But b-b-baby it's COLD outside!

It's that time of year when the air is crisp, the sky is blue, people scurry around with rosy cheeks and noses, and there's a faint scent of cinnamon, orange, and Christmas on the wind. Now, some might roll their eyes, pull their scarf around their face and trudge from day to day, mourning the loss of the summer sun and the fast approaching (and quicker each year) season of giving. Others frantically trawl through mail order catalogues and websites, just maybe they'll have all the shopping done by the end of November! But me, I embrace it. I take a big old deep breath, one that moves my shoulders and stretches my neck and fills my lungs, and I walk places. I curl up on the sofa with a cuppa (Are you noticing a theme? It's not all I do with my time!!) and I plan what I can make everyone for Christmas. I plan big, wintry fundraising events...

...I'm taking to the streets in my second 24hour stint for the earthquake victims in Pakistan. This year it's bigger - Southampton, City Centre.
It's gunna be in the Daily Echo. Boo-yah!

Here's what happens: We (that's me and a revolving team of faithful fundraising friends) go out onto the street on December 1st 2006 at 10.00am and set up a pitch (exact location to be decided). We get money off those frenzied shoppers who are just desperate to part with their cash, as long as everyone gets a present. That means lots of spare change :-)
When all the shops close, the buckets of money can go to a safe place (to be arranged) and we stay on the street. We sleep (or try to) in sleeping bags and blankets in trillions of layers of clothes. The next day, we'll feel tired and ruff, BUT the people who are really suffering in the freezing snowy mountains in north Pakistan, will have been supported, physically and financially. We pack up at 10.00am, go home to warm drinks, baths and beds. Aaaah. I love helping people at Christmas time :-)

Here's how you can help:

• Sign up to be on the street for some hour slots - only what you are available for/can manage. Please be careful if you have special health requirements etc. It will be cold.
• Hot food/drinks - We'll need lots but don't want to be seen spending money in shops; people might wonder where we're getting the money from.
• Sponsor us! - We will make a lot of money on the day, but sponsors contribute hugely to the total, especially good if you're not gunna be in the area.
• Supplies - I mean thick blankets, thermal wear, good quality sleeping bags, thermos flasks, anything else you can think of
• Pray - For safety, people with giving hearts, and for the people who we are raising money for; don't forget them!
• 'Safe Place' - If you have a house near the city centre & a car, we'd really appreciate the use of it to keep the money at! Get in touch!
  

And that's your lot. I'll be posting again with more details soon. Please contact me if you wanna help out, on rw604@soton.ac.uk or acoustic_bex@hotmail.com

Many many thanks
Bx xx