CEO Latest News

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This is my first post on the website as Chief Executive of Jamie’s Fund even though I have been working with the Trustees since April. It has been a busy 6 months but you may wonder what has been going on!

There has been a lot of work ‘behind the scenes’ by the Trustees and myself developing the plans for the building of the new mental health unit in Kisiizi, updating the website, applying for funding and working on the future direction of Jamie’ Fund.

We feel it is now even more important than ever to publicise the work of Jamie’s Fund to a wider audience to increase  awareness of mental health issues in Uganda and to help us raise vital funds to enable us to fulfill our pledge to build the the new unit. It is amazing how much has been raised  by supporters of Jamie’sFund – £58,000 so far – but we need to keep going!

If you have any ideas for fundraising or are a member of a group or club who you think might be interested in hearing more about the work of Jamie’s Fund, please get in touch. We can help support you to develop your fundraising ideas into a successful event and also come and talk in person about the work of Jamie’s Fund. Please contact me  on 01625 439430 or email fiona.clark@jamiesfund.org.uk and I will be happy to talk through how we can help.

I will be keeping you up to date with news from Jamie’s Fund via this page on the website and we hope to develop a newsletter soon to send out to all our supporters. If you have any news regarding Jamie’s Fund or fundraising events you wish to tell us about or publicise on the website just let me know  – I’ll be happy to help.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

Fiona

Biking for better mental health

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Screen Shot 2014-08-12 at 16.05.38Four local lads have celebrated the completion of an epic bike ride in support of Jamie’s Fund a locally registered charity. The boys cycled 986 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just 10 days. On Saturday 26th July supporters gathered to congratulate Jim Devaney, Brian Devaney, Mark Devaney and Dave Griffiths at the Lock Vaults, Hoole Lane in Chester. The fantastic four shared stories of the challenge; reliving not only the successes but also some of the bumps along the way. The event also included a disco, entertainment and a raffle.

Together the bike ride and celebration raised over £1,700. All proceeds from the bike ride and celebration will support the work of Jamie’s Fund which works to relieve the suffering of mental health in Uganda. Established in 2013 in memory of Jamie Devaney who sadly died at the age of 4, Jamie’s Fund works with mental health practitioners in Uganda to improve facilities available to patients. Jamie’s mother, Avril who works for the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust as the Director of Nursing was asked in 2010 to build a link with Kisiizi Hospital in the south-west of Uganda with a view to support their mental health services.

Throughout the world mental health services are given very low priority, yet the demand remains high, and Uganda is no different. Jamie and Avril’s husband, Jim, accompanied Avril on her second visit to Kisiizi in 2011, and it was during this trip that Jamie became unwell and sadly did not recover. Jamie’s Fund continues to work closely with Kisiizi Hospital and is currently raising funds to build a new mental health ward. More about Jamie’s Fund can be found at www.jamiesfund.org.uk

The success of the bike ride and celebratory evening have brought Jamie’s Fund a step closer to building the well needed new mental health ward at Kisiizi Hospital. Jamie’s Fund would like to say a big thank you to all the supporters; whether they came along to the Lock Vaults on Saturday 26th July, sponsored the four boys, or gave them a wave as they cycled by, and of course to Jim, Brian, Mark and Dave for undertaking such an amazing challenge.

Contact: Kirsten Owen Community and Events Fundraiser Jamie’s Fund
Email: Kirsten.owen@jamiesfund.org.uk Tel: 07884 406440

Cooking With Panache

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A new cookery book has been published to raise money for Jamie’s Fund and Challenging Stigma (Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust Charity).

Cooking With PanacheIt has a fun assortment of recipes from different parts of the world. They range from starters to desserts and cakes, including a selection of vegetarian options. Many of the recipes are accompanied by stories from those who contributed them.  Most of the 100+ recipes are straightforward and easy; some are more complex for those who like spending a bit more time in the kitchen.

If you would like a copy please go to Jamie’s Shop to order!

 

 

Photos from our launch event

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We have over 1000 photos of the launch event on our Flickr account.

There may well be good photos of you, particularly if you did the abseil.

They are in two sets “The Launch of Jamie’s fund” are the photos taken from the top of the tower, mainly but not exclusively of the abseilers. “The launch at ground level” are photos taken around the stalls and of people abseiling down.

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The Launch of Jamie’s Fund

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28th Sept. 2013
Halkyn, Flintshire

It was a lovely sunny autumn day and over 60 people abseiled down St. Mary’s church steeple.

The team from Rock & Ice who organised the abseil, were reassuring and encouraging, helping everyone find the courage to step over the parapet and slide down the rope. Hugh, the vicar, was first down, and made it look easy. Some did it with panache, bounding down rapidly, others more slowly and cautiously.

Most people came away with a broad grin and saying “it was fantastic, awesome, brilliant.” A few people found it harder and more anxiety provoking, so were quieter, and yet they had faced their fears and succeeded. Several saying how they never would have done so if they hadn’t been inspired by Jamie’s story and the work in Kisiizi.

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Letter of encouragement from the Management Team at Kisiizi hospital

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The trustees were greatly encouraged to receive this letter from the management team at Kisiizi valuing our support and partnership.  They appreciate the prospect of the new developments our support will make possible.

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Jamie’s Fund is to be launched on 28 September 2013

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Jamie’s fund is now an independent charity (Registered number 1151236).

We are launching Jamie’s Fund in Halkyn, where Jamie lived, and activities will be centred around the church between 11 am and 4 pm on the 28th of September.

We’re having a sponsored abseil going 60 feet down from the church tower and there will be various stalls and refreshments and a bouncy castle. In the evening there will be a pub quiz and meal in the Bluebell Inn in Halkyn. Read more

Three hundred and twelve miles across Uganda

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(A story from 2011…)

We did it, with no mechanical problems and no punctures. There were tough days and rough cycling conditions, but we all coped. We have seen so much of rural Ugandan life, with countless images in our memories.

The four of us, Katy, Tom, Jim and I, left Entebbe on Tuesday 12th July 2011. We had arrived from UK the previous day and assembled and tested the bikes. We rode down to where we could hire a boat to take us across the bay in Lake Victoria to Lulongo, which meant we avoided the horrendous traffic in Kampala.
Out of the boat we were straight on to dirt roads. Initially the surface was good, thereafter it varied, sometimes very loose, other times stony, but I was relieved to see everyone coping with the different surfaces. We reached a small town on the tar road south and bought some chapattis and more water, then headed off on a smaller dirt road.

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