Saturday 5 November 2011

We've been busy since the last post with quite a few calls to go and pick stuff up.  The van is rarely empty what with collections and deliveries.  Donations have included some lovely vintage G-Plan furniture and a van load of top quality furniture, china, crystal and paintings from some very generous people.  Now we've got to work our way through it all to sell it on line - oh for a charity shop again!

Last weekend I was twice told that I was an answer to prayer - the first time by someone who was clearing a house and wanted it to go to a Christian charity, and the second time by some nice people from Havering Christian Fellowship who had bought something from us through eBay and it was just what they were after.  Turns out their church supports some similar projects to ours but in Nigeria.

Recently had a few finds that fall into the category of scavenging I suppose - but all for a good cause.  Spotted part of a lovingly presented stamp collection in the bottom of a skip and struggled home with several volumes of it.  Gave it to our stamp expert Gordon to deal with and it raised us a few pounds at auction and also gave the collection a new home.  It's always sad to see stuff that has obviously had much love and attention lavished on it just chucked away.  I also spotted some bags of clothes that had been cleared out of a neighbour's house.  Upon enquiry I was assured they were all pure rubbish - however curiosity got the better of me and a couple of nights later I crept out after dark and discovered a bag of lovely vintage clothing!  More has since followed (legitimately!) and it will all go on our stall at next summer's festivals.



The derelict church where we store stuff has been suffering from a pigeon infestation which has got a bit out of hand of late.  David, a friendly helpful chap who has been buying bits of the church from us for a few years now for his house renovation project offered to climb up and fix the holes in return for some wood.  Great job done!  No longer are we greeted with cooing and flapping every time we go in to get something, and no longer do we have to cover everything up with sheets.  Just got to do a bit of a clear-up now... 
David's mate James also climbed up and repaired the spire for us a couple of years ago in return for some radiators.  There's no health and safety around here.

Looks like we've got another stage appearance of our stuff coming up- someone came for a chair this morning and ended up buying a sideboard and table as well.  It's all appearing at the Jack Studio theatre in Brockley at a performance of Homework.  We've been promised some action photos so watch this space.

Thanks to all the fundraising that's been going on lately we were able to send off a further £2500 this week to pay for orphans' expenses, which is what it's all about.