Near Miss

They say the bulk of car accidents happen within 5 minutes of your home. How about 10 seconds for a near miss…. Following behind an articulated lorry just seconds from the Cemetery Gates where I live, there sound of an almighty Crack was heard as the top of the Lorry hit a tree. Brakes went on as the branch in the photo fell to the ground, narrowly missing coming through the windscreen and covered the width of the road…… All I can say is well done to the Cardiologists and Surgeons at Brightons Royal Sussex County Hospital for doing a great job on my recent heart overhall and of course the Almighty….. An No the Lorry driver did not stop!

Advertisements

“Brexit” an uncertain future?

Eastbourne based charity “Computers for Charities” has had a long term relationship with education and strong links with Europe. “Erasmus” is a European Union initiative to provide work experience opportunities for colleges to discover culture, language and work ethics in other countries.

Computers for Charities provides one to three-month work opportunities for students from Germany, France and Spain, Martinique and currently is accommodating Enzo and Ryan from the Academie de Versailles in Paris and Roberto from IES Abastos, Valencia.

Simon Rooksby: Chairman of Computers for Charities says

“This is an aspect of the charities work that we very much enjoy, in that we do not just accept the students but also develop links with the Colleges and communities that seek to place their students under our care, though with Brexit the continuation of the program within the UK remains uncertain with many EU colleges now switching to opportunities in other EU countries”

“In contrast it remains saddening, despite enquiries and offers to local schools and colleges little interest has been displayed in contrast to the enquiries we receive from Europe by students and teachers”

IES Abastos is currently seeking additional work placements for student placements in Retail, IT and Shipping environments in Edinburgh and Inverness for which no costs are incurred for placements given EU funding.

For more information: Call t: 01323 848588 or Web www.computersforcharities.org

Jpeg L – R: Enzo, Simon (CfC) Ryan, Roberto

 

All Change… CfC gets a new base

In September CfC relocated its workshop to new premises in Eastbourne. Well done and thank you to all that aided this massive move in my absence. Plus thanks to trustees and our small band of volunteers and supporters with keeping the wheels turning given my admission to Coronary Care just days before back in September, then subsequent surgery and recent discharge home. Sadly this years Shoebox appeal has been cancelled. The need for Volunteers and Computers however remains and we trust support for our usual Christmas projects in Eastern Europe can be resumed later in 2018. Many thanks. Simon

Christmas Shoeboxes 25 years on

25 Years of supporting Christmas Shoeboxes

This year we celebrate 25 of supporting, collecting and distributing Christmas Shoeboxes for the elderly and children in the UK and Overseas. Much has changed over these past 25 years from its origin to provide encouragement and hope for those people caught up in the conflict of the Bosnian War and has grown, been adopted by countless organisations to become a worldwide operation.

Enquiries to support this year’s appeal have now been rolling in for the past few weeks, hence this update. In addition due to unforeseen circumstances Computers for Charities will be relocating to Eastbourne in the weeks ahead with normal service being maintained.

Your support therefore, even just sharing what we do to friends, colleagues would as always be most welcome in making this Silver Jubilee a memorable year.

As with previous years, the needs remain the same, standard shoe size boxes (not boots please) or gift bags  Children from Babies to Teenagers and the Elderly Male and Female. Indate medicines including items such as dressings, incontinence pads, nappies for children, warm clothing & blankets would be welcome.

Thank you so much

Simon

Simon Rooksby

Computers for Charities

email: simon@computersforcharities.org or call Tel: 01323 848588

 

 

Farewell to EU Students

Its farewell time and well done to our European Erasmus students. Carles & Oscar from Valencia, Spain and Clement & Gaetan Northern France. You all have done well and Computers for Charities has enjoyed having you on board. Thank you and again well done.

Beaten by the Spanish

Beaten by the Spanish. An evening of Ten Pin Bowling with our Spanish and French students witnessed humiliation for me with the bottom scores. John Kimble was great.. However Oscar & Carles from IES ABASTOS, Valenica were the winners on this occassion with France and Hailsham bringing up the rear.. Well done to Gaetan who played a double game for France

Support heads out for African Schools

Supporting Mission Direct & Rewired Africa. Computers and equipment heading out to Zambia and Zimbabwe to aid needy projects. Well done to our Erasmus students for their hard work. Clement (left) from France and Oscar from Spain.