Latest news from Rob - February 2010

The charities that we are currently working with are doing really well on
their trips. They are filling up their places. In fact, one of the charities
has filled their trip 6 months before deadline. This obviously give the
expectation that significant funds will be raised for their cause. One has
also managed to get Barclays onboard through their challenge. If all goes
well, this could be provide some great funding for their projects in
Romania. Fantastic! The charities we are currently working with include:

* The Trussell Trust - Bulgarian Challenge raising funds to break the
cycle of poverty that entraps so many of Bulgaria's Roma people.
* Rock UK - Moroccan Challenge raising funds for a bursary. This
bursary will enable many children from disadvantaged back grounds to have a
holiday at Rock UK making a real difference to their ongoing work with young
people.
* Point Foundation - Mt Meru Challenge. Raising funds for orphaned
children in Rwanda
* Link Romania - Romanian Trekking Challenge to raise funds so that
they can continue to break the chains of poverty that afflict so many
"forgotten" people in Romania.

I am anticipating that we will also soon be working with Arab World
Ministries & Christian TV Association.

Unfortunately, much of the interest that we had before Christmas has trailed
off, each with their own genuine reasons. Most have advised this is only a
postponement. However, the reality is that finances for TBSC continued
operation are just not there. I've presented my forecast income to the Board
& am waiting for their feed back on what the future holds. I feel that the
Board will advise to wind down TBSC, delivering the existing contracts. This
will take TBSC to Oct 2010.
As soon as I have more info, I'll let you know. If you have any questions on
this in the mean time then do let me know.

This obviously bring me on to my personal circumstances.

Well.....firstly, the most important bit - things are going very well with
Katy! It's a juggle between spending time in Salisbury & Bournemouth. With a
little bit of give & take we seem to be getting the balance right. Katy's in
a very good church & home group.

Job wise....well, nothing concrete as yet. Not for trying
though......careers such as medical photography have been crossed off my
list after looking into these areas & meeting with those in the profession.
However, I have a few iron's in other fires. Here's just a couple:

* Contracting: For a long time now, I've felt that there is a
commercial value to my experience specifically in sponsored challenges. This
was confirmed when I presented to a wealth management company back in Oct
09. After locating a few doors to push on, I have one open slightly. A week
or so ago, I spent a long time speaking with a chap who manages personal
development events for employees of large corporates. His events are
basically linking corporates to charities & orginising teams to work on
their project here in the UK or overseas. He was specifically interested in
my fundraising experience & wanted to include this area of my experience in
his event proposal to RBS. He's worked with them for the past 4 years & has
a very good history with them. We'll carry on the discussion when he returns
from one of his projects at the end of this week.
* Take over TBSC: In a similar vein to the above, I'm pursuing the
idea of setting myself up to continue running events for Christian
charities, but also have a focus on corporates. I've found office space,
created a business strategy with 3 year forecast & reviewing all with an
accountant friend.
* Furniture Design: I've started working 1/2 a day with a local crafts
man in his workshop - getting back into my furniture & brushing up on my
workshop skills. (A great tonic after spending so long behind a computer in
the week). The owners clients are generally of the wealthier section of
society. He's seen my college work & want to put my prototypes on his
website so that he can offer my services designing commissioned furniture.
Haven't a clue where this may go, if anywhere. Great to be back in the
workshop though!
* Photography: Habitat for Humanity are keen to use me to take
photographs of their overseas projects. I'm meeting with them in the next
couple of weeks to discuss further. The first job would be on expenses only
basis. However, will help me to build my portfolio.

Quite a mix as you can see......at the same time as all of this, I'm keeping
my eyes on job websites. My 2 days away from TBSC are kept quite busy.

Rob

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