Small Charities supported by comic relief

Hi bloggers hope you are all well. Quick weather report London was experiencing the most perfect warm weather sun, people outside enjoying a drink, pow temperature drop back to thick coats. I do know that it’s much colder in Japan, hopefully you’ll be able to enjoy cherry blossom soon.
Last Friday it was the annual BBC charity raising event called Comic relief. The charity was launched in 1985, it has raised millions of pounds to help people in the Uk and globally. The money raised helps many small charities and there are two London charities who benefit, that I found very interesting.
One charity is called the flower bank, the founder Ursula Stone, was made redundant and she decided to follow her dreams and train to be a florist. It is a project which to my mind is wonder for many reasons. She has young prison offenders working with her to whom she provides training. Ursula believes that punishment in the Uk is too punitive for many young people and it is more beneficial to give them support and training so they can move forward. They collect flowers that are at their sell by date, and then they craft them into bouquets. These are then sold at very low cost to low income families or taken to old peoples homes. They also make a point of delivering them to people with Alzheimer’s. She has found that this is beneficial as the beauty and the scent can be very engaging to sick people. A remarkable woman.
Another charity comic relief supports is the Coram Foundation, this is a community charity dedicated to the well being to children. They have a 7acre park and playground in central London, they offer the use of a free playground and free activities for young people. They also have a nursery and family support services. So remarkable things can and are being done.
So bloggers I really hope that you have a good week over and out London.
















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Relationships between animals and humans


Hi bloggers I was so sorry to hear about the earthquake in Japan and I really hope that you, your friends and families are all safe. I’ve also seen that the freezing weather is back. In England we to have had some strange weather, last week very strong winds blew sand in from the Sahara desert in Africa, that’s over three thousand miles away.
The sky was hazy and streets and buildings were covered in orange sand. It’s all a bit gloomy at the moment so thought to bring some cheer with animals.
Bonds between animals and people can be very strong and many animals often show appreciation when they experience acts of kindness.
In Australia two men rescued a kangaroo from a freezing river. Initially it was very nervous, however the men took it slowly and the kangaroo eventually allowed the men to lift her out of the water. In an apparent gesture of appreciation, the kangaroo extended its arms to the rescuers, as if to offer them a handshake.
In the USA Patrick Conley has over time befriended a bear he has called Simone. Bears are commonly deemed to be ferocious creatures, not in this case. Simone visited Richard quite often, and on one occasion she brought her cubs to visit. I’d love to have a visit from baby bears.
I love elephant stories. Darrick a man who works with elephants in a Nature Park was away for fourteen months. On his return Darrick started calling out to the elephants, and a group of six elephants ran to greet him trumpeting hallo. What a beautiful greeting.
Bloggers wishing you a good week over and out London.



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Sicilian Custom of suspended coffee

I do hope that you’ve had a good week and the bitter cold has passed. Today in London it’s grey and rainy, however yesterday it felt like spring had arrived. I walked through squares, that magically had burst into bloom, cherry blossom, magnolia and daffodils basking in the sun. I felt hot and I was able to shed a couple of layers.
I was reading an article about A Neapolitan tradition called “cafe sopresso” suspended coffee. It began in world war 2 when there was an enormous amount of poverty. People paid for two coffees one for them and one for someone who couldn’t afford it. It is a tradition that spread throughout Italy. The tradition of suspended coffee represents an act of kindness.
At the beginning of the pandemic Naples economy really suffered, it’s economy already very poor and nearly came to a complete shutdown. Two community activists revived an old Neapolitan custom of lowering food baskets of food from their balcony. Many people followed their example. People who could donated food, whilst those in need could help themselves.
Naples also has a very large immigrant community, a high number of women and children, who are often unable to access resources. A charity called “Pianoterra” ground floor, has since 2008, has been running projects for the women and children.
They provide education, legal, medical and psychological support. I thought this was truly lovely.
Bloggers wishing you a good week over and out London.













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