Silly Billy

Charity Gifts - A Goat - You're Kidding!

Source: Big Boy
Thursday 18th June 2009, 11:52am

Give something different - charity gifts for those in most need.

Always in search of innovative gift ideas I was intirgued by a blog post that was talking about Mary - Queen of Shops' efforts to drag charity shops kicking and screaming onto the high street and present themselves as smart boutiques and gift shops.

Charity shops online

Until such time as the charity shops buck up their ideas i thought I'd have a look online at what is on offer from the comfort and cleanliness of my own home.

What are charity gifts?

Searching for charity gifts online I was pleasantly surprised to see many sites dedicated to fundraising. Especially pleasing was the prominence of Oxfam Unwrapped which offers charity gifts as well as the usual clothing and books in their online shop.

Many years ago whilst unemployed I was a volunteer at an Oxfam shop and way back then accusations of over pricing were dismissed by emphasising the fact that it wasnt' supposed to be a cheap tat shop - it was raising money by selling donated clothes, books and gifts.

Charity gifts to those in need

A charity gift is one that will be given to people who need it the most. The idea is that you buy a charity gift - suuch as build a shelter, provide water or even give a goat and that gift will be given directly to where it iwill help relieve suffering - poor communties around the world will benefit from your kindness immediately.

Give a different kind of gift give a charity gift.

give a different kind of gift

Permalink | 0 comments

Extra Extra read All About it

Source: Big Boy
Wednesday 8th April 2009, 12:07pm

Q: When is a press release not a press release?

A: When its a PR Compass press release

PR Compass is a free service that offers to get your press release out to the editors desk inno time.

Soon your news will be picked up and included around the world's media empires.

Heres a couple of headline makers...

Latest News - Furniture made of wood!

This excellent press release about the hot topic Eco Beds goes on at great lenght to highlight the importanvce of using sustainable wood to make furniture and fails to note that wood actually does grow on trees.

Finding an Eco Bed - Not A Bed of Roses

The search for a green bed is clearly not a straight forward as I thought. Not only does the wood that is used for frame construction have to come from renewable sources but the fabric, filling and construction of the mattress presents additional headaches.

Sofa so good

Help is at hand - high street giants such as M&S are already promoting "green living" furniture including a sofa that is designed to ease your eco conciense as well as your aching legs.

So we can all rest easy in our beds tonight - we can rely on the sophisticated media distribution of PR Compass to let us know the latest hot off the press news as it happens.

Permalink | 0 comments

Save the World - Sponsored Silly Event

Source: Big Boy
Wednesday 18th February 2009, 2:50pm

Give a donation and help me help the planet.

Silly Fundraising Event

Although I've yet to think of an event or activity to attempt (although be very certain it will be silly) I already know what causes I'll be fundraising for.

Action on climate change

2009 is the year of climate change action and leading organisations are pushing this high up the agenda for international governments to take action to prevent global warming.

Oxfam GB will be aiming to drive public support to "get invloved" and campaign for action to reduce global warming.

Oxfam is a registered charity that relies heavily on donations to sustain its global operations - monitoring climate change and helping poor people survive the catestrophic effects of global warming.

See this climate change video that highlights the injustice of climate change and its impact on the poor around the world

Make a charity donation

By making a charity donation you will be doing your bit to allow leading organisations to put more pressure on world decision makers. You can make donations to this climate change fundraising - your donations will be Gift Aided to increase their value to charity.

If we all contibute more to organisations that will persuade international governments to take resposibility for global warming and less to the pollution we individually generate climate change could be stopped.

Permalink | 0 comments

Heavy Hints Ignored

Source: Big Boy
Monday 12th January 2009, 3:37pm

Do you want me to paint a picture?

Pre Chistmas I was dropping hints galore that attention to health was in order and to see the effects of any New Year regime and if anyone was looking for gift ideas I'd be grateful for a new blood pressure monitor. I even spelled out the model I had my eye on - Omron M10 - but guess what Santa left under the tree - a cheap and nasty Lloyds pharmacy machine and something called RespErate.

Lloyds Pharmacy

Every high street is blessed with a Lloyds Chemist however they insist on branding themselves as a "Pharmacy"

Lloyds blood pressure monitor

My local Lloyds Pharmacy looked more like they were trying to grab the Woolworths market this year on the run up to Christmas - kiddies toys, hair care electricals, perfumes and even watches. Amongst their home medical equipment they sell cheap blood pressure monitors however I recall reading that their accuracy was second only to the ones stocked by Lidl in 2004 - way off.

Resperate

Accompanying this monitor on sale in the shop is gimmicky device called Resperate which claims to help lower your blood pressure natually. Its a device that plays annoying music for you to practise controlled breathing but I'll give it a go none the less. Well its no more than a mp3 player and with its straps, wires, heavy price tag and MASSIVE HEADPHONE I don't see it competing with iPod for a while.

Resperate has been popular in the US for several years - it was "cleared by the FDA in 2002 - but who trusts an organisation that focuses on food and drink?

Permalink | 0 comments

My Christmas Treats

Source: Big Boy
Thursday 6th November 2008, 12:10pm

Take note - poor imitations will just not do!

Three Gifts for a King

Music, Health and Happiness

Latest iPod

the iPod Touch has stacks of features for those who want to play silly games but now Nintendo have released the Nintendo DS its by far the better hand held gaming experience. Personally I prefer a dedicated gadget and on closer inspection the new nano iPod fits the bill perfectly. Now I'm a Big Boy but I have take my hat off to this little nipper - the new nano can stor thousands of tunes.

Christmas time - too much Food and Wine

Omron M10 IT Blood Pressure Monitor

Not the most "fun" present but following a routine check up it was advised that regualry measurements should be made to keep an eye on the BP. The Omron M1O is easy to use, accurate and reliable - which all helps lower blood pressure.

Spread a little Happiness

Fun Gift

There's no shortage of novelty gifts these days. It could be a comedy mug, a saucy apron or one of the many gift experiences now available.

However the big heart comes out and who would be disappointed to find they've adopted a penguin?

Permalink | 2 comments