The One About the First Fundraiser

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came to the first fundraiser last night! We raised almost $400.00 - hoorah! Not bad for a first effort and an easy, low-key event. Perth is in the middle of an extreme heatwave at the moment and even though the days are pretty unbearable, the nights are balmy and still - and  perfect for an outdoor movie. There was just the faintest of sea breezes so Helen and Josh's garden, complete with Luna-worthy movie screen, (or as Josh likes to call it, 'the White Trash Somerville') was a great place to be. And the hotdogs, popcorn, lemonade and Sally's brownies went down extremely well.

First, we watched the 'Seeds of Hope' DVD which follows Hugh Jackman's journey to Ethiopia to see the work of the SEE project in action. It's a great documentary and not just because it features the lovely Hugh; the story of Dukale, the Ethiopian coffee farmer he meets and works alongside, is pretty inspirational and a wonderful example of what can happen when people living in poverty are given that 'hand up' to empower themselves. (You can see short films of the other projects that are supported by the SEE project on their webpage. Click on the SEE project link under the Websites heading at right!)

A short interval for coffee (fairtrade, can't have anything else now after seeing 'Seeds of Hope')  and cake and then we were on to the main feature 'Run Fatboy Run'. I love this movie and think it's brilliantly funny - although make sure you're not eating during the blister scene.

Some photos of the festivities:
 


Random movie-goers









More random movie-goers!







And even more random movie-goers. Thanks for bringing all your lovely chums, AK!





Me with my Mum and Dad



Tex and Raoul make themselves comfortable



The screen (and Raoul's head ... and Tex's right knee ...)





Angus taking in 'Run Fatboy Run'





I took more photos but I'm not sure I've worked out how to use the iPhone at night and all the others were either blurry, over-exposed and/or featured children with spooky shiny eyes. Creeeeeepy.

The support and the opportunity to show the DVD and talk a bit about why I'm running for the SEE project has given me such a boost. Even though we are in for another week of brutal summer weather (I know I am moaning about the heat in every blogpost but it's Really. Freaking. Hot. here, people!!) I am planning to get up early to get my runs in. It's really going to be the only time when it will be cool enough. So, please, for your own sakes, give me a wide berth if you see me. Because I will be cranky. Oh, yes. I will be cranky.