One man, one chick, one mission

I'm Simon Howell, Team Vicar in Keynsham, and, with my mate Fuzzy, I've taken up the challenge to make it from St-John-the- Baptist, Keynsham to St-John-the-Baptist, Jerusalem by land* in 6 days - using as many modes of transport as possible. The trip will be filmed by Dave Sprague - producing a video journal & CD. You can follow us on Twitter: Fuzzy will tweet as the journey unfolds at http://twitter.com/#!/fuzzythechick. We set off on 16th June 2012.

We are raising funds to get us ever closer to our target of £390,000 for the purchase, and conversion of the old St John's Rectory into the @One: St John's Youth & Community Centre. We have already raised £260,000 and, as such, have possession of the property by means of a loan, and have made initial renovations. The building is therefore already in use as a centre that, as our mission statement says, 'gives young people in Keynsham the confidence and faith to change their lives'. So, for example, Off The Record youth counselling services operates from our premises - with the likelihood that Southside family counselling services will follow suit. Also we already host, and help sustain, the Freedom Dance Company, Shake @ One after school milkshake/internet bar (that has engaged with 40 people in the last 6 months), BMX workshops, as well as Keynsham Parish's Youth Group/work.

@One is one of a network of third sector youth providers in the town. We have a paid youth worker. The centre, whilst sponsored by the adjacent local Anglican Church, is open to all and inclusive of everyone. The target range is 11-18, but we work with young people up to the age of 25. 

On 17th May 2012, in a review of projects eligible to receive council funding, @One was voted by the Keynsham public as the community facilities that would be best serve Keynsham.    

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Go to www.justgiving.com/fuzzythechick  Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. 

So please dig deep and donate now! Thank-you!

(*They have no option but to fly the very last leg of the trip into Jerusalem!)

Even the BBC are talking about it!
Click here to read the write up on the BBC Bristol website.
 

Saturday 16 June - setting off from @One 
(and the rewritten version of 'Jerusalem' that was sung to send them on their way)