A tall tale of kindness

Posted by Milenna Pessôa

The giant lobster saved by the kindness of two divers
(Photo: Portsmouth News)

Tall tales are nearly always based on actual events that have been exaggerated. When it comes to fish stories, one can always expect to be fooled. We all know that fishermen brag about the “Big One that got away?” This time, in Portsmouth, the catch did get away… from the pot.

The kindness of friends, Mark Reed and Mark Corp, saved the life of “the biggest lobster ever seen”. The pair of commercial divers paid £100 to rescue the crustacean – already in ice – at a fishmonger’s stall.

They told the BBC it would have been “criminal” to see him go into the pot.

Marky Mark, as the fortunate lobster has been nicknamed, not only got away but was also given a new home at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium, where he is on display.

Robbie Robinson, who works at the aquarium told The Times: “They said they didn’t want it to end up being eaten and asked if we could give it a new home. It’s definitely the largest lobster I’ve ever seen, and in amazing condition.”

The largest specimen on record weighed in at 9.3kg and was caught in 1931 in Fowey, Cornwall, it according to the National Lobster Hatchery in Cornwall.

Mr. Robinson explained it is difficult to accurately age a lobster, but this lucky one must be at least 50 years old.

“We are just pleased that we were able to take him somewhere he can live and the public can go enjoy him,” said the crustacean’s heroes.

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Torchbearer Dan Lights The Way

Posted by Milenna Pessôa

EIGHT thousand people were selected to carry the Olympic flame as it crossed the UK.

Among the many athletes and celebrities chosen as torchbearers, there were also ordinary people, each of them nominated for doing something meaningful or special.

People like Dan Blake, a widower and father-of-one, who was been selected for his bravery in the face of a family tragedy.

Dan’s young wife, Nicki, died in November 2010, at the age of 33, of pancreatic cancer.

Faced with a daunting task of bringing up their 4-year-old son, Joshua, Dan pushed himself to the limit in a mission to fund Pancreatic Cancer UK.

“I guess I just have had to find the strength from within. Knowing that Nicki would want me to be strong for Joshua and give him the best possible start in life. That’s what motivates me,” says Dan.

Dan gave up his career in the City and set up a charity called Nicki’s Smile. According to him, the decision was not a difficult one.

“It was a very easy decision. I needed to be there for my son – he is the most important person in my life and if I still worked in The City then I would have hardly seen him during the week. That’s not acceptable and our bond has become so close since Nicki passed away.”

Dan says he strongly believes that trying to help others beat pancreatic cancer, he can ensure his wife did not die in vain.

“The survival statistics for pancreatic cancer haven’t improved for a generation. If I can make a difference, then that’s something to be proud of.”

Since its launch in February last year, the charity has raised £270,000.

On July 23, Dan will walk about 300 metres through Croydon, carrying his torch.

Dan was nominated as a torchbearer by his mother Cynthia, who told the selectionn team:

“I feel that if he were lucky enough to be chosen to bear the torch it would be an amazing symbol of hope for him and would also show that he and Joshua, are carrying her [Nicki’s] light & legacy forward.”

For Dan, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“It means the world to me to be a torchbearer. The sole reason I have been chosen is because of Nicki’s passing and how I am treasuring her memory through my charitable efforts. This is the ideal opportunity to pay tribute to Nicki in the most incredible way – carrying a flame in her loving memory that will be remembered in my family and future generations for eternity.”

“My son Joshua will be there (4 years old) and I hope he can pass the Olympic Torch down through the generations and explain the significance behind it. The Olympic Torch experience will be with me for the rest of my life. I will be carrying Nicki with me on that day.”

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Big City Sleep: sleeping rough can make a difference

Posted by Milenna Pessôa

Millions of homeless children in Brazil have no choice but to sleep on the streets.

Recently, nearly 100 Londoners accepted the challenge to spend an odd night out; sleeping rough to raise money for Brazilian street kids.

The group met this April at central London’s Spitalfields Market to swap their comfortable beds at home for cardboard boxes for one night, and brave the cold.

The annual event, dubbed Big City Sleep, is an initiative of UK Charity ABC Trust, and aimed to raise funds to projects dedicated to young people in vulnerable situations in Brazil.

ABC Trust’s founder Jimena Page, who started the charity with ex-husband Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), explains that this event is not an attempt to undermine or trivialize the issues faced by the street children in Brazil, but to recreate, to a certain extent, the challenges they face in their daily life.

“The goal of the Big City Sleep is to show our society some aspects of life of those children who live in the streets in Brazil, the difference is that participants can go back to the comfort of their homes the next day,” she says.

Jimena tells the idea first started in 2010 when one of ABC’s staff members had the idea, which became very popular amongst students.

One of the brave students who accepted the challenge said she has always been blessed enough to have a roof over her head, and hopes this one rough night can help those less fortunate.

‘I am sure I won’t be able to really feel what these children have to go through each night but I sincerely hope raising awareness to the issue will make people realise how big difference one small selfless act can make.’

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Homeless Mother & Children Given A Home – For Free!

Posted by Simon Cooper

WHEN Florida businessman Paul Conti heard how crooks had left a mother and her three children homeless and sleeping in a car, he stepped in to offer them a home.

EmaNoel Thermitus lost every penny she had to rent a home for herself and her young children when a conman tricked her into handing over cash for a house that was not on the market.

Broke and alone, EmaNoel and her children were forced to sleep in their car at a local park.

In an interview with a local television news channel ABC-7, EmaNoel described what happened when she turned up to a home advertised for rent by a man called Yoandry Leiva :

“He told me I needed to pay the last and first and security,” EmaNoel said.

NBC2 News correspondent Saundra Weathers reports that not only did Leiva steal her security, he also then handed EmaNoel a no trespassing notice and forced to leave the home.

“My heart just dropped. I couldn’t move because, you know, being alone is hard. And I said, ‘What am I going to do?”

After hearing about EmaNoel’s plight, Paul Conti stepped in to help.

Conti, a business owner, had a vacant property he was trying to rent. Instead, he offered it to EmaNoel and her children, rent-free.

“It actually made me angry that this guy did that … I’m just giving her time do she can save up this money again. I’m not charging her anything until she can afford to,” Conti said.

Leiva is currently in jail, awaiting trial on multiple charges related to his scamming.

 

 

 

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Rudi Richardson: An Unlikely Hero

Posted by Milenna Pessôa

Rudi Richardson is an unlikely hero.

Born in a women’s prison in Germany in 1955, where his mother had been convicted of prostitution, he was adopted by an African American couple who changed his name, and took him to live in America.

America did not turn out to be the land of opportunity for Rudi, who ended up spending 33 years drifting in and out of heroin addiction, prison and living on the streets both in the U.S and, later, in England.

“From early on, my life was an accumulation of rejection, abandonment and fear,” he says.

But, one tiny act of kindness changed Rudi’s life forever; and, as a consequence, the lives of hundreds more.

The turning point came when Rudi was 50 years old, and once again found himself under arrest having been caught stealing CDs. Sick and sweating as he went into heroin withdrawal in police cells, it was a police officer who turned his life around with the smallest of kind gestures.

He offered Rudi a cup of tea.

“It just touched my heart. He just didn’t know he gave me my dignity back. He let me know I was a human being, no matter who I was,” remembers Rudi.

After his release, Rudi decided to turn his life around and do something meaningful to help others in the same situation. In 2007, Rudi founded Streetlytes to help others find a way out just like he did.

“Our mission is to help people who stand in the shoes I stood,” Rudi says.

The addicts, the homeless, the broken; all now have a place in one of the four Streetlytes drop-in centres in London’s Kensington and Chelsea area. There, they not only find food and warmth, but can also find someone to talk to.

Streetlytes is run by volunteers, most of whom have also been homeless addicts themselves. The project helps feed over 650 homeless people every month, and also helps set up workshops to schools and the local community to share experiences.

For Rudi, that’s what make this project stands out.

“The essence of Streetlytes is that we reach out to other homeless people and say ‘we’ve been there, we can help, you CAN make it.”

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Man Finds $4000 Cash: And Hands It Back!

Posted by Simon Cooper

An act of honesty and kindness has saved a single mother of two’s hopes for a fresh start in life.

Autumn Miller had just moved from Indiana to Florence, Kentucky, to start over. She had a new job and was out hunting for a car and an apartment. The cash to pay for those essentials – $4,000 – was in her handbag.

But after the busy mother of two made a quick stop at a local Best Buy store with her two children, she did the unthinkable; she left her purse in the shopping cart when she left. Realizing her mistake almost immediately she dashed back into the store, but the purse – containing every penny Autumn had to her name – was already gone.

“We were really terrified, it had everything in it,” Miller told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The purse also contained her birth certificate, her daughters’ birth certificates and their Social Security cards. Autumn, who had been living in a motel room while she house-hunted, was devastated.

“I was mad at myself, I was crying,” she said. “It had the money in it to get me my own car and get us a house so we can get out of the motel …“I just prayed to God that somebody would be nice and turn my purse in.”

Autumn filed a report with the police, and began the task of trying to work out what to do next. A week later, while trying to organise replacements for her lost documents, Autumn got the call she had prayed for. Not only had her purse be handed in, amazingly, all the cash was still inside.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that when Autumn picked up the purse, she discovered her Good Samaritan, Brandon Palmer, had found the bag at Best Buy then tried to find Miller at her home but could not. He then took the purse to the police.

Florence Police Capt. Linny Cloyd said Miller was lucky an honest person found the bag.

“Whether it’s cash or whether it’s identity there are those people who would prey on that in a heartbeat as opposed to doing the right thing,” he said. “That’s what makes this a great story as opposed to a tragic story.”

 Autumn called Brandon to thank him and offered a reward for returning the purse. But he declined.

 “I’m so thankful for him, it’s helping me out a lot,” Autumn said.

 

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Police Seek Good Samaritan Who Saved Woman’s Life

Posted by Simon Cooper

Canadian police are asking for help to identify a Good Samaritan who saved the life of an elderly woman suffering from dementia.

The 81 year-old woman became lost in freezing, snowy weather after wandering away from her daughter’s car in Calgary, Alberta. The senior was not dressed for Canada’s harsh winter weather. Police feared she would die unless found quickly.

An ugent hunt was launched, with Calgary Police scrambling a helicopter equipped with a loudspeaker to alert anyone in the area about the missing woman.

A local man who heard the announcement came outside to see what was going on and spotted the woman lying in a snow bank.He alerted emergency personnel and directed them to the woman, who was in the early stages of hypothermia.She was examined by medical crews and then safely reunited with her family.

The Good Samaritan, however, left before officers could identify him and properly thank him for his help.

If you know this man, Calgary police ask that you call District 5 police office at (+1) 403-567-6500.

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Who Are The World’s Most Charitable Stars?

Posted by Simon Cooper

Hundreds of today’s top stars and celebrities have made vast fortunes from the careers in music, movies and television: but which ones give back the most?

According to research by The Giving Back Fund, a charity that helps athletes, entertainers, and others establish and maintain charitable foundations and philanthropic programs, many stars now realise that simply lending their image to a cause or turning up to a fundraiser is not enough.

According to Marc Pollick, founder and president of The Giving Back Fund:

“… showing up, or lending one’s famous name and likeness to a cause, while it can have positive impact and ramifications, should never be confused with, or mistaken for, philanthropy. It is volunteering, and while volunteering is important, it is not the same as giving. And, in the spirit of truthfulness, when a celebrity agrees to “show up,” it is not always volunteering; many celebrities charge charities a fee just to show up.”

Writing in LA magazine C-Suite Quarterly, Pollick says that today, a new generation of stars – including Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman, Andre Agassi, Olivia Wilde, Maria Bello, Matt Damon, and Edward Norton are:

” … leading their peers by example, giving of their money, time, likeness and image in support of the causes for which they care. And it is that very authenticity which sets them apart and makes of them role models for a new generation of celebrities and fans, who will come of age in a world of transparency that distinguishes between real philanthropy and merely “showing up.”

For the past four year Pollick’s charity has kept a list of the top philanthropic stars: and for three out of those four years, Oprah Winfrey has come top of the philanthropic pops, donating $41 million in 2010 alone, as well as another $80 million between 1998-2010 through Oprah’s Angel Network, which encouraged donations from fans and celebrities.

However, it is Paul Newman who dominates the philanthropic celebrity scene, having founded and bequeathed one of the biggest charitable organizations in the world.

According to C-Suite’s article:

“Although he passed away in 2008, Paul Newman still holds the distinction of the quintessential celebrity philanthropist. In 1982 he founded Newman’s Own, Inc., channeling 100% of the company’s net proceeds and profits after taxes to a wide range of charities. Newman’s Own remains firmly committed to donating all proceeds to charity.”

As of 2010 the Paul Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation had donated more than $300 million to charities around the world. In 2009, Newman posthumously topped The Giving Back Fund’s Giving Back 30 list of most generous celebrities with $20,857,000 in donations he made prior to his death in 2008.”

Other top players in celebrity philanthropy are:

Herb Alpert: the musician and producer donated £13 million in 2010 alone and has donated more than $100 million in total through his foundation to support the arts.

 

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie: the actors donated £12.4 million in 2009 through the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation.

 

Edward Norton: Recently raised $1.2 million for the Massai Conservation Wilderness Trust and encourages philanthropy through fundraising website Crowdrise, which he co-founded.

 

 

 

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Always Help your Fellow Man: how a random act of kindness turned into a viral Internet hit

Posted by Milenna Pessôa

Lewis Dediara is used to cycling around London with a mounted camera on his helmet.

The 47 year-old started filming his daily commute two years ago after he was knocked off his bike for the second time. The cyclist always posts all his adventures on Youtube. But he never imagined one random act of kindness would have such an impact on so many viewers.

‘”I am astonished by the response,’” said the cyclist in interview with the Evening Standard.

In the two-minute video, Mr Dediara spots a hungry homeless man rooting through a bin. Unlike others in the street, instead of walking away or pretending not to see the man, Lewis approached him to offer to ‘get anything he wants’ to eat.

“I come from a family where we are raised to help others when see them suffering,’ tells the Nigerian-born Mr Dediara. ‘I saw this man standing there. He was clearly hungry, I couldn’t just leave him there”.

Over 320,000 people have watched seen the video.

One viewer commented saying the video was ‘inspiring’.

Another viewer praised the act saying ‘a small token of kindness can make a world of difference.’

For Mr Dediara, it is important to share acts of kindness, as ‘sometimes London is a place where people don’t take the time to care for others.’

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Shropshire’s Military Cross Hero Ricky Furgusson to Carry Olympic Torch

Posted by Stephanie Yip

Military Cross hero Ricky Furgusson has been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch through his hometown of Shropshire.

Furgusson was nominated for this torch bearing role by his friends Gemainea and Melissa Davies.

“No one deserves to carry the Olympic Torch more than Ricky Furgusson. He is an inspiration after suffering horrific injuries in Afghanistan,” said Gemainea Davis.

Melissa Davis agreed stating, “Ricky is a true hero who is passionate about his country and who I believe should hold the Olympic Torch forEngland. Ricky will never walk alone.”

Learning of his Olympic selection, Furgussion said:

“I was delighted to have been asked, it’s an amazing opportunity. I’m looking forward to it.”

Furgusson, a corporal who served in Afghanistan, was awarded the Military Cross for his heroic rescue of fallen comrades. Furgusson was deployed with A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles in September 2009 to build and patrol bases along the main transit route in South Helmend, a route riddled with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

On four different occasions, Furgusson came to the aid of fellow soldiers who had been hit by IEDs. It was in January 2010 however when Furgusson himself was directly struck by an IED which was hidden in a doorway.

The incident caused Furgusson to lose his legs, left eye and fingers from both his hands. He also suffered injuries to his face.

Despite his horrific wounds, Furgusson remains positive;

“I’m a happy man … there is no looking back. There is nothing you can do about it. I look forward to what happens next.”

In 2010, Furgusson was presented the Military Cross by the Queen for his bravery in service.

His citation read:

“Furgusson’s bravery, personally ignoring the ever-present IED threat when dashing to the aid of wounded men, and his outstanding leadership, time and again rallying his soldiers in the disorientating aftermath of IED strikes, saves men’s lives. For his selfless actions he is awarded the Military Cross.”

The Olympic Torch Relay will be held throughout the UK from May to September 2011.

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