Bulgaria Ski discussion board

www.orphanagestoikite-bg.org
Appeal for help for the children


P J Doolan Cutting Services

Weeping Ash Cottage
51 Normanton Spring Road
Sheffield
S13 7BA

10-03-2008

Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing to you to raise awareness and funds for the Stoikite Orphanage, Pamporovo, in Bulgaria.
The orphanage is currently full to capacity, the youngest child being 9 and the oldest 18 with a mix of boys and girls. Recently, temperatures were at minus 15 degrees outside the orphanage and inside was as low as minus 5.
The beds the children sleep in are damp, there is little bed linen, nowhere to dry the clothes, no lighting that works, frost on the inside of the windows, no hot water, communal showers with no privacy, no soap, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, towels, toilet paper, no warm clothing, they are living in dirty freezing conditions.
The Stoikite Orphange is desperate for a new heating system and currently they require 30,000 euros to put this in place.
The plight of the orphanage was brought to my attention while I was holiday in Bulgaria. I was advised to visit the charity web site, www.orphanagestoikite-bg.org. After reading this I was disturbed that Children in 2008 are living in conditions like this.
My main hobby is my Motor Cycle and to help raise awareness and funds, I am going ride my Motorbike & riding along side me my good friend Andy, from my home in Sheffield to the Stoikite Orphanage in Pamporovo. The ride will take place in August 2008 and I envisage the trip will take approx four days each way riding 500miles per day in total approx 4000 miles (6438 km) passing through 8 countries. The route being England-France-Belgium-Germany-Austria-Slovenia-Croatia-Yugoslavia & into Bulgaria. Part of our challenge is to sleep in tents and take as many provisions as we can carry on our motorbikes and to buy only essentials i.e. petrol, bread & water. The reason I am writing to you is to ask if you are willing to support me in this worthwhile cause.
I am looking for donations of money or you can donate any of the following: coats, sweaters, preferably fleece type, Jeans, T-shirts, footwear, hats, scarves, waterproof gloves, socks, underwear, nightwear, thermals, wash bags, tooth paste, tooth brushes, hair brushes, shampoo, shower, conditioner and shower gel, bedding, pillows, towels. first aid, toilet roll, lice lotion, school bags and stationery and note pads. There will be a van following us not to assist us but to carry any donations we have received.
Please help us make a difference to these children’s lives, it does not matter how small your donation is, any donation will be gratefully received. All sponsors will have their names printed on our shirts.
To make a donation please make cheques payable to Orphanage Stoikite Fundraising Club Appeal C/O. Weeping Ash Cottage, 51 Normanton Spring Road, Sheffield S13 7BA.
Yours truly,
Pete Doolan

Hi

I think this is a fantastic idea. Good luck I work in a school and every year we do a shoebox appeal for children in Africa and have been keen to do one for the orphanage but never had any transportation. Would you be able to fit approx 70 shoeboxes on your van if I can get my school to agree to participate in this appeal? Then we could get the names of every child in the orphanage and send them a personal box containing toiletries and small items and a letter each from students in my school. I realise Sheffield is a long way from Portsmouth where I live but if I can get yours and the schools agreement then I am sure I can think of a way round the logistics. If you don't think you will have room thats fine.....am still hoping someone can arrange a container lorry to go over at some point. Hope you raise loads and enjoy the journey.

Dona