Life is strange

Life is funny isn't it. 

Today I've spent a very sad afternoon at the funeral and celebration of a young woman's life. A very vibrant young woman, who is survived by her 8 year old daughter and husband. Grief is just all encompassing, everywhere you look it's just the saddest time ever.  The loss, the confusion, the guilt, the relief, the disbelief, the sadness and tears. 

I pop into the co-op on my way home and the young lad in there is celebrating his 21st birthday and has had the best weekend ever.

Such sadness and such happiness on the same day. Such a parallel universe between the two. Worlds apart. 

It's hard to remember when you're going through the toughest time, that there ever was happiness. 

Yet there is, right there. Happiness. Even if it's not yours. Someone somewhere is giving birth, getting married, celebrating a birthday, celebrating an achievement, gaining independence, many many reasons.  

And it seems so wrong, so wrong that someone can be so happy, even though you are so sad. That in this case, the world has lost an amazing young woman - who has taught the world a thing or two and leaves a beautiful legacy behind.  How does anyone have the right to be happy?

But it just goes to show doesn't it, life does indeed go on.  Whether we like it or not.  One persons darkest day is another's best day. Everyone's experiences and life journey are so different, day to day, at all times. But it is just that, a journey.  So be kind, whoever you meet and when, as you never know where on their journey they are and it could be incredibly different from yours.

So today, thank you for showing me those two extremes.  I needed reminding there was still happiness in the world.

Good night, god bless D and the happiest of birthdays to you, young sir xx

The Rucksack Project 2017... We're Back!

We're back!!! 

For the last 3 years the Rucksack Project event has been held in Portsmouth.  Jo asked me to help out with organising of the event a few years ago and it's been just amazing.  I've had a blast, we've made a real difference with the help of the community and I made a very lovely friend in Jo.  We've seen the donation of over 10,000 rucksacks in this short time and these have been distributed to many local charities, shelters and foodbanks across the South Coast. 

The Rucksack Project was started in 2009 by a guy called Mathew White.  He decided with the last of his Christmas shopping money not to buy any more useless items people didn’t really want and he went about buying a rucksack and items to put in the rucksack including food, clothes and useful items.  He gave the pack to a homeless person on the street and said it was the most rewarding Christmas present he had ever given.  

Mathew spread the word and the Project was founded, he ran the project for 7 years; he co-ordinated events that were arranged by volunteers all over the country and maintained a website with useful info and questions and a list of the events and how people could help.

 

The Rucksack Project wasn’t a charity, it never took a penny in donations, it was simply a community movement in order to help people less fortunate.  The Project encouraged people to buy items from charity shops, thus extending the promotion of re-use and recycling in the best possible way.

 

After 7 years Mathew decided he wasn’t able to continue and the Rucksack Project was officially closed.  To quote from the statement on the Facebook page, ‘No idea can be truly closed though and I have no doubt many of you will continue to carry out this concept under one name or another and that is a testament to its simplicity…. I will of course continue in my own way to do my bit each year and my very best wishes to all of you who I know will do the same.'

Jo and I had a conversation about it and we knew that there was no way we wouldn’t want to organise an event, after the resounding success of the last few years and knowing that we helped so many people.  So we held an event anyway, which was a resounding success and hope this year will be the same too! 

We aren’t going to change the housing crisis or the root cause of homelessness over night, but to know you’ve made someones day/week/month/life a little easier, is certainly a good place to start.

 

The event this year is going to be held on November 11th and we are very excited to announce we are again going to be holding the event at ‘Pompey in the Community’ centre in Anson Road right next to Fratton Park. 

Link here...  

Rucksack Event

For those wanting to participate, the concept is the same as always and is fairly simple.  Grab yourself a rucksack (from a charity shop is always a good shout – helps the charity also) and fill it with these items –

Gloves

Socks

Undies

Warm Jumper

Sleeping bag

Wooly hat

Flask

Tissues

Small toiletries (no medication or razors)

Tins of food with ringpulls/packet soups/longlife food/high calorie food

 

The list is of course, not exhaustive and you don’t have to have everything on the list by any means.  You could do a rucksack specifically for a woman -include sanitary product/wipes/hairbrush/hairbands/nappy sacks (to dispose of sanitary items), specifically for a person with a dog – include dog food, a bone, small toy etc.  The possibilities are endless!  

Get the children involved, teach them about homelessness, ask what they would like to include and discuss with them what would and wouldn’t be a good idea.  Make it a charitable, community and family thing to participate in, you won’t be disappointed – I promise!  It will be the best Christmas present you’ll give this year.  Every year we have clubs of cubs/scouts/brownies etc involved too!

 

If you’re unable to make a rucksack for whatever reason, we’ll be more than happy to take donations of toiletries, sleeping bags, boots, food (tins/longlife/packet soups/high calorific food) also.  These are all really useful items.  The other thing you could do - is buddy up with someone else and make a rucksack between you, pop a post on the event page saying what you have and what you need – that often works well too.

 

Essentially all you need to do is bring the rucksack along on the day (or to a drop off hub prior to this – there will be a list on the facebook event page) come and have a cuppa and a chat and all the charities/shelters/hostels/churches will be there on the day collecting rucksacks to take back to their services and distribute to their service users.  There will be plenty of people to talk to about the event, about the charities and to meet like-minded people.  Likewise as per other years, we will be running a drop and run - should you just want to drop off your rucksack or items and not pop in.  Both options are more than welcome!

 

We are contacting and finalising the list of local charities who will benefit from the event this year and we are busy organising the logistics.  As and when we have further info – we will post and share these in the event page.  If you have a charity /shelter/hostel/church in mind who would benefit from the event – please let us know and we’ll make contact with them.

 

The event is very much in the early stages; we only launched last week - so we are busy drumming up support, sharing the event on facebook and encouraging people to do the same.  As there is no official charity behind this event – just little ol’ Jo and I (and now Pompey in the Community), we have no official publicity, website, flyers etc – it is simply word of mouth and social media to get this event out there and to make it a success. 

It's admin’d by Jo and I, and someone is always around to answer a question if you have one, we’d certainly be grateful for a share or two!

Thanks for reading and we hope to see you there!

Sammy xx

 

As a ps… Don't forget we now have a bus! Take a look....  

here

The Rucksack Bus Funding

Evening everyone,

Well what a response! We have almost 400 likes on our page so far, thank you so much everyone. Do please keep sharing though, we'd love to reach as far and wide as we can. 

 

Just a reminder, you can find us here - 

Facebook,Twitter - @thebusrucksack and any queries you can email us at thebusrucksackproject@hotmail.com

THE BUS is due to arrive in a few weeks and has been very kindly donated by Stagecoach - we are very excited!  We also have a home for THE BUS while she's being refitted.

 

We have a sponsor too, which is excellent news!  Rich's in Fareham are kindly sponsoring us and they have the same values as all of us following and supporting THE BUS.

 

What we need now is a good start with the crowd funding.  Now we knew this project wouldn't come cheaply and we know it's a tricky subject as we've never asked for money before at our Rucksack Events, but we need your help!

We have a crowd funding page set up with some generous donations already, but we need to make some further headway with this. We know money is tight in all corners, so we're not asking for a lot, maybe a couple of pounds each - but what a difference that would make! You can find our fundraising page 

here 💜 

Don't forget, if you leave your name when you make a direct donation, we'll add your name on THE BUS!

If you don't have the funds right now, thats not a problem at all, but would you considered holding a fundraiser for us please? A cake/bake sale at work or school, a tuck shop at your desk and donate the funds to THE BUS? Asking your children's school to hold a non school uniform day with the proceeds being donated? Anything really! Even if you ask all your team mates/ work mates/ friends to give you £1 each, think of how much that could amount to! 

Any ideas you have, do let us know, and any spare funds you find - you know what to do! 😉

Thank you all massively in advance.  Portsmouth is one hell of a community, you guys pull it out the bag every year for the Rucksack Event - please help us make this project just as successful. 

TTFN, Sammy and Jo xx

Mrs. B's MRI experience!

So I haven’t written frankly about my life for a while and I feel like you all need some light entertainment in your life (as do I – jury service is officially rubbish!  Maybe I’ll write about that one day, when I’m allowed to anyways!) so here’s a treat for you, let me tell you all about my experience of MRI scans!

After my big car accident, (I know, can you believe that was November 2015, so long ago now!)  I’m still suffering with my back and apparently I should now be completely healed.  I suffer mainly walking and standing, and at times it’s fine and at times it’s excruciating.  I came to think of it as this is how I am now, it wasn’t till I mentioned it to my solicitor, did she say it wasn’t right and she was sending me to an orthopaedic surgeon (who I disliked immensely).  Anyways, he recommended I go and have an MRI scan, so off the referral was sent!

 

I was originally sent to Spire hospital in Havant.  They phoned me and made an appointment, gave me no guidelines, didn’t ask me to fill any forms in or give me any info at all actually.  I was a little worried, I’ve seen those tubes on Holby and I wasn’t sure how I was going to cope being in such a small space, but I kinda figured if I closed my eyes and talked myself in to it, it would be fine.  It’s a neat little trick my Mum and Nan taught me, if you don’t like something, repeat over and over again that you do and in the end your brain will believe it and it will be almost hypnotic – think the annoyance of dripping water.

 

So I arrived nice and early, 1 diazepam down and feeling pretty chilled.  Mr. B was of course driving!  I whip my clothes off and get gowned up, am escorted in to the room by a tall and very unsympathetic lady and asked if I had any metal in or on me.  Probably would’ve been handy to know this beforehand to remove piercings, but hey.  

I lay on the bed looking at the tube they’re about to put me in and to be honest, I was pretty suspect that my fat arse was not going to fit!  Scary times.  I don’t think I’ve always been claustrophobic, but to be fair I’ve only had this theory tested a few times now and spending an hour in a 6 person lift with 6 people whilst awaiting the 7 fireman rescue us was one of these, but at this point in the MRI proceedings, I was feeling a little faint about claustrophobia and did tell her ladyship.

 

So said stroppy nurse then starts putting me in the machine and I’m not sure what to do with my arms, I can’t have them by the side of me because the tube is too tight, so I end up with them draped over the front of me, like on top of my boobs.  Further and further into the machine I go, until it reaches my chest and arms and the whole machine is literally touching me the whole way round.  Mrs stroppy knickers says nothing, despite my panicked look, shoves some headphones on me and asks if I will listen to local radio as the machine is very loud and I’m going to be in there around 40 minutes.  Further in I go and the machine is literally squeezing my boobs and that was it game over – finger out stroppy lady – get me out of here!  So again, no sympathy from bitch nurse, just get up get out, no idea what you’re going to do, you’re on your own love! 

 

BUT my fat arse fitted in the machine and didn’t touch any sides!!

 

So aborted MRI scan over, I get home and let my solicitor know it all went tits up, and had a google to see what they do with mega claustrophobic people for MRI scans.  A friend of mine called me and let me know she had a problem also, but there is an open MRI scanner at Croydon, instead of a tube – its more burger shaped and the sides are completely open.  Sounded like a winner, so I let my solicitor know that could be a plan.

 

Sure as, I get my referral and off we go, this time with my step daughter in tow to keep me calm, she doesn’t drive, so no diazepam for Mrs. B this time!  We get there in plenty of time, the sun is shining and it was destined to be a good day.  We reach reception after getting a little lost round the hospital due to building work and staff having no idea what we’re talking about!  Hand my form over to the lovely receptionist and bang, off goes the electricity.  L looks at me and says, ‘this isn’t good news’.  Being a radiography uni student, I am inclined to believe her, so off we go for a long wait.  

Sure enough one of the team appears, apologises for the delay and explains that they are turning the machines back on but they have no idea how long this will take, L assures me it could be aaaaagggeeeessss!  Everyone in the waiting room is getting stroppy, god only knows why, it’s not the staff or the hospitals fault, but we sit back have a gossip and take it all in our stride.

 

After around an hour, the door opens and I’m summoned in with 3 others, where they explain that the electricity has not come back on and the hospital is currently being run on generators!  The machines are up and running, but there could be a slight issue.  So the poor lad goes on to explain, we can have a scan, however there could be a problem if the mains come back on.  So while in the scanner, if the electric comes back on, the generators will automatically go off, the machine will go off, the room will be in darkness and I will be stuck in the machine.  They reassure me that they will of course come in the room and talk to me, but there will be no getting me out until the machines are powered back on and that could be a while!  So the question is, do I want to risk it???  Well d’you know what, 2 hour trip here, 2 hour wait so far – in for a penny in for a pound!  I don’t really want to come back to Croydon if I can help it, so sure why not – lets risk it.

 

The minute I’d uttered the words, the claustrophobia hit me like a train, and panic mode set in, so L kindly agreed to come in the room with me.  So after volunteering her, L then has to go through the health screening and suddenly thinks about an intimate piercing she has, that she’s never taken out.  We explain to the nurse who says, yes it has to come out, so off we go into a changing cubicle, me to be gowned up and L to rummage around in her underwear to get said piercing out!  20 minutes goes past, of L and me tugging, pulling and pushing in her bra and there is no budging this piercing!  The nurse comes in so we tell her our predicament, I then loose part of the piercing stud on the floor never to be seen again – what a sorry state of affairs!  So they let L in with her piercing in tact, but she has to stay away from the machine.

 

So in the machine I go, panicking and trying to breathe all the way, whilst looking at L.  She has headphones on and I’ve got ear buds in so we can’t talk to each other and I spend 30 minutes just looking at poor L!  A few times the lights flickered and we share a panicked stare; but thankfully all went well and I was out in one piece, not stuck in any machines and ultra-relieved it was all over.  We finally start the long journey home, stopping for some dirty fast food on the side of the M25.

 

Well Last week I started jury service; I wasn’t picked the first day, but the second day just as the court clerk called out my name, my mobile rang.  I answered it and it was Croydon hospital.  Apparently what they didn’t tell me, was that there was another risk should the power come back on…. So the minute I left the hospital, the power came and all of my images of the MRI were wiped!  All that time, emotion and panic for nothing!

 

So, MRI scan number 3 is booked for the near future… see you on the other side – I’ll keep you posted!

 

TTFN, Sammy xx

The Rucksack Event part 2.... THE BUS

So what happens when your friend sends you a text asking if she's crazy and do you fancy it?  Then rings to tell you she has sourced a bus? Was it ever in doubt??? Nope!!

Not sure how many of you read the post about the plea for a bus to convert into a shelter for the homeless... Well the pleas are about to get a little bigger! Any help and support we'd be most grateful for, but for the time being please get liking and sharing! 

 

Joanne is a force to be reckoned with, I have helped her organise the Rucksack Event for the last few years and I'm now pleased to say I'm 'on board' with this too! 

So after the huge success of the Rucksack Event in the last few years and the generosity and community spirit from the people of Portsmouth, the plans have been upgraded a little! 

The concept is simple -

• Get a bus
• Park it up, safely and accessibly 
• Get it refitted
• Donate to a local charity 

The aim - 

• Creating a homeless shelter for Portsmouth, providing more and much needed bed space.

The bus itself will be converted, upstairs to have sleeping pods, downstairs a seating area, small kitchen, toilet, shower and wood burner.

So far down the list we are at....

Bus sourced from a local bus company (told you Jo was amazing!), we now need to find a space to park the bus, the materials and man power to refit the bus, and finally to donate the bus to a local charity. 

Heres the link to the Facebook page, can you all LIKE & SHARE as much as you can please, its the only way its going to happen!  Please copy and paste into your browser, it will take you straight to the page. 

https://www.facebook.com/The-BUS-Rucksack-Event-Portsmouth-Part-2-1438883019463924/

Lots more info on the page peeps!

TTFN, Sammy xx

Thank you Portsmouth!

Happy new year to you all!  I know the rucksack event feels like it was a lifetime ago now, but here are a few snippets of feedback I've received and thanks from a couple of the charities/services who took donations for their service users.

A massive thank you once again to everyone who took part, gave generous donations, helped on the day, shared and publicised the event for us – you‘re all amazing!

Here are a few quotes -

“I needed a new rucksack as mine had got torn and wet from sleeping rough”

“The rucksack I had was too small I was able to get a large one  from the Day Centre to fit my sleeping bag in. Much better than carrying it around in a black bin bag”

“The rucksack the Day Centre gave me was brand new Brilliant!”

“All my stuff got stolen when I left my tent. I was able to get a rucksack, clothing and a sleeping bag from the Day Centre”

“I got a rucksack for myself and my girlfriend; she liked hers is was pink with sequins , very girlie”

Feedback from Two Saints

Here is thanks from another organisation along with a picture.

Thank you so much for all the donations we picked up at the rucksack event.  It’s been a busy few weeks and thanks to your donations we have managed to support even more young people with coats, sleeping bags and rucksacks. I asked someone from the drop-in team to take a picture the next time they gave one out.  Thanks again!!!!

Feedback and photo from No Limits

What an amazing thing you all did - nothing went to waste and all have been appreciated!

TTFN, Sammy xx 

Rucksack Event Portsmouth 2016 - Thank you 💙

I don't know what to say... Just thank you 💙 It's so overwhelming.... the support, the help, the donations, the charities, the community spirit, the volunteers, just everyone. Thank you. Truly humbled, truly exhausted, truly elated. Happy tears indeed! What a day.

Around 2,400 rucksacks donated plus extra donations of clothes, food, toiletries, sleeping bags as well. Just wow!

So many companies to thank, those acting as hubs, those with vans doing deliveries, those who gave us food and donations, those whose staff spent the day helping us... Tesco Fratton and North Harbour, Greggs, Riches bakery and Hyde Property Services to name a few!

So many individuals to thank; my mum Tracey and Kat sorting and packing clothes all day, my colleagues from work Chris and Luke delivering donations across Hampshire for charities, Lorraine from HMS Sultan who worked the food bank like a complete pro, Becky from Little Kanga dealing with the media and social media, friends of mine and Jo's and people who stayed to help - sorting, lifting, shifting, directing, helping, just so many of you - you were all amazing, thank you all so much!

Volunteers and the centre... Pompey in the Community and the NCS volunteers - hats off to you all and a massive massive thank you, for the venue, for the help, for the everything!

Everyone who donated from all across Hampshire - you're all simply amazing! Getting your companies and work places involved, acting as drop off hubs, collecting items from others who couldn't make it on the day. Thank you so much, so humbling to see everyone wanting to help, wanting to give, wanting to share, pulling together, real community spirit, thank you all - we certainly couldn't do this without you guys.

The 25 charities who collected and benefitted from the donations today - a long list of hostels, services, schemes, groups, charities, soup kitchens, churches, all of you! You are the special people who make such a difference to people, running your services and delivering the goods directly to those in need. The work you guys do is just amazing, and truly appreciated.

And a special mention, of course, to a lady who doesn't like too much recognition, Jo.  None of this
could happen without you.  You are a force to be reckoned with, an energy like no other.  I may help you to organise, I may tell you everything will be fine and be your partner in crime, but seriously - you're one special lady!  Big love and enjoy that wine!

We may have finished our event for this year, but please do consider donating to your local shelter/hostel/service all year round, I'm sure they'll be happy to take items from you; or if you're able to - give directly to someone you meet. Stop, say hello, ask how someone is and share a smile if nothing else.
Here's a few pics from the day, in reverse order for some reason!  Portsmouth, once again - quite simply - You Rock! #itsnicetobenice

Same time next year, yeah?! xx