Hi all

Righ a bit of news for you all and a MAJOR!!!!! request.

1st some news

I have just got off the phone from Nicola in the FOM collection HQ in Southampton. Yesterday we had 2 messages from some two the smaller atols in the Maldives.

Some mothers there had just opened some packages from us and sent back praise and thanks for all of our efforts. they said it was the 1st time they had been able to feed an clothe their babies proplerly since the disaster and they were stunned at the quality of the items we had sent.
This sort of response just goes to remind us why we are all doing what we are doing. So let me too, once again, extend my very sincere thanks to you all.

The second bit of news is that we have been given a massive empty warehouse at the docks in Southampton to act as our central collecting depot. The storage issue that we had has now been greatly improved.

However, and here we come to the major ask.
We need to set up the facilities so we can use the warehouse properly so we need the equipment to do this.

We need to set up a basic kitchen (kettle, mugs, cutlery. plates, microwave, table, chairs etc); a basic office (phones, p.c.'s, printer, desks, chairs, filing cabinets, etc); basic meeting room (chairs, table, whiteboard, maybe even an OHP) and a rest area with a few comfy chairs and maybe a couch in case people actually get the time to collapse in a corner for 5 mins 😉
For the warehouse we need bollards and hazard warning signs and tape. We also desperately need a couple of scales to weigh items over 200kg, shed loads of black and red permanent markers ( we need red for medical and black for everything else) and wipeboard pens.

Gosh, that is stacks, but the more that we can find without cost the less we have to dig into donated funds so if you could see what you can do and maybe talk to any contacts you might have, if I am fortunate then someone might know someone in office supply or similar, or your work might have just refurbished and have a load of unwanted chairs/desks etc they need to get rid of.
Items dont have to be new, just usable.

If you can help in any way then email me or post so i can co-ordinate getting the new facility set up.

With Many Many Thanks

Tim

Tim I have and or can get my hands on a fair bit of that stuff but have no way of getting it to you

Thanks TP, can you let me know what you have or can get hold of and I will see what can be done re logistics of getting it down here

Tim

Tim - What about contacting the local paper (Argus) asking them to help.

We are in touch with the press so good idea, will put a word out to them tomorrow.

Tim

Hi everyone. I thought you might like to see this picture of some of our aid arriving where it is most needed. On a small atol in the Maldives



Well of to bed now as i have another long day tomorrow.

Night all

Tim

Tim, do you still need cuddly toys??

Please, also toys for older kids

Tim

ok, to the same address?

Yes please

Tim

Tim is lancing social club able to take summer clothing and toys yet?
i took round things on the other lists on friday but dont want to take the toys and clothes round if they cant take them yet.

karen

Hi Hilda

We can take the toys and some (very few) light baby clothes

Yours
Tim

Tim the clothes i have are for children aged between 5 to 8 approx. All summer ie shorts t shirts, and summer sandals are these any good to you?

Can you give me a ring tomorrow at Nina's after 9.30ish and I will let you know, The sandles should be ok, not sure about the others so hold fire till then.

If you dont have Nina's number it is the one on the old poster or the 2nd one listed on the new poster

Tim

Ok ...i have the number i will ring in the morning
karen

Right definitely going to bed now as I want to see what the wife looks like these days 🙂

Besides, I wanted to try out the new siggy


Yours
Tim

very nice siggy...now go to bed


goodnite
karen

Morning all

Hope you are all well, looking forward to seeing what another day has in store for me 😉 Welocme to orgnised chaos

Tim

tim do you still need tools baby milk etc? can we have an uptodate list please!

My local Sainsbury's are getting involved.

They are willing to display posters and have a donation trolley just like the local Asda.