drive traffic.

 

Thursday 12th August

Cleaner Thames Vol. 1 Every year, Thames21 runs a special campaign to motivate hundreds of willing volunteers over four days to help clean-up the River Thames foreshore at different locations in London. This August, we will once again challenge Londoners to step outside, don some wellies and help improve the environment:

Get Dirty for Gardening For Good How does a weekly dose of floating habitat islands, scrub bashing, planting up lakes, coppicing, making barley straw sausages and a dash of hedge laying sound? Volunteers will head off in the van to one of a wide range of sites (nature reserves and wildlife areas) in London to carry out a variety of practical conservation work- this is seasonally dependant of course but includes such exciting tasks as creating floating habitat islands, scrub bashing, planting up lakes, coppicing, making barley straw sausages, hedge laying and so-on.

 

Friday 13th August

Cleaner Thames Vol. 2 Every year, Thames21 runs a special campaign to motivate hundreds of willing volunteers over four days to help clean-up the River Thames foreshore at different locations in London. This August, we will once again challenge Londoners to step outside, don some wellies and help improve the environment: DAY TWO of the Cleaner Thames Challenge on August 13th takes place in Isle of Dogs. Be part of it!

 

The Bill Hicks Story The Frontline Club presentsAmerican: The Bill Hicks Story followed by a Q&A with Directors Paul Thomas and Matt Harlock. The film tells the story of the controversial comedian's life from his early days as Sunday school joker to iconic status beyond that held by any other in America. Dubbed the "Comic Outlaw", Bill Hicks' comedy was often of a dark nature; questioning American consumer culture, superficiality and the media's dangerous stronghold on society; keeping it, in his own words "stupid and apathetic".

 

Disco Fever for Peace Celebrate the summer with fine food, good company and great music. All for a good cause. The Hilton Hotel in Watford will house this fantastic fundraiser in aid of the local charity, Peace Hospice. The evening will feature a banquet buffet, evening disco with AJK Disco and a raffle.

 

Saturday 14th August

Cleaner Thames Vol.3 Every year, Thames21 runs a special campaign to motivate hundreds of willing volunteers over four days to help clean-up the River Thames foreshore at different locations in London. This August, we will once again challenge Londoners to step outside, don some wellies and help improve the environment. DAY THREE of the Cleaner Thames Challenge on August 14th takes place in Fulham. Be part of it!

 

The Whapthalon Enter a team in the Waptathlon and work your way around our course of challenges, trying out the climbing wall, kayaking and many silly games on the way. Finish off the day with a barbecue next to the Thames and if you're feeling brave have a go on our Leap of Faith Trapeze.

 

Sunday 15th August 

Cleaner Thames Vol.4 Every year, Thames21 runs a special campaign to motivate hundreds of willing volunteers over four days to help clean-up the River Thames foreshore at different locations in London. This August, we will once again challenge Londoners to step outside, don some wellies and help improve the environment: DAY FOUR on August 15th takes place in Erith. Be part of it!

 

Taking the Show on the Road The Surrey Docks mobile farm will be at the Imperial War Museum as part of their 1940's Wartime Farm experience. Go along to find out what it would have been like to have a small holding in your own back garden during the Second World War.

Tagged in Things to do in London, Thames 21, charity, fundraising, Fun events


Discover An Urban Oasis in Spitalfields City Farm

Posted by Gemma Parmar Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:09:27 +0000


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spitalfield

Spitalfields City Farm is so close to the City of London, which truly makes us the City Farm in the “City”. Yet surprisingly this lovely rural corner of London remains a mystery to many that spend time in Brick Lane and beyond. Granted we are not easy to find but please take the time to check us out and do not be put off by our location. You will not be disappointed when you arrive here.

We are more than a Farm, we are a community hub and we offer a variety of opportunities and experiences. Where else can you find exotic Bengali vegetables growing alongside rare breed sheep and goats? We have recently had some new additions…2 Kune Kune piglets and if they don’t make you go awhh, then nothing will.

The volunteers of SCF are an integral part of what makes the place tick. From volunteers who come in everyday to our groups of corporate volunteers who help out on a particular project. We appreciate all the work that is carried out by our volunteers who give up their time and devote their energy to making our Farm a unique environment.

people

By providing access to educational and inspiring green spaces in inner-city Tower Hamlets makes the Farm a critically important resource for the local community.

But do not take my word for it, come and visit us admission is free and donations are always very welcome.

lamb

We are open Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 4pm, or if you would like a tailor made visit or to arrange a special event then please contact Mhairi Weir – Manager – Spitalfields city Farm 0207 247 8762 mhairi@spitalfieldscityfarm.org – www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org, check us out on twitter and  facebook and become a Fan of the Farm.

I look forward to seeing you all at the Farm for a truly memorable experience.

Tagged in Guest Post, charity, Volunteering, Spitalfields City Farm









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