Free Funds

If you shop online there’s now an easy and free way for you to support Algerian Action.

We’ve teamed up with easyfundraising who provide a shopping directory listing some of your favourite online stores. Hundreds of popular retailers are participating including Argos, Next,Amazon, Avon,Sainsburys, Tesco, Debenhams, John Lewis, Toys R Us, Asda and over 2000 others.

All you need to do is use the links provided on the easyfundraising site whenever you shop online. The retailer will then give Algerian Action up to 15% of every purchase you make – it’s that simple! 

It doesn’t cost a penny extra to shop and raise funds in this way, and you can even save money as many retailers give exclusive discounts, special offers and ‘e-vouchers’ exclusive to easyfundraising. If you already shop online why not help raise extra funds for us by using this completely free service? Follow the instructions below to find out how.

It’s as easy as 1-2-3:  

1. Go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk/algerianaction  and register for FREE! 

2. Once you are registered, use the links on the easyfundraising site to go to your favourite on-line shops and shop in the usual way.

3. Every time you shop online, log on to www.easyfundraising.org.uk and use their links to visit your favourite shops. Please encourage your friends and family to sign up too and raise even more money for Algerian Action

It can sometimes be difficult to remember to go though a site like this when shopping on-line but to help, easy fundraising have set up a handy find and remind service which can be installed free of charge. In fact they will make a 50p donation every time this is done! This just means that every-time you visit a participating retailer you will be given a reminder to claim your donation.

http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/find-and-remind

It might not seem much but every penny makes a difference to a person in need!

Progress

 

From a tumbled down shack to a real building, the building project is now really taking shape. The walls are built the rooms are made just plastering, painting and finishing touches to be done.

 

Great news!

Huge, huge thanks to all of those who contributed to get Abdul Kader a wheelchair. I am astonished just how generous people have been as in just four days the target of £200 has been reached! The amount has been achieved through individual donations and the takings from our fundraising stall at the RSG Eid Bazaar which took place in Ilford on Saturday.

 I’ll update again once Abdul Kader has his wheels!

Donations

Is it that that the weather has become colder and more people are staying at home crafting and clearing out I don’t know but, the past few weeks have seen so many items being donated to those in need- which is just fabulous! We usually send one shipment of donations per month but now with winter fast approaching that will increase as hats, gloves and warm blankets will need to be sent too.

This is just a small selection of donations that have been received but, huge thanks and appreciated are owed to all who have sent things in. Thank you all for your support!

Focus on a family

There are many people living in Algeria that need some form of assistance. Every month several families and individuals receive aid from us be it in the form of clothes, food or medicine. Here I am sharing the story of one  man who is currently being helped.

Abdul Kader is 65 years old, he grew up in a poor family and has struggled to make ends meet for much of his adult life. He married in his thirties and for many years worked unofficially as a market porter, helping stall-holders by carrying their heavy loads upon his shoulders. 

Abdul Kader became ill and unable to work. Illness coupled with the hard, manual labour of his younger years  took its toll and his back is now so badly damaged that he is unable to walk. With no mobility he has little choice but to sit indoors every single day.  

Abdul Kader is looked after by his wife and three grown up daughters all of which are not married and live in the small family home.

This elderly man is not short of love and care but with barely enough money for food purchasing any type of mobility aid is an impossibility for the family.

This family already receive help from Algerian Action in terms of basic food items but, with your help we would like to buy Abdul Kader a wheelchair so, that once again he can feel a sense of independence and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors during the last years of his life.

 Due to the difficulties in shipping a wheelchair to Algeria It will need to be bought there at a cost of £200.

Even the smallest donation will help make a huge difference to Abdul Kader.  

Knitted flower pattern

As requested by Rachel, here is the pattern for the knitted flower brooch that I posted up a week or so ago. Happy knitting!

For the flowers pictured I used dk (worsted weight) yarn.  I have successfully made them with other types of yarn but find that this type allows the flower to hold its shape better.

I used 4 mm (US 6) needles.

Pattern

Abbreviations- k = knit     p= purl

Cast on 50 stitches

row 1)  k

row 2) k

row 3) k

row 4) p

Repeat rows 3 and 4 twice

row 9) k2, yo continue to last two stitches, k2 (73 stitches)

row 10) p

row 11) k

Repeat rows 10 and 11 twice

row 15) k

row 16) k

cast off

weave in ends.

To make up

1)Fold in half lengthways and stitch the two long sides together.

2)One end should naturally form a point, with the last few eyelets off centre. stitch the two sides of the end together.

3)Take top corner of point down to the bottom edge to form a triangle shape. Stitch it into place.

4) Fold the edge in to meet the start of the triangle, secure it in place with a stitch or two.

5)Gradually wrap the length around the centre to form a flower shape.  You can make the flower petals as open as you want, just shape and stitch in place as you wrap.

6) Ensure that the petals are secured in place with a few extra stitches at the back.

7) Secure a pin on the back.

Decorate with beads and ribbon as desired.

It’s difficult to explain the making up process but, it will all fall into place when you do it!

Family in need *update*

For the regular followers and supporters you must remember the posts about the family in need and the campaign to raise funds to help build them a clean, safe and dry home. Thanks to your extreme generosity the target was met and work was due to begin in late May. However, the builder who originally gave the quote and agreed to do the work decided that he was in fact unable to take the job on. So, the search started to find a competent worker willing to take on the task, many were apparently not really interested as to some the project was not big enough, others would not commit to completing it and others were not skilled in this particular type of work.  But now, after many months a suitable builder has been found and the work has begun!

I have seen where the family live myself and the shack is situated in front of a very steep slope. To make the home larger the slope must be cut into and the clay earth removed.  With the shack being one in a row and houses at the back this can only be done by hand as even if a machine was available it would be impossible to get it into the space. Not an easy job by anyone’s standards!

  Once finished it is hoped that in addition to the current one room there will be a bedroom, a toilet and shower and a proper kitchen for the family.

Everything in Algeria takes time and an abundance of patience is needed at all times. Now that work has actually started just maybe this family, after several years of living in terrible conditions will get to experience a Winter at home without the wind howling through a fabric ‘wall’ and rain pouring from a leaking roof.

Sincere thanks to all of those who contributed.

A fab Saturday

I have, over the years had a stall at many events. In the past selling my own hand-made creations and now fundraising for Algerian Action.  As with all things some turn out better than others, Well Saturday turned out really well!

It was such a lovely afternoon, lots of friendly people and a real buzz in the air. Delicious cakes and stalls laden with gorgeous things to buy. Samina with the help of her friend Aisha did a fabulous job of organizing and hosting the event so special thanks go to them for not only  allowing Algerian Action to participate but for the very generous donation too.

On the day we raised a total of £250 which is just fantastic!

Eid Souk

Alesha’s Eid souk is set to be a fabulous afternoon with delicious food, kids activities and stalls full of gorgeous clothes, jewellery and other treats. 

Algerian Action will be having a stall and are the organisers nominated charity for the event. Do come and say hello!

Saturday 5th November

1-6pm 

Queens Road community centre, 215 Queens Road, Walthamstow E17 8PJ 

The nearest tube station is Walthamstow central and several buses serve the area

 

Donations

Thank you so much to all of those who have sent in such beautiful knits and other fabulous donations. Your help and kindness is much appreciated!