News
Mayday Trust is proud to be featured in the local and national news. Our online News Archive includes stories and Press Releases of recent events.
For more information about any of these stories please contact Lisa Carroll, Fundraising, Marketing & Communications Manager on 01788 534961 or lisa.carroll@maydaytrust.org.uk
March 2010
Mayday Trust's legal team, Needham & James Solicitors, have agreed to join forces with us to enter a fundraising Dragon Boat Festival. Teams of 16 paddlers plus a drummer will race in Chinese-style Dragon Boats over a 250 metre course in Warwick.
Help us raise sponsorship - We hope to raise £100 per person and we've got sponsorship forms ready to go. An online justgiving event page is under construction and will be available within a few days.
Support us on the day - The event will take place at St Nicholas Park, Warwick on Sunday 23 May between 10am and 4pm. We'd love you to pop along and show your support.
We hope to raise £100 per person and are now seeking sponsorship. An online justgiving event page is under construction and will be available within a few days. Sponsorship forms are also available on request.
Caroline Ward, Mayday Trust Chief Executive, will be taking part on the day. She sends this message to would-be supporters: "When they arrive, many of our clients feel ‘worthless’ or ‘different’ and often have incredibly low opinions of themselves. With your support we can provide new opportunities, develop skills and raise self-esteem.”
Did you know??? The ‘Waking the Dragon’ ceremony is over 2000 years old and involved raising the Dragon spirits to bring good fortune and rain! True to its roots, the Warwick Dragon Boat Festival is still to raise spirits but of a very different kind by having fun and helping those who need it.
If you'd like to find out more information please email the Communications Team or telephone us on 01788 568176
November 2009
Annual General Meeting And Conference Is A Huge Success
Mayday Trust’s AGM and Conference took place at Cranfield University on November 17. Speakers at the Conference included Jean Templeton, CEO of St Basil’s Charity, Birmingham; Sally Varah widow of Mayday's co-founder Michael Varah and former client Amy Robinson who provided an amazing insight into her life during and since her time at Mayday.
Jean spoke about the Challenges of a Changing Sector although in her opening address she joked that it could just as easily been titled 'Changes of a Challenging Sector'. She added: "In order to thrive in the future, organisations like Mayday and St Basils must learn to dance on flying carpets. It is not enough to merely react to changes - we need to embrace them."
Sally Varah, widow of the charity’s co-founder Michael Varah, gave a heartfelt presentation about the formative days of Mayday Trust, the memorial fund set up in memory of Michael and the continuing link between Mayday Trust and it's founders families.
Sally commented: "Michael Varah, my husband of almost 40 years, and his good friend Jim Higgins – had they been standing where I am today – would, without doubt, have bowled you over with their passion and their zeal for supporting the vulnerable and marginalised in our society... And... with their twinkling humour … also had you laughing in the aisles as they recalled – as Co-Founders – the formative days of the Mayday Trust back in the mid 1970s".
Many in the audience were amazed to learn that Mayday began from a Soup Kitchen in the back of Jim's van. Michael, a newly qualified Probation Officer and Jim, Chairman of the local Probation Volunteers Group soon realised that there was a high percentage of homeless in Rugby - many of whom had a history of offending. It was through this Soup Kitchen that the pair identified a need for supported housing in the town and ultimately Mayday Trust was created.
Sally concluded that: "Both of these men – who started all this with their Heinz tomato Soup and begged bread rolls – would have been so incredibly proud of everyone associated with the charity who is here today, and – I know – richly satisfied to have founded such an outstanding, astonishingly life changing organisation."
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of a documentary about Mayday Trust. Producer and Director Barry Fitzgerald (cre8ivday) gave a passionate introduction to the film before thanking every participant for enriching the documentary with their "colourful stories and humbling honesty".
During the 45 minute showing it would have been possible to hear a pin drop as delegates sat in utter silence. Immediately afterwards outgoing Chairman, Chris Holman, was noticeably moved as he told the conference how proud he was to be a part of Mayday. Later, during the AGM, Mr Holman added: "This film is the highlight of Mayday's 30th Anniversary Year - and quite possibly my time as Mayday Trust's Chairman."
Staff and stakeholders were equally as moved by the event. Senior Project Worker Daniel Dunne commented: "The AGM at Cranfield was without question the most interesting and informative yet. When I got home that evening I watched the Mayday Film again, something I would recommend to everyone as it reminded me why I am here. The film reminded me how strongly I feel about the work I do and reflect on the very real difference the whole Mayday staff teams make. All the staff and service users who spoke on the film spoke with genuine feeling and knowledge. It was obvious to me that a lot of work went into organising the AGM as well as the making of the film. Thank you for a memorable day."
Documentary Showcases Work Of Mayday Trust
In 2009 Mayday Trust commissioned film-makers cre8ivday to produce a film to showcase our work. Producer and director Barry Fitzgerald fused ideas and concepts with innovative production to convey stories from Mayday clients and staff.
Commenting about the film, Chief Executive Caroline Ward said: “Barry has spent several months filming clients and staff to capture the ethos of the Trust and demonstrate how Mayday Trust makes a real difference. His dynamic personality and remarkable ability to remember ‘anything and everything’ has culminated in a unique and very powerful documentary about our work.”
The film is now available to view online at vimeo.com and through our home page.
September 2009
Year-long Celebration Marks Mayday's 30th Anniversary
In honour of its 30th anniversary, Mayday Trust have enjoyed a year-long programme of celebrations. Throughout 2009 each of the charity’s eight housing schemes held special Open Days. The Trust also held a month-long art exhibition (Northampton Art Gallery & Museum, May 2009) providing an opportunity for clients to showcase their artwork. Mayor of Northampton, Councillor Brian Markham, attended the preview event and presented certificates to participants.
Cllr Markham commented: “I would like to congratulate Mayday Trust on its 30th Anniversary and all the artists for such a wonderful display.”
Following this, Mayday Trust organised a Picnic In The Park at Coombe Abbey Country Park in Coventry. More than 130 people, including former and current clients, staff, trustees and stakeholders took part in the celebrations. Countryside Rangers led a Shelter Building task and Treasure Hunt around the site.
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