I had quite a busy week meeting up with different supporters, which is always great as they inspire me to keep moving BRIT forward. Aside from being such great supporters they are all fantastic people and my life is certainly richer for knowing them.
BDP have been incredibly supportive of BRIT. They gift offices to BRIT and have gifted the architecture plans for the BRIT Centre. I had the chance to meet up with Peter Drummond and Simon Riley at BDP. It was great to talk to them about where we are and how their support matters.
I also had the opportunity to catch up with two fantastic supporters of BRIT. First was Liam Burns at New Balance. Liam and New Balance have been great supporters of mine since I walked the first London Marathon in 2009. When I decided to found BRIT New Balance again stepped up and they pay for the petrol in the BRIT vehicle, which is gifted by Land Rover. That type of support has allowed me to travel all over Great Britain meeting with young people, charities, advisors and supporters. Liam and New Balance are fantastic.
Then I connected with Rory Quirke who works for Quirkie. Rory has designed my personal website and the BRIT website for several years now. I would not be able to focus on my work if not for the talents, skills and technical expertise Rory has provided.
Along with my work for BRIT I am committed to serve numerous other charities that have asked me to serve as an ambassador, patron or envoy. This past week I met up with NSPCC Childline Chief Executive, Peter Liver. We had a chance to discuss their relationship with BRIT and ways we can support each other. Of course this is one of my goals for BRIT that our work supports the work of other charities rather than compete against them. The meeting was very positive and Childline are fully supportive of BRIT.
On a positive note, Sussex Life magazine published a great article on BRIT and it is wonderful to have their support. I hope this will update and enthuse the many people, organisations and departments within Sussex who are keen to support the building of the BRIT Centre of Inspiration within West Sussex.
The week ended nicely with a quick drive up to Kent to pick up a donation from some great supporters of BRIT. BRIT has only one paid full time employee and whilst we do not ask for public donations, support such as this helps to defray expenses of running BRIT. I truly appreciate and want to thank everyone that donates. Every pound that comes in to BRIT is put to good use. I do not take a wage from BRIT, instead donating my time and energies to getting it up and running; I hope the way we want to run BRIT with minimal overheads and expenditure enthuses the public to get behind us as a conduit charity that does not want to compete, but build a Centre for them.
Stay tuned for information regarding my BRIT 2012 Challenge; I feel the plan we have has the potential to reach out to Young People and also employees of companies whose Pledges of support we need to build BRIT. I am looking forward to sharing our plans very soon.
My very best wishes,
Phil