Monday 1 October 2012

Back, with News

Hello all, I'm back after my month off and excited to get round and see what everyone's been up to. I've got some news to share and I'd also like to ask you all to do me a small favour which will hopefully have a big impact.

Before I left I wrote about my new blog which charts the progress of my stepson, Andrew McNaughton, in his efforts to secure funding for a place at a specialist college in England. I'd love it if you could pop over and give him a follow, and if you could also click on the button with Andrew's face on it to the right, it will take you to the Facebook page which features daily updates. Please give it a like, and if you want to show some extra support, you're more than welcome to grab the code for the button and paste it on your own blog.

One of the simplest ways to show support is by signing the online petition, which you can also get to via its widget over there -->. We're trying to change the entire landscape and get our very own college built in Scotland with the facilities that Andrew needs in order to thrive and have a meaningful career, and we'll only achieve that by banging on the door of the Scottish Government with enough voices behind us! Just to emphasise this point - further education is FREE in Scotland, yet we are obliged to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to send Andrew to a college far away from his home and family. The Scottish system has no equality and no choice for those with complex support needs - what is offered is essentially daycare - and that is what we are trying to change.

We've also got loads of items for our online auction which will run from 2nd to 9th October, including signed books, handcrafted jewellery, toys, portraits, a bottle of champagne, and yours truly is offering a full book critique! Get yourself an early Christmas present and help a deserving cause. All the details are on the Facebook page.

I initially took a break to secure part-time employment, and I managed to achieve that goal halfway through the month, although it won't start until 22nd October (also Andrew's 18th birthday). I posted before about my previous job offer, but that fell through before I got a shift. Hopefully this one will run smoothly. My break was extended to help get the fundraising off the ground, which is probably going to continue for the next three years. I'm planning to continue with this blog and update Andrew's blog once a week. I want to give a massive thanks to those of you who have donated books and other items - we've got enough auction items now, but I'll be keeping you up to date on all the other ways you can support us!

Editing and critiquing are continuing apace, and I can't wait for my one year blogiversary on Thursday 11th October! It will also celebrate 300 followers, and I'll be giving away some fab prizes, so don't forget to come back for that.

Finally, myself and my better half have taken the leap into the Twitterverse - @NickPWilford and @HeatherWilford, which is another way we're keeping everyone up to date on the campaign. Big wave to those who have already followed me there!

Have a good week, and I'll see you around!

27 comments:

Trisha said...

It's great that you're doing this for Andrew and others like him.

Exciting about your one year blogoversary! They seem to roll around quite quickly, and yet a lot happens in a year!

Elise Fallson said...

I really hope you guys are able to raise the money you need for Andrew. I'll do what I can to help and spread the word. Love the t-shirts btw! (: And early Happy Blogiversary!

S.P. Bowers said...

Great to see you again! Good luck with the fundraising and the new job!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Glad you've had a great show of support for Andrew! And congratulations on the job.

Suze said...

Nick, you've been busy! It's good to see you back and to read what's been going on with you. Here's hoping all of your transitions and beautiful efforts go smoothly and successfully.

Jessica Nelson said...

I'll try and get the word out at some point in October. Also will look for Andrew's page on FB.
Best wishes to you all!

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Nick, you are doing a wonderful things for Andrew. Will support you in each and every way possible. Best wishes to you.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Have liked Andrew's page on FB, but am not able to sign the petition. Will try again later.

Jackie said...

What you're doing for Andrew is so wonderful!

J.L. Campbell said...

Hey, Nick,
I see you've already made an impact. I've liked and tweeted and followed.

Chantele Sedgwick said...

This is awesome! Good look with the campaign! And congratulations on your new job!

Lisa Regan said...

Petition signed and FB page liked! What a great thing you are doing for Andrew!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back. Congrats on the job and I hope the fundraising brings in what's needed for the cause. I liked and signed with the links.

Nick Wilford said...

Trisha - Thanks. We're not going to change the landscape in time for Andrew going to college, but you need to think big to get anywhere!

Elise - Any help you can give would be appreciated. Yep, the t-shirts are pretty cool! The ants represent a small creature with a lot of potential.

Sara - Thanks!

Alex - Thanks, and also for the shout out you gave in Ninja News. Hopefully, we've only just started the snowball rolling down the mountain...

Suze - Thanks, you too!

Jessica - You can get straight to the page by clicking on Andrew's button. The auction is going great so far!

Rachna - Thanks! I hope you get to sign. We've noticed a few teething problems with it ourselves.

Jackie - Thanks! We just want to give him the best chance - it shouldn't be this much work, hopefully we can change things for other families too.

Joy - Thanks for the support!

Chantele - Thank you!

Lisa - Thanks a lot!

Medeia - Thanks. I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on further events!

David P. King said...

Dude! The 11th is my bday. I'll be sure to visit when your awesome blogiversary hits. Welcome back! :)

Tara Tyler said...

sending supportive vibes.
and congrats on your achievements!

Gina Gao said...

I feel that its really great that you are doing this for people like Andrew. Keep it up!

www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Glad that you're back! Heading over to sign the petition. Good luck with this campaign!

kjmckendry said...

Great to have you back. Hope the job works out.

It's wonderful what you're doing for Andrew. I hope you can get enough support to change things.

Morgan said...

Oh... look at all the good you're doing, Nick! It's so great to see that there are people who just serve, serve, serve. You're awesome.

All great things. And I'm stoked for your one year anniversary! Mine is on the 17th, so we're very close! ;)

Shell Flower said...

Good luck with the fundraising. Your stepson is just a few months older than my son :) I can't believe higher education is free there, but they don't have this option for kids like Andrew. That seems wrong. Glad to have you back in the blog-o-sphere.

Kelley Lynn said...

Good luck with fundraising and the new job! What you're doing for your stepson is amazing. The world needs more people like you.

Unknown said...

The cause for Andrew is amazing. What an amazing opportunity to help someone. Good luck with the fundraising, Nick.

Congrats on the 300 followers! I love blogiversaries. But now that I think about it, I have no idea when my blogiversary is... Hmmm! :D

Nick Wilford said...

David - Happy advance bday! Look forward to seeing you then!

Tara - Thanks!

Gina - Thanks! Someone needs to... though tbh, my wife is the brains of the operation!

Caitlin - Thanks for the support.

Kathy - Thanks. Still feels like ages til the job starts, but it'll be here soon enough!

Morgan - Aw, shucks. We just want to give him the best possible chance, like any parents!

Looking forward to your blogiversary too. :)

Shell - "Wrong" is the understatement of the century! The provision for those with disabilities is to fit them into a corner, whereas it should be based on their needs.

Kelley - Thanks. It feels like we've just scratched the surface - this is just the beginning!

Julia - Check out your archive? For some reason numbers and dates seem to stick with me...

Thanks. As I said, this is a road we're going to be on for a long time!

Nicole said...

Very cool story! Good luck with all your efforts.

PK HREZO said...

Oh wow! I'm hopping over now to sign up. Best of luck to Andrew and you and your family!!
And welcome to the Twitterverse. :)

Cynthia said...

Good luck with your new job. I am following you at your other site too so I can stay posted.