Hastings Lifeboat Reminder: Jewellery Donations Please!

As I said in my blog in March, Hastings RNLI Fundraisers continue to raise funds for Hastings Lifeboat Station (website), indeed, a Jewellery Sale will be held over the weekend of the 8th and 9th of October 2022, all money raised will help "save lives at sea" and all donations would be very much appreciated.

"If you have any jewellery you would like to donate please pop into our gift shop for our volunteers who run the event." (facebook).

As ever, with respect to the brave men and women who crew the lifeboats, beach support workers, and to all those who support them, mostly unpaid volunteers!

Hastings Foodbank: "Many thanks!"

Hastings Foodbank has published a 'thank you' message (facebook) to all those good enough to donate to them this month: "We've been overwhelmed by your generosity towards local people facing crisis situations." They continue to report that from today their volunteers will be taking 2 weeks off, consequently, there will be no more donations collected during that time, however, please "donate again in January if you can" as they will very likely remain busy in the New Year due to cold weather. 

They end with "Merry Christmas - we hope you have a joyful, peaceful one!"

And many thanks to Hastings Foodbank and you too, for helping local people who require help to feed themselves and their families, often even when they are working! 

Raising Money for Elsie-Rose and SMA Type 1

The landlord of the Dolphin Inn, Mark Little, and 3 other hardy volunteers, will be taking on the challenge of kayaking across the English Channel from Dungeness to Boulogne in August to support a local lass, 4 year-old Elsie-Rose and SMA Type 1. 

Elsie-Rose was diagnosed with Type I SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) in September 2014, a condition that causes severe muscle weakness, and which can result in problems moving, eating, breathing and swallowing. Unfortunately, without intervention, most children with Type I SMA die within the first 2 years of life. However, the resilient Elsie-Rose strives to carry on just like any other 4 year old! 

The Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation was set up to provide help and financial support for families with disabled, sick, and terminally ill children and, after meeting Elsie-Rose and her family, Mark and friends decided to kayak across the English Channel with the aim of raising money for Elsie-Rose and the Foundation.

Consequently, they are seeking donations to their cause via Crowdfunding towards equipment Elsie-Rose may need in the future, and to give the Foundation funds it needs to support other families in need. Indeed, £350 has already been donated, including £250 from a kind anonymous donor! There will also be pots for donations and sponsor forms in the Dolphin Inn at 11-12 Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW. 

If you wish to know more about Elsie-Rose, the Foundation and their campaign, you can go to their facebook page or twitter page. If you would like more details about SMA Type 1, go to the Spinal Muscular Atrophy website.

To help support this brave young lass and others, a donation either via Crowdfunding or by visiting the Dolphin Inn and making a pledge to support the team's kayaking challenge, or to add to the collection pots, would be gratefully received, many thanks.

Hastings Foodbank: Donations Urgently Required!

The Hastings Foodbank, which receives support from the The Trussell Trust (website), provides emergency food and support to people in crisis, and is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks that work to combat hunger and poverty. An increasing number of people have to resort to emergency assistance from foodbanks, even people in work, consequently emergency food stocks are depleting very quickly! Requirements in Hastings include tinned fruit, meat, fish, tomatoes and vegetables, UHT milk, fruit juice, pasta sauce, and biscuits, tea and coffee; go to the Hastings Foodbank website for more details of requirements and donor sites, which are at: 

Tesco Extra, Church Wood Drive, St. Leonards TN38 9RB, front of store near exits;

Sainsbury’s, Station Approach, Hastings TN34 1BA;

Asda, Opposite self service points;

Tesco Express, Havelock Road, Opposite self service points;

Sainsbury’s Local, Devonshire Road, In main entrance;

The Hastings Centre, The Ridge, In reception.

Any of us could need help at some time, many thanks for donations!