The Great British Antiques Web 2009 Fundraising Challenge Our local appeal needs worldwide support. Quite simply, we want used postage stamps from around the globe.
Ron Heath, creator of The Great British Antiques Web (GBAW), an online resource of the British antiques trade has launched a fundraising challenge that will continue throughout 2009 and is calling on antiques dealers and collectors worldwide for their help.
Ron says, “I've considered for quite a while that The Great British Antiques Web should support a worthwhile charitable organisation and decided 2009 should be the year for some positive action. The Children's Hospice, South West England (CHSW) is dedicated to making the most of short and precious lives. Good health in children is something which can all to easily be sometimes taken for granted, and it was for this very reason that I chose CHSW for our campaign and specially as they rely almost entirely on the generosity of others to exist.”
CHSW has been providing care and respite to families from across South West England for over 13 years, firstly at Little Bridge House, North Devon, and more recently at Charlton Farm, North Somerset. Funded almost wholly by voluntary donations £6 million is needed each and every year. And if the magnitude of that annual commitment was not enough, plans are currently in place to build a third special hospice to be called Little Harbour in St. Austell, Cornwall, where thanks to a generous donation by a local farmer and the support of many others a target of £5 million has been set of which so far has exceeded £1.6 million.
Whilst most appeals are about collecting cash, and indeed this one is no different. But sometimes, practical help can be equally beneficial, particularly when sending a message internationally such as this.
Used stamps on their own are pretty worthless, but collectively and in great numbers they can be turned into valuable revenue. The Hospice sends used stamps to a dealer who pays for them by weight and more for special stamps and albums. Through a network of antiques dealers in Britain who are responding to a call for assistance to collect thousands of used stamps during the next twelve months, The Great British Antiques Web wants to expand this and create an international association of supporters who will collect stamps and send to them.
“Including stamps from different countries will boost our appeal enormously,” added Ron Heath. “They are easy to collect and can be sent to us in Great Britain for relatively little cost, which can be reduced if collectors have time to separate them from their backing. We will be indebted for whatever we receive as every contribution will make huge difference and help the Childrens Hospice Southwest continue their invaluable work.”
A web site has been set-up at http://gbawfundraising.blogspot.com, which provides further information about the Challenge with links to the Hospice. The web site will also serve to keep everyone updated with progress of the campaign and will include news about those who have offered their support.
Ron concludes, “Being that this is our first-ever fund raising campaign we have not set a target,
