I just received this message (scroll down)from the lovely people at Wogans Perfect Recall (Channel 4). Sadly as much as they want me back I cannot go as I've already done it! But they are clearly desperate for new punters so why not have a go? Give Sinead a call.......tell her Pete FROM NAPAC put you in touch and have a bit of fun. The general knowledge questions are easy and Terry W is a nice chap. Then if you win £50k you can take us all out for dinner.
Whilst I've got you. One of our lovely supporters pointed out I would never have time to be an MP so let's forget that .Mind, those perks do seem attractive - universal hatred by the public, ranked lower even than estate agents and bankers, expenses to clean out the swimming pool and irrigate the tennis court, second mortgages at tax payers expense. As bad as it all appears (and as Stephen Fry pointed out "who hasn't fiddled at some point in their life?" Hope our treasurer isn't reading this - as if I would!!!) it has tarnished all the MPs with the same brush and I'll tell you who I think is to blame. It was a PM who famously blocked MPs getting a decent salary for what they do because the wealthy classes have never had a problem with being Members of The Club because they could afford it. BUT, Labour should have sorted this out too which is a pity because God help us all (other than the wealthy) when the other lot get back in. And it will be distasterous for child protection..that's for sure.
But I digress. What was I talking about? Never mind. Tomorrow I am addressing an esteemed audience of health care professionals at the Royal College of Physicians. My presentation title is 'Survivors of abuse - how can health professionals help?' I've waited a long time to be asked that question by such an austere body as the Royal College.........I hope I manage to tell them.
You know, I think I am more nervous about tomorrows talk than I was about visiting the dentist this morning!
Finally, it's Euro elections today......don't forget to vote!
Stay loyal. Never give up. Vote NAPAC!!!
Love
Pete
Hello,
I hope you’re keeping well! We are currently looking for new contestants for the third series of Wogan’s Perfect Recall. Unfortunately, you cannot apply to be on the show again but since you were such a great contestant we would love to hear from your friends and family! Get them to get in touch ASAP as time is running out, by either calling directly on 0207 013 4514 or sending an email with their details including:
NAME, AGE, NEAREST LARGE CITY and a CONTACT NUMBER.
I hope you enjoyed watching your show or you are looking forward to it when it is aired. Don’t worry if you haven’t been contacted yet we’re just waiting on channel four to confirm dates and then we’ll be in touch.
Kind regards,
Sinead
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????
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
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, 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
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
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Getting started.
Getting started is one thing. Keeping it going is quite another. Although I had every intention of being a good little blogger I realise now that I am just not cut out for this game. I know I have been neglecting you and I apologise but it's just that I have so much on my plate that I never know quite where to start and how to prioritise and the thought of blogging (which to me is quite an attractive thing to do because I like talking about myself) is just a distraction from getting on with my job....which is to expand this charity...........and raise the money to pay the phone bills. But I do believe in miracles and I'll share a little one from last week. We got a phone bill. A big phone bill. A nine hundred and something pounds phone bill! I said a little prayer (I often do) and said, "please God, let the next thing we open be a cheque" (we haven't had too many of them recently - credit crunch etc) and lo and behold, there was a cheque for £1000!!! No one can tell me that wasn't a prayer answered.
As you know we lost Julie, our Training and Development Manager. But since losing her we have found a few others. We now have Dawn, our Volunteer Coordinator and Tamsin, our volunteer Admin person. What's more this past fortnight we've seen 5 new volunteers join our Support Team (the ones who staff the free phone) so you see it's been a time of miracles!
Earlier this week I visited a great charity called St.Mungo's and spent the morning with their 'Women's Focus Group' (why am I always being asked to woman's groups? perhaps its' the pink lycra tops I wear when on my bike). What a lovely bunch of people. And what great work they do with our homeless people. They sent me a lovely email thanking me for coming along and I sent them one saying that I wish a big, well resourced charity like St.Mungos would take us under their wing.....and give us a place of our own to work from.You can only ask! There's too much to tell to know where to start so I guess the best bet is to sign off and get on with my work. I'll tell you what though. We have been getting so many calls and enquires that we have got to make this whole dream of napac so much bigger. Because in many ways it is a dream. I dream of helping the millions out there who have been absued and need help but I know we can never do that until we get more help. So, it's back to the drawing board, a bit of dreaming...and lots of prayers............PLEASE.
Look after yourself.
Love
Pete
PS Hope to be cycling to Brighton and back on Sunday if anyone cares to join me. I don't advise it though. It will be a very painful experience!
As you know we lost Julie, our Training and Development Manager. But since losing her we have found a few others. We now have Dawn, our Volunteer Coordinator and Tamsin, our volunteer Admin person. What's more this past fortnight we've seen 5 new volunteers join our Support Team (the ones who staff the free phone) so you see it's been a time of miracles!
Earlier this week I visited a great charity called St.Mungo's and spent the morning with their 'Women's Focus Group' (why am I always being asked to woman's groups? perhaps its' the pink lycra tops I wear when on my bike). What a lovely bunch of people. And what great work they do with our homeless people. They sent me a lovely email thanking me for coming along and I sent them one saying that I wish a big, well resourced charity like St.Mungos would take us under their wing.....and give us a place of our own to work from.You can only ask! There's too much to tell to know where to start so I guess the best bet is to sign off and get on with my work. I'll tell you what though. We have been getting so many calls and enquires that we have got to make this whole dream of napac so much bigger. Because in many ways it is a dream. I dream of helping the millions out there who have been absued and need help but I know we can never do that until we get more help. So, it's back to the drawing board, a bit of dreaming...and lots of prayers............PLEASE.
Look after yourself.
Love
Pete
PS Hope to be cycling to Brighton and back on Sunday if anyone cares to join me. I don't advise it though. It will be a very painful experience!
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Happy Easter
Wishing you a Happy Easter is about all I have time to say so apologies for this brief blog. Our Training and Development Manager, Julie, left today and we are feeling very sad. Still, we have another wonderful person joining us next week, on a temporary basis and I will tell you all about it soon. I am off to Liverpool in the morning for a meeting with a chap who wants to help us out with fundraising. I'll go anywhere to get money for napac and Liverpoool is as good a place as any. A fine city............and particularly as their football team (well the Red one) are sending napac a signed matchball for us to use as a fundraiser. Up the Reds!
I'll be back in blogging mode soon...............I hope!
God bless
Pete
I'll be back in blogging mode soon...............I hope!
God bless
Pete
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