Page 72 - Phonebox Magazine May 2009

Newport Pagnell Locals take up ‘Newport to Timbuktu challenge’
Locals from Newport Pagnell are facing the challenge of a lifetime as they gear up to drive to Timbuktu!
Brian, 31, is usually busy organising local music events around town (under the name 'bigfunwithbrian.com'), but in
December he will be driving 4500 miles with
some friends to raise money for the charity
Turning Point.
“I don’t even drive!” says Brian with a smile, who will be navigator in his car. “I did the same route on an overland truck a few years ago, this time we are doing it as part of the Plymouth – Dakar Rally. Hopefully the cars will not sink and get stuck in the desert like the truck did!”
The Plymouth to Dakar Challenge has a few rules:
1) The car must cost no more than £100
2) Spend no more than £15 on rally preparation
3) Hand the car over to the Rotary Club in Bamako for auction
4) All rules can be broken (except rule 3)
Leaving from Newport Pagnell in the UK, they will
cover 4500 miles in three weeks, through France and Spain to Morocco, through Western Sahara to Mauritania and then drop the cars off in Bamako Mali for the charity auction. (Brian’s should fetch a pretty penny as they are getting them painted by local graffiti artists.)
MK OLDER PERSONS FORUM PUBLIC MEETING
‘QUALITY OF LIFE EVENT’
“The Rally is completely unsupported. If we break down, run out of diesel, get lost or get into any bother – we’re on our own. There are no support trucks, fixers, teams of medics, mechanics...” says Brian.
The hard work will all be worthwhile for them if they succeed in raising £2,000 for Turning Point. “They do wonderful things for people with drug and alcohol problems, and lets face it, most of us
know someone affected by those!”
Brian is well known in the town for his work with the local music scene and the carnival and he is hoping the local community will support him in his marathon challenge.
“The regulars to ‘big fun’ events have promised to be very generous and I hope other people in the town will sponsor me if they can,” said Brian. “Even a few pounds will make a huge difference and mean Turning Point can continue their invaluable work. Let’s try and make the £2,000 target, then up it!”
You can sponsor Brian by visiting his online fundraising page on http://www.justgiving.com/newport_to_timbuktu. You can pay by credit or debit card, and the money will go directly to Turning Point. Where supporters are UK taxpayers, the charity will automatically receive 28% extra in Gift Aid, which makes Justgiving the most efficient way of sponsoring Brian.
If you would like to know more Brian can be contacted via his website: www.bigfunwithbrian.com
Click to sponsor Joe at http://www.justgiving.com/newport_to_timbuktu
Community Safety
I am delighted to let you know that I have been elected as a representative for Town and Parish Councils on the Safer Neighbourhoods Delivery Group of the Community Safety Partnership.
I have been serving on this group as a representative for older people for some two years, and have now taken on the same role on
behalf of local parishes. I have also been a member of the Olney NAG Committee for some 18 months.
I will be attending my first meeting in this role on Tuesday 28th April 2009. The meetings take place every three months, and I would welcome information and questions on any particular issues that are affecting individual parishes, and which I can raise on your behalf.
I can be contacted on 01234 713292 or by email on drumens@talktalk.net Cllr David Rumens, Olney Town Council.
HEALTH and WELLBEING
COMMUNITY TRANSPORT
LEISURE
HOUSING
BENEFITS
RURAL
WEDNESDAY 13th MAY from 2.30pm - 4.30pm
At the GUILDHALL, Christ the Cornerstone Church
Keynote Speaker - Anne Lark, Age Concern
We want to know what gives you Quality of Life and why?
We want to know where you are not getting a Quality of life Service and why?
Drop in for a cup of tea and a biscuit, and talk to people experienced in delivering services to older people in a
variety of areas.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT David on 01234 713292
or Peter on 01908 867942
JOHN REVIS ALMSHOUSES CHURCH PASSAGE, NEWPORT PAGNELL
72 Phonebox Magazine
An almshouse has become vacant
Applicants should be single, over 55 years of age and preferably living in Newport Pagnell
For more information or to obtain an application form please telephone the secretary to the Trustees,
telephone number 01908 610837 Closing date for receipt of applications 22nd May