Local Hero
Have you got what it takes to be a Local Hero?
This April, Localgiving is celebrating all the fantastic fundraisers who put themselves out to raise money on behalf of a local charity. From marathons to bungee jumps; sponsored silences to fire walks.
To help give a boost to their efforts, Localgiving will award £5,000 in prizes to the causes supported by the top 20 fundraisers in April. Participants will be ranked according to the number of unique online donors from whom they secure sponsorship throughout the month. The top fundraiser will secure a prize of £1,000 for their chosen cause!
In 2015, the top prize was awarded to Ability Dogs 4 Young People thanks to their fundraiser, Mick – who secured donations from 157 unique donors by jumping out of a plane! Read more about Mick’s story here.
Set up your fundraising page now
To take part, simply set up your free fundraising page now.
Key facts
Here is a list of the key facts about the campaign. If you have any more questions, please check the Local Hero FAQs.
Start date & time: Friday 1st April at 00:00:00
End date & time: Saturday 30th April at 23:59:59
Conditions of entry: Each active fundraising page on Localgiving was eligible to take part.
Process: Fundraisers will be ranked according to the number of unique donors who sponsor their page within the campaign start and end dates. Donations made outside of the campaign dates will not count towards a fundraiser’s ranking.
Prizes: The top 20 fundraisers at 23:59:59 on Saturday the 30th of April will be declared the winners. Prizes will not be given to the fundraiser, but awarded directly to the charities for whom they are fundraising. Prizes will be awarded as follows:
| 1st | £1,000 | 11th | £100 |
| 2nd | £500 | 12th | £100 |
| 3rd | £500 | 13th | £100 |
| 4th | £500 | 14th | £100 |
| 5th | £500 | 15th | £100 |
| 6th | £200 | 16th | £100 |
| 7th | £200 | 17th | £100 |
| 8th | £200 | 18th | £100 |
| 9th | £200 | 19th | £100 |
| 10th | £200 | 20th | £100 |
Charity & supporter limits: Only one donation made by each unique donor counted towards a fundraiser’s ranking. There was no limit to the number of prizes any single group may receive.
Charity Comedy Night at The Victoria Feb 28th
For one night only, some of the finest national talent together in one room for your amusement and for the benefit of some very good causes.
To many people, Kate Smurthwaite is best known for her outspoken TV appearances on Question Time, The Big Questions and the news channels (though she is apparently too controversial for Goldsmiths College). But she is still first and foremost a stand-up, and her latest show is “The Wrong Sort Of Feminist”, about the Goldsmiths saga, Ex-Muslims, choice, feminism, the treatment of asylum seekers, the NHS, Couples Come Dine With Me and edible pants.
‘Hilarious … a powerhouse of observational wit’ (Spectator). ‘An important and inclusive narrative on our society’ (ScotsGay). ‘The verve with which she articulates her views on our land is monumental’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Comedy that cuts through the crap’ (ThreeWeeks). ‘You come across as not only being hypocritical, but incompetent and mendacious.’ (Frankie Boyle)
Iszi Lawrence gigs across the UK as well as internationally and has headlined nights in Oslo, Prague, Dublin and Brussels. She is a seasoned performer, having appeared in critically acclaimed shows at the Edinburgh Fringe since she was 17. Iszi is well-known for her podcasting exploits, namely The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe, the Z-List Dead List and Sundays Supplement.
“She’s as adept with an anecdote as she is with a one-liner, and her trips down comedy asides are on-the-spot funny.” (The Herald) “She’s good. Really good.” (Oxford Mail)
Andy White is a Brummie bursting with creative energy who combines silly voices and a mad afro to devastating comic effect. Andy has appeared on the BBC New Comedy Awards, Brand Spanking New on BBC Radio 7 and the Weakest Link comedy special. (He won!) His appearance on the quiz featured in his five-star Edinburgh show ‘It Started With A Quiz’. This followed on from his well-received one-man show “Young, Gifted and Beige”.
“Had me exercising my pelvic floor muscles to avoid an accident Karen Slater, BBC Tees “Undeniably entertaining” Chortle.co.uk “Oozes talent” What’s On Magazine “The laughs turned to applause many times for Andy” Suzanne Worthington, BBC Cumbria.
Sunday 28th February
- Venue/Location: The Victoria, John Bright Street, Birmingham
- Doors: 19:30 – 22:30
- Tickets: Minimum entry fee £10 (£5 unwaged)
Bond Night Fundraiser!
Shaken Not Stirred is a glam night celebrating the best of the Bond films and theme songs.
Each table/booth is themed to a James Bond film and we will be treated to some amazing entertainment and pyrotechnics.
There will be a fun casino in the Green Room where you can win a great prize for making the most money.
Photographers will be on hand for glam or fun pictures.
Dress code is Black Tie/Evening Wear or a Bond film character. There are amazing prizes for the Best Dressed To Kill male and female.
The raffle and auction will also bag you some great prizes on the night.
Our aim is to raise much needed funds for RSVP (Rape & Sexual Violence Project) here in Birmingham and Solihull.
Tickets available HERE.
Join us
RSVP are recruiting volunteers to join their expanding counselling service.
We are looking for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists with spare time to give to a good cause. We are also looking for students on Counselling and Psychotherapy Diploma or Degree courses looking for a great placement opportunity.
Download the cover letter and application form.
For an informal chat and to find out more call Anjella on 0121 643 0301
Awareness Week February 1st-7th 2016
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence awareness week is coming up.
This has been established to give an opportunity for the general public, statutory and third sector organisations to participate in a discussion about sexual abuse and sexual violence. During the week people will raise awareness about sexual abuse and sexual violence and how to prevent it in the UK.
This is happening across the entire United Kingdom.
To get involved-
If you are an individual you can join the conversation on social media following the topic hashtag and/or make contact with your local organisation to get involved in promoting awareness.
Find out more information about the week by following this link to the Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness page.
Our Big, “Big” News!
We are absolutely delighted to tell you our great news …
We have been awarded a grant of £428,998 by the Big Lottery Fund’s “Reaching Communities” programme. All funds will be used to support children, women and men affected by sexual violence and abuse to overcome the traumatic effects and make positive outcomes and live a future with hope and confidence.
This grant will allow us to continue our valuable work offering one to one specialist sexual violence counselling from our premises in Birmingham city centre, as well as outreach services across Birmingham and Solihull. This 4 year grant will allow us to increase the number of RSVP counsellors, helping us to respond to the 275% increase in the number of people requesting RSVP counselling (from 2010 to 2015) and to reduce the times that people wait for counselling. This means that we can support and inspire more children, women and men affected by sexual violence and abuse and respond to their needs much more quickly and effectively. As one survivor said “ RSVP counselling gives you the opportunity to talk openly what happened to you, in a way which is too hard to do with friends or family. RSVP literally saved my life and gave me my future back.”
These are exciting times here at RSVP, as we grow our services. We are extremely thankful for this funding from The Big Lottery and look forward to working with them in the future. Read more about all the latest awards The Big Lottery has made: https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/press-releases/england/110116_eng_dlf_sportingmemories
Santa Cause
Thanks to those who supported- we raised £2000 for support services for sexual violence survivors.
A page in Bham Living magazine.
To see photos from the event click here to go to Birmingham Living.
Shatter the Silence: an insight into sexual abuse
RSVP are pleased to present, on Saturday 27th February 2016, this introductory insight into the impact of rape and sexual abuse, and how it may affect survivors and their support networks, with trainer and qualified psychotherapist Amina Begum.
The programme offers information and knowledge about the mental health effects of sexual violence, and how to support survivors to live confidently and independently. Amina will also be discussing and exploring the barriers and cultural issues that may prevent individuals from taking appropriate actions, and why many survivors remain silent.
This training programme has been produced for health, and mental health professionals, carers, therapists. The event is open to anyone who has an interest in this field, including those who may have contact with survivors.
Shatter the Silence: An Insight Into Rape & Sexual Abuse
Saturday 27th February, 10am-3pm.
Grosvenor House, 14 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5RS
Booking info: £45 per person + booking fee, please book via www.eventbrite.co.uk
How can you help this Christmas?
Make a big difference this Christmas by donating to RSVP and supporting survivors of sexual abuse and rape.
We rely heavily on donations, and any donation, big or small, is a real help.
£5 pays for one person to travel to a counselling appointment
£10 pays for a volunteer counsellor to deliver three sessions
£100 pays for a day’s training for new counsellors, so we can support more people
Here’s how you could help…
- Text donation: It’s easy to donate. Just text RSVP30 £5 (or any other amount) to 70070
- Localgiving.com: You can make monthly or single donations online.
- Charity Checkout: Another easy way to donate online.
- Or give direct via Paypal using the donate button:
And there are giving options that won’t cost you a thing:
- Give as you live: A shopping app that directs a percentage of every purchase you make to us, at no extra cost to you! Simply visit www.giveasyoulive.com or www.easyfundraising.org.uk to learn more and download the apps.
- Everyclick: Make Everyclick your internet search engine and nominate RSVP as your charity. Every time you click on the internet we get a small sum of money at no cost to you.
- Advant-age: You can donate to RSVP while buying flowers, gifts and even via your energy provider! With a 10% discount off flowers and gifts just by quoting RSVP and a guarantee to be on the best price available from our energy provider it’s a great way to support us! Visit www.advant-age.co.uk/rsvp and browse the products available, quote RSVP when making purchases, and we will get a donation from the provider.
Thank you for your support, and do help us out by spreading the word!
Rape is a human rights abuse
Did you know that today is Human Rights Day?
Many people are still unaware of the existence of the International Bill of Human Rights and many countries around the world still have much to do to build political institutions, judicial systems, and economies that allow ordinary people to live with dignity.
At RSVP, we challenge sexual violence victim-blaming myths. Rape and abuse is a violation of human rights.
We think it’s really important to recognise that there is still much work to be done both here and around the world to allow ordinary people to live their lives in freedom. Here in Birmingham in 2015 we’ve added 11 new counselling volunteers and 9 helpline volunteers to our team and we’re providing support for more than 2,000 people, but we know the need for our work is even greater than this.