I've had a pretty busy morning at Cancer Research today. Despite the usual selection of fun filled photographs, there were a lot of donations to go through, from munificent members of the public, who continue to do what they can to raise money for the fantastic charity. This evening I wanted to say a few words about donations and encourage readers of 'Roaming Brit' to donate generously.

All charities rely on gifts from the general public, Britain has a proud tradition of Charity shops and a great deal of money is generated from the sale of unwanted items. Cancer Research in Portsmouth is a large unit, the largest such establishment I have ever worked in and consequently has a lot of stock to categorise and catalogue. Volunteers and Managers alike have to assess and evaluate huge amounts of contributions. Eclectic in nature and in many cases unique on the high street, all are given free, in the hope they will realise some much needed capital, so Cancer Research and other institutions can continue to carry out their good work.

Today I was sorting and pricing electrical goods, others were tagging clothing and many more were sorting through general donations. Around eighty percent of donations are sold in store and a well trained and focused work force continue to get the best prices they can. I myself give when I can. When I left for Spain in 2015, I gave most of my belongings away to the British Heart Foundation and when I returned to the UK last year, I donated the rest of my personal effects to 'Easy Horse Care,' a charity I used to work for in Gran Alacant. This Spanish trust, rescues horses and donkeys across the Valencia region of Spain; many are injured or mistreated and badly in need of care. I have never just thrown saleable items in the bin, I know from previous experience, just how important a gift to a charity can be.

Everyone has a personal cause to champion, one that is close to their heart, so I would encourage all of you to give something, as often as you can. I was amazed at the generosity shown by people as I opened sacks today, valuable, freshly laundered and neatly folded clothes. We are also given items we can't sell, things that really should have been disposed of and I would also stress the importance of vetting the items you give. No volunteer wants to sort through a black dustbin liner of soiled garments. We had a few such bags today and it can be stomach churning at times. Nevertheless everyday is like Christmas when you work in a charity shop, you never know just what you will find.

My boss Zerina wanted me to thank everyone for their continued support and pass on her best wishes to all those who read my blog, following our shop in Portsmouth. Writing about my charity work is an important aspect of my life; I know many of you who read 'Roaming Brit,' are also interested in this side of me. I would like to end this entry today, by asking you all to help Cancer Research in its work by donating what you can. Equally if you have some spare time, why not pop along and have a chat with Zerina, Jo or Sam and do some volunteering yourself; you wont be disappointed!

I have written much about charity and my negative experiences working for Oxfam; sometimes too much. The past has clouded my judgement on future charitable endeavours and has often made me turn away from exploits, that would have been good for me and the recipient. Negative experiences with anything tends to live clear in the mind, far longer than the positive, that is a fact of life. My escapades with Oxfam will remain with me for a very long time; a burden I accepted long ago. Reading my blog entries, one may assume I have only had difficult encounters with the charitable sector; in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. My life was tainted by Oxfam, but not entirely. I have many fond memories from more advantageous adventures.
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In 1994 the treatment for AIDS was in its infancy. I knew many people who had contracted the disease; being able to do ones bit, allowed myself and others the privilege, of giving a little back, to the community in which we were apart. We spent many long evenings in a friends apartment, turning red ribbon into badges to wear with pride, supporting all those hoping for a second chance, a new lease of life through the advancement of research into this appalling scourge. Luckily today, many of those who had contracted HIV at this time, are still alive and well. Medical advances have given lives back, rather than taken them away.

Raising money for any good cause is a part of British life, ingrained in our national psyche; from HM The Queens devotion to good causes, Patron of many charities to the volunteer in a charity shop sorting out unwanted clothes. Without dedicated people, with no agenda, just a desire to do good, many trusts would be unable to carry out the work they do. 

I am often asked what I think about 'charity' after my rum brush, with the darker side of Oxfam. I am instinctively drawn to the rejection of such organisations; if Oxfam is corrupt, then any number of other similar groups could also be. Equally I am reminded that not everyone is the same. Over the last eighteen months my views have mellowed, today I remain philosophical about the role of charities and although I would never give money to these trusts personally again, I would give up my time, working for an organisation, I felt represented my aims and beliefs as an individual; Oxfam however, would always be out of such an equation.

As readers to my blogs are aware, I worked as a mentor and advocate for 'Action For Children;' I also gave up my time working for the 'Easy Horse Care' charity here in Spain; supporting this fantastic organisation in its work, saving horses and donkeys from this region of Spain. These are two charities, carrying out work, close to my heart; the protection of children and the preservation of animals, abused and in many cases left for dead. There is dishonesty and deception in every charity across society; in the case of  Oxfam, I dug too deep and knew too much. I found out about terrible injustices; I became embroiled in a scandal, that I would never forget. My consequent experiences of other organisations has not shown such disregard for human dignity so I could never pass judgement on others, preferring to believe that corruption only exists in Britain's biggest charity, Oxfam, as naive as that seems!

Like most people I have also given money to various groups, raising funds, in the past; I sponsored a child in Brazil, paying for his education; gave money towards a cat called Ashley, at the RSPCA in Milton Keynes, who was suffering from FIV, cat AIDS and had various direct debits coming from my British account each month, towards many different causes. Stopping the trickle of funds was a personal choice, built on experience; it doesn't mean you should do the same; I do however want to give you some advice.

Research the charity of your choice comprehensively; look at the statistics and most importantly, the percentage income distributed, to those who are in desperate need. Read and investigate who exactly this organisation is, make sure it practices what it preaches and above all speak to others who have had exposure in your chosen cause. If it doesn't live up to your expectations, there are many other groups that need your help and support. Finally after my ordeal with a large multinational charity, I would say, stick local and make sure you see where the money goes; not all charities are the same!

A gorgeous photograph of myself and Jamie this morning, after I woke him up early, thinking he was working with June today.  Got the day wrong and he wasn´t happy!

A photo of Rosa and I.  A stalwart at The Horse Care Centre. 

Bought myself a sarong for the summer!

Weight loss and keeping fit going well!

​Peace and Love Always!

I wanted to just include a quick but extremely important Blog from my boss, Sue!  We are all working hard to prevent Oscar being handed back to his abusive owners.  Laws are very different here in Spain and Rod and Sue´s Foundation is doing wonders throughout Spain to save the lives of horses and donkeys, in a similar fashion to the RSPCA in Great Britain!  Please message your support to The Rescue Centre or myself to pass on to Sue.

                                                   Thanks

                                                                Luke

                        Attached are photo`s of horses and donkey`s that we rescued from the place in San Louis that you are telling us that Oscar has to go back to. Also a photo of a dead horse that we were to late to save from there.
Also Oscar had shoes on which if they owned him for two years he was being ridden or used to pull a cart. He was also skeletal as shown in the last photo taken the day he arrived at the centre. As previously stated this horses legs have been destroyed by over work. His tendons have lost their elasticity and therefor causing the joints to slowly collapse. With out medication he will be in a great deal of pain and with out specialist shoeing and medical care the joints will collapse much quicker. Even in our care he will only have two or thee years at the most then he would have been put to sleep humanly
If he is not receiving correct veterinary care it would be kinder to put him to sleep now.
Monday he will still be having a blood test to determine why he is drinking so much water. Dorothea thinks he possibly has kidney problems that will also require daily medication.
If this horse is handed back to these people by the authorities that originally asked us to save him it would be a tragedy for him and a big step backwards for animal rescue in Spain.
Regards
                Rod and Sue Weeding           Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre