37 days......

37 days until I turn 30... old age here I come!!....

I have just TWENTY days until I fly to Ghana... time has travelled really fast. I can't believe it's nearly here already!!! I am mostly ready though. I now have my visa, which I had no trouble getting other than long waits at the High Commission. I also have got most of the bits and pieces I need to take personally. Just need to pack it all. I've had another £75 of donations since my last post and a HUGE amount of clothes, books, toys etc donated for the kids. I definitely have enough to fill my suitcase and am hoping to get money towards taking an extra bag so if anyone fancies donating 200 euros, that's how much KLM are going to charge me for an extra bag. I tried to get them to allow it for free because it's for the orphanage but alas, they were not feeling charitable that day.

I was given some items which were not suitable to take over to Ghana so I have sold some of those on Ebay and raised another £25 which is great. I have so many books now and a limited luggage weight allowance so I will be selling some of the unsuitable books at my upcoming jewellery & massage party. All the support I have been recieving is amazing and I really appreciate it. I can't wait to get out there now and meet the children. Please please keep donations coming in and help me to make a difference.

I am holding a jewellery and massage party next weekend (31st October 2010) in Letchworth Garden City (The Guide Hall, Icknield Way, Letchworth) from 1.30-6pm. I will be selling jewellery from my shop (www.corriekay.com) and offering 15 minute mini massages in order to raise more funds for Ghana. As it's on Halloween there will also be face painting for kids so bring them along before going trick or treating!

I am getting very excited about the trip now and can't believe how fast it has come around. I have been in touch with several other volunteers, both past and future, and feel I have prepared myself. I am looking forward to meeting the other volunteers out there but most of all I can't wait to meet the children and do what I can to help their situation.

Thank you all for your time and donations. I really appreciate it. Keep checking back for updates and stories from Ghana and please share this blog and ask friends to donate. I'd really appreciate it.

Many thanks

Corrie

49 days.....no turning back now!

So there are now 49 days until my 30th and just 32 days until I fly out to Ghana. I am now much more organised. I have had my injections, sorted out clothing and malaria tablets and just have my visa left to get in the next week or two. Feeling much better about it all now I'm organised.

I had another £60 of donations since my last email appeal and then the tins at work raised another £50. I also had a very large donation of brightly coloured wool which I will use to entertain the kids and teach them to make bracelets or crochet. Another appeal email sent today with a list of items needed so hoping that will bring in even more! :)

If you would like to help but are unable to donate money then there are things that other volunteers and the agency have suggested I bring so feel free to donate these items and post them to me at Corrie Buckland (Ghana), c/o Claybury International, The Pixmore Centre, Pixmore Ave, Letchworth, SG6 1JG.

Items needed are:

• Children’s underwear & clothes
• Nappies, wipes and baby supplies
• Vitamins/ Calcium tablets (ones like sweets are good as kids think it’s sweets)
• Antibiotics/Antiseptics / alcohol, wipes
• First Aid / medical supplies
• Plasters (band aids)
• Medical Family guides
• Any books on health care relevant to Africa
• Hankies
• Electric/battery Razor for cutting kids hair

Items for entertaining/teaching/ treating children

• Balloons
• Toys
• Books
• Bubble Solution
• Face paint
• Stickers/Stamps
• Games (bingo, snakes & ladders etc)
• Pens/Pencils/ Paper/ Crayons
• Chalk / pavement chalk
• Sweets

Anything you are able to help with is very much appreciated. I can’t wait to get out there now and meet the children. I’ve been watching videos and talking to previous volunteers and I am ready to get out there and do what I can to help.

Thanks for all your help and I look forward to sharing the experience with you.

Corrie :)

85 days....

There are just 85 days left until I turn 30 and just 68 days until I fly out to Ghana for my volunteering.... I am getting slightly nervous now but more nervous about not being organised.... time has flown by and it's been a busy few months personally so I don't really feel all that prepared yet. I am still off sick from work (it's been 9 weeks!!!) but I should be back at work next week hopefully and can pick up my collection tins from the staff room!

I haven't had any donations since the last post, although the cheque from ' Love it' magazine did arrive (see picture for the article).

I also booked my flight (paid for personally by me not from donations) with KLM. I am hoping the next few weeks before I go will bring in some more donations and provide a sizeable donation for the orphanage.. here's hoping :)

I have made a short video on Youtube using some photos borrowed from previous Ghana volunteers (Nicole Anzelone and Samantha Leathers.. thanks girls) so hopefully that will also get people donating. The link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_nP1P1DAG8

I am very grateful to all who have donated so far. For those that still want to help, if you are unable to donate money right now I will also be taking some things with me like pens, pencils etc for the children...maybe when you are out getting the kids back to school stuff you can pop an extra one in your basket and donate it. Email me for my address to send items to. My luggage is limited so nothing too heavy or bulky though.

I will spend the next few weeks fundraising and preparing myself for the trip. I still need to have my yellow fever injection and get my visa and work out everything I need to take and how much space I'll have. I'm getting excited as it gets closer but I'm also nervous about it all having never done this before. I'm sure it'll go well but it will be emotional.

Well I better get on. Do check out the video and share it if you like and please please keep donations coming in.

Thanks all and have a lovely day :)

130 days............

So there are now 130 days until I turn 30.... time is flying by!!! I have just 113 days until I fly out to Ghana to start my placement at the orphanage.

My fundraising is going well.... my tins at work are slowly growing and after I wrote to 'Love it' magazine I got a call saying they are printing my story in the July 27th issue (next Tuesday) as 'Reader of the Week' and they will be sending my £100 towards my fundraising.. woohoo... that makes my current total £450 (+whatever is in the tins at work).... I have now passed my total that I wanted to raise and am hoping to raise even more to give to the orphanage on my arrival.

I am currently off work sick after falling down the stairs and tearing a ligament but that gives me more time to research online and try more fundraising ideas... time to get writing those letters to local businesses.... wish me luck!

Thanks to everyone that has donated so far and for those still promising to donate. I really appreciate it and I can't wait to be able to share photos and stories of where your money has gone to help (this blog will surely get more interesting then too..hehe!). :)

148 days.... eek!!

Aaahhh...So there are only 148 days left until I turn 30.... that means there are just 133 days until I start my placement in Ghana.... I will hopefully be booking my flight soon and getting those all important jabs... ouch!

I have been a little slack on the fundraising lately what with moving house and changing jobs etc but I'm hoping to get back on it fully again soon. Ive put a couple of collection tins and notices at work and have had some donations that way. I've also had a few more online or in person bringing my current total to...... wait for it...... £350!!!!!!!! I am also going to start writing to companies and magazines etc to see if I can raise any funds that way. Fingers crossed I'll make even more for the orphanage. Not so long left to go now. Time is flying by!

I will hopefully have more to update you with soon!

Many thanks all for all your support :)

223 days....

So.. there are now 223 until I turn 30 but only 208 days until I start my volunteer placement in Ghana.... i'm excited but no doubt excitement will become nerves nearer the time!

I have now made a total of £298 towards this appeal. I am really really grateful to everyone who has donated and those that have promised to donate soon. I'm so pleased to have done so well so quickly but I do hope to make a lot more so please keep donations coming in.

Now I have recieved my fundraising booklet I shall be trying some other fundraising ideas too. As I am a fully qualified Massage Therapist I am offering a discounted rate of £20 for a full body 1 hour massage at my house in Clapham Junction (or £30 to come to your house to cover travel costs). All profit will go to this appeal so please get booking if you want a massage!!

I shall hopefully be holding a hand made jewellery sale in the summer too and have my thinking cap on for other fundraising ideas. Please please get involved if you can! Any advice definitely welcome :)

Thanks again everyone for donating and keep checking back for more updates!

236 days

Today I recieved my confirmation letter of my fundraising so anyone that may have been doubting whether I am legitimate here's your proof...any questions email me or the co-ordinator on the confirmation letter... made another £10 in the last couple of days but still got a long way to go!

Will update more as and when I have something new to tell you!

Have a good day :)