At the end of Day 263 I drove
back to West Sussex mid-way through my month of October in Wales walking in
each of the 22 counties. It is tough at times to run BRIT as a charity and
complete each day’s walking at the same time, so returning to west Sussex gave
me time to walk and to prepare for our BRIT Trustees Meeting on Monday.
On Day 264, Friday 10th
October and Day 265, Saturday 11th October, I completed 6 miles each
day by walking in West Sussex and answering correspondence and preparing
reports for the BRIT Trustees. It also gave me the opportunity to wash all my
BRIT 2012 mile challenge clothes, repack the car and stock up on medication and
food supplements which I carry around with me in the car for each day of
walking.
On Sunday 12th
October, Day 266 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk I has the honour of starting the
Chichester Half Marathon http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=19931
after over a 20 year absence.
This year was the 25th
Anniversary of the Chichester Half Marathon and it was coordinated by
Chichester District Council and the Charity, Children on the Edge http://www.childrenontheedge.org/
Anita Roddick sparked the
beginnings of Children on the Edge http://www.childrenontheedge.org/ in 1990, in response to
the Romanian Orphanage Crisis. After witnessing the appalling conditions in
Romanian orphanages first hand, Anita mobilised her company, The Body Shop
International, to help these children. Initially, this involved helping three orphanages
in the small village of Halaucesti in the Iasi district of Romania.
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| Anita Roddick |
By 1992, the team had developed
considerable expertise in working with institutionalized children. This
prompted the organisation to expand its work into Albania.
By 1994, it developed into Bosnia and it became clear that the organisation was working primarily with vulnerable children, in particular those without parental care. It was then that Rachel Bentley co-founded Children on the Edge.
By 1994, it developed into Bosnia and it became clear that the organisation was working primarily with vulnerable children, in particular those without parental care. It was then that Rachel Bentley co-founded Children on the Edge.
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| Rachel Bentley |
In 1999, thousands of Kosovan
Refugees arrived in the town of Korce, Southern Albania where Children on the
Edge was working. The organisation became involved in the relief effort,
developing the skills necessary to work with refugees. The same year, Children
on the Edge expanded into Kosovo to help rebuild the schools and communities
devastated by conflict.
Working with the children of Kosovo developed the organisation’s expertise to include children in post conflict situations. In 2000 Children on the Edge was invited by UNICEF to work with traumatised children and youth in Timor-Leste and in 2004 when an earthquake and tsunami hit Indonesia, Children on the Edge utilized their skills in the area most devastated by the disaster.
Working with the children of Kosovo developed the organisation’s expertise to include children in post conflict situations. In 2000 Children on the Edge was invited by UNICEF to work with traumatised children and youth in Timor-Leste and in 2004 when an earthquake and tsunami hit Indonesia, Children on the Edge utilized their skills in the area most devastated by the disaster.
Since then, Children on the Edge have
expanded its reach to include working with children who have escaped ethnic
cleansing in Burma as: migrants, refugees and IDPs (internally displaced
people). Most recently, the organisation has started work in a new continent,
Africa, where the majority of children without parental care live.
Originally part of The Body Shop Foundation, Children on the Edge became an independently registered charity in 2004. The charity is in the process of registering independently in countries with active programmes. This will allow Children on the Edge to develop fundraising and expand operations in the countries where the charity works.
Originally part of The Body Shop Foundation, Children on the Edge became an independently registered charity in 2004. The charity is in the process of registering independently in countries with active programmes. This will allow Children on the Edge to develop fundraising and expand operations in the countries where the charity works.
The history of Children on the
Edge is as follows;
1990 - After Anita Roddick
visited Romania, The Body Shop undertook work helping children within
three orphanages. This was achieved through staff training, play and
socialisation programmes and integrating children back into community life. At
this time they were ‘The Body Shop Romania Relief Appeal’.
1992 - Having developed expertise in programmes of deinstitutionalisation for children they were invited by VSO and the Albanian Ministry of Health to develop work in Albania. They were re-named The Body Shop Eastern Europe Relief Drive and became part of The Body Shop Foundation.
1994 - This year they developed this work into Bosnia and by this point had built up considerable expertise working with children without parental care. The organisation Children on the Edge was co-founded in this year by their current director Rachel Bentley.
1996 - Programme set up in Romania to support teenagers leaving residential care.
1992 - Having developed expertise in programmes of deinstitutionalisation for children they were invited by VSO and the Albanian Ministry of Health to develop work in Albania. They were re-named The Body Shop Eastern Europe Relief Drive and became part of The Body Shop Foundation.
1994 - This year they developed this work into Bosnia and by this point had built up considerable expertise working with children without parental care. The organisation Children on the Edge was co-founded in this year by their current director Rachel Bentley.
1996 - Programme set up in Romania to support teenagers leaving residential care.
1997 - Graduate programme
established in Romania to offer residential rehabilitative care for
teenagers leaving residential care.
1999 - In this year they provided mobile sanitation and clinic facilities in Albania for refugees from the Kosovan crisis and were responsible for the repatriation of vulnerable refugees back to Kosovo.
2000 - Rebuilt School in Kosovo, in Cabra village which was completely destroyed during Kosovan crisis. This led to investor confidence which led to regeneration of the entire village.
2001 - Having built up considerable experience in Europe of working with post-conflict Children they were invited by UNICEF to implement a Child Friendly Space in Viqueque, East Timor.
2002 - Refurbished three schools in Kosovo, established Semi Independent Living Apartments for orphans in Romania, opened Special Needs Day-care centre in Romania to help prevent Special Needs children being abandoned to state institutions.
2003 - Opened second Special Needs Day-care centre in Romania and funded the Speranta Special Needs Day-care centre in Moldova.
2004 - The Goruni Farm Project was established in Romania to help reintegrate teenagers from residential care into society. In this year Children on the Edge independently registered as a charity in its own right.
2005 - Established a Child and Community Centre in Aceh, Indonesia helping children and their community rebuild their lives after the traumas of the Asian Tsunami.
2006 - Started work on the Thai/Burma border, helping Burmese refugees and migrants fleeing persecution from a brutal military regime within their homeland.
1999 - In this year they provided mobile sanitation and clinic facilities in Albania for refugees from the Kosovan crisis and were responsible for the repatriation of vulnerable refugees back to Kosovo.
2000 - Rebuilt School in Kosovo, in Cabra village which was completely destroyed during Kosovan crisis. This led to investor confidence which led to regeneration of the entire village.
2001 - Having built up considerable experience in Europe of working with post-conflict Children they were invited by UNICEF to implement a Child Friendly Space in Viqueque, East Timor.
2002 - Refurbished three schools in Kosovo, established Semi Independent Living Apartments for orphans in Romania, opened Special Needs Day-care centre in Romania to help prevent Special Needs children being abandoned to state institutions.
2003 - Opened second Special Needs Day-care centre in Romania and funded the Speranta Special Needs Day-care centre in Moldova.
2004 - The Goruni Farm Project was established in Romania to help reintegrate teenagers from residential care into society. In this year Children on the Edge independently registered as a charity in its own right.
2005 - Established a Child and Community Centre in Aceh, Indonesia helping children and their community rebuild their lives after the traumas of the Asian Tsunami.
2006 - Started work on the Thai/Burma border, helping Burmese refugees and migrants fleeing persecution from a brutal military regime within their homeland.
2007 - Started support of
Ei Htu Hta Refugee camp nurseries in Burma and established Child and
Community Centre in Moldova.
2008 - Helped child victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma and provided Cross Border Aid for victims of the famine in Chin State, Burma. Also in this year they began supporting:
- Apartment Schools in Malaysia
- Scholarships for Burmese refugee children in India
- KWO in developing standards of care in Thai Boarding Houses
2009 - First trip to Bangladesh to help the plight of Rohingya refugee children from Burma. Began support for 3 Learning Centres for Working Children.
2010 - Started supporting Sports and Education Programme for vulnerable children in the slums of Port au Prince, Haiti following the earthquake.
2008 - Helped child victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma and provided Cross Border Aid for victims of the famine in Chin State, Burma. Also in this year they began supporting:
- Apartment Schools in Malaysia
- Scholarships for Burmese refugee children in India
- KWO in developing standards of care in Thai Boarding Houses
2009 - First trip to Bangladesh to help the plight of Rohingya refugee children from Burma. Began support for 3 Learning Centres for Working Children.
2010 - Started supporting Sports and Education Programme for vulnerable children in the slums of Port au Prince, Haiti following the earthquake.
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| With Children on the Edge Ambassador, Euan Clarke, and George Vaux |
Children on the Edge have carried
out vital work for over two decades to save the lives of children and young
people across over 14 countries. It was an honour to be invited by the
charity to start their Chichester Half marathon and to enjoy such a positive
relationship with their team. Euan Clarke, their Children on the Edge
Ambassador is a delightful gentleman and a pleasure to spend time with.
The atmosphere on Sunday morning
was superb and it was a great to meet runners and support staff as well as the
Children on the Edge Team and their volunteer supporters.
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| The start line at the Chichester Half Marathon for Children on the Edge |
I finished Day 266 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk with 340 miles to go.
On the Sunday morning I was delighted to say hello to Shelagh Legrave, the Principal of Chichester College, who was participating in the Half Marathon.
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| Shelagh Legrave-Principal of Chichester College |
Shelagh has been a tremendous supporter
of BRIT, the BRIT 2012 mile walk and me for a considerable time. 266 days ago I
started my 2012 mile walk at Chichester College and Shelagh, together with her
staff, have given constant support throughout the year. The Headquarters of
BRIT is now based at Chichester College and I am given great help and
assistance by many of Shelagh’s staff in their spare time which has been vital
to keep on top of administration, finance and coordination.
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| Lisa Humphries-Student Experience Manager at Chichester College |
Day 267 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk
started with 4 miles in the morning, prior to my BRIT Trustees Meeting at
Chichester College. It was super to see Helen, our volunteer BRIT Photographer,
together with Polly who both came to the college to photograph two of my BRIT Trustees
for our website.
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| Martin Lewis |
It was a pleasure to see Martin Lewis, Chairman of the BRIT
Trustees, and Mike Peckham, one of the BRIT Trustees, both of whom had
travelled great distances to spend the day discussing our strategy including
2012, the walk and our future plans.
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| Mike Peckham |
Martin and Mike are enthusiastic, dynamic, visionary and wholeheartedly supportive. I speak to all our Trustees on a regular basis, however there is nothing like spending time in their company. Martin, Mike and our third Trustee, Darren Whittingham, are more than Trustees; they have all become super advisors, mentors and great friends to me and I value my relationships with them very much.
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| With BRIT Trustees and great friends, Mike Peckham and Martin Lewis on Day 267 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk |
I always feel so positive after spending time with them, listening to them and taking their advice, counsel and guidance. Our Trustees Meeting was a pleasure to be part of.
I ended Day 267 with 334 miles to
go.
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| The Brecon Beacons, Powys, Mid Wales |
This morning, Day 268, I
travelled from West Sussex to Brecon, in Powys, Mid Wales. My day was spent at
Ty Orbis http://www.orbiseducationandcare.co.uk/
Orbis Schools are part of Ludlow
Orbis Education. They offer specialist residential, education and care services
for children, young people and adults with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC)
from the age of 7+.
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With the young people and staff of Ty Orbis on Brecon,
Mid Wales on Day 268 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk
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Based upon the principles of
TEACCH, PECS and Makaton, their goal is to provide opportunities and
experiences for each individual, regardless of ability, to prepare them for
later life.
Their integrated approach to
learning has their qualified lecturers, residential and clinical teams
partnering together so that each student's personalised education programme is
developed and reinforced consistently as a 24-hour learning environment which
can lead to formal accreditation.
They offer a flexible range of
placements, from fifty two weeks, thirty eight weeks, term time only and day
students. Other variations in placement type, including respite are also
available.
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| With the Lord Lieutenant Mayor and some of the young people and staff of Ty Orbis in Brecon Mid Wales |
Ty Orbis is set in the beautiful
rolling hills of Bronllys on the outskirts of the Brecon Beacons, Their
philosophy at Ty Orbis is that every day, every young person has the right to
feel fulfilled, reach their full potential and to receive the best possible
education and care to carry them through life.
They specialise in providing
intensive residential care, support and education for young people with ASC and
associated emotional, social and behavioural difficulties. Their aim at Ty
Orbis is to ensure that every student feels safe, secure, valued and respected
in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Ty Orbis offers 52 week
residential provision, respite services and day placements, for young people
aged between 8 and 19 years of age.
At Ty Orbis every student has
full access to the National Curriculum and benefits from an individual
education plan written to suit their needs and ability. They believe that
effective and meaningful access to therapeutic services, together with a calm
environment enables students to be more receptive to learning.
They also recognise that a
student's learning experience needs to be continuous. At Ty Orbis each student
is engaged and challenged at school, at home and during offsite leisure
activities. Life skills and independence are encouraged alongside sporting and
adventure activities.
It is a quite remarkable facility
and I was delighted to meet the young students and their team of wonderful
staff.
My sincere thanks to Darren
Jackson, Principal of Ludlow Orbis Education for coordinating the day and for
hosting me.
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|
With The Lord Lieutenant of Powys, The
Honourable Mrs Elizabeth Shân Josephine Legge-Bourke LVO
|
It was a pleasure to meet
Councillor Andy Lord, Mayor of Talgarth Town Council, and it was an absolute
honour to be joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Powys, The Honourable Mrs
Elizabeth Shân Josephine Legge-Bourke
LVO.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending
time with both the Mayor and the Lord Lieutenant and it was fascinating to talk
to them both. I spent time over lunch with Darren, his staff and the Mayor. On
the arrival of the Lord Lieutenant, we joined the children and the staff at the
end of school assembly, followed by photographs and a tour of the facilities.
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Looking on intently at the young people
of Ty Orbis with
The Honourable Mrs Elizabeth Shân Josephine Legge-Bourke
LVO
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I was saddened that my time this
afternoon with the Lord Lieutenant was brief as The Honourable Mrs Elizabeth Shân Legge-Bourke is a remarkable
lady. We discussed a number of issues and I was keen to ask more questions and
to listen to her honest and open responses together with her knowledge, wisdom
and experience in so many areas.
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| Finding Day 268 a tough day. A poor night's sleep and up at 0400 hours this morning and looking pretty shattered! |
Today has been a long and tough
day. Following on from yesterday’s BRIT Trustees Meeting, my mind was active
with thoughts and ideas. With so much going on, I sometimes find it hard to
switch off; particularly when preparing for another 10 days on the road. I woke
at 0400 hours this morning and couldn’t go back to sleep so together with a
long drive to Wales, a busy visit and walk this afternoon, despite being a
great day in Brecon, this has been hard today.
It’s approaching 2300 hours and
after responding to emails, calls, texts and writing the blogs and BRIT
correspondence this evening, I am definitely ready for bed soon. I have been
kindly gifted support for accommodation and supper this evening at the Lake
Country House and Spa http://www.lakecountryhouse.co.uk/ in Llangammarch Wells,
Powys.
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| Lake Country House and Spa in Llangammarch Wells, Powys |
I’m grateful to everyone at the
Lake Country House and Spa for looking after me and am gutted that I’ve missed
dinner and what the hotel looks like downstairs!I am ending Day 268 with 328 miles to go.
Looking forward to walking at
Ceredigion College in their Aberystwth Campus, Ceredigion and Aberystwyth
University, in Penglais, Aberystwyth tomorrow.
With kind regards,
Phil