PRESS RELEASE
27 March 2006
It’s No Joke: Tiverton Two Raise Funds for Active Asia Appeal
The Prince Blucher Hosts a 60s and 70s Revival Night to Assist Survival
Devon duo, Sean and Tasha Shemwell from Tiverton have selected April Fools Day to mark the launch of their eight-month campaign to raise vital funds for disadvantaged communities in Sri Lanka and Vietnam in which they will be volunteering in January 2007. On the couple’s behalf, the Prince Blucher pub will be hosting a light-hearted night of 60s and 70s entertainment. The couple’s volunteering placements have been organised by meaningful travel specialist i-to-i, the UK leaders in volunteer travel.
“Magical Mystery Tour”
In December, kind-hearted Sean and Tasha will embark on their very own magical mystery tour, combining travelling through exotic Asia with volunteering in impoverished neighbourhoods. First stop: Vietnam. The pair will spend six weeks in an orphanage in Ho Chi Minh giving essential support to children from deprived backgrounds. They will be helping staff members with daily activities like teaching English, playing games, singing songs and planning arts projects. This will be followed by three months in Sri Lanka providing hands-on assistance in tsunami affected areas. They can expect to become “Jack of all Trades” as they will be tackling a diverse range of activities from offering support to adults and children in temporary housing camps, community centres, schools and orphanages to clearing out damaged houses, painting classrooms or assisting with health programmes – plenty for them to get their teeth into!
“Money, Money, Money”
Natasha and Sean will be paying for their combined placement fees themselves. However, they are on a mission to raise a further £6,000 by November through a range of exciting activities. All funds will be given directly to the needy communities they will be assisting and may also be used to cover the costs of the couple’s visas and connecting flights between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
“A Hard Day’s Night”
On Saturday 1 April, running from 8pm until late, punters can expect to be entertained by a 60s and 70s disco, a raffle and competitions. For anyone daring (or nostalgic?!) enough to don their fancy dress, a prize is also promised for the “best dressed” individual. Tickets for the night are available in advance, free of charge from the Prince Blucher pub.
“With a little help from their friends”
Individuals and companies who would like to make a donation, financial or otherwise, towards the couple’s volunteering ventures can do so by calling 1-800-352-1793 or emailing happppytb@aol.com. Alternatively, contact Natasha Wadsworth in the i-to-i Press Office on 1-800-352-1793 or natasha.wadsworth@i-to-i.com.
Future dates for diaries:
April 16 – Sponsored Rabbit Walk along Tiverton High Street – all rabbits must be on a harness (54 have been supplied by Supreme Pet Foods Ltd) and are available on a first come, first served basis for a donation of £2. Alternatively, harnesses can be purchased from Creature Comforts, Gold Street, Tiverton. Sponsor forms available from the Prince Blucher pub.
April 23 – Army Commando Challenge organised by Taunton Territorial Army. Taunton TA has kindly agreed to give 50 per cent of all money raised through their fundraising in 2006 to the couple. Please donate or sponsor Taunton TA’s events generously!
May 1 – Bring and Buy sale at the Prince Blucher pub. £3 for a stall. Entry: 20p donation. Raffles, refreshments, competition and collection!
Ends
For further press information please contact Natasha Wadsworth on 1-800-352-1793 or natasha.wadsworth@i-to-i.com
Editor's Notes
- i-to-i is a volunteer travel and TEFL training organisation based in Leeds, UK; Denver, USA; and Co. Waterford, Ireland. Since 1994, it has sent around 10,000 volunteers to work on 500 projects in 5 continents worldwide and trained a further 10,000 people a year to teach English as a foreign language.
- i-to-i is a founding member of the Year Out Group, associate of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ‘Know Before You Go’ Campaign, member of the Federation of International Youth Travel Organisations and has training accreditation from the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council.
