Wednesday 27 May 2009

June

June is my sister in law but it's also the 6th month of the year and I thought I would just blog a little blog before May ends and June begins. And once June begins you don't get a word in edgeways!!
Very little to report since last time. Still cycling to work. Still got about a thousand calls to the napac line each week and still wondering how we can manage to answer them all. Well, I know we'll probably never be able to do that which is why I will now share my next big idea with you................. napac branches in every town and city!!
Okay, now get up and think about it. Every place in this country is swarming with abuse surviors. We know that. Let's set up a network whereby any one of them who needs that sort of support can go to their local meeting. They could be held once a week. Once a fortnight. It will be down to the group. They will be autonomous, self-funding branches but they will be part of napac. They will have a solid structure and be facilitated by a trained person. I'm not saying they will be anything like an AA (alcoholics anonymous) branch in terms of structure but I would expect them to be safe, enabling places where confidentiality is paramount and support comes as given.
I was interviewed for BBC Radio 5 Live! on Friday (this is how we will be able to get great publicity for our plans) . Apparently the new Archbishop of Westminster said a few things at his investiture ceremony that some survivors of abuse found unhelpful. Apparently he said things which appeared (if not intended) to make him sound more sympathetic to the plight of abusers than to their victims. Well I had a very nice chat with Nicky Campbell and Donald Findlater live on the beeb and for the first time in a media interview I became overwhelmed with emotion and, rarely for me, found myself temporarily speechless..and that really is rare!

Someone suggested that abusers don't realise the harm they are doing when they seek "the comfort of children". I hope you are proud of my response. I didn't swear out loud but I had to point out that when an abuser is raping or buggering a child I think there is a pretty good chance that they know exactly how evil and depraved their actions are. I pointed out that the abuse of a child can never ever constitute an act of love. It is an act of hatred. It is the ultimate misuse of power and control. It is a direct attack not just on the mind and body of the child but on their very soul. And when this has been perpetrated by a clergyman................well I hope you can understand why I was speechless. I think the last thing I managed to say was that as a Christian, I know that there was no sin, no crime more evil in the sight of Jesus than to hurt a child. As for separating that child from a relationship with God....well again, what can I say?

Jesus said it all. "better you be weighted down with a mill stone and cast into the waters than take the innocence of a child". I know those weren't his exact words but you get the gist. Jesus was pretty good with words! He made it pretty clear where he stood on the issue of child abuse.

Pity more people, particularly some of our politicians, aren't the same.

Hope you are having a good week.
Love
Pete

PS Do you think I should stand for Parliament. If napac patron Esther Rantzen is I don't see why I shouldn't! Think about it. Pete Saunders.......the NAPAC Member of Parliament.

PPS Anyone want to be my agent????

Friday 15 May 2009

And another!

Had you fooled! Short and sweet my armpit!

Just to let you know that I made it to Brighton and back on by bike and I expect to be out of hospital sometime in June......only joking. I rode really well and apart from a spot of the runs on the way back (good job I was sitting down) I did the 116 miles without too much discomfort. I even managed to win a few sprints to the top of hills!! Not bad for an old fat git.

But you don't want to know about that..........or do you? Perhaps you should consider joining the Big Foot Cycling Club (male and female) and come out with us sometime. For proof of my age and physical state you can see photos of the Brighton ride on their website. I am the handsome one, sitting in the ambulance.

NAPAC is doing well at the moment. Our wonderful new volunteers are getting stuck into calls and we love having them on board. Our old volunteers are also wonderful and it's absolutely marvellous when our long serving people are able to come alonside the new ones. It doesn't always work out like that but we try!

I have got lots going on in my head at the moment (suprisingly for me) in terms of where napac is going and I will share some of those thoughts another time but right now I want to remind you about our Fund Raising event in Dudley on Saturday 27th June. There are some fantastic items for auction (signed Liverpool and Villa matchballs, signed England shirt etc). It's at Club Dudley in Waterloo Road, Dudley (West Midlands) and starts at 7.30. It's ticket only so somewhere on our website the wonderful Helen will hopefully put full details.
Well, it's Friday afternoon and I am trying to think of an excuse to bunk off early. How about.....pub opening time? That's a good excuse. Again, only joking. I'm an athlete and besides, negotiating the Old Kent Road on the bike when sober is bad enough , how I'd manage it drunk, heavens knows. Funnily enough I've only ever been stopped for speeding twice. Once was in my car on the A56 near Manchester (the cops were brilliant. I apologised, told them the truth "I was running late officer" and they let me go) Good old British bobby. The other time was by the Royal Parks Constabulary in Richmond Park (apart 35 years ago!). Myself and 3 other riders were training there and we were exceeding the 30mph (eat your heart out Lance) speed limit. They weren't so friendly and warned us we were in danger of colliding with the deer (and those who know Richmond Park will know this) who stroll across the road. Venison steaks?? Now there's a thought.

Tonight I am having a secret meeting with Secret Mision, our rock band musician friends. There is a rumour that they are going to be doing a gig in the Bromley area. That's great news for me as they usually like to drag us all the way to the other side of London to watch them perform. When I know when they will be playing (and where) I'll let you know. Secret Mission really are different and well worth seeing................hey! I even have a Secret Mission tee shirt. Pete the 52 year old groupie!

Well I will sign off now and climb into the lycra. The Old Kent Road seems to be particularly busy on Friday evenings so I need to take care. I always say an extra prayer before making the journey because it was on that very road where I had my last crash. White van driver, on his mobile "didn't see me". Ran me off the road right next to Old Kent Road fire station then promptly drove right over my bike. Good job I had extracted my legs in time. And it was then that I discovered what a nice bunch of chaps our firemen can be. "We saw the whole thing mate, he nearly killed you". "He was on his mobile phone". "We''ll be your witnesses". Thanks chaps. It didn't do me any good. I wasn't badly hurt so the police said to forget it..........you win some???
Have an awesome weekend.
Love
Pete

Friday the 15th

Greetings! This is another short and sweet message.

Friday 1 May 2009

Dudley and Rita.

No, they are not a couple! Dudley is in the West Midlands and one of our supporters, Chrissie, is holding a fundraising auction and social evening there on Saturday 27th June. I'll be there! Included in the auction is an England signed soccer shirt and a Liverpool signed matchball. They must be worth a good few bob to some soccer fans? More info to follow but if you are anywhere in the West Midlands here is your opportunity to support NAPAC with a good night out.
Rita is a lovely lady who has written a very moving and clever book of poetry called 'Parallel Lives' and it will be available shortly to purchase. Again, more details to follow shortly.
In the meantime have a great Bank Holiday weekend (hope the sun keeps shining) and if you happen to find yourself in Brighton on Sunday, stay clear of any big lump on a bicycle clad in pink lycra!!
Love
Pete
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