RMweb's NHS Charities fundraiser - the BIG prize draw.

[AY Mod]

The draw is now closed for entries.

 

Strange times. Times to make you frightened, to shed a tear and hope for different days, time to make changes to our lives, a time to re-assess what is important to us individually, as communities, nations and humanity as a whole. It came running at us all faster than we could flee, hide or be ready to defend. For many of us we're left powerless and we look for the best ways to ride the waves that come our way, we can look after ourselves and we can maybe make a few other peoples' lives better but on the whole we're in the hands of those who have the tools and roles to keep our world turning.

 

It's a horrible time to see the traumatic scenes inside intensive care units, listen to the fear in voices, parents who can't see children, children with their hand on their grandparents' windows to say hello and every other tear-jerking drama that plays out all around us. Inside some of us though are ways to fight back with rainbows, clapping and donations; maybe it doesn't make a difference on its own other than to our wellbeing and those of the intended recipient but knowing others feel the same way can be a salve. In that spirit we wanted to do something from us as a modelling community. We normally raise some money for charity each Members' Day as a by-product of the event but we wanted to make this a foundation stone for this event, not just to be entertained but to do a little good. Therefore all proceeds will be donated to the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.

 

Thank you to all those key workers; utilities and communications, food producers and distributions, logistics and public transport, the armed forces assisting, supermarkets and all their backroom people through to the security guards keeping everyone as safe as possible, our emergency services, the civil servants and even the politicians who have decisions to make, the scientists and lab staff, the businesses and schools producing PPE. None of them can be perfect but we are better for them being able to do something. All of these people need the NHS as much as we do, maybe even more.

 

All of those people and everyone of us and our loved ones can see the people who mean the difference between our lives and deaths. Your private healthcare doesn't buy you what our National Health Service delivers in our months of need, we could debate how much better prepared government and the health service could have been with more money, time, resources, expertise and equipment. That's for another day and not for discussion today. It is evident though that many components around the core health services need support too in addition to the emergency and that is where the charities can make a difference. That difference may be for you or I one day.

 

Where does the money go?

 

In the BBC's coverage of the magnificent fundraising by Captain Tom Moore the following explanation was given.

 

Quote

The umbrella organisation supports more than 140 member health service charities, which are typically linked to specific hospitals or NHS trusts.

 

Many of the funds donated to NHS Charities Together are then disseminated to charities to use at a local level. Donations since the pandemic started have been used to help set up wellbeing spaces in hospitals. These include sleep pods, reclining chairs and so-called "wobble rooms" - areas where staff have a safe space to release emotions after a traumatic experience, such as losing a patient.

 

Wellbeing packs including everyday items such as porridge, tea or hand cream have also been given to staff, which one charity member said was "like a hug in a box". The money has also helped pay for electronic tablets that allow patients who are in isolation in hospital to have contact with their friends and family. In the long term, the funds will be used in planning to allow people to leave hospital quicker and safely, and also provide mental health support for staff and volunteers involved in dealing with the pandemic.

 

What we are doing is a small thank you, a small contribution, a small gesture and a small amount but we wanted to do something from our community and our trade supporters, even though they are facing concerns with the rest of us they're putting a shoulder to the wheel with us in this event.

 

Thank you!

[AY Mod]

Our kind thanks to those within the trade who are supporting our fundraising event; without you we wouldn't be able to raise money to this extent.

 

How to take part:

1 raffle ticket = £1; buy as many as you like and be as generous for a good cause as you feel you would like to be.

 

 

 

The prizes:

 

 

 

 

Our final prize, thanks to Locomotion Models is particularly relevant. The locomotive was named 'Hertfordshire Rail Tours', the founder, John Farrow, sadly died last week after contracting Coronavirus. This model has not yet been released yet and can only be despatched once the museum is re-opened.

 

 

 

 

The draw: 

The closing time for the draw will be 23.59 on Sunday 26th April. We will publish a list of winners on RMweb on Monday 27th April and work through the list to offer a prize.

 

Entries will then be drawn at random on a per ticket basis, the first number drawn will be offered the first choice from the prize list and then each winner contacted on the email address they gave to Paypal in turn for each prize. A maximum of 24 hours will be allowed for a response before moving on to offer the next winner their choice. The winners details will then be passed on to the prize donor for the item to be sent out. Please allow some flexibility on this aspect given the current position on staff levels etc.

[AY Mod]

Our mammoth fundraiser is now unveiled!

 

My heartfelt thanks to everyone in the trade who has rallied round to support the event and fundraiser in such spectacular fashion; more from some of them over the course of the weekend.

 

There will be other opportunities to donate over the course of the weekend if a little flutter in a raffle isn't your thing but whichever route you may choose to chip in a few pounds is very much appreciated.

 

Keep healthy and safe!

 

Andy

 

[PaulRhB]

Superb and well put! 
Ive been donating to my local hospitals appeal direct but I’m in for this too. Thank you to all who help in whatever way  

[AY Mod]

And within minutes there's over £100 in the fund; thank you!

[BMacdermott]

Hello Andy

 

All the best with this excellent venture! Just donated.

 

Brian

[AY Mod]

I nip off to do a video interview with Simon Kohler to tie in with Sunday's event and get back to the PC, look at the notifications and find that the total's over £500 in less than an hour. You guys are amazing!

[ELTEL]

11 minutes ago, BMacdermott said:

Hello Andy

 

All the best with this excellent venture! Just donated.

 

Brian

Me too

 

Well done Andy

 

Terry 

[Stubby47]

I've chipped in a bit too.

 

Stu

[Phil Bullock]

I’m In too Andy .... an excellent cause and thanks to the trade for great prizes! 

[darrel]

Great idea thanks to all involved in organising it and those companies who donated prizes. I've bought my tickets 

[Alister_G]

Thanks for all your hard work Andy, and very much agree with all you put above.

 

If you see a cloud of moths hanging round the forum, it's because they escaped when i opened my paypal account.

 

Al.

[Hroth]

There you go, tickets bought, and as I never win raffles, good luck to the rest of you!!! 

[Kingzance]

I hope it raises a good few bob too!

[russ p]

I'm in too mate hope it works well for you

[gwrrob]

Just wondering if you have to be a RMweb member to buy the raffle tickets Andy ?

[john dew]

Andy.....Thank you for all the hard work you have put in to create the raffle. I found that opening post totally heart warming and moving.....in fact it moved me to press the donate button.

 

Good luck

 

John
 

 

 

 

 

[CottesmoreRail]

I’ve got mine, too excellent work getting all this arranged Andy, really amazing 

[PaulRhB]

7 minutes ago, gwrrob said:

Just wondering if you have to be a RMweb member to buy the raffle tickets Andy ?

Get them to join  

[Ramrig]

Happy to donate. Nice one Andy all for a good cause.

 

Stay safe everyone.

[Ian J.]

I've donated. Good luck to all, both in the raffle and in this upside down time, but especially to those doing the front line work.

[jamie.dunn]

I've just donated as well, Fantastic Idea Andy (and team) for a fantastic cause...

 

jamie 

[AY Mod]

31 minutes ago, gwrrob said:

Just wondering if you have to be a RMweb member to buy the raffle tickets Andy ?

 

Not at all, they can just follow the link and I pick up the relevant details from Paypal - all welcome!

[AY Mod]

I'm absolutely amazed at the speed of response, there's already over £1200 raised. It shows the love for the NHS!

[Buhar]

There's nothing there I particularly want to win (sounds like a response to Hornby's January announcements) so if my number comes up can I swap my prize for a virtual cake party with Phil?

Alan