How to collect 165 old phones in 6 weeks

Positive from the start, Bristol Dad, David Anderson, shared every step of the Hearts and Minds challenge to collect 165 old phones to exchange for an iPad for his son Ashton.

It all began at the end of April...

"We started our challenge a week ago and the response has been amazing!  I have people putting phones in the post from as far away as Newcastle, and have friends in North Carolina collecting phones to send from the US back to us in the UK." 

Ashton with the first two phones

Within days Dad David had also made contact with the local papers and joined forces with local Mum Toni Harwood, who is collecting phones for her son, Ethan.  They persuaded people in Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Chippenham, London and North Caroline to collect phones.  Fone Fix in Swindon donated phones and allowed customers to leave their donations in the shop too.  David also contacted local football and rugby teams, a community centre, a social club and a builder's providers.  The following week saw stories in two local papers.

By May 13th David had 47 phones in his hand and another 100 in various cities around the UK, waiting for collection!  There was also more media coverage with a story in the White Horse News:

May 18th saw a big drive to collect phones in Swindon.  And the boys met for the first time:

Ethan and Ashton

The target was reached on May 23rd...

And Ashton is currently waiting for his iPad to be delivered!


Special thanks also go to Sara Kennedy, Lynn Griffen, Mary Lawrence, Andy Runsam, Dilton Marsh Social Club, Timms in Carterton and the Brunei Centre in Cranwell.


Ethan's Mum is still collecting, and this is a video made by her middle daughter for her autistic brother, which shows why this cause is so important.

A summer fund-raiser with horse-racing and Madness!

 

For more information on Hearts and Minds: http://www.heartsandmindschallenge.org/

How to make a weighted blanket for under £50

 

Method:

1.  Use this guide to work out the size and weight of blanket that you need for your child. http://www.beanblanket.com/size_guide_weighted_blanket.html

2.  Sew a double layer of wadding around the edges on the three closed sides of the duvet cover, leaving it open in the middle.

Plastic Polybeads

3.  Put 10% of the plastic poly beads beads into the duvet cover.  Then sew across horizontally with sewing machine and repeat until the blanket is divided in 10 rows.

4.  Then once the duvet is sealed up, divide it again vertically.
 
5.  Takes about 4 hours to make.

More detailed instructions here:
With thanks to Galway Autism Partnership who would be delighted to welcome any families from the UK who are travelling to the West of Ireland to join in with their events for children with autism this summer.

Hearts and Minds to give away ten iPad Nanos

Day 4 of the CyclingBuddy Charity Challenge for Hearts and Minds

The team at the finish

The fourth and final day of the CyclingBuddy Charity Challenge was a 145 km bike ride from Cadiz in Spain to Gibraltar, which included some tough climbs to finish the epic journey.

A big thank you to the Gibraltar police for closing roads and giving a police escort to all the riders, as well as a great welcome.

There was also an end of event celebration party...

All the funds raised during this event will be used to make a difference to the lives of children with autism in the UK and Ireland.

See http://www.heartsandmindschallenge.org/ for more information.

Day 3 of the CyclingBuddy Charity Challenge for Hearts and Minds

Keith Duffy putting a brave face on Day 3 of the charity cycle across Southern Spain for Hearts and Minds, just before setting off on the 130 km journey from Seville to Cadiz.

"I might have to cycle standing up today," tweeted Keith Duffy this morning.  "After tomorrow I never want to see a bike again!"

Here's what Keith had to say en route:

Just one more day to go....

Day 2 of the CyclingBuddy Charity Challenge for Hearts and Minds

Rik Waddon

Day two of the CyclingBuddy Charity Challenge in aid of Hearts and Minds was a 140 km ride from Ronda to Seville.  This is Rik being interviewed during the day...

"We covered it at record busting pace to finish in time to watch the Formula 1 qualifiers!" says Olympic hero Rik Waddon.  "Today respect goes to Tom Spencer: a teenager with no fear!"

Tom (in the plain black helmet) is in some of today's photos

The weather wasn't all good on day two: here's Keith Duffy in mountain fog!

Keith Duffy