Advice with charity request please

Nothing ventured nothing gained grannya. Give it a go. If they can't provide, they might suggest something.

ga will pm you!

ga, if you were able to set up a fund of some sort, I would happily make a contribution, and I'm sure I am not alone. I think you would have enough money in no time, given the right publicity. Your fostering of the boys is such a selfless act, It would be a privilege to help in a small way.

Oh, re my pm - am happy to do letter of intro too!

Hi ga have pm'd you also your in box will be buzzing

Hello ga I have sent a pm.

ga I haven't pm'd you but would happily contribute to such a worthwhile cause.

Good afternoon grannyactivist, and what a challenge you have. My husband was a Lion for 25 years, and from that experience I would say, yes, do approach them. My association with lots of charities whilst I was still involved in that way, was that Rotary, Round Table and Lions are all happy to support a cause, the Lions in particular (or in the club that my husband belonged to) like to purchase the item, rather than give cash. Rotary & Round Table I found are quite good at supporting with presence. There are probably other grns who have had similar experience. I always asked (never for me!), and was never refused. I did find too, that once the support was given, the club appreciated an up-date, or involvement in some way.

As a Rotarian, it's good to hear that, PRINTMISS. Clubs have a mandate to give support within their local community as well as internationally, and will always do their best, discussing each request carefully.

Yes Ariadne, lots of people out there, doing lots of good things, just because they get great satisfaction from helping out somewhere along the line. Getting to know the folk who need the help, and realising there are those who definitely do not! Would not have swapped a moment of what we did, and the pleasure we got, (even in freezing conditions!) we have some great memories of comradeship and good-will.

I would also be happy to contribute to such a worthwhile cause. I can't remember how it worked, but many of us contributed to a cause for which a member was doing a very long walk. It was very easy to make a donation.
I am always interested in Ariadne's reports on her Rotarian work - I think the idea of gleaning crops that the farmers can't use is brilliant.

I'd been wondering how you were getting on with your boys "grannyactivist" I hope you find some backing and they are able to make the most of their time here.

Try googling educational charities - there are lots of them, and my OH got through medical school with their help, as he did not get a grant or paretnal support.

There will also be charities involved with E European needs; and there are some small local charities that can often help.

CAB is likely to know who all these people are.

GA also happy to contribute to any fund raising if that is the route you go down. Good luck.

Many, many thanks to all of you who have offered advice and even financial contributions - the latter took me completely by surprise and brought me to tears. I was dumbstruck when I got home this evening to find so many responses and I do appreciate your support enormously.
I have just written a letter to the local Rotary Club with some background information and asked them if they will buy a laptop and the Windows software to go with it. I will keep you informed as to the outcome.

Good luck! hope it all comes together

Thought you might like an update on this.
Two men from Rotary are coming to visit me and the boys on Wednesday to discuss my begging letter application for a laptop for the boys. I shall let you know the outcome.

Fingers crossed for you and your foster children.
I am full of admiration for you, grannyactivist .

Well done grannyactivist, sometimes asking is the hardest thing to do, because normally most of us just get on with things, but a good cause is always worth supporting. How are the boys getting on?

There are some "social enterprises" that recondition laptops I think.

Good so far, hoping for an equally good outcome.

OoH I hope it goes well

Good luck for Wednesday. It seems a very reasonable request to me, something that will actually be some practical use and further their education.

The Rotary visit went very well and I'm expecting to hear back soon. I said that any laptop would be a bonus and we're not bothered about brands or anything, just so long as it works. I'm pretty confident that their recommendation to the relevant committee will be positive. The boys were on form and both the men were impressed with how much English language they've accumulated.
The lads start their work experience for their NVQs tomorrow and are re-taking maths GCSEs in a couple of weeks. The older boy has been practising 'smiling' in readiness for giving good customer service; he makes it look quite painful!