I recently watched the new movie- The Blind Side. I didn't know very much about it before hand other than Sandra Bullock was blonde in it and won the best actress oscar for the role!! I was unaware it addresed the youth homelessness issue, which came as a very pleasant surprise to me- never fully 'off duty'!
Link to the trailer- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hn5-pxWM6k
Synopsis- Michael Oher knows little about family. Less about football. What the homeless teen knows are the streets and the projects of Memphis. Well-to-do Leigh Anne Tuohy knows little about his world. Yet when she and Michael meet, he's found a home and the Tuohy's have found something just as life changing a beloved new son and brother. This real-life story of family and Michael's growth into a blue-chip football star will have you cheering with it's mix of gridiron action and heart-warming emotion. Share the remarkable journey of the college All-American and first-round NFL draft pick who was a winner before he ever stepped foot on the playing field.
I challenge you to watch this movie and not feel incredibly moved. But the reality is there are thousands and thousands of young homeless people like Michael, many far closer to home than you would like to believe and not many of whom have a happy ending like that, that's why this is a story worthy of it's own movie because it is NOT the norm!! There aren't enough Leigh Anne Tuohy's out there but there is Step by Step!! We can help not just ONE person in Michael's plight but hundreds!! 324 last year to be exact, PLEASE help us, help our communities 'Michaels'..... help us to help hundreds of young people, turn their life around and achieve their full potential.
You can now donate online- http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/stepbystep
Or call me for more details about Step by Step and how you could help- 01252 327317 or visit our website to find out about some of our services and appeals- http://www.stepbystep.org.uk/
Thank you.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Thank you BNI- Guildford, what a start to the day!!
Well this morning was an early start for me, one of Step by Step's Supporters Elizabeth of The Redpath Consultancy asked me to substitute for her at her BNI Chapter at the Merrist Wood Golf Club, Guildford. Having been a member of a few Chapters of BNI in a previous post, it took very little convincing! BNI has proven itself to me as the leading referral organisation time and time again, how else would you get to pitch your business to 20-40 business people/owners, all of whom WANT to give you business all before 9am?!
The philosophy of BNI is "Givers Gain" and give is what the generous members of this BNI Chapter and their visitors did this morning!
After giving Elizabeth's 60 second speech about her business I was able to talk about Step by Step, I gave an example of how a young person might become homeless and how a number of our clients come to need our help and I told them about our 'Buy a Brick' Campaign for our New Build. The support was overwhelming and 12 Bricks were bought by BNI members- £120 raised and all before 9am!!
I'd like to say a big thank you to BNI Guildford http://www.bniguildford.com/ for the warm welcome and support you showed me and for giving me a great start to my day, you'll rarely find me so full of beans after a pre 6am start but I was so touched by the support that was shown that you couldn't wipe the smile off of my face if you tried!
Many thanks on behalf of everyone at Step by Step and the young people that we support to-
Ingrid Weel- Ingrid Weel Photography
Bruce Hazelton- The Marvellous Media Company
Michael Lee- Eagles Westinsure
Brian Doubleday- Action Coach (2 Bricks)!
Jodi Bonner- Quin-essence
Angela Hughes- Money Manager at Home
Doug Reeve- Cartridge World
Michael Preece- Bishops Move
Keith McDonald- Just Wills (2 Bricks)!
Merfyn- Ledreag Electrical
Regards- Leanne
The philosophy of BNI is "Givers Gain" and give is what the generous members of this BNI Chapter and their visitors did this morning!
After giving Elizabeth's 60 second speech about her business I was able to talk about Step by Step, I gave an example of how a young person might become homeless and how a number of our clients come to need our help and I told them about our 'Buy a Brick' Campaign for our New Build. The support was overwhelming and 12 Bricks were bought by BNI members- £120 raised and all before 9am!!
I'd like to say a big thank you to BNI Guildford http://www.bniguildford.com/ for the warm welcome and support you showed me and for giving me a great start to my day, you'll rarely find me so full of beans after a pre 6am start but I was so touched by the support that was shown that you couldn't wipe the smile off of my face if you tried!
Many thanks on behalf of everyone at Step by Step and the young people that we support to-
Ingrid Weel- Ingrid Weel Photography
Bruce Hazelton- The Marvellous Media Company
Michael Lee- Eagles Westinsure
Brian Doubleday- Action Coach (2 Bricks)!
Jodi Bonner- Quin-essence
Angela Hughes- Money Manager at Home
Doug Reeve- Cartridge World
Michael Preece- Bishops Move
Keith McDonald- Just Wills (2 Bricks)!
Merfyn- Ledreag Electrical
Regards- Leanne
Monday, 22 March 2010
Happy Monday everyone!!
I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Did anybody see the Sports Relief footage? A good mix of very moving clips and comedy sketches I thought. Rufus Hound dressed and dancing as Cheryl Cole was hilarious and scary to watch in fairly equal measure and 'Smithy' was on great form with some great sports! Wonderful seeing the likes of Becks and Rooney sending themselves up so well!
I didn't manage to get through Fridays show without a tear though, always the way! The part that got me was when Chris Moyles started crying! I don't know if anyone else listens to his show on Radio One but he is always so happy, upbeat and funny so seeing him so moved and upset really got to me. The grief, sadness and injustice he was witnessing was just horrific!
There are so many great causes out there and so much help needed it's hard to know where to start sometimes! I know a lot of people feel strongly that Charity begins at home and like to support their local charities- Step by Step is in as much need as ever, we can only help1 in 3 of the young people referred to us at the moment and we want to help them all! If you wish to donate you can do so online- http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/stepbystep
Finally a quick well done to my Brother who managed a 6 mile run for Sport Relief in between two night shifts (ouch)!
Have a great week- Leanne
I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Did anybody see the Sports Relief footage? A good mix of very moving clips and comedy sketches I thought. Rufus Hound dressed and dancing as Cheryl Cole was hilarious and scary to watch in fairly equal measure and 'Smithy' was on great form with some great sports! Wonderful seeing the likes of Becks and Rooney sending themselves up so well!
I didn't manage to get through Fridays show without a tear though, always the way! The part that got me was when Chris Moyles started crying! I don't know if anyone else listens to his show on Radio One but he is always so happy, upbeat and funny so seeing him so moved and upset really got to me. The grief, sadness and injustice he was witnessing was just horrific!
There are so many great causes out there and so much help needed it's hard to know where to start sometimes! I know a lot of people feel strongly that Charity begins at home and like to support their local charities- Step by Step is in as much need as ever, we can only help1 in 3 of the young people referred to us at the moment and we want to help them all! If you wish to donate you can do so online- http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/stepbystep
Finally a quick well done to my Brother who managed a 6 mile run for Sport Relief in between two night shifts (ouch)!
Have a great week- Leanne
Friday, 19 March 2010
Good luck to our weekends parachute jumpers!
It's Friday!! Most of us are looking forward to the end of our working day and the weekend ahead! We might have time with family and friends planned, perhaps some shopping or a trip to the cinema?
For two very brave ladies however this weekend means jumping out of a plane!!!! With a parachute I might add but still very, very brave!! Our 'jumpers' from Recruit Event Services are no doubt mentally preparing themselves as I type for the moment on Sunday when they take that leap of faith.
On behalf of Step by Step I want to wish them lots of luck and give our very heartfelt thanks for choosing our Charity for this sponsored event!
If you would like to take part in a FREE Parachute Jump and help raise money for Step by Step (minimum sponsorship level applies) please email me- leanne.grubb@stepbystep.org.uk and I will send you the details.
Thank you for reading and wishing you all a fabulous weekend!!
Leanne
For two very brave ladies however this weekend means jumping out of a plane!!!! With a parachute I might add but still very, very brave!! Our 'jumpers' from Recruit Event Services are no doubt mentally preparing themselves as I type for the moment on Sunday when they take that leap of faith.
On behalf of Step by Step I want to wish them lots of luck and give our very heartfelt thanks for choosing our Charity for this sponsored event!
If you would like to take part in a FREE Parachute Jump and help raise money for Step by Step (minimum sponsorship level applies) please email me- leanne.grubb@stepbystep.org.uk and I will send you the details.
Thank you for reading and wishing you all a fabulous weekend!!
Leanne
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