5 Things to do This Weekend

1. Get Fit: Sponsor Nichola for the NYC Marathon. She’s aiming to raise enough money to feed the school chikdren for a whole year and has climbed steadily to reach 42% of her target of £3000 before the event takes place on 1^st November.

2. Go Green: If you’ve got any inkjet cartridges lying around or old mobile phones, register with Each One Counts . They’ll send a bag and all you need to do is send the item back to them in the FREEPOST envelope. FODAD gets the value of your item and you get entered into a draw where you could win a bike.

3. Watch “Sri Lanka’s Got Talent”: Check out the latest music video on Facebook: this is the first public performance of the St Mary’s School Band. WARNING: turn down the volume if you are of a nervous disposition!

4. Christmas Shopping: Struggling to think of what to buy for those who have everything? How about a personalised mug, calendar or T-shirt personalised for you? They’re very cheap and unique. Send an email to mail@friendsofdellaanddon.com to find out more.

5. Relax and watch a video: It’s nearly 5 years since the Della and Don’s Tsunami experience in Sri Lanka and the beginning of the enduring journey to make a difference. A classic tale of despair, triumph over adversity with a touch of the feel good factor thrown in (..and it’s just over 3 mins long)

6. OK, so I said only 5, but as you’re online anyway and have got this far, click on this link and make a donation. Just a couple of clicks will make a huge difference and you’ll enjoy your weekend even more!

Thank you

Netting a profit?

One of the things FODAD did over the summer was provide funds to the village fishermen to buy and operate seine fishing nets which would allow them to fish when the sea might otherwise be too rough. Work has been underway to convert an old boat into one which can be used for this particular fishing method. Pat & Clive checked on progress on their recent visit and took the photos below. On Sunday 4 October the boat is being blessed as is the local custom before going out on its maiden trip. The plan is that the village will work as a co-operative and this form of fishing will provide employment and income for 40 men for the long term and help the fishermen support their families.

Band Aid

Pat & Clive have just returned to the UK from Sri Lanka. Whilst there, one of the things they kindly agreed to do for us was take pictures of the new instruments which have been provided to the Village School in memory of Don's late brother Declan, himself a talented musician. The school has only had the instruments since the start of term and as you can hear from the video clip, have need plenty more practice:-) but we know that having a band is incredibly important to the status of a school.