Monday 8 March 2010

Mothers Day?

I recently received a message from a company called 'Flying Flowers' urging me to order flowers for Mothers Day. I've used them before (they are very good) but I just sent back an email saying my mum died years ago. Well, blow me down. I got a very courteous and apologetic reply. Now that is what I call "service". And of course, I will use FF again!

A number of weeks ago I did a Radio interview on BBC Radio 5 Live and a couple of days later received a most abusive email from someone saying I was encouraging vigilantism (if there is such a word) and that I shouldn't be unkind to child abusers (yes , right!) Well, I emailed this person back asking them to listen to the Radio broadcast again (because it was on BBC i player) and telling me where I had said these things - because I hadn't -but all I got back was more abuse and a threat that this person was going to have our lottery funding stopped.

Now you know why I constantly say that napac (and survivors and children) has enemies. There are a lot of abusers out there and we have to be on our guard. As some of you may have spotted recently the British False Memory Society (another dangerous group) have written to the Church of England urging them not to recommend a book called The Courage to Heal. Well I've never read this book but I have heard from countless survivors over the years how it has helped them............heal from abuse. Surprise, surprise then, the BFMS want it removed from bookshelves.

But it's not all bad news!! It is March already (you were warned about me and blogs!) and I haven't written anything since the beginning of the year. It's not that there's nothing to report it's just that there is so much going on I just don't get time. But yes, there is huge amounts of good news. Our lottery grant has now kicked in (we love those people!) and we now have five, repeat FIVE full-time members of staff. But just as importanly we have a whole new bunch of volunteers who have come on board as I type. And this is just as well as the Support Line continues to ring. Can you believe that last Monday we had 350 calls to the line - yes 350 in one day. We still haven't figured out why that happened on that Monday but the previous day (Sunday?) we had no fewer than 3 mentions in 3 different Sunday papers.....so that might have accounted for some of it. Anyway...............we need still more volunteers so if you can spare two hours a week.....give our Dawn a call (Dawn is our Volunteer Coordinator). Or email her: dawn@napac.org.uk. She'll send you an application form. The pay is non-existent but the rewards are huge!!

What else to bore you with? My bike. I haven't ridden to work in 2010. How depressing is that? My wheel collapsed and I bought a new wheel in December then in early January I discovered a crack in the frame. And it's still there. And it's been my excuse for not riding to work. However, recognising that I was starting to ballon into a middle aged slob (again) I decided to try running instead. Yes I know, 8/9 miles is a ridiculous distance for a non runner but I have started doing it. I've started running home from work. The first time I did it, two weeks ago, it took me one hour and 48 minutes. Next outing it took me 1hr 28mins (quite a reduction) and last Friday it took me 1hr 30. So, that would seem to be my average. However, I am going to attempt to reduce that by a few minutes this week then contact the British Olympic selectors to adise them of my availability for 2012!

Talking of Olympic feats. We have two heroes who are fundraising by undertaking quite ridiculous events in the coming months. David Livingstone is running the London Marathon and John Griffiths is riding one of the biggest mountain routes of the Tour de France. Both these men clearly need counselling but as they are doing it to raise money for napac I hope they achieve their goals and raise much needed funds for us..........then perhaps they could get some therapy!!

Thanks men.

Well, as much as I would like to continue writing I must get on with some work. Oh yes. Worth a mention. The Mikhailovsky Ballet Company (yes I hadn't heard of them either!) are coming to London in July (14th) and their opening evening at the Coliseum, Swan Lake, is a potential fundraiser for napac. If you are interested in coming along please get in touch. It's the ballet. It's not cheap BUT it will be a spectacular night out.

I will try not to leave it so long next time. Have a great March. Spring is on the way.
Love
Pete
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