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Hove running club smash target raising £34k for children’s charity

Hove-based running club, The Run Squad, has surpassed their £25K fundraising target, raising over £33,000 for Whoopsadaisy, a unique Brighton-based charity which helps local children with disabilities.

60 members of the squad put their best foot forward in Sundays Brighton Marathon so the donations are still flowing in.

Whoopsadaisy Trustee, Helen Palmer, said: “This is an unbelievable amount of money for one group to have raised in just two years. They have also helped to raise awareness of our charity in the local community. The team, children and their families at Whoopsadaisy are grateful to Jo and Nick Rivett and all The Run Squad for building such an amazing team of people who have embraced Whoopsadaisy with all their hearts.”

The Run Squad was set up by Jo and Nick Rivett, the owners of Nick Rivett Sport shop in Hove, five years ago and now has 200 members. The club started supporting Whoopsadaisy in 2015.

The Run Squad founders Nick and Jo Rivett
The Run Squad founders Nick and Jo Rivett

Jo Rivett, said: “Since setting up the club we have learnt that the benefits to joining are not just about being part of a local running club, it’s also about the social side of it, being part of a community and being passionate about giving something back. When we are training we go through so much together. It’s all about supporting each other.

We truly believe in the work Whoopsadaisy does and because it’s such a small charity that relies on donations our members can easily see where their money goes and how it makes a difference to these young children.”

Nick Rivett added: “Without Whoopsadaisy the club wouldn’t have the team spirit it has today.”

Some members of the club are not only dedicated to running and fundraising they also volunteer at the charity working closely with the children.

Whoopsadaisy is the only charity in Sussex providing free Conductive Education to help children with cerebral palsy and other motor conditions to live life as independently as possible.  The charity relies entirely on donations and support from the local community.

Conductive Education is a fun system of learning pioneered by the Hungarian physician Dr Andras Peto more than 70 years ago. It helps disabled children meet the physical challenges of everyday life and also focuses on the development of cognitive, social and life skills.

To support The Run Squad and make a donation, click here:

For more information about Whoopsadaisy, click here:

 

BRIGHTON FRINGE PREVIEW: Passpawt

 

The world’s worst cat is about to board a plane…

 PASSPAWT is the true-life tale of Slovakian-born Helena and her pet Linda, the result of the greatest advertising scam of all time.

What was described as a cute, loving, friendly cat turned out to be the devil in disguise, resulting in years of rejected affections, scarred arms, and several police warnings. When in 2016 personal and political circumstances change, Helena decides it’s time to leave the UK. But will the two reconcile in time to board the flight back home?

Using first-hand true-life accounts, anarchic physical comedy, and object manipulation, experienced performer Elise Heaven will take you on this CAT-astrophic journey.

HeavenLee Theatre is a new collaboration between theatre-makers Elise Heaven and Jamie Lee and PASSPAWT is their inaugural production.

Their focus is on true life stories that you just couldn’t make up!

Director Jamie Lee said:PASSPAWT is the wonderful true story of one woman’s search for happiness, a place she can call home, and the perfect feline companion! So, strap your seatbelt on, take note of your exits and make sure your seat is in an upright position. We may experience some turbulence.”

This production contains some moderate language.


Event: PASSPAWT by Elise Heaven

Where: Sweet Dukebox, 3 Waterloo Street, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 1AQ

When: Friday May 5 – Monday May 8

Time: at 4pm

Cost: £8.50/£7

To book tickets online, click here:

BRIGHTON FRINGE: Fannytasticals@Sweet Dukebox

Six local female performers in their 20s, 30s and 40s make up The Fannytasticals and have been performing their hilarious and satirical sketches, songs, and monologues to sell-out audiences in Brighton over the last year.

This Fringe, the all-female troupe has gathered together their very best bits to bring you their most raucous show to date. Through humour, The Fannytasticals challenge stereotypes and myths about women, femininity, and contemporary attitudes.

Having met through a variety of local theatre groups, improv workshops, and comedy courses, these six writers, actors, comedians, and musicians have joined forces to create a show dedicated to the kind of women’s issues that don’t usually get an airing in contemporary theatre. The result is original, bold, and powerful material that takes audiences on a journey into the wilderness of the female psyche, and leaves them gasping for breath.


Event: Fannytasticals written and performed by The Fannytasticals

Where: Sweet Dukebox, 3 Waterloo Street, Hove, East Sussex BN3 1AQ

When: May 8-10 and 26-28

Time: 8.35pm

Cost: £8

To book tickets online, click here:

 

LETTER TO EDITOR: Do the Council have a charge on your property?

Three weeks ago I went to see my solicitor and happened to ask about extending the lease on my property.

He looked up the details at the Land Registry and saw that there was a charge put on the property by Brighton & Hove Council from 2004.

I remembered that this was when I had a loan from the Council for lift repairs which were paid off by me.

So not only did the Council get their money (plus interest) from me but if I ”popped my clogs” nobody would be any the wiser and the Council would get ”double bubble”.

Subsequently I got in touch with the Council’s legal department and they removed the charge. No apology, just “we have removed the charge”.

I would recommend anybody who had a similar loan to check it out with the Land Registry or their solicitor.

It also occurred to me that with current bills for repairs upcoming and loans being taken out, has everybody got confidence that this sort of thing couldn’t/wouldn’t happen again?

Name and address supplied

BRIGHTON FRINGE PREVIEW: Reality Check@Caroline of Brunswick

Brighton Fringe gets a new Reality Check!

Athena Kugblenu
Athena Kugblenu

Athena Kugblenu’s 4 and 5 star show returns to this year’s Brighton Fringe.

What a difference a year makes! The world has changed a bit since Athena’s acerbic first 45mins show. Now she’s back with a work in progress debut hour; developing all new material on the important stuff like Trump, Brexit and rap themed fish and chip shops. 

In 2016, Reality Check packed out rooms in Brighton and Edinburgh, after which Athena was snapped up by TROIKA Talent and invited to perform at Johannesburg Comedy Festival. It received rave reviews:

“…authentic, observational comedy presented beautifully…pleasingly original” Broadway Baby ****

“Athena is like a breath of fresh air”– Funny Women

“instantly likeable…the crowd laughs throughout” – Arts Award Voice***** 

brilliantly paced and astutely observed comedy” Albie Media

This year Athena’s work in progress debut hour is more challenging, questioning but as funny as ever. It’s political comedy based on observations, frustrations but also optimism. Musings on policing, the benefits of cultural appropriation and capitalism show us not only how far we have come but how far we have to go. 

After the Brighton Fringe run ends, the show will continue to be previewed throughout the UK before being performed at the Edinburgh Fringe.

For more information about Athena Kugblenu, click here:


Event: Reality Check Athena Kugblenu

Where: Laughing Horse @ Caroline of Brunswick, 39 Ditchling Road, Brighton, BN1 4SB

When: Saturday, May 6, 13 and 20

Time: 8.45pm

Cost: £6/£4

To purchase tickets online, click here:

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