Meet wheelchair bound, guitar playing Colin Dowsett, and a bunch of Muscles volunteers enjoying a sunny September Saturday painting the inside of an immaculate bungalow owned by Colin and his wife Linda. Their e-mail requesting assistance with decorating caught the teams attention, especially as Colin suffers from Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.
Result - smiles from the team and sincere thanks from Colin and Linda.
Phase 4 of the Handford House ‘Beach hut’ project was finally completed on Saturday 27th August 2011, thanks to the dedication and hard work of Steve, Simon and ‘guest volunteer’, Dave.
The first ‘memory stone’ is laid close to the Beach hut.
“Hi – it’s Linda from Handford House. It has been a real delight looking at all your pictures and photos, including the ones of the Handford Hut project but also to see your other projects and all those familiar faces and people that gave their time up for us.
I can tell you all that only today Irene and Iris from upstairs have visited the hut and Irene was able to remind herself of the memorabilia as it was her who decorated the shelves with me. But also Iris then remembered times at her own beach hut in Felixstowe in younger days and it just made it very special for them and staff member Nicky. Iris is 93 so this is wonderful. I will send you some pictures of our new gentleman who sat
inside the hut last week in his wheelchair and had a good look round. On Tuesday we have a working party outside and we have 200 daffodil bulbs to plant – so the garden continues thanks to you all.”
Linda Owens 15th September 2011
Photographs from the various phases of this project are available in the March and April 2011 archives. Here’s a brief reminder of previous phases of this five month project.
The average number of Muscles volunteers working on projects so far this year is 7. The highest number is 13. On Saturday 20th August, Steve and Phil combined to undertake repairs to the front door area of Alison’s home in Ipswich. Removing rotten wood, and replacing and painting the area was completed just ahead of a late summer downpour.
A phone friendly version of the Muscle for Charity website is now available on your android mobile phone or iphone.
Visit http://www.musclesforcharity.org anywhere!
Thanks to Rich – the Web Wizard for the new widget !
The Cheshire based team, lead by John Boswell, welcomed Mike ‘Hobbo’ Hobson to his first Muscles job, and the volunteers quickly demonstrated their expertise in painting, plasterboarding and floor laying at a Warrington studio. Their latest efforts are resulting in an increased awareness and appreciation of Muscles for Charity amongst fitness providers and registered charities. This latest project resulted in a donation to the Warrington Branch of the UK Multiple sclerosis charity. Good job everyone.
The photos (above) show ‘work in progress’ and finished areas of the studio. The picture (below) features the newly opened Pilates studio and the members enjoying the results of the Muscles volunteers hard work.
In November 2010, the Muscles team were invited to clear shrubbery and a wooden fence that had been buried in ivy for over a decade in the rear garden of an Ipswich home, with great views over the town.
The recipients also indicated that their donation would go to a christian based charity in Africa. Rwanda Direct is an initiative by Ipswich Waterfront Churches, working in conjunction with TWAM (Tools with a mission) providing computers for libraries, sewing and knitting machines for widows and orphans of the genocide, purchasing cows to help sustain families and provide hope for the future.
During July 2011, the ‘mid week’ (pictured bottom left) and ‘weekend team’ (pictured bottom right) descended on John and Midge’s garden in North Hill Road and completed the transformation in a week.
Clearing the shrubbery, trees and replacing 42 feet of wooden fence resulted in the following message from the happy couple,
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Transforming a ‘Pilates’ studio in Paddington, on a wet Warrington weekend provided the Cheshire based muscles volunteers with a painting challenge, which resulted in the local ‘Families United’ charity receiving a donation from Tracey the studio owner.
The excellent result (top picture), was achieved after hard work by a total of six volunteers, (including new muscles virgins, James Bell and ‘Benny’ Jonathan Hill, alongside veterans Lee McGarity, Jonathan Gatley, Vicki Boswell and Team Leader – John Boswell), assisted by friends and members of Traceys family. Special thanks to Tracey for the coffee and bacon sandwiches, and congratulations from the team for her subsequent 24 hour marathon pilates session !!
Families United is a local Warrington charity supporting disabled children, their families and carers. Visit www.familiesunited.org.uk
Three top professionals – a builder, a detective and a trucker. Three men with a mission. Extend a patio on a Saturday morning and help a local Children’s charity. Four hours – job done. Well done guys, another Muscles success, and another satisfied customer.
Congratulations Bernie, Steve and Kev, and well done to everyone in the UK, Canadian, USA and Belgium teams who contributed to one of the busiest Muscles months ever, and helped lift our total voluntary hours to over 9,100 !
“Muscles for Charity is one of the most amazing organizations on the planet, and 9100 hours of voluntary labor represents the work of some of the best people that I’ve ever met and such a huge success for the group as a whole. Congratulations
to all, and keep up the good WORK!”John Marx, Denver, Colorado, USA
Rich Bainbridge’s quote refers to the completion of a series of jobs by the Muscles team, in the garden at his home in Westerfield Road, Ipswich. The original projects were started in February 2011, but the team were defeated by the weather. Mid summer weather was again unpredictable – varying between rain, wind and hail – but the team determination and hard work led to the (full) complimentary quote, “All jobs not just completed, but completed absolutely perfectly. Thank you so much everyone!”
Thanks to Bernie, Steve, Elaine, Phil, Charlotte, Simon, Alan and Tony
A sunny summer day, deep in the Belgian countryside, east of Antwerp, and a ‘Medieval Fayre’, (designed and produced by the Lier based Muscles for Charity team), raising funds to help educate refugee children. Adding to the flavour of the event, Muscles for Charity volunteers from as far away as Denver, Colorado and Vancouver, Canada.
Visit the Muscles – Belgium 2011 page for more pictures and information.
Games, food, music from the ‘Black Capris, a top Magician, Belgian beer, comedians, competitions and fun for all age groups.
Result – significant funds to help educate refugee children.
A great result from a wonderful team of volunteers.
