Lands End to John O’Groats in a 91 yr old Ford!

Our two intrepid adventurers, David Graaff and Wayne Cooper, who have already done two very long road trips  raising money for MRCH, set off last week on a new adventure. This time they are going from Lands End to John O’Groats, 2000 miles, in a beautiful 91 year old Ford. On their previous trips they raised several thousands of pounds for the children in Zimbabwe, can they do it again? You can read a bit more and donate here, it’s easy to do.

A note from David:

“We are driving a 1931 Ford Model A Cabriolet. It is an English car, built in Dagenham, but it has spent most of its life in Guernsey. It has been well maintained and partly restored by previous owners, so we have high hopes it will survive the trip.

Introduced to the public in December 1927, the 1928 Model A was an immediate sensation. Some 10 million people viewed the new vehicle in the first week.”

Image uploaded with update
Image uploaded with update

March Newsletter

There is lots of news from the Home this quarter: exams sat, COVID restrictions re-introduced then lifted. The piggery and rabbit rearing projects performance and photographs of the renovations of the Early Childhood Development Centre play area.

The MRCH Finance Officer confirmed some key details for us this month, which we wanted to share regarding costs for feeding and clothing 1 child, medication and uniform costs. We humbly ask you consider returning to fundraising activities where you can – we are only able to send half the month remittance compared to our pre-COVID performance.

December Newsletter

Our latest newsletter is now available, with lots of news from the Home, with information this time from the Centre at Donga too.

This quarter we would also like to bring your attention to the needs of a particular student at University. MRCH try to cover his fees, but are struggling to do so, if you feel you can contribute, please contact out Treasurer.

Please also remember we have now changed our Bank and if you haven’t already, please make sure you have updated your Standing Orders – the old bank account will finally close on December 20th. Thank you.

Christmas Cards are now digital too!

This year we have decided to begin offering digital cards as well as our stock of real cards.

Our digital cards are available through an organisation which for a donation from you, allows you to choose one of four cards to send to up to 100 friends (via email).

This is an increasingly popular way to support your favourite charity and we wanted to offer you the option too.

The process is very simple:

1. Go to our card website.

2. Here you will see one example of our cards.

3. Click on the card of your choice.

4. Say who the card is from and add your message.

5. Choose how much to donate (and whether to add a tip for Don’t Send Me A Card).

6. You are then sent to PayPal’s website to complete your purchase.

7. You are asked for the email addresses you want to send the card to.

8. Click send.

It’s very straightforward and a great way to stay in touch with people while also helping out the charity of your choice – hopefully us.

Thank you and have a lovely Christmas.

September Newsletter

Your newsletter this time reports on how adults and children coped with their first outbreak of covid 19 at the Home. We also introduce the new social worker Rumbidzai Mashoko.

2021-SeptDownload

Please note, we have changed our bank account. Information is contained in the newsletter. We are now with the Cooperative Bank. If you have set up a standing order with us please contact your bank and change the details to our new account, the old account will close on December 20th 2021. 

 Banks do not switch standing orders automatically.

It is important you make the switch because your donations continue to be vital to the support we give to the children at MRCH.

For the moment our HSBC account is still open but will be closed at the end of September.

We are also hoping to offer digital Christmas cards this year – watch this space for information.

June Newsletter

It is with great sadness that in this Newsletter we announce the death of one of our founding committee members – John Richer. John was with us at the inaugural meeting of the Friends in 1996 and he served as our Secretary for many years. He will be greatly missed.

We are pleased to be able to relay that all staff have now had their COVID vaccines. Under COVID restrictions the children are able to attend 2-3 days of school a week at present and everyone is well.

MRCH is undergoing a significant staff restructuring partially as a necessary cost cutting exercise but also to ensure compliance with government requirements for a qualified and experienced social worker – this is currently being advertised.

We also extend out congratulations to all the students who have passed O-level and A-level examinations in recent months.

Our donations have been severely effected by the pandemic as fundraising opportunities are so restricted. Please remember there are a number of ways you can make one off donations – they will be greatly appreciated. Stay Safe.

March Newsletter

Our new format Newsletter is working well and means we can include many more photos than before. We hope you like it.

This newsletter includes:

  • An update of the conditions at the Home as a result of Covid restrictions – the Home is struggling, under another lockdown, to access education and basic food and hygene staples.
  • Photos from the Annual fundraising dinner, joined remotely by Zimbabwe Methodist Fellowships from the UK, Canada and Australia.
  • Progress update on the ECD with lots of photos.
  • A report from the Rural COmmunity Outreach programme.

Thank you for all the wonderful donations we have received over the last few months, please keep them coming – we appreciate fundraising is very difficult at this time, but every little helps. Take care.

A thank you to our donors

Following our promotion of Amazon Smile – which enables customers to ask Amazon to add a donation as a percentage of their purchase to a charity of their choice – we have had our first confirmation of donations.

Similarly we have just received a cheque from PayPal Giving Fund for other donations.

Every little helps and we are very grateful to all those who donate to the Friends whatever route that takes. Your funds are invaluable to the Home.

Keep safe.