Tuesday 29 December 2015

A merry little Christmas!

Well that's it, all over and done with for another year!  The decs are down in our house and we're ready for the new year to come.

The start of Christmas was a little tricky this year, I had rather a large car accident at the end of December, oops! Not my fault I hasten to add - we were car 4 in a 6 car pile up on the motorway.  Simply a case of wrong place at wrong time.

So my car has been spectacularly written off, I'm arguing daily with insurers, solicitors, third party companies who want me to use their company to sue for compo (god they are boring and sooooo underhand to boot!); but we are very lucky. Lucky to have walked away from mangled metal - with hopefully not too long lasting injuries.

I've spoken about this before, I do believe in positivity, and even if it kills me I'll remain positive till the end.  
We could've died, so could anyone of us in that crash.  I wasn't carrying any passengers in my back seats (my boot ploughed into the back seats), it all round could've been so much worse and you know what - we're just so lucky it wasn't. 

I'm pleased it happened to us and not someone with babies in their car, an elderly lady with a frail heart, the list goes on. I can cope with it, I'm a big girl and life simply goes on. 
Big pants pulled up and moved forward. (Back injury and physio permitting of course!)
And life goes on - so it did, right into a lovely Christmas period with my family! I was thoroughly spoilt and hope you were too. I have lots to look forward to in the new year, and I can't wait to get there.

I've told you before, I've joined SW now and will hopefully be counting down my success very soon. Pre crash (everything is now defined by pre and post crash hehe!) I was 8lbs down, post crash I'm not....oops.  But I've sustained a back injury, I was signed off work for most of December and even the lightest walking/exercise just hurts and I've eaten and drank my way emotionally through the shock and then Christmas. 

But tomorrow is a new day!

I'll keep you posted, TTFN xx


Saturday 21 November 2015

The Rucksack Project Event 21st November 2015

Portsmouth Evening News

That's Solent TV


Well what can I say?.... It's been bluddy amazing!

Thank you all so much! Your donations and kindness is just truly amazing!  A whole community pulling together and doing a fabulous job.
The families, the children, the support, the Cubs, the brownies, the volunteers, the organisers.... Just wow! 
3,500 rucksacks - not to mention the food, clothes, toiletries.  All donated and straight out to our charities, organisations and shelters.  So many grateful recipients ranging the whole of Hampshire and further afield where possible.
A special mention to our ladies from Tesco, all day they were with us working tirelessly, making up rucksacks with misc items handed in, trawling through donations and just keeping everything running so smoothly.

Another special mention to the Portsmouth and Southsea Round Table - kept the traffic flowing, carried and lugged bags, items, helped in everyway they could and relieved people of donations who didn't want to come all the way down to or into the centre.
All of the volunteers were just amazing, manning the raffle, manning the vintage tea stand, helping transport rucksacks, handing out leaflets, everything you did - it couldn't have been done without you. 
The participating charities and organisations who all gave their time to talk to people about their charities, the work they do and of course mucked in and helped out while they were here, as well as transporting all the items back to their services. 

We had some very special guests today too!
Donna Jones leader PCC and family
HMS Westminster

And of course, Joanne and The Portsmouth Watersports Centre - none of this could happen without you! Joanne is the most enthusiastic and passionate person I've ever met, she is a force to be reckoned with and I'm so pleased to call her a friend.
(Photo from the Watersports Facebook page)

Sorry this was going to be a super short post with some pics... Oops! Here's the pics anyways!! 

Much love Portsmouth - you are amazing - all of you!! 
If I've missed you it's not been intentional, I apologise - I get a bit carried away and leave things out! If you have other pics you'd like me to post, please send them this way - I didn't get chance to take many!xx

#wearetherucksackproject #weareportsmouth #community #rucksackproject2015 #soproud #teamrucksack  #itsnicetobenice

Friday 20 November 2015

What a community!

So we're nearing the Rucksack Project event in Portsmouth, I can't believe it's tomorrow already! I'm so honoured to have been involved with the organising this year, it's a huge task and one we really do have to thank Joanne for. 

Joanne gives up her office, her time and her life at this time of year to produce this event - I'm so pleased to have been able to lend a hand, but it doesn't rival the above and beyond Joanne goes to!  Big love to that lady ❤️

Looking at the event page and I'm literally bowled over by what amazing people you all are, what an amazing community we live in and what a fantastic feeling that is.  People are posting pictures of their wares ready for Saturday, quick last minute questions, me shamelessly plugging the raffle to raise funds for our organisations and people lending a hand.  


I can count loads who have posted asking for collections, drop offs, help with transport - and they've all been answered.  All pleas answered, strangers going to other people's addresses to pick up rucksacks to ensure they get to the event, just amazing.

Keep up the hard work Portsmouth. Can't wait to see you all tomorrow!

#wearetherucksackproject #weareportsmouth #wearecommunity #teamhampshire #itsnicetobenice #soproud 

Saturday 7 November 2015

Dear Weight Watchers....

You are sacked.

I'm very sorry to say but after these last few years of being a loyal supporter, a helper in a meeting and supporting leaders and members where I can; today this ends.

I'm weary and I'm fed up.  Not with my weight loss, I know that is a long journey and is entirely down to me.  I'm happy with what I've lost and that I've not continued to get bigger and bigger each year with your support.  But this last year completely and utterly takes the biscuit. (No pun intended, apologies)

I joined many years ago as a member and continued my membership on and off for a few years.  One of my friends I went to school with encouraged me to come along to her meeting on a Sunday and I really enjoyed it.  My friend, Donna got to her goal, trained and qualified to be a leader, opened a new meeting and took over some local ones too.  

I joined Donna in her venture of opening a new meeting, even though it was 12 ish miles from home. We had a fab time, built the meeting up from scratch and had lots of lovely new members join us.

I loved Saturday mornings, so much so my mum joined too and she also became one of the helpers alongside another member.  We were a fab team, had loads of members and totally rocked Saturday mornings.

Now time passes and life goes on as it does.  Donna fell pregnant with a much longed for little girl, and as happens, went off on well deserved maternity leave - some time to spend with her beautiful family.  There was a plan and a maternity cover in place, WW would continue as normal.

Or so we thought.

However, WW weren't entirely truthful or even helpful. The maternity cover, decided a Saturday morning wasn't for her after all - so we were left in the lurch with no information, none of the members were informed, no notice on the WW website and we were closed. For 4 months.  

The support and information from WW and its managers weren't just a joke, they were diabolical. We were promised vouchers for the inconvenience of finding a new group that didn't materialise until after we were re-opened with much wrangling.  Poor Donna kept hearing from everyone and trying to find out info for us, even though she was on maternity leave.

Eventually a new leader was found and our meeting was re-opened.  For a while.

We had a leader, Nikki, who was covering Donna permanently and would be up until such time Donna was coming back. Life ticked on, sort of normally.  (I won't air my personal views - input here what you like)

So by September, Donna had made the decision not to return for a while, to enjoy her family while they're young instead of dashing around after us! And what a marvellous decision that was, we were all so pleased for her. 

WW now decided that Hilsea was too far for Nikki to come and stopped her from coming (or so she tells us - I've got to the point I have no idea who or what to believe anymore!) and organised us a new local leader.  I had asked for a contact number for a manager so we could find out what was going to be happening, sadly this was met with a defensive manner and downright aggression, which then resulted in me being ranted at (via messenger - not public forum) by Nikki, until I finally got an email address and an apology.  

Sadly this new leader we were getting, despite various promises from managers and other leaders, has not been forthcoming.

By mid October, we were told by our third stand in leader, that there was no new leader and now wouldn't be one till after Christmas at least.  

By now all of the members are a little restless to say the least. No meeting materials or actual motivational talks for the last 3 weeks, just excuses from the leaders and no real information as to what is going to happen.

I emailed a WW manager to complain about our treatment; the fact we had no support, no continuity, none of what people actually pay for, and this was met with no apology, no assurance this was going to be looked in to.... No. 

Accusations that I am aggressive and abusive and they may close the meeting altogether because they have to look out for the safety and well being of their leaders.  I'm sorry what?  I haven't been any of those things and quite frankly WW, your attitude stinks.  I have been nothing but kind, polite and helpful and don't consider myself an aggressive or rude person at all.  That is a most hurtful and untruthful accusation and I'm still quite hurt by it.

Maybe you should send your managers on some kind of complaint handling courses, because that is certainly not how you handle a complaint.

I posted on your Facebook page and was told the issue was being looked in to? Still nothing. I emailed head office with a complaint last week, your automated email said I should hear in 24 hours - still nothing.

We are now on our fifth stand in leader, who burst in to our meeting saturday morning, quite simply looking for a fight.  When asked some simple questions about next week, if we would have a leader or cover, who would inform members etc, we were confronted with - 'if this negativity continues I have the authority to and I will close this meeting. I am hard(?!) and I come from Southampton and won't be taking any of your shit.' Oh excuse me, I apologise - I forgot, we are all supposed to be happy about the situation WW have left us in and we're paying for and fear people because they are from another part of Hampshire. Wow. Impressive. Professional. Not.

So WW I'm simply fed up.  You cannot organise a piss up in a brewery, you cannot even answer a simple enquiry, let alone a complaint.

To look at the comparison between you and your biggest rival... Look at your Facebook pages - yours is filled with complaints, theirs is filled with anything but.  The materials for your plan you have to buy literally everything, they give the information and books for free.  The list can go on and on, but however you look at it - the sun no longer shines for you WW.

So... you can poke your loyalty, you can poke your leaders, you can poke your so called managers, you can poke your meetings, you can certainly poke your new plan coming out in January - rendering everything we've ever bought null and void, meaning we all have to buy new products, new books, new literature at extortionate prices.

I am quite literally done.

Yours sincerely, Mrs. B.






Thursday 29 October 2015

Rucksack Project Event is approaching

Sorry it's been a little quiet, life's been a tad busy!  But let me tell you... the Portsmouth Rucksack Project event is full steam ahead!
We have 2,800 people who have pledged rucksacks and or loose useful items to donate, how amazing is that! Portsmouth et al you are just amazing!
So do pop in and see us on the day, there will be tea and coffee (for a small donation - funds going to our charities/shelters/organisations), representatives of where your rucksacks and items are going to - you can chat to and we're holding a raffle!

Jo has been working tirelessly to acquire the raffles prizes and they are just amazing!  Massive well done to Jo!

Raffle tickets on sale now at Portsmouth Watersports Centre and all the money raised will be given to Hampshire Homes for Veterans, and the other charities/organisations involved in helping the homeless.

The tickets will be on sale on the day at the centre, 5 tickets for £1.

Here is the list of amazing prizes so far...

TWO TICKETS TO SOLENT FORTS, CHAMPAGNE AND LUNCH https://www.facebook.com/solentforts?fref=ts 

LITTLE KANGA MARKETING CONSULTANTS = £50 ITUNES CARD
https://www.facebook.com/YourLittleKanga?fref=ts 

No6 CINEMA IN THE DOCKYARD
https://www.facebook.com/No6Cinema?fref=ts 

AWARD WINNING HMS WARRIOR FRAMED PHOTO https://www.facebook.com/Johnnyblackphotography?fref=ts 

BAND GIG-  BY CADENCY,YOUR CHOICE OF VENUE https://www.facebook.com/Cadencyband?fref=ts 

TONI AND GUY - A FABULOUS NEW HAIRCUT https://www.facebook.com/Toni-Guy-Southsea-208425265838125/timeline/ 

WAVERLEY EXCURSIONS - A DAYS CRUISE ON THE SOLENT https://www.facebook.com/waverley.excursions/ 

LOVE SOUTHSEA - £50 VOUCHER TO SPEND AT THE MARKET https://www.facebook.com/lovesouthseaevents?fref=ts 

PLAYZONE - PASS FOR TWO https://www.facebook.com/playzoneportsmouth?fref=ts 

WOK THE DUCK - ALBERT RD, £20 VOUCHER https://www.facebook.com/Wok-The-Duck-276989279002818/timeline/ 

ROYAL MARINES MUSEUM - FAMILY TICKET
https://www.facebook.com/Royal-Marines-Museum-72892370919/timeline/ 

SWEAT SOUTHSEA - PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION https://www.facebook.com/SweatSouthsea?fref=ts 

PFC SIGNED SHIRT COURTESY OF Vince Hilaire

BIG WORLD IMPACT - 15 BRAND NEW BASKET BALLS 
https://www.facebook.com/BigWorldImpact?fref=ts 

STRONG ISLAND GOODY BAG
https://www.facebook.com/StrongIslandUK?fref=ts 

DIRT 2 ROAD - CYCLING OUTFIT
https:www.facebook.com/Dirt2Road 

TWO CASES OF WINE - THE FOUNTAIN IN CHICHESTER https://www.facebook.com/Fountain-Chichester-557701461022855/ti 

BABY BEAR SIGNING CLASS
https://www.facebook.com/jane.milnes?fref=ts 

STRAWBERRY WORKSHOP - HAIR CUT/BLOW https://www.facebook.com/Strawberry-Workshop-180927255279913/RY 

FAMILT TICKET FOR BLUE REEF
https://www.facebook.com/Blue-Reef-Aquarium-Portsmouth-177293768971171 

CHIMES RESTAURANT - LUNCH FOR TWO

SEKONDA GENTS WATCH

3 MONTHS GYM MEMBERSHIP & 3 MINTHS SWIM MEMBERSHIP AT THE MOUNTBATTEN CENTRE

Plus more still to come!

So do come on down and see us - we can't wait to meet you all 😊 

TTFN, Sammy xx

Saturday 19 September 2015

Cubs Rough it for Rucksacks

Quick post all the way from Turkey....

News just in - the Cubs did it!! A night under the stars roughing it for rucksacks! 

The Beavers joined in and cooked up a storm in the kitchen and served the Cubs 'soup kitchen' stylee. 

Here's a few of my sisters snaps...

I'm also told the Cubs did in fact get some sleep! Well done Clanfield Cub Scout group - you're amazing people!!

Anyway, it's thunder and lightening here, so I best got back to enjoying the storm!!

TTFN, Sammy xx

Sunday 6 September 2015

Rucksack recipients...

This is from a lovely lady who was happy for me to post her comments....

'I've been working at Central Point homeless day service for over two years and this year will be my second rucksack project.  Last year we were absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of rucksacks the service received, we had a whole minibus full!!  All spare offices in our service were full nearly to the ceilings! 

Lots of clients came to us for daily essentials and were surprised to find out about the Rucksack Project.  Instead of just essentials, they were handed a rucksack with clothing, blankets, food, toiletries and thermals - they were absolutely over the moon.  

Clients commented on how much it saves them during the winter months.  Some of our clients are a little bit older and the cold weather can be a lot tougher on the bones. 
All perishable food donations were used in the lead up to Christmas, with staff cooking amazing meals for our clients and all of the clients keeping together in the warm sat around hot food is just so amazing to see. 

Community spirit really is high.'

See... You lovely people. You are making a difference!!! Go, be nice.  It's nice to be nice 😊

TRFN, Sammy