My friend just emailed me this press release, even if you dont have anything to donate, its a lovely story! ive got some flower samples and tiaras i got in a wedding fair goodie bag I might send in!
Something old, Something new;
Something borrowed,
Something for the MS therapy centre too!
You may be on wedding overload with the Royal family celebrations but this particular wedding has a remarkable twist. Bristol residents, Caroline and Barry, will be tying the knot later this year and sharing their special day with local charity, the West of England Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre.
Caroline, who has Multiple Sclerosis, travels from Bristol to the MS Centre in Nailsea every week, to have oxygen under pressure and physiotherapy, to improve her health. “Before I started having oxygen therapy, I was in bed 23 hours out of every 24. After I began, I started to get my life back. Now, I don’t know what I’d do without it!”
The Centre provides help for people, from Bristol, B&NES, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, with multiple sclerosis and other health conditions which can be helped by receiving oxygen under pressure.
Caroline and Barry are asking individuals and businesses to donate “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue” to their wedding. In return they will make a donation to the work of the current MS Therapy Centre in Nailsea.
Fundraising Manager, Janet Epplestone said: “It’s fantastic when people go out of their way to support the centre. We need £300,000 just to provide the subsidised therapies we offer. We are grateful to Caroline and Barry for this great idea.”
Caroline has collected money at supermarkets, been pushed over the old Severn crossing and carried up Snowdon in a wheelchair. “I was wondering what I could do next. Something that was new and original. So I thought, why not put together two things which are close to my heart, getting married to my soul mate and helping the Centre that keeps me and others going, and makes all the difference in the world to our everyday lives.”
“I started by asking people at the Centre then thought, since this is a once-in-life-time occasion, why not open it up to everyone in the area the Centre covers so they can get involved. I would be happy to hear from cake bakers, as well as to accept cake stands, offers from printers or parasols, anything for bridesmaids, best men, Groom or page boy and flower girl.”
“I would love it if people felt able to help me by donating their wedding, prom, confirmation or party items which have been bought new, never worn, preloved, unwanted, once worn and handled with care. It could be a wedding dress, suit, shrug, pretty yet comfy shoes!, table cloth, chair covers, balloons, ribbons, candles, runners, rings, anything wedding related.
I will contribute money that I would have otherwise paid for the items towards the running of the MS Therapy Centre!
“I’m looking for literally everything and anything you could think of that has anything to do with a wedding. We would welcome local businesses that wish to help out, as well as individuals who want to spring clean, recycle things, rescue items from the back of the wardrobe and feel good at the same time.”J
“I will be auctioning the donated items that I can’t or don’t use. All the money raised will go to the MS Therapy Centre. This is also an idea that could help other brides and grooms who may not be able to otherwise afford such items.”
“When I told one of the women at the Centre, I thought she didn’t think it was a good idea. She told me some time later that she felt humbled by what I was offering to do. I guess to me it just made sense.”
Anyone who would like to donate items that are in a good reusable condition, clean and smoke free to Barry and Caroline’s wedding, you can email or leave items at the MS Therapy Centre in Nailsea
Contact details which can be publicised:
email Caroline and Barry at *******************@*****.***
or telephone the MS Therapy Centre on **** or email them at ***********@****************.***.**. Please mark all contact emails with Wedding as the subject.
