VEGFAM NEWSLETTER

Autumn/Winter 2007



PROJECT FUNDING

In 2007 we financed 7 projects totalling £41,265.
As you will see from the 'VEGFAM PROJECTS IN 2007' more than 180,000 people  should directly benefit from the long term, sustainable projects.
It is hoped that more than 100,000 will also benefit indirectly from seed distribution programmes and affordable, accessible food supplies (improved supply of food for sale).
Several projects had considerable input from Vegfam Trustees (Sandra Ozolins and Simon Good) before implementation was possible. This was particularly the case with the Small Kitchen Gardens programme/School Residential Home project in Andhra Pradesh, India, which was devised from scratch by Interlock, LEADS and Vegfam.

SUPPORT

Our funding successes were made possible, as usual, by the very generous support from our donors/supporters - even those who are only able to give a few pounds contribute to the total overall success of the project funding.
A few projects were made possible by particular donors who funded the whole project.
Our thanks go out to all donors, on behalf of the people who we are able to help.

SUPPORTERS

The innovative ways in which donors support Vegfam continues to amaze us.
During the past year, we have received donations in lieu of christmas cards and presents and even in lieu of wedding presents!
A young supporter held a collection instead of receiving birthday presents at her party and another one donated soaps for her school to sell to raise funds for us.
Other 'friends' gave us a quantity of new A5 envelopes and 100 2nd class stamps.
We are fortunate to receive collections from several vegan/vegetarian groups and a few vegan businesses - we have received proceeds from the sale of bottled water and samosas.
The American Vegan Society continue to accept donations on Vegfam's behalf. We receive a cheque (US check) from them once a year in sterling.
Payment for the online giving facility, provided by Charity Choice and the Co-operative Bank, is being sponsored by a generous donor for the next 12 months.
From time to time, we also have donations sent for a particular project 'in memory' of a supporter's friend or family member who has passed away.
We are uplifted and inspired by the thoughtfulness of such acts of kindness and generosity.

WEBSITE

Some other good news is... this website went live in December 2007!
After many months of hard work, we are delighted with the results and we are getting very positive feedback and online donations have increased as a result.
More people are also supporting us via Bankers' Order and Gift Aid (forms are downloadable from the site).
Supporters are passing on the website details to others and we are getting more new donors this way. This is helping us to fund more (sustainable) projects.
We have connections to the site via veganvillage.co.uk (courtesy of Andy and Libby) and a few supporters still have Vegfam information on their own sites.

TRUSTEES

The last year has been especially busy for the trustees (who are also the administrators), as they are still setting up the new Headquarters in Wales, as well as running the charity from day to day, procuring projects and updating the website.
The trustees are grateful for the support and encouragement that is being given.
Vegfam is grateful to the late Trustee's son Russell Howard for sending things to us and forwarding Vegfam mail.

IN MEMORY

Since April 2006, friends of the late trustee Friedenstern Howard and friends of Vegfam, have been sending donations in his memory.
Frieden ran Vegfam for 38 years, with the help of occasional volunteers (including the 'new' trustees, who have volunteered for Vegfam since 1990).
Vegfam had planned to hold a memorial gathering but sadly this had to be cancelled; owing to circumstances beyond our control. 
Donations have been received in Frieden's memory and we have decided to continue collecting these funds until the 30th of June 2008. We shall then put the funds towards an appropriate project.
Some wonderful news also concerning this, is that one of Vegfam's project partners - the Interlock Charitable Trust (a Devon based charity working in India), has named a rest home (Star of Peace) in memory of Frieden. The building is part of a model agricultural project and it will also provide accommodation for paying guests; to raise funds for the ongoing Tsunami relief work. We shall put photo's of it on the site in the near future.

LEGACY GIVING

Occasionally, we benefit from legacies - this is a wonderful way for donors to help others.
We hope that more supporters will be kind enough to remember Vegfam in their will.

GIFT AID

Changes to Gift Aid - from the 6th of April 2008, the amount that charities can reclaim on Gift Aid donations is changing. The basic UK tax rate changes to 20%, which means that we can reclaim *25p for each  £1.00 donated to Vegfam by UK taxpayers who have completed a Gift Aid declaration (* for donations made up to 05/04/08 the amount is still 28p).
To allow charities time to adjust to the lower amount - the government will automatically pay the charity an additional 3p in the pound from 06/04/2008 to 05/04/2011.
Most of Vegfam's Gift Aid donors allow us to use the reclaimed tax for administration expenses. This has been of crucial benefit to our funds, as prices have escalated for bank charges, insurance, advertisements, postage etc.
In real terms, it means that we can continue to spend 90% of General Donations funds on projects, without the need to further increase the percentage used for administration.

NEW LEAFLETS

Lately, we have had an offer to update our current leaflets, giving them a makeover.
We shall also be having a new colour leaflet designed for us by another kind supporter.
We plan to launch the new leaflets in 2008/2009.

HELP NEEDED

There are some areas in which we require help - we need: several volunteers in the UK to word process 2 to 4 pages of A4 text per year and if possible - people to sponsor the production of colour leaflets. Also, people anywhere in the world, to translate Vegfam leaflets into foreign languages.
If you can help with any of the above, please write to us.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

BRISTOL VEGAN FAYRE

Vegfam will be special guests at the Bristol Vegan Fayre again in 2008 (May 31st to June 1st). Phil and Jo (and Gina) have kindly run a stall there for us for the past 2 years. We have also been nominated for an environmental award 'Best Vegan Campaigners.' To find out more please go to www.bristolveganfayre (also visit www.yaoh.co.uk). Voting takes place until May 31st 2008.    

JUST TO LET YOU KNOW...

Most donors who are in contact with us, do not want mail outs more than a couple of times a year; unless it is for an emergency appeal.
We are happy to send out a once or twice yearly newsletter by post. This type of newsletter is more personal than the one on the website; it includes trustees' news and updates of what individual supporters have been doing to help us - please write to Vegfam if you would like one sent to you.
In 2008 we shall send out a newsletter, a mid year project update and an end of year Projects Financed leaflet
(the website will be updated accordingly).
With Vegfam you do not get mail out after mail out, free gifts (donor incentives) or 'asks' that make you feel guilty so that you give.
Also, we do not pass your details on or sell your details to raise funds.
We rely on our projects speaking for themselves and donors knowing that their giving is making a real difference to people's lives.
We always respond personally to letters and enquiries. Although this is time consuming, it is good to keep in touch if people want us to.

THANKS

Any assistance that you can give Vegfam will make a worthwhile difference to the lives of the many people who ask us to help them.
Please make a *donation if possible or support us in any way that you can. It will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
                      
*(If you send us a postal donation for a particular emergency appeal or project that is 'under consideration' - please let us know if we can use it for another similar project if we have managed to secure funds already; otherwise we have to ask you or return the donation to you.  General Donations are apportioned: 90% Projects, 9% Administration, 1% Office Building Fund. You may choose different apportionments if you wish.)



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