Fundraising
I have been on the phone to someone connected to my place of work. She and her family/friends have, in recent years, taken it upon themselves to get involved in helping small, local charities. Over the last 3 years or so, they have grown to about 30 in number. Every week they choose a small project to raise funds for. They have also gone on to start projects of their own, including funding a new school and orphanage in East Africa.
They wish to remain anonymous themselves, but they are happy to be known under the pseudonym of the Friday Charity Group. They have decided to help Friends of Pakati by raising funds for us, not just as a one-off, but hopefully over the coming months, to help us meet at least some of our objectives for the coming year.
What encourages me in particular is the fact they have been successful in their other projects, and have several contacts who help their chosen projects. Early days yet, but I am looking forward to our collaboration. Already we are discussing ideas, and looking at planning events once the Covid 19 pandemic dies down (hopefully early next year🤞). Quite clearly much more is to come about this in future posts.
Other issues to let you know about are as follows: Merchandise, Charity status, then something about upcoming posts on the blog.
Merchandising
Here is the first post about Merchandise https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/11/02/merchandise-a-new-initiative-for-friends-of-pakati/ On this issue, things are starting to move. I am expecting the design for the lapel badges to come through very soon. Following consultation with interested parties, we will use that design in all other merchandising products.
The plan is to have a Merchandising page, so those who want to buy any items, they can see what we have and what the costs will be to have them posted to anywhere in the world.
The items we are looking to add along with the badges, are Mugs, Key Rings and Coasters. Other possibilities are items such as Mouse Mats and T-shirts.
Charitable Status
Another area of progress is the move towards Charitable Status here in the UK. The Charity Purposes have been discussed among potential Trustees, and tentatively agreed. They will essentially become part of the Vision, and will be publushed there in good time, once accepted.
There are a number of things to sort out too, including setting up a bank account in the name of Friends of Pakati and registering with the Charity Commission.
Upcoming posts..
The most important post in preparation is about someone who became involved with Friends of Pakati from soon after we launched, back in January 2019. His name is Stuart Pine, IT Manager at the Stephenson Group Ltd, based in Leeds. We have had several discussions covering a wide range of topics, including issues such as Charity Status, Trusteeship, computers/IT equipmemt, fundraising, sports, schools, and ongoing collaboration, amongst many other things.
HOT NEWS – Just received confirmation that our newest supporters – the Friday Charity Group mentioned above – have already been active on our behalf unbeknown to me. In the last hour I was informed they have put £270.00 into my bank, which I have added into the separate account where I keep the funds for Friends of Pakati.
