An introduction by Irene Rickards
Since our formation in 2005 as the UNICEF Supporters Group in North and West Norfolk, we have raised £22,536 for UNICEF.
We began in 2005 by fundraising generally for UNICEF and for several UNICEF disaster funds, but in 2006, UNICEF UK asked us to take on fundraising for particular special projects – and we are now on our third.
Our first project was in Ghana, where we provided 11 “loo units” for schools, each unit comprising two latrine cubicles, hand-washing facilities and a drinking water outlet, and costing £866 each. These units helped to restore some basic human dignity to school children in Ghana and encouraged them to attend.The drinking water outlet also meant that the girls, who normally walked for miles to collect the family’s water each day and so could not go to school, could combine learning with their water collection duties.
In 2008, we took on a two-year project in Nepal, to provide water and sanitation to disadvantaged areas in inhospitable terrains. Our goal was to contribute towards improving the wellbeing of children, women and their families in these marginalised communities by providing them with access to safe drinking water and promoting improved sanitation and hygiene in schools and communities.
After raising money for these two water and sanitation projects, we asked UNICEF UK for something different!
So it was that, early in 2010, UNICEF UK asked us to raise money for our current thirty-six month project - Immunisation in Liberia - in order to help to reduce the high Under-5 mortality rate. For many years, UNICEF has been the lead partner of the immunisation programme in Liberia which delivers immunisation for TB, measles and yellow fever and vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib (causing meningitis and pneumonia) and hepatitis B.
Without people to support our fund-raising events, of course, we could not have raised a sum anywhere near £22,536 so we are very grateful indeed to everyone who has supported us and contributed to our projects.
To raise funds for UNICEF, we have tried many activities but one of our most successful has been Mulling Wine for up to 700 people at King’s Lynn’s annual Carol Concert. Our plans for the first part of 2011 include having a books and bric-a-brac stall on the 29th March – to coincide with Unicef UK’s Put It Right week – and another on the 31st May, both on King’s Lynn’s Tuesday Market Place, a Coffee Morning plus Putting Competition, and a retiring collection after one of the concerts at the King’s Lynn Festival. We also look forward to a Music Evening at Stiffkey in due course, as well as the proceeds from a Book Stall there.
If you would like more information about any of the groups in England or would like to set up your own, please email groups@unicef.org.uk or phone 020 7375 6110 for further information. New members are always welcome.
