Thanking Our Volunteers!

Volunteers and Staff at the Merchants Pub

On the 18th of June, we had a volunteer get-together in Lancaster. It was a small way of expressing our thanks to volunteers who contribute their time and skills to MfM, and also a chance for them to meet up with each other.

Not all our volunteers could make it but those who could had a choice of two events to attend. One related to a concert put up by Lancaster Millennium Choir, a faithful supporter of Akany Avoko. The concert was for an hour and it showcased their latest piece - Charlie the Cello. Some of our volunteers attended this event and were also able to sell some Malagasy crafts and greeting cards to raise money for our partners in Madagascar. Others joined us at the pub, and you can see from the picture above that we were enjoying some lovely summer sunshine. We want to say a special thank you to our volunteers for all their hard work and commitment!

Ash Rofe receiving certificate

Earlier on this month, one of our volunteers Ash Rofe received a certificate from the Mayor of Lancaster at the annual Volunteer Awards which are hosted by the Lancaster chapter of CVS (Council for Voluntary Services). He was nominated in the category for Young Volunteer of the Year. Ash has been an intern with us since October 2015 and he is returning to complete his undergraduate studies at Lancaster University. Ash has come in to our office once a week every Friday and contributed his skills and knowledge to help us with a variety of office tasks. We thank him for his time and efforts and wish him all the very best as he enters his final year of undergraduate studies.

We would also like to thank Alice Tooms our fundraising intern from Lancaster University who has completed her undergraduate studies and is moving on to new pastures. We do hope that both Alice and Ash will continue to be in touch with us and will spread the word about the work that our partners do in Madagascar!

Cooking up funds for Akany Avoko

Lancaster supporters of Akany Avoko are raising money by hosting ‘Pampered Chef’ cooking parties.

Earlier this year, Helen Speakman, from Lancaster, hosted a party with Helen Cullen-Williams, an independent consultant for Pampered Chef, and raised £120 for Akany Avoko.

Both Helens are members of Lancaster Millennium Choir, long-time supporters of both Akany Avoko children's home and Money for Madagascar. 

Choir members, together with friends and colleagues of Helen S, attended the live cookery demonstration, which encouraged people to get hands-on and take part in preparing recipes and trying out utensils. They could then buy the items on show, with a percentage of profits going towards Akany Avoko.

Mouth-watering Mediterranean Ring

Helen C-W said, “We are always trying to find different ways to raise a bit extra for Akany Avoko and thought what better way than getting people along to one of my shows. It’s such an easy way to raise money. It’s great fun and everyone gets involved, and of course there’s delicious food to sample at the end!”

Irenee Rajaona-Horne received the proceeds on behalf of Akany Avoko saying

 “This is wonderful. It will pay two teacher's wages for a month!”

Maggie in Madagascar

The next Pampered Chef fundraising night in aid of Akany Avoko is coming up soon at the end of May. It will be hosted in Lancaster by Maggie Bremner who has supported the children's home over many years through singing in the Millennium Choir and even volunteering at Akany Avoko in person. 

Many thanks to both Helens and Maggie for giving their time and homes and donning their hostess hats for us!

If you’d like to hold a Pampered Chef fundraising party, contact Helen Cullen-Williams at helencw@outlook.com or via her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cookwithhelencw.

Read more about the choir’s sterling efforts:

http://www.moneyformadagascar.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/unsung-heroes.html