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Post by shyamwestwind on Apr 1, 2009 7:25:10 GMT
Hi Everyone
I'm really getting drawn to this Hospice where my wife works as General Manager. It is such a fantastic place and the work they do is unbelievabl. This is a Hospice for terminally ill cancer patiuents and they look after them, ease their pain, lend support to their families by counselling them, and generally ensuring that the last days of the patient are as peaceful as can be.
The whole service is free,and is supported by donations from Corporates and individuals.
I am seriously thinking of donating 10 percent of my earnings to this institution and was wondering if it would be proper to seek donations, however little or big that might be, from the gigs that me and my partner play at.
Do give me your honest opinion if this is wise or unwise. If its okay, then how should I go about it ? Keep a donation box or just request the people present there to donate ?
I really do want to know your feelings on this, before I decide
I would love to help this organisation in anyy way I can,
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Post by weegeo on Apr 1, 2009 9:51:27 GMT
My old friend i applaud your thoughts about this subject and i`m sure you understand why. Not knowing how the scene works in your fair country it would be very hard for any of us to give you a definitive answer but if i may i will tell you how my band and i work things here, i/we do 3 nominated charities a year and we chose these at the start of each year we give our services completely free and i arrange for some of my cabaret friends to appear free as well, the charity sells the tickets and does a raffle on the night and normally make in excess of 1,000.00 at each event.
Over here the folks would not be happy to give money over each time we played their club because usually the club would be doing some sort of raffle. All i can say is you know your situation and how it works best and i`m sure whatever way you chose to help it will be a success. As a suggestion why don`t you contact a large venue and see if they would be interested in doing a `show` for your charity and if they agree then approach some of your muso friends and put a `show` together and see what sort of response you get, the hospice could do a raffle on the night to generate extra funds. Whatever you do i wish you the very best of luck and i want to thank you for your concern for the cancer patients i`m sure they will appreciate it greatly.
Your old friend weegeo
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Post by shyamwestwind on Apr 1, 2009 10:22:55 GMT
Yes Geiorge, I did think of that, and in fact, when I had a full live band with me, we did play for many such shows and were lucky to get good sponsors too, but in the present scenario, corporates are not really coming up to sponsor much, though I do think a programme like that could bring in quite a handsome amount for the cause.
What worries me is whether the guests or audience might feel its "unbecoming" to bring up a mind saddening topic at an event where they have to celebrate some joyous occassion. If that were so, they wouldn;t want to hire us fearing we would dampen their party.
I guess our contribution from our earnings would be the best practical option.
I wish there were some good options.
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kemo
Full Member
Yes, it's only me.
Posts: 643
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Post by kemo on Apr 1, 2009 10:28:34 GMT
Hi Shyam, firstly I echo what weegeo has said. I applaud anyone who can take time out to help a charity. I carry out regular gigs for my chosen charities which consist of, Heartbeat ( A charity that I hold closely as my son was diagnosed with a rare heart disease at 4 months, Bernardos (again very popular charity that do excellent work for children, and also the Shine a light charity, which is a local childrens cancer charity that gives them something special before they pass to better places. My band mate lost his brother to Leukhemia and he was one such person who got to go to his beloved Celtic FC and meet all his heroes. When you see the effect that such charities have you do understand why help is needed. I do believe that I have given my services throughout my time and will continue to do so. One concern I'd have with what you had suggested Shyam is that people may be put off with such donation boxes which they might feel intimidating, that they have to give. In regards to the 10% of your fee, if only there were more like you in the world. What I used to do aswell shyam was take a time in the year, usually summer, and go to the hospices and put on a show for all the patients. Sometimes the little things like that are more thought of than any money that anyone can give. Another idea shyam would be a cover charge at the door which ideally would go to the charity that you have mentioned. Even if it was to the value of £1 GBP it would be something.
I do wish you well on whatever decision you do make as I'm sure the charity that you do support will benefit, and that is what we are trying to achieve. Keep up the excellent work.
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