Six weeks on…(giving up TV)

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Matt Betts

Thank you very much for all the support and sponsorship I’ve received so far. Last month, I decided to do the unthinkable (for me anyway) and not watch any television, or DVDs, for SEVEN weeks until 3rd April 2013. This will mean missing my favourite TV show of all time, as a new series starts at the end of March. However, I’ve now decided to extend this to 7th April 2013 – as I wanted to complete another full week, so that will be EIGHT weeks.

Although this started off as an idea for something to give up during Lent, I’ve decided to extend it and make it a seven week marathon; all so I can try and raise some money for the wonderful Living by Giving Trust.

It’s all going well so far, and I’ve now completed SIX weeks of no television, and have now decided to extend my sponsored no TV till the 13th April.

It may seem like a trivial quest, but for me it’s a very hard thing to do. Although, by the same token, I’m well aware that my trial is nothing when compared to the plight of others – that is why I’m doing it, to help them.

Any sponsorship that you, lovely reader, can give towards the Living by Giving Trust would be very much appreciated. All money will go towards the many projects that the charity supports. All our projects are to help give young people new experiences, take a look at our projects so far: https://www.livingbygivingtrust.com/projects. More to come..

You can donate here: http://www.bmycharity.com/givingupTV.

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Posted on March 1, 2013 by Matt Betts

Two weeks on…(Giving up TV)

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Matt Betts

As you may have read on the Living by Giving Trust news page, I’ve decided to do the unthinkable (for me anyway) and not watch any television, or DVDs, for SEVEN weeks until 3rd April 2013. This will mean missing my favourite TV show of all time, as a new series starts at the end of March.

So, two weeks on my friends are all asking me – how is it going? The truth is that the first week was easy, because I was ill for most of it. Not that being ill was easy, but it did mean that I had no real interest in television. However, by the second week, I was feeling a little better and found myself missing it lots.

The problem is that watching television is how I relax each evening, and suddenly I have to find other ways to do that. Unfortunately – for my sanity – at first, I decided to utilise this extra time by doing more chores around the house and actual real-life work. This was a mistake, as I felt even more drained than usual each day. Thankfully, I soon passed this mad stage, and I’ve now settled down to doing other things in the evening: reading one of my many as yet unread books; listening to the radio; writing an article or two, and more.

Any sponsorship that you, lovely reader, can give towards the Living by Giving Trust would be very much appreciated. All money will go towards the many projects that the charity supports.

You can donate here: http://www.bmycharity.com/givingupTV.

For more information on these, please visit our website: https://www.livingbygivingtrust.com/projects/

Giving up television

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Posted on February 13, 2013 by Matt Betts

From Matt Betts: “I’ve decided to do the unthinkable (for me anyway) and not watch any television for six and half weeks – which will mean missing my favourite ever programme, which starts on 30 March and so much more.

This is a great deal for me – I watch television most evenings when I finish work, so it’s going to be very tough to find other things to do. However it’ll probably do me some good too and I am looking forward to the challenge!

To help me through this torturous period, I would like to try and raise much needed money for the Living by Giving Trust. If you can help, I would be grateful for any sponsorship – whatever you can afford.

All money will go towards the many projects of the Living by Giving Trust. Take a look at all of these, here.

If you would like to sponsor me, please visit: http://www.bmycharity.com/givingupTV“

Lourdes Floods

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Posted on February 7, 2013 by Matt Betts

From Sadie Vile, Trustee: “On 20 October 2012, following an extended period of heavy rain in the surrounding area, the River Gave in Lourdes, France overflowed, affecting some hotels and particularly the Domain, the area where the main activities of Lourdes take place. In the Grotto, the water was about one metre deep, almost level with the top of the altar. The good news was that no one was injured, thanks largely to good local organisation, and it being the end of the main pilgrimage season, so visitor numbers were fairly low.

After a rapid clean up throughout the Sanctuaries, using earth-movers and high pressure hoses to clear the debris and mud deposited by the water, it could be seen that the tarmac surfaces around the Grotto, and beyond towards the Baths were very badly damaged. The same was true on the Prairie opposite the Grotto, and the bridges within the Domain were also seriously affected.

The estimated cost of all repairs is currently 2.5 million Euros, and the Sanctuary is responsible for about 1.2 million Euros of this.

It was imperative that repairs were started as soon as possible – the surface damage was so bad that it has been very difficult to move people around in wheelchairs, especially towards the Baths, which normally stay open throughout the year.

An appeal was immediately launched, and by the end of November over 500,000 euros had been received by the Sanctuaries. Initial work focussed on replacing the tarmac from the Esplanade to the Baths, and repairing the central bridge that leads to the Accueil Notre Dame. The challenge will be to raise the remaining money needed, now that the floods are ‘old news’.

Having met through their volunteer work in Lourdes, the Trustees of the Living by Giving Trust decided to make a small contribution towards the ‘Flood Solidarity’ Appeal, and have donated £100 from our funds, as well as making personal donations. We are lucky to be able to transfer the funds through a UK-based Lourdes charity who have been amalgamating UK donations in order to minimise the costs of converting the donation to euros.

If anyone reading this wants to contribute, we can advise how to contact the British Hospitalité Trust, who can transfer a UK-based donation and even arrange for the Gift Aid to be claimed if appropriate.”

More information

Welcome to Chris!

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Posted on February 1, 2013 by Matt Betts

We would like to welcome Chris Talbot to our team, who has recently been appointed as secretary to the Trust.

Chris will work closely with the Board of Trustees and attend all meetings.

Chris has already supported the Living by Giving Trust in numerous ways: he was a member of our fundraising committee and attended various events.

We are looking forward to working with Chris in the upcoming months.

Contact Chris via Secretary@livingbygivingtrust.com

Matt Betts
Chair, Living by Giving Trust

Bongo Ball 2013

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Posted on January 16, 2013 by Matt Betts

The Living by Giving Trust are pleased to announce that the Xavier Project are organising a “Bongo Ball” in London on 8 March 2013 – all to raise money for the project.

From Xavier Project:
“Be sure to save the date for this ‘bongo brilliant’ event, and we will post more information about when tickets will be available on here shortly. Any questions, or if you are keen to be involved, please contact BongoBallLondon@gmail.com. Look forward to seeing you there! The Bongo London Committee”. More information can be seen, here.

Please do come along if you can!

The Living by Giving Trust supports the Xavier Project amongst its projects, please see our special page for more information, here.