Amy's Retreat

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T22:00:00.001Z

Well, we are starting 2012 feeling very positive. We have lots of continued support as well as knowing we have some new support for 2012. Thank you to everyone who supported us in 2011, especially Big Yellow Self Storage at Bramall Lane who met all our storage needs meaning that we could send families on holiday instead of worrying about paying high costs of storing all our bits and pieces.

So far four organisations have chosen Amy's Retreat for 2012, the Copthorne Hotel at Bramall Lane, Britannia Building Society on Pinstone Street (£1000 target) as well as the Broomhill Festival and Nether Edge Summer Farmers Market.

We will continue to celebrate 10 years in which Amy's Retreat has helped families who have children with cancer, and this is a great start to the year!

Santa 5K 2011!

2011-11-12T16:57:00.001Z

Join Amy's Retreat on Sunday 11 December 2011 and run 5K in a Santa suit round Weston Park and Crookes Valley Park! The race starts at 1.00 p.m. Entry fee £10, £5 for under 10s. All for the great cause of helping families who have children with cancer. Please try and enter in advance as this really helps us plan the event and make sure we have enough Santa suits! On the day, please come to the University Arms from noon onwards, to register and collect your Santa suit, before making your way across the road to the park for the run to start at 1.00 p.m. There will be prizes for the winners, and spot prizes for best adapted Santa suit, and best children's outfit. The University Arms will be providing a very warm welcome after the event. Hope to see you there.

10th Anniversary Masquerade Ball!

2011-11-12T16:51:00.000Z

We had a fantastic time marking Amy's Retreat's 10th year of helping families who have children with cancer. On 28 October at Baldwin's Omega, the 10th Anniversary Masquerade Ball saw a wonderful selection of masks and very well turned out people and we raised in excess of £3500! The money will go directly to arranging more holidays for families in need. Andy Finnerty was superb as our MC and the very talented James Smith and Katie Dolling sang during our dessert, before we danced the night away. We are very grateful to several local businesses and generous individuals for sponsoring the event.

10th Anniversary Masked Ball

2011-06-10T13:07:00.002+01:00

Amy's Retreat is pleased to announce our first Masked Ball on Friday 28 October at Baldwins Omega to mark our 10th Anniversary.

Tickets £45
Drinks Reception 7.30 p.m.
Dinner 8.00 p.m.
Carriages 1.00 a.m.

More details to follow, but if you would like further information, or are interested in sponsoring our Ball, please contact Gabrielle Latham on 07891 609119 or email gabrielle@amysretreat.org.uk.

10 Hour Bootcamp Marathon!!

2011-06-10T13:00:00.002+01:00

Don't miss the 10 Hour Bootcamp Marathon on Saturday 3 September at Hillsborough Arena! Organised by Jenny Vernon and the BEST Bootcamp, in association with Amy's Retreat. Three teams of 30 will battle it out over three Assault Courses:

1. Military style
2. Fun
3. Team exercise

Entry fee £10 per participant.

9am - 7pm, followed by presentation disco, entry £3 on door.

An hour for every year Amy's Retreat has helped families who have children with cancer.

For further information and an entry form, please contact:
Jenny Vernon on 07791 795136 or email jenny-vernon@sky.com
Gabrielle Latham on 07891 609119 or email gabrielle@amysretreat.org.uk

Family Fun Day - 27 August 2011

2011-06-10T12:55:00.000+01:00

Join us for a Family Fun Day at the Devonshire Arms in Dore on Saturday 27 August 2011!

BBQ, magician, balloon modelling, children's disco, penalty shootout nail art, facepainting, raffle, tombola, bookstall and more!

Daniel Barnett Art Cancer Foundation

2011-06-10T12:51:00.000+01:00

The Daniel Barnett Art Cancer Foundation was created in memory of Daniel to raise money for cancer charities and to provide financial help to families dealing with cancer. Daniel was an incredible artist who gained a place at Goldsmiths University but sadly passed away at the age of 19 before he could start his degree. His family are now selling canvas prints of his artwork to help others going through cancer. All of Daniel’s artwork featured on the site is for sale as canvas prints. All proceeds are going to the charities who supported Daniel and his family, including Amy's Retreat. Daniel and his family went on an Amy's Retreat holiday to Center Parcs in December 2006.

See the website for details:
www.danielbarnett.org.uk

Sheffield Fans Derby

2011-04-26T17:38:00.003+01:00

We are delighted that Sheffield Fans Derby has chosen Amy's Retreat to benefit from the next derby which will take place on Thursday 26 May at Bramall Lane!

Visit the Sheffield Fans Derby website for more details:
www.sheffieldfansderby.co.uk

2011-04-17T07:13:00.000+01:00

The Fab Three are running a marathon for Amy's Retreat! Yes, a MARATHON. 26.2 miles. On 9 October 2011, Gabrielle Latham, Louise Griffiths and Rachel Griffiths will be running the Liverpool Marathon in memory of Alex, Gabrielle's daughter and Griff, Louise's husband and Rachel's dad. All funds raised will go to Amy's Retreat. This is a massive challenge for them and there are a lot of miles and a lot of pain to go through before they get there!

If you would like to support them by making a donation, please visit The Fab Three's JustGiving webpage.

Spring Santa 5K!

2011-03-28T17:04:00.002+01:00

Well, we finally managed to hold our delayed 2010 Santa 5K - three months after Christmas! On 27 March 2011 we saw over 100 Santas, some sporting bunny ears, dashing round Weston Park. Thanks to everyone who took part. We will be holding this year's Santa 5K on Sunday 11 December - novelty ears optional.

Spring Santa 5K - Sunday 27 March 2011!

2011-03-09T08:22:00.003Z

Not long now until our Spring Santa 5K! Run 5K round Weston Park and Crookes Valley Park in a Santa suit, a number of bunny ears will be available to enhance the look.

Contact Gabrielle Latham if you would like to enter, or if you want to volunteer to help out at the event.

Email: gabrielle@amysretreat.org.uk
Mobile: 07891 609119

Big Yellow Self Storage

2011-02-14T17:52:00.002Z

We are delighted that the Bramall Lane store of Big Yellow Self Storage are generously providing storage for all our bits and pieces, since we have moved out of SCEDU. Not only that, but watch this space for BY staff getting involved in volunteering and fundraising for Amy's Retreat. Thanks in particular to Kirsty Smith, the Store Manager at Bramall Lane.

JustGiving Awards 2011 - 10 February

2011-02-14T17:47:00.002Z

Well we didn't win Most Creative Fundraiser at the JustGiving Awards 2011 but we are proud that we got to the final. Joanne, Lorna and Gabrielle attended the ceremony on 10 February - we had a great time and heard amazing stories. We have come back to Sheffield full of enthusiasm for future fundraising. The Justgiving Awards aren't awarded just to charities, they are for the fundraisers themselves, so anyone can be involved. Get in touch if you have any ideas - and feel free to organise your own events in aid of Amy's Retreat, from speed cross stitch, Masquerade balls, to bog snorkelling!

Tesco Football Tournament

2011-02-03T13:43:00.000Z

Thanks go to Irfan Raza from Tesco in Rotherham for organising a football tournament at Concord Sports Centre on 27 February in aid of Amy's Retreat. Teams of staff from stores in the region played several games of 6 a-side. Despite the efforts of "Old Man" Latham, the ultimate victors were not Abbeydale.

JustGiving Awards 2011

2011-01-21T07:32:00.003Z

We are delighted to be going to the JustGiving Awards at the Emirates stadium in London on 10 February! We have been chosen as one of three finalists in the Most Creative Fundraiser category for our Big Wheel Lock-in challenge. Loads of people to thank, especially Richard without whom it wouldn't have happened.

Spring Santa 5K - Sunday 27 March 2011

2011-01-21T07:00:00.000Z

Not to be completely thwarted, our Santa 5K postponed twice in December, will now take place on Sunday 27 March 2011 - a Spring Santa 5K! It will still be a race in Santa suits, but there will be seasonally appropriate extras! More to follow.

Coming out of the Pod

2010-10-25T10:51:00.005+01:00

There will be lots more about our Big Wheel Lock-in once we've calmed down from all the emotion and we have stopped swaying. But for now, this link says it all.
http://www.itv.com/yorkshire/big-wheel-thank-you43563/

Thanks to everyone involved.

Big Wheel Lock-in!

2010-10-02T05:00:00.007+01:00

Joanne and Gabrielle are spending 48 hours in quite a small pod (3 sq m) on the Wheel of Sheffield for Amy's Retreat. Good job we are both short. From noon on Friday 22 October until at least noon on Sunday 24 October, we will eat, sleep and live on the Wheel, in full view of city centre visitors, only allowed to leave the pod for scheduled toilet breaks!

Please offer your support by visiting the pod on the day and making a donation, or by visiting: http://www.justgiving.com/BigWheelLock-in

Or text AMY to 82010 to donate £5 to Amy's Retreat*
*Text messages cost £5 plus your standard network message charge (based on your service provider rates).

Amy's Retreat Santa 5K 2010

2010-10-02T04:59:00.001+01:00

On Sunday 12 December, join a couple of hundred people to wear Santa suits and to run 5K around Weston Park for Amy's Retreat! To register your place and reserve your Santa suit, please complete and return the registration form with your £10 fee, for children under 10 it is £5. From 11 a.m. on the day, please register and collect your suit from the Nottingham House on Whitham Road before making your way down to Weston Park, about 5 mins walk. The race starts at noon, and afterwards feel free to celebrate back at the Nottingham House, we'll be there!

For further information, please contact Gabrielle Latham by email: gabrielle@amysretreat.org.uk or mobile: 07891 609119

Bonfire Night at the Three Merry Lads

2010-10-02T04:52:00.006+01:00

Join us at the Three Merry Lads in Lodge Moor for Bonfire Night on 5 November!

Tickets £6.50 for adults, £4.50 for children under 12. Price includes the bonfire, fireworks and pie and peas.

Please contact Gabrielle Latham for tickets: email: gabrielle@amysretreat.org.uk or
mobile: 07891 609119

This is a very popular event, so if you want to come, don't leave it too late to get your tickets!!

Amy's Retreat 80s Night!

2010-08-02T09:12:00.006+01:00

Back to the 80s! Our fundraiser night on 2 October at the HSBC Sports and Social Club in Dore was a great success, here are some photos to illustrate.

Team Amy 2010 - Great North Run

2010-07-11T20:38:00.003+01:00

On Sunday 19 September, a small team of runners will take the Great North Run by storm for Amy's Retreat - Mike, Gabrielle, Alex, Kathryn, Rachel, Andy and co - we need all the support we can get!

Amy's Retreat at Crystal Peaks!

2010-07-11T20:34:00.004+01:00

On 7 and 8 July, we had a stand at Crystal Peaks shopping centre and sold our lovely bags, trolley coins and badges. Thank you to everyone who bought merchandise and made donations, you were very generous. Thank you also to our volunteers, including Glen and Mel from Chariband, our friends who showed us how it is done! Photo showing Glen, Danielle, Gabrielle, Elaine and Rachel.

Over the edge and back in time for the England game!

2010-06-28T20:24:00.001+01:00

We had another successful abseil event in Millers Dale on 27 June - gorgeous weather and back in time for the England v Germany match. Although we'd have been better off staying for more abseiling. Thanks to everyone who came along, and took part. Here are some of the photos, and there are loads more on Facebook.

Charity Day - Cobden View, Saturday 5 June

2010-06-07T09:56:00.000+01:00

Massive thanks to the Cobden View pub in Crookes for their annual charity day on Saturday 5 June! BBQ, raffle, facepainting, loads of live music. All proceeds were shared between Amy's Retreat and Action Research Race for Life. Here are some of the pictures from the day, photos by Paul Cantrell.

Over the Edge on Sunday 27 June 2010

2010-05-26T10:11:00.002+01:00

On Sunday 27 June 2010, we will be holding our annual Abseil event. With local adventure company Beyond the Edge, you will be able to abseil from the 80' middle arch of Millers Dale viaduct. For only £10, and some minimum sponsorship, you can do something you've surely always wanted to do, plus you will be helping families who have children with cancer.

We understand Scooby Doo may be putting in an appearance, hope he can get the helmet on!

For more info, please contact Gabrielle Latham at gabrielle@amysretreat.org.uk or mobile: 07891 609119.

Manor Operatic Society present Annie - City Hall

2010-05-01T12:40:00.005+01:00

Our thanks go to Manor Operatic Society for letting us collect for Amy's Retreat after performances of Annie at City Hall, from Wednesday 12 May to Saturday 15 May. Thanks also to everyone who donated and to our collectors!

London Marathon 25 April 2010

2010-05-01T12:37:00.002+01:00

Congratulations to Geoff Cousins for completing another London marathon. Big thanks from Amy's Retreat go to Geoff who has raised over £500 for us. Send us a photo!

Sheffield Half Marathon 25 April 2010

2010-05-01T12:02:00.010+01:00

Congratulations to Paul Fletcher from Voice Marketing, Gabrielle Latham (me!), Louise and Rachel Griffiths for completing the Sheffield half marathon on Sunday 25 April 2010. In particular, thanks to Paul who has raised over £600, which is just fantastic. Here is a picture of the girls, and we are hoping Paul will send us a photo of him on the day.

Before the run, we had the pleasure of meeting Dean Andrews, Raymondo from Ashes to Ashes, so we have a photo of him too, with Louise and Rachel Griffiths. Dean started the race this year as well as being there to support his wife and daughter who were taking part, but we are sure one of the highlights of the day for him has to be meeting these two athletes, and big fans of Ashes to Ashes.

Race Night

2010-04-14T09:59:00.002+01:00

Inspired by the Grand National, Amy's Retreat is hosting a Race Night at HSBC Sports and Social Club on Saturday 17 April. The action will be on the TV screen, rather than actual horses racing round Dore. You may be surprised, but we have had to point that out. This event is a sell out and we are very excited.

David Hayes of Mercury Media will be MC for the evening. Thanks to Kathryn Smith whose idea it has been, and who has been extremely proactive in selling tickets and acquiring race and horse sponsors, as have Nicky Shaw and Mike Bramhall.

Help Sprinkle a little magic!

2010-04-14T09:19:00.003+01:00

This describes our reindeer food project to a T! Amy's Retreat makes and sells organza bags of oats and glitter (and magic!) - reindeer food - for children to sprinkle outside on Christmas Eve. This can be a good source of income for Amy's Retreat, thereby providing magic for the families we wish to help, as well as magic for the children on Christmas Eve!

In 2009, our reindeer food workshops took place at the Blue Moon cafe in Sheffield, a massive thanks goes to Nick and Bill for making us so welcome. Thanks also to everyone who got involved, including students from Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam universities. We are still collecting in the monies from various places, it'll be time for this year's before we know it!

Amy's Retreat is not the only charity selling reindeer food but we are very proud of our product and believe it is superior! Help us get it out there for 2010, it really can make a difference to families who have children with cancer.

Quiz Night

2010-04-14T09:11:00.003+01:00

In September we held a very enjoyable Quiz Night at the HSBC Sports and Social Club in Dore. It was a sell out event. Thanks in particular go to the Quizmaster Martin Doyle who set a very high threshold! Or was it the participants who need to go back to school? Anyway it was a successful night and we will do something similar again soon.

Formkraft Sky Dive

2010-04-14T08:51:00.003+01:00

Throughout the year, local company Formkraft have been supporting Amy's Retreat through a number of events from car washes to sky dives! In September, three members of staff overcame their fear of heights to complete a tandem sky dive, well done to you all. Formkraft raised over £1000 for Amy's Retreat during the year, thank you.

Jordan the Incredible....

2010-04-14T08:38:00.003+01:00

... Hulk! In July, we all enjoyed the annual Abseil, from the 80' middle arch of the Millers Dale Viaduct. We were joined this year by Jordan Nilek as the Incredible Hulk. Jordan and his family went on an Amy's Retreat holiday to Center Parcs a few years earlier and wanted to give something back. He brought along all his family, several of them going on to do the abseil for themselves as the afternoon went on! Thank you to everyone who took part, and raised lots of money for us.

LabLogic donation just the job for Amy's Retreat

2010-04-14T08:29:00.003+01:00

We benefited from an unusual Employee of the Month scheme operated by local company LabLogic Systems. Each month, staff decided who should receive the award and the winner chooses a charity to which £25o should be sent.

Kate Botros nominated Amy's Retreat: "I wanted the money to go to a local charity and I could see that the work they do is undoubtedly of benefit to the people they are trying to help" she said. Kate is pictured (left) at the cheque presentation with Gabrielle Latham from Amy's Retreat and LabLogic managing director Richard Brown.

Designers help build Amy's Retreat

2010-04-14T08:03:00.003+01:00

In 2009, Amy's Retreat recruited Sheffield based design and marketing experts, mmdesign to help increase donations for fundraising and publicity.

mmdesign has come up with many ideas including 'Buy a Brick and Build Amy's Retreat'. Jayne O'Keefe, senior designer said: "We're only too glad to be helping Amy's Retreat. The design work we are doing on the new logo and the campaign literature is helping increase donations and provide the much needed breaks that families who have children with cancer need". Martin Hinchcliffe of mmdesign said: "We are delighted to be involved. Not only because we are helping to make a difference to the families concerned but we want to know that our hard work is making a difference to customers' lives and making a positive impact in the world around us. Job satisfaction is about so much more than salary and this project really illustrates the fact. We are proud to be able to add to the success of Amy's Retreat and the well-being of the families they serve."

Cobden View Charity Day

2010-04-14T08:00:00.002+01:00

On 30 May, the Cobden View held its annual Charity Day with all proceeds to Amy's Retreat, an amazing £1750. A fantastic day with BBQ, kids face painting, raffle and live music, featuring 8 bands including some on the roof!

Easter Event - 100th Holiday

2010-04-14T07:44:00.004+01:00

With our 100th holiday taking place in 2009, we decided to mark this milestone with an event to which all families and supporters were invited. The Easter event took place 0n 8 and 9 April at the Rotary Center in Castleton and everyone had a great time. Activities included Easter egg hunt, craft tables, bouncy castle, sumo suits, massages and facials, football, quiz and disco. The new logo for Amy's Retreat was decided at the event, with everyone able to comment on their favourite of the four options. Particular thanks go to all the volunteers, to Dialogue Communications for sponsoring the event by funding the centre hire costs, to Tesco Abbeydale for donating 100 Easter eggs, to Planet Pot for supplying pots for painting, and to David Reeves who came along to donate a Fit4Football session enjoyed by all participants.

Amy's Retreat Santa 5K 2009

2009-12-14T09:32:00.000Z

It was a delight to see nearly 200 Santas racing round Weston Park on 13 December in the annual Amy's Retreat Santa 5K. We were very lucky with the weather, there was a blizzard the following Sunday! The Nottingham House in Broomhill played host this year, and the atmosphere was great, both before and after. Thank you to everyone who was involved in this very enjoyable event, both runners and volunteers. Our Santa 5K is a big event to organise, so please get in touch if you would like to help.

Steve Rogers - who raised a fantastic £500. Think the tree on his head helped.

The winners - Gregory Amann and Charlotte Whale!

Monday Morning Feeling

2009-03-15T10:52:00.004Z

Monday morning on 2 March was a great one for Amy's Retreat. It saw Dawn Norie and Emma Beech from Panel Systems Ltd coming along to present a cheque for £1000 to a delighted Joanne Hall and Gabrielle Latham from Amy’s Retreat. Panel Systems Ltd, a Sheffield based company, decided at the beginning of 2008 to sponsor Amy’s Retreat for Kids with Cancer and involved local companies in their fundraising efforts to raise an impressive £1000.

Our thanks to Thurcroft Cancer Fund

2009-03-15T10:33:00.002Z

On Friday 20 February, the Thurcroft Cancer Fund presented Amy's Retreat with a donation for £5000 for the 3rd year running. The presentation evening, at the Gordon Bennett Memorial Hall in Thurcroft, complete with entertainment, saw £50000 being handed out to 10 cancer charities. Most of this was raised through their charity shop in Thurcroft. This fantastic donation will enable Amy's Retreat to send five families who have a child with cancer for a holiday/respite break, allowing those families to spend precious family time together.

Amy's Retreat Easter Event 2009

2009-03-15T10:15:00.003Z

This year will see the 100th holiday Amy's Retreat has provided for children with cancer and their families. To mark the occasion we are holding an Easter Event at the Rotary Centre in Castleton, on Wednesday 8 April and Thursday 9 April 2009. There will be lots of activities, and all families and supporters of Amy's Retreat are very welcome. Please contact Gabrielle Latham if you would like to come, on gabrielle@amysretreat.org.uk, or mobile: 07891 609119.

Santa 5K

2008-12-15T21:06:00.003Z

Supporters of Amy's Retreat for kids with Cancer started the festive season in athletic mode by running 5K round Weston and Crookes Valley Parks to raise money for the the charity's work for families affected by childhood cancer.

A good time was had by all, especially those who made it back to the West End pub afterwards!

More details to follow, including winners' names (when I find the scrap of paper I wrote then down on - if I can't find them I'll have to describe or draw them).

Amsterdam Half Marathon

2008-11-16T18:15:00.002Z

Brilliant effort from Paul Kerr, completing the Amsterdam Half Marathon in aid of Amy's Retreat even though he had "some hamstring/knee problems" !!

If you like to add to Paul's sponsorship go to http://www.justgiving.com/paulkerr

Santa 5K - 2008

2008-11-16T18:03:00.002Z

This year's Santa 5K starts at noon on Sunday 14th December. Be there, or miss out on the opportunity to run 5K in a cheap, synthetic Santa suit!! Seriously though, it's a great way to get into the festive spirit and raise some money for Amy's Retreat for Kids with Cancer at the same time. Call Paul on 0784 164 7866 for a sponsorship and entry details. Entry costs £10 - a little bit more than last year, but it covers the cost of your Santa suit and covers our costs.

If you're looking for someone to sponsor . . .

2008-09-14T14:16:00.002+01:00

. . . then log onto these Just Giving pages for details of what some of the friends of Amy's Retreat are up to raising money so that families affected by childhood cancer are able to take a holiday:

David Sandford - http://www.justgiving.com/davidsandford1

Maria Elliott - http://www.justgiving.com/mariaelliott1

Paul Kerr - http://www.justgiving.com/paulkerr

If you're doing a sponsored event for Amy's Retreat you can easily set up a Just Giving page online by following the instructions at www.justgiving.com allowing your sponsors to give quickly, easily and securely onlone.

Maria's Great Yorkshire Run

2008-09-10T19:23:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to Maria Elliott of School Trends on completing the Great Yorkshire 10K Run, and many thanks to her for getting sponsored for Amy's Retreat. Well done!!

Many Thanks to Sheffield Town Trust

2008-09-10T19:18:00.002+01:00

A big thank you goes out from Amy's Retreat to the trustees of the Sheffield Town Trust for making a grant of £2,000 to go towards sending 'our' families on Center Parcs breaks.

Thanks Steve!

2008-08-05T20:53:00.002+01:00

Steve Phillips (left) presents Jo and Steve Hall with his sponsorship cheque after completing an amazing 95.5 miles of the Grand Union Canal Race (see posts below). It was an amazing effort, and Steve says he'll be back next year!!

Thanks to Ella's Fund

2008-07-31T09:34:00.002+01:00

A big thank you goes out to Ella's Fund for their very generous donation to Amy's Retreat for Kids with Cancer. Ella's Fund is doing a great job raising money for children with brain tumours and cancer. X

Mosborough Summer Sports Gala

2008-07-31T06:26:00.003+01:00

Get yourself along to the Mosborough Summer Sports Gala on Saturday 9th August for a day of fun and sporting activities, with all proceeds going to the Ella Fund to support Amy's Retreat and PACT. Download the poster for more informatio by clicking on the yellow button, below, and following the download instructions.

1253 Mosborough Summer Sports Gala A4 Poster - Upload a Document to Scribd

Photos from the Pamper Day in Rotherham

2008-07-30T10:58:00.004+01:00

Many thanks to all those who attended the Pamper Day in Rotherham at the weekend. You obviously had a great time, as these photos show, and raised lots of money to help a family affected by childhood cancer to have a break together, and to recharge their batteries. Well done, and here's to the next Pamper Day!!!!

Pamper Day in Rotherham! Saturday 26th July

2008-07-16T10:14:00.005+01:00

Call one of the numbers on this poster if you'd like to be pampered for a day AND raise money for Amy's Retreat at the same time. Kath, Sam and Christine will be donating part of the profit from this great day to us so that we can provide holidays/respite breaks for families affected by childhood cancer. Click on the poster to enlarge.

School Trends & The Pampered Chef

2008-05-28T21:28:00.003+01:00

Many thanks to the ladies from School Trends and Eleanor Spivey of Pampered Chef who held a wonderful evening of cookery demonstrations and kitchen equipment sales in aid of Amy's Retreat on 28th May. Eleanor has kindly donated a percentage from all sales from tonight and further parties booked when you mention Amy's Retreat. Contact her on 0114 255 0730 and el@zurzat.net

"Yes, yes, of course I've used one of these before!"

Maria Elliott grills Eleanor to find out if there's anything from the catalogue that isn't in Maria's kitchen.

Download the Amy's Retreat Newsletter Now!

2008-05-27T10:49:00.004+01:00

Click on the yellow circle below and follow the instructions to download your copy of the latest newsletter.

Amy's Retreat Newsletter - Upload a doc

How far did he get?

2008-05-27T07:03:00.001+01:00

I'm still awaiting news from Steve Phillips about his performance in the Grand Union Canal race. Did he reach the magic 100 mile mark? I'll let you know as soon as I hear from him!

Cobden View Fun Day

2008-05-23T14:49:00.004+01:00

The Cobden View Hotel in Walkley will be holding its annual charity day for Amy's Retreat on Sat 31st May.
They will be having a BBQ, kids face painting, raffle, and will have
live music from about 4, from a few bands in the evening along with local
artists. During the day, some of the members of Sheffield University Orchestra have agreed to play on the flat roof - which should be a bit different! It'll be a great day out and all are welcome.

Grand Union Canal Race

2008-05-23T14:33:00.003+01:00

A reminder to you all that Steve Phillips will be starting the Grand Union Canal Race tomorrow morning..

The Grand Union Canal Race is Britain's longest, toughest, non-stop running race. Its course runs from the centre of Birmingham to the centre of London, along the canal towpaths. Competitors are required to complete the 145 mile distance within the time limit of 45 hours and are not allowed to stop for more than 40 minutes.

Apart from the requirement to complete 145 miles, sleep deprivation and body fatigue is a major factor as to why since 1993 only 107 athletes have managed to finish within the 45hrs.

To sponsor Steve click on the Just Giving link on the right of this page.

GOOD LUCK, MATE!!!!

The Great Yorkshire 10K - Sheffield - 7th September

2008-04-13T10:52:00.004+01:00

Last year's event was a cracker, so if you'd like to try this year just email us for a sponsorship form at info@amysretreat.org.uk

Event details can be found at http://entry.greatrun.org/EventInformation.aspx?StreamId=19

Buuuuungeeeeeeeee!!

2008-04-13T10:49:00.002+01:00

You've got to try bungee jumping at least once in your life, so why not do it at Magna in Rotherham on Saturday 24th May? Contact Paul on 07841647866 for details.

School Trends Development Day

2008-04-08T10:21:00.002+01:00

Every year School Trends shuts down for 1 day to take everybody out of
the business for Development Day. We all (150 of us) leave our normal
jobs, and enter into various activities and tasks with the aim of
personal development and team building. This year we took a trip to the
Lake District, starting at Rydall Lodge, the home of William Wordsworth
and walking through the stunning scenery, up hill and down dale to
Grasmere for a well-earned rest and late lunch. We decided to use this
opportunity to raise money for Amy's Retreat through various activities
including the sale of chocolate lollies (yum!) and sponsorship for the
walk from friends and family. Our collective contribution was £422. We
had an amazing day, albeit tiring, and it was great to be able to use
this opportunity to boost the funds of our chosen charity.

Thank You Brendan

2008-03-11T20:34:00.002Z

Legendary trainer of world champion boxers, Mr Brendan Ingle, has kindly agreed to allow the Fullwood Inn to auction a meal with him in aid of Amy's Retreat during the pub's charity week. Whoever makes the successful bid will be in for an evening of fascinating insights into the world of top flight pro boxing in Britain, Europe and America.

Fullwood Inn Charity Week

2008-03-11T20:27:00.002Z

Here's the exciting timetable for the Fullwood Inn Charity Week:

Sun 9th March – BINGO – Join us at 8:30pm for a fun night of bingo with
your host Anne-Marie. Your chance to win prizes
and raise money for charity.

Mon 10th – MUSIC QUIZ – Think you know about music? Well come
along to test your knowledge with our host David.
8:30pm start. Your chance to win prizes and raise
money for charity.

Tues 11th – MOUNTAIN BIKE DAY – Raffle tickets go on sale for
our fantastic mountain bike and helmet.

Wed 12th – CHARITY INFO DAY – If you would like more
information on the 2 charities we have ‘ adopted’, come
along and you can find out who and how they are helping
many families.

Thur 13th – NAME THE TEDDY – Have a guess at the name of our
Bluebell Wood Teddy? Guess right and you win it.

Fri 14th – AUCTION EVENING – 5:30pm start with our host David.
all sorts of fantastic prizes up for grabs. From TV’s to a
meal with legendary boxing coach Brendan Ingle (see next post).

Sat 15th – BALLOON RACE – At 3pm we will be releasing balloons
with special prizes attached.

Thurcroft Cancer Fund

2008-03-03T19:39:00.002Z

Amy's Retreat has benefitted for a second time from an amazing £5,000 donation from the Thurcorft Cancer Fund. TCF handed out an incredible £65,000 to various cancer charities at the Gordon Bennett Memorial Hall, Thurcroft, on Friday 29th February. Most of the money was raised through their charity shop from selling items in the 50p to £2 range!! The money will help enormously with Amy's Retreat's work this year, and in in straight financial terms will pay for five families who have a child with cancer to take a holiday/respite break. However, as with all donations to Amy's Retreat, the TCF donation will help many more people as those families and their friends tell others about its work.

Capita Heroes!!

2008-02-18T16:58:00.004Z

Many thanks go to the wonderful staff at Capita, Sheffield, who chose Amy's Retreat as their charity of the month in January and raised more than £1,500.

They did this in the following ways:

Music theme dress down day - Where employees were charged £1 to come to work dressed as a pop star or groupie or £2 to come in everyday casual clothing.

Guitar Hero challenge - We also held a Guitar Hero challenge on the Sony Playstation, where employees paid £1 to attempt to record the highest score on the day and win a 8gb Nano Ipod. This event was won by one of our Team Leaders, Chris Bernard (see photo of Chris, above).

They also invited a number of small businesses to stand and sell items in the contact centre Atrium. This was very well received by the staff and Karen managed to negotiate a 'donation/fee' from each business.

Businesses visiting the site in January were: -

Fitness unlimited
Living well gym
Virgin Active Health
Fragrance direct
Mary Kay cosmetics
Curtis Clothes (Men's)
Angielou Jewellery
Gem@i Jewellery

Further to this they also negotiated a 'large portion' of the money taken through the contact centre's three pool tables. These are very popular during breaks and lunches etc but Capita also run a pool competition from time to time to increase the amount of money these tables generate.

In short, the money was raised as a collective effort by the 'Contact Centre Charity Group', employees at the Sheffield Contact Centre and those working for Avenance, their catering suppliers, and a number of small local businesses.

That's a brilliant effort by you all, which will go a long way to providing holidays for two families who have a child with cancer.

Activ8 Magazine Article

2008-02-12T19:27:00.000Z

Click on the feature below to see a larger version of the article from this month's Activ8 magazine.

The Fulwood Inn

2008-02-11T21:16:00.000Z

Many thanks to David, Anissa and the staff of the Fulwood Inn, Sheffield, for adopting Amy's Retreat as one of their two chosen charities (click here for the Fulwood Inn website). Throughout the year this Marston's establishment will run a series of events to raise funds for Amy's Retreat to pay for families who have a child with cancer to take a much-needed break. Regular updates will appear on this blog, including photos of all the exciting 'happenings"!

School Trends 'goes public' with its support of Amy's Retreat

2008-01-22T19:12:00.000Z

Click here to see the Amy's Retreat webpage on the School Trends website

2008 Events Diary

2008-01-08T22:02:00.000Z

See forthcoming events on the right of this page and get in touch if you'd like to take part and raise money for children with cancer to go on holiday. Let us know if you have any other ideas for fundraising events.

Parachute Jump

2007-12-15T08:36:00.000Z

Can you email us at info@amysretreat.org.uk if you would like to take part in the 2008 Amy's Retreat Parachute Jump in April or May next year. It looks like we'll be using this company:

http://www.fallfromthesky.com/tandem_freefall-skydive-tandem-parachute-jump.html

and if we have more than ten people doing the tandem freefall skydive I think we can get the price down to £185 per person. The jump will take place in North Lincolnshire.

GO FOR IT!!!!

2007 Santa 5K

2007-12-15T08:33:00.000Z

Congratulations and a massive thank you to the nearly 200 Santas who turned out for the 2007 Santa 5K lasty Sunday. I'll be putting some photos on here as soon as I get them.

Special thanks to Ali, all at Sheffield Volunteering and Sheffield RAG, and all at the West End pub, without whom the event would not have been possible.

GRAND UNION CANAL RACE 2008

2007-12-15T08:27:00.000Z

I received the following email recently. Please sponsor him!! Details of Steve's Just Giving page will appear here soon.

"Hi, my name is Steve Phillips and I’m a Judo coach at Glossop Judo Club.

The Grand Union Canal Race ( gucr.co.uk ) is Britain's longest, toughest, non-stop running race. Its course runs from the centre of Birmingham to the centre of London, along the canal towpaths. Competitors are required to complete the 145 mile distance within the time limit of 45 hours and are not allowed to stop for more than 40 minutes.

Apart from the requirement to complete 145 miles, sleep deprivation and body fatigue is a major factor as to why since 1993 only 107 athletes have managed to finish within the 45hrs.

On Saturday 24th May 2008 at 6am, I will hopefully be standing on the start line to take part in this event. Obviously I will not be doing it for the fun of it !!! I will be attempting to raise money for Amy’s Retreat.

I will be running a sweepstake on what mileage I stop at, and/or, on the remote chance I finish (remember the figures above!) what time I finish at, I will also be setting up a ‘Just giving page’

Steve"

Santa 5K - 9th DECEMBER

2007-11-08T19:30:00.000Z

Dear friends,

The Santa 5K will take place on 9th December this year to fit in with other local events. Sheffield University students should enter through Sheffield Volunteering, and everyone else should contact Amy's Retreat at info@amysretreat.org.uk

We're hoping that this year's event will be even biger than last year's. Come along and make it so!

If you want to raise money without the hassle of collecting sponsorship please go to www.justgiving.com and select Amy's Retreat so that your friends and family can donate online.

Best wishes for the coming festive season,

Paul

Sainsbury's Taster Evening

2007-11-08T17:53:00.000Z

Sainsbury's on Archer Road will be holding a fabulous taster evening in aid of Amy's Retreat on 27th November from 7-9pm. A professional cook (and Sainsbury's food advisor) will be preparing various dishes for you to sample(I can't wait!!).

Tickets are £4.50 with a proportion of ticket sales going to Amy's Retreat. They are now on sale at the Customer Services Desk at Sainsburys Archer Road Store ONLY!

Get your ticket now as they're selling out fast. See you there.

Paul

Reinder Food Production Saturdays: dates

2007-10-16T19:25:00.000+01:00

The first day of reindeer food production went very well last Saturday. With the help of Maria and Sue from School Trends, and six wonderful volunteers from Sheffield Volunteering (Sheffield University) we were able to make lots of stock labels, sort the materials left over from last year, and actually make a start on the packages for this year.

If you'd like to help, give me a call on the number above. It looks like we'll be doing SATURDAYS with the possibility of a Sunday or two if demand gets too heavy to cope with (let's hope so!).

Best wishes,

Paul

The Great North Run

2007-09-29T16:47:00.000+01:00

Amy's Retreat would like to wish all those taking part in the Great North Run tomorrow the very best of luck, especially those raising funds for us through sponsorship. All money raised will go towards holidays/respite breaks for children with cancer and their families.

Christmas is coming!!!! - Important date changes

2007-09-17T19:55:00.000+01:00

In Amy's Retreat terms the festive season is almost upon us! Regulars will know that this is when I start to ask questions like "Are you free Saturday?" and "You're not allergic to oats, are you?". That's right, it's time to start making reindeer food. This year the wonderful SCHOOL TRENDS of Waterthorpe are helping us by providing premises for production and storage of the little bundles that do so much toward helping us to provide holidays/respite breaks for the families and children affected by cancer referred to us by the staff of Ward M3 at Sheffield Children's Hospital.

The first production day this year will be Saturday 13th October at:

School Trends,
The Westfield Business Area,
Carley Drive,
Westfield,
Sheffield,
South Yorkshire,
S20 8NQ (two minutes walk from Waterthorpe tram stop)

The sessions will be 9.30am til 1pm and 1.30pm til 4.30pm, but if you've only got a couple of hours to spare we'd still value your help.

We'll be making them on Saturdays from 13th October, with the odd Sunday if there's enough demand.

The atmosphere should be a bit more like SCEDU Christmas 2005 than it was last year, with plenty of music and mince pies!!

If you'd like to volunteer please call me (Paul) on 07841647866.

Also, Santa 5k will now be on Sunday 2nd December (more info to follow).

The End of the Story

2007-09-10T18:45:00.000+01:00

The last despatch from the Ramshackle Rally team and La Tomatina in Valencia. Next year anyone?

The final installment from here in valencia, i can finally pack my bags ready to
depart this land of temperatures in the region of

40 degrees once again today (my red neck helps prove this).

La tomatina certainly lived up to the hype, a taxi from the hotel at 7.00am this
morning followed by a train ride reminiscent of a

london tube strike only with air conditioning. and then the long procession of
people to the town square, which had quite

bizarrely had all the buildings covered in plastic sheeting. only two things
stood out other than the large crowd, one, the stage

containing several hoses and the other a 30ft grease covered pole with a large
ham on top.

object one involved any loon who dared to try to climb the pole and get the ham,
no one actually acheived it this year i hasten

to add (i didn´t try!!!) after a long period of time the hoses started and a
procession of lorries full of locals carrying what can

only be described as a lorry load of tomatoes.... needless to say mayhem ensued
for the next hour until the bell rang to stop.

Sods law says that to only one of the three of us without goggles (i forgot
them) got hit square in the eye....

Nonetheless a happy ending, time for a sleep and dreams of next time.....

Messages

2007-08-28T20:22:00.000+01:00

Two messages caught my eye. The first from last year's Ramshackle Rally team, World of Hearse was:

"World of Hearse wishes they could be there again, unfortunately we are scattered across the globe. Best of luck boys, bring home the gold!"

Well, they've carried on in style by bringing home stacks of gold (sponsorship money), which will allow Amy's Retreat to provide five children who have cancer with a lovely holiday with their families, away from the stress of hospital and all the other worries that families in such circumstances experience. That's what is at the root of this, and that's why I'd like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself, the charity directors and the children who will benefit from your efforts, to say a massive thank you to this year's and last year's teams. You have done something marvellous, and had a great time in the process by the sound of it!

The second message came from Ian Cousins, and I don't really need to add anything, other than to say it must have been a lot of fun:

"Ian reporting in from Valencia.... it´s hot! hot! hot!!!!!!!

Bring on the tomatoes....

ps, If you can have a word with one director in particular, i´d like to do it all again next year!!!!"

They did it!!!!

2007-08-28T11:35:00.000+01:00

Both teams successfully completed the Ramshackle Rally 2008. WELL DONE to all who took part. Reports and photos here soon.

Monte Carlo (and not bust yet!)

2007-08-27T16:06:00.000+01:00

I received this report from Vicki Cousins (wife of Ian, sister of Chris, so closely connected to both the Amy's Retreat cars):

They got to Monte Carlo ok – see pics above. One of the tasks involved parking outside the casino and taking a photo but this all had to be carried out in a certain way, capturing a reflection in a window. Everyone was fine about it for a while, despite the bemused stares from passing Bentley and Ferrari drivers. However, I think that after a while, the police stopped finding it quite so amusing and put a halt to the picture taking. I think Chris’ car was one of the last to get through.

They made it through to Perpignan last night. I will let you know if I can find out positions and how many are still left in but I think at least some cars will not have gotten their task done yesterday so at least they are still in the action.

Ian is in the driving seat this morning.

24 hours to go so will be getting excited

Team Lomu still in it too!

2007-08-25T15:37:00.000+01:00

Check out Chris's blog at http://ramshacklerally.blogspot.com/ for Team Lomu's progress as they also battle across Europe in support of Amy's Retreat for Kids with Cancer.

End of Day 1

2007-08-25T15:29:00.001+01:00

We join our intrepid adventurers heading towards San Remo today in a moment of calm after a long day yesterday (see below).

They have journeyed through France via Dijon and Lyon and reached their first destination in Annecy . Many cars have fallen by the wayside, some not even making it past the start line, but our men of fortune still struggle on!! The line up is impressive with one car done up as a yellow submarine and the participants dressed as the Beatles. The competition is still stiff.

So they have 300 miles left to travel today before reaching their second destination of San Remo on the Italian Border. They can take heart in the fact that the first day is the killer as far as mileage is concerned. We wish you well as you journey on.

More news on their antics soon.

AND THEY'RE OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-08-24T09:25:00.000+01:00

Looking at these final pre-race pics it's difficult to put into words my thoughts about our plucky ralliers. It'll also put to bed the myth that we are an unsophisticated race when the Europeans see the lads in national costume like this. How can they lose? I expect to be reporting on just how over the next four days.

Even if you can only spare a pound or two please do so to help them get to their target of £4,000 at:
http://www.justgiving.com/valenciaorbust

Please add your good wishes to the site as well as well as any other comments these photos arouse within you.

2007-08-21T21:08:00.001+01:00

Gabcast! Ramshackle Rally 2007 #0

Less than two weeks to go til Ramshackle Rally 2007!!

2007-08-12T18:52:00.000+01:00

D-Day is nearly here for our brave Ramshackle Rally team, who will be revving their Renault Laguna's engine on the start line in Calais in just 12 days, on 24th August (don't overdo the revving, chaps!). The paint is worth more than the car itself, and they've made great personal sacrifices including wearing shorts and sandals to reduce weight. Here at Amy's Retreat HQ we're 100% certain that those brave boys will have made it to the finish line in Valencia on 27th August. I only pray that they've got most of the car with them.

Please sponsor them in their attempt to hang onto Amy's Retreat's title by checking out the rally website at http://www.ramshacklerally.com/valencia/aboutUs.html then going to their Just Giving page at http://www.justgiving.com/valenciaorbust and leaving a few quid and a message of encouragement. All money raised will, of course, go towards holidays/respite breaks for children with cancer and their families. Regular reports here during the rally.

I'm so proud of them!!!!

Lish 'interview' coming soon!

2007-08-10T09:07:00.000+01:00

Click on the musical note button in the centre of the player below to hear Lish in a tomato fight interview with a BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter, then check out the Just Giving page if you want to sponsor the team (they deserve it after putting up with this!):

Express Yourself LIVE

Lish on the radio!

2007-08-09T20:28:00.000+01:00

John 'Lish' Lishman of the Amy's Retreat Ramshackle Rally team will be live on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire at 7.50am tomorrow talking about the charity and the rally.

Catch him online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/cambridgeshire/local_radio/

10K Great Yorkshire Run - 9th September

2007-07-24T16:55:00.000+01:00

Dear Friends,

Fancy trying the first ever Great Yorkshire Run, taking place in Sheffield city centre on September 9th?

Copy and paste this lik into your browser:

http://www.bupa.co.uk/about/html/events/greatyorkshirerun.html

and enter. Don't forget to contact Amy's Retreat for a sponsorship form at info@amysretreat.org.uk or call on 07841647866 - free t-shirt to all entrants running on behalf of Amy's Retreat!!

Best wishes to you all,

Paul

Abseil 2007

2007-07-18T20:41:00.000+01:00

Many thanks to all those who took part in the 2007 Amy's Retreat Abseil. It was great fun, and everyone managed to go 'over the top' successfully (and land successfully and safely!!). I'll be posting lots of photos on here as soon as I get them, but here's a few to start with.

Abseil directions

2007-07-08T08:30:00.000+01:00

Here are the directions and information for the Amy's Retreat 2007 Abseil on July 14th at Miller's Dale. Time slots still available for 10am, 11am and midday. See you there:

Directions to Miller’s Dale

From Sheffield:

• Take the A625 out of Sheffield (Ecclesall Road) towards Hathersage, Hope, Castleton.

• Continue until the Fox House pub. At the corner bear right towards Hathersage, Hope and Castleton (A6187). Take the first left after the Fox House on the B6521 to Grindleford and Bakewell.

• Go through Grindleford.

• Continue straight on (signposted Bakewell and Eyam) on B6521.

• At the traffic lights turn right onto A623 (signposted Stockport, Manchester, Chapel-en-le-Frith).

• Continue through Stoney Middleton.

• Continue straight on (signposted Stockport, Manchester).

• Continue through Housely.

• At the staggered crossroads at The Anchor pub turn left onto B6049 towards Tideswell “Cathedral of the Peak”.

• Continue on B6049 through Tideswell.

• Continue straight on and down into Miller’s Dale.

• Go under viaduct (this is NOT the abseil viaduct!!). Take next right turn (signposted Wormhill).

• Go under the bridges and take the next left into the car park at Miller’s Dale/Monsal Trail.

It is a five-minute walk from the far end of the car park to the viaduct along a flat trail.

Distance: Approx 20 miles from Hunters Bar roundabout.

Parking: £1.00 for 1 hour, £2.00 for 4 hours, £3.00 all day (well that was the price last year - I'll check those today when I do my recce).

Nice food and drink available from the snack wagon in the car park.

Grid reference of car park: 138732 (Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure White Peak map)

Grid reference of viaduct: 131732 (Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure White Peak map)

2007 Abseil Invitation

2007-06-18T21:57:00.000+01:00

Dear Supporters of Amy's Retreat,

Please help us raise money for families affected by childhood cancer by taking part in this year's Amy's Retreat sponsored abseil at Miller's Dale Viaduct on Saturday 14th July (or recommend it to a friend if you don't fancy it yourself!). Last year's event was great fun (see the video on the right of this page and the photos - scroll down to last year's event).

Miller’s Dale is 15 miles from Sheffield. It will cost £7.50 per person to take part, which will cover our costs, and each participant will commit to raise £50 in sponsorship (only £39 if all sponsors take advantage of Gift Aid). The event will be run for Amy’s Retreat by local companies Beyond The Edge, and Brighter Futures, represented by Pete Nash and Richard Clark.

Miller’s Dale is a beautiful area, and there are many walking trails and a picnic area nearby, as well as a pub and a snack bar. It should be a great day out for abseilers and spectators alike.

If you and/or any of your friends fancy doing the abseil, or would like to have further information, could you please contact me by email at info@amysretreat.org.uk or on 07841647866.

I hope that you will fancy giving this a go! All money raised will go towards paying for holidays/respite breaks for local children suffering from cancer, and their families.

Best wishes

Paul
Amy’s Retreat For Kids With Cancer

BUNGEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-05-27T19:58:00.000+01:00

I have just done the most terrifying thing in my entire life! Along with the following foolhardy souls I took part in the Amy's Retreat sponsored bungee jump at Magna in Sheffield:

Ann Hall, Maria Elliott, Andrew Lomax, Craig Kaneen, Paul Mitchell, Helen Deeble, Amelia Moore, Kirsty Saunders, Matt Fox, Amy Stoddart, Ash Marsh, Jonathan Hogg (see video below), James Quinn-Kumar and Phil Cripps.

Everything about the event was geared to inducing sheer terror in one as afraid of heights as myself, but the following factors stood out in my own experience:

The cold, dark, but broodingly magnificent interior of the former steelworks that is now the Magna Centre;

The 147 'see-through' metal stairs on the way up to the jump gantry;

Paul Mitchell's cheery observation when I reached the top, "You look as though that freaked you out a bit, Paul". Cheers mate!!

The interminable wait at the back of the jump queue.

I could go on, but none of the above could match that last moment before hurling myself off the gantry into nothingness. Earlier in the day I had hoped for a moment of spiritual enlightenment as I hurtled earthwards, but it was as much as I could do retain control of my bowels on the way down!

Will I be doing it again next time? Damn right I will. I might even open my eyes next time!

Brilliant effort everyone, and a big thank you to all those who came along to support. Keep the sponsorship coming in.

Come to the Fun Day at The Cobden View

2007-05-17T20:37:00.000+01:00

The Cobden View pub at Crookes in Sheffield are having a charity Fun Day on Saturday 2nd June 2007 in aid of Amy's Retreat. There will be a BBQ, raffle, face painting and fundraising games, and live bands on throughout the day and evening from noon onwards. Come along, have a great time with the friendly Cobden View crowd, and raise money for a good cause. And in case you need further encouragement to come along, you can even have another go at dowsing Richie (below) in the stocks. He's only just dried off after last year's Fun Day!

The bands playing on the day are as follows:

Kerry McIntyre, The Buckleys (TBC), The River Rats, Luva Anna

If anyone reading this knows of a facepainter who would like to come along and do a couple of hours work for our children's cancer charity, please, please, please call us on the office number and tell us about them (leave a message if you get the answerphone).

Thanks to Donna Ore & HSBC

2007-05-08T21:01:00.000+01:00

I want to say a huge thank you to Donna Ore, the Northern Regional Manager of HSBC Bank's community programmes. She raised £5,000 for Amy's Retreat by selling Reindeer Food through HSBC in the run-up to Christmas - a brilliant effort! My only gripe with her is that she's so modest that she won't even let us have a publicity photo to put on the blog!

LONDON MARATHON: Good luck Paul!

2007-04-22T12:23:00.000+01:00

Paul Beningingfield is running the London Marathon today to raise money for Amy's Retreat. He's already piled up a huge total on justgiving.com and we'll all be looking out for him on the telly! Good luck mate!!

Our new marquee!

2007-04-20T08:19:00.000+01:00

A big thank you from Amy's Retreat to Judi Collins of Proflight (see www.proflightbag.co.uk) for donating a wonderful, brand new Amy's Retreat marquee for us to use at events such as summer festivals, the Santa 5K etc. It is a very useful resource for us, and a very generous donation. Look out for it this summer!!

Thanks to the Mothers Union

2007-04-11T17:42:00.000+01:00

On behalf of Amy's Retreat I would like to say a big thank you to the lovely ladies of the St Saviour's Church Mothers Union.

In addition to raising money for respite breaks/holidays at their flower festival last year (see below), they invited me back this week to give them a talk about the charity's progress, and made another generous donation.

2007 Abseil

2007-03-29T16:38:00.000+01:00

It's time to sign up for this year's Amy's Retreat sponsored abseil (see "Abseil Video" link on right of page for the film of last year's event). Let's make this time even more memorable!! Email us on info@amysretreat.org.uk for your entry and sponsorship forms.

Date set for bungee jump at Magna

2007-03-28T11:56:00.000+01:00

Five brave souls (well, four brave souls and me) will be taking the great leap into nothingness when they bungee jump at Magna on 26th May. We get a cheap rate if we get ten jumpers, so email me (Paul) on info@amysretreat.org.uk if you'd like to give it a try. If not you can sponsor us (pages soon to be set up on www.justgiving.com) or just come along and shout "JUMP!".