written by Daisy Dowler
My name is Daisy Dowler and I am a mother of three daughters living in Cambridge. I first came across the charity Shine when a friend’s husband, Andy Clague, completed a team cycle ride from Lands End to John O’Groats in 2008 for Shine. When I sponsored Andy I researched the charity and was inspired by what I read.
In 1994, I travelled through Lusaka in Zambia whilst on a 6 week overland trip. If you have been there yourself you will know that the locals are kind, compassionate and hospitable and love visitors, especially the children. So most places we passed through welcomed us with open arms.
Many locals we met in Zambia have very little and I found the poverty in many areas hard to digest. So when I came across Shine, whose main objective was to educate the local children by building a school and help alleviate poverty by tackling one of its root causes – illiteracy, I knew I wanted to contribute. Over the past few years I have given small amounts, but always felt I wanted to do something bigger! Shine built their school in 2009 and it has been such a success, they now have to extend it to cater for more children.
Hence the Shine Charity Ball was born.
On Saturday 15th October, in Little Chesterford, Essex, I hope to fundraise in the region of £10,000 with a Charity Ball. As with most balls its black tie, except on this occasion we’re throwing in a James Bond twist! There will be reception drinks, a delicious 3 course dinner, an amazing live band, a raffle, casino tables and a live auction. I am extremely excited about the night!! I feel confident that all those attending will share a great sense of achievement knowing the outcome of the night will mean a great contribution towards the build of the next Shine block of four classrooms.
If you read this and feel you have something to donate, to the raffle or would like to come, then please email me at daisydowler@yahoo.co.uk. Tickets are very limited now, so it will be on a first come basis.
Shine 007 Charity Ball information flyer
