Adoption Matters Northwest Events & Fundraising News

National Adoption Week 2008

Adoption Matters Northwest did lots of campaigning across the region and was lucky enough to represent adoption by doing several radio interviews on the major regional stations. Some of our families were kind enough to join us in the interviews and help to share their experiences and encourage others to consider becoming an adoptive parent. During National Adoption Week representatives of the organsiation went on a number of stations including; BBC Radio Lancashire, BBC Radio Merseyside and BBC Radio Manchester.

We also were able to go into several workplaces in the region and host information stands for their staff members to read and consider the possibility of adoption. A massive 'thank you' goes to Bank of America/MNBA who allowed us to speak to their staff during their lunch break, and to companies like Jaguar and Land Rover who allowed us to put information up on their intranets.

This year BAAF have been investigating the statistics behind some of the children in care, and raised concern that some figures revealed that boys may actually stay in care slightly longer than girls before finding a new family. On this basis, BAAF decided to launch the week with the theme of boys. Following National Adoption Week they will be investigating and posing questions to the nation about whether there is in fact a negative public perception about caring for and raising boys, and does the influence of the media impact on matching boys with families.
As an agency, we have been unable to find any solid statistics that support these suggestions and in fact we have many families who have adopted a boy or all male siblings with no mention of preference or bias. Perhaps you may wish to feed back to us on this subject and we can demonstrate some other sides to the debate. More importantly, like BAAF our role during National Adoption Week, involved lots of campaigning and focus on the recruitment of prospective adopters for both boys and girls but more specifically for sibling groups, children with disabilities and children of mixed ethnicity.

For more details about becoming an adoptive parent contact us or browse through our website for more information.

The Sky’s The Limit

Darren Bradley and his girlfriend Tanya Pooley felt that Monday's were just not exciting enough and jumped out of an aeroplane for an extreme rush. Thankfully the couple did their dive as a tandem jump with an instructor and it was not just for the buzz, they decided to raise sponsorship money and donate it to Adoption Matters Northwest. The jump took place just outside Lancaster at the end of July, on one of the most beautiful days of the year. Nerves were a plenty but the two made a very successful jump and fulfilled a lifetime ambition.

They chose Adoption Matters Northwest as their charity, as Tanya was adopted through our agency some years ago. We were delighted that they chose to nominate Adoption Matters Northwest as the recipients of the sponsorship money. Darren and Tanya have both now embarked on another adventure and have moved down to London to pursue new and exciting opportunities. Adoption Matters Northwest was overwhelmed with their generousity and spirit and wishes them the best of luck for the future. If you would like to complete a sponsorship event and nominate Adoption Matters Northwest then contact the Communications Officer on 01254 57759.

Fundraising with Maggie Hutchinson

The agency would like to thank Maggie Hutchinson who raised £1,700 for Adoption Matters by completing a charity bike ride from London to Paris. Maggie undertook a gruelling 12 week training programme before cycling the 400-mile journey as part of the 4 day event. The journey took Maggie from London to Dover and Calais to Paris, with the closing stages incorporating the cycle along the Champs Elysees and on to the finish line at the Eiffel Tower.

Maggie is a business woman from Crewe and was inspired to take part in the bike race after reading about it in a cycling magazine whilst relaxing in the bath. Maggie had recently had a health scare and this challenge gave her the inspiration to get fit and fulfil a personal challenge. Maggie said "At times the ride to Paris was a long hard slog through hail, thunder and strong head winds, but the cause is very important".

Maggie completed an outstanding challenge and the agency was thrilled that she had nominated our charity to recieve her sponsorship money.

If you are participating in a charity event and would like to donate part or all of your sponsorship money to Adoption Matters Northwest, then give us a call and members of our communications team will help you set up a fundraising programme and support you in what ever way we can.

Get Active for Adoption.

Have you ever thought about doing a similar thing to Darren and Tanya or Maggie. You could choose to get sponsorship money or donations for your event and the proceeds can go to Adoption Matters Northwest, as a registered Charity. Get in touch with us. We have links with different organisations like a sky diving company and for most challenges, as long as you raise enough money to cover the cost of the event set up, our charity can receive the rest. Perhaps you have other ideas or other challenges that you would like to get involved with. Adoption Matters Northwest will help you, where possible, and support you with your sponsorship and fundraising. We have literature to give to the people who may wish to sponsor you, and a sponsorship support pack including an agency headed sponsor form. Download the sponsorship support pack now.

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