MENCAP SNAP! AWARDS

• Mencap Snap! Awards! –
MENCAP held a prize-winners' party for their SNAP! Awards 2008 at the Proud Gallery in London's Camden last month. SNAP! is MENCAP's annual competition for photos of or by people with learning disabilities, sponsored by Fujifilm and supported by the Sorrell Foundation. Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes were awarded in six categories, and winning photos may be viewed here.

[pictured above is Chinese New Year, a SNAP! winning entry from Kwok Man]
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CHARITY DRIVE FOR ST. JOHN!

• Charity drive for St John at Summer Show! – www. photomart .co.uk is to run a mini charity drive for the St. John Eye Hospital during its SUMMER SHOW bumper day of photo workshops in London on 18 June. The charity drive is to take the form of a draw, at the end of each workshop, for a small item donated by the workshop sponsor. Workshop delegates will enter the draw by filling in a gift-aid donation form (for any amount) for the St. John Eye Hospital – they drop it in the tombola, and winners will be drawn at the end of each workshop! [expand story >>>]

The St John Eye Hospital was established for charitable works in Jerusalem in 1882. Since then, it has been the main centre for expert eye care service in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Eye care is a particular need in these areas due to the prevalence of eye diseases exacerbated by heredity, cultural factors, politics and issues of the economy and public health care delivery. You can get a flavour of what the Hospital is about in the online video below:



Eye disease in this region, particularly among children and the elderly, is ten times more likely to occur than in developed countries. 30 per cent of the population is under the age of ten. Common conditions are squint, infantile glaucoma, cataract and trauma resulting from accidents. Up to 80 per cent of all blindness is preventable. Diabetes is a major contributor to this problem. The St. John Eye Hospital treats patients regardless of race, religion, or ability to pay.

The Hospital is a Foundation of the well-known charity, The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. The Order of St John is over one thousand years old and operates throughout the world.

Even if you can't make it to the www.photomart.co.uk SUMMER SHOW, you can still donate to the Eye Hospital now!
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PHOTOGRAPHER RIDES FOR CHARITY!

• Photographer Rides for Charity! – Lincolnshire-based photographer Pete Norton welcomes sponsorship and support for his charity Humber-to-Severn solo cycle ride. It's in aid of kids charity, When You Wish Upon a Star. Pete will ride 230 miles for the kids, from the Hull side of the Humber Bridge to the Bristol end of the Severn Bridge. [expand story >>>]

When You Wish Upon a Star is a charity that fulfills wishes for under-16s with life-threatening or terminal illness. Pete became aware of the charity when he volunteered his services as photographer at one of the wish-fulfillment events, a snooker demonstration, where two children were taken to meet Jimmy White and John Virgo. Children's photography is a specialty of Pete's. One of the ways he markets himself is as "Little Devils", a kids photography service.

Joanne Kernon of When You Wish Upon a Star told us, "Pete's fundraising efforts will help to bring about some magic to a very special and brave child. For our children, many of whom have suffered more pain and harsh treatments than we could ever imagine, the need to make a dream come true is of the utmost importance. We are very grateful to Pete and Norton Photography for helping us with our ambition of never having to say 'no' to a deserving child."

Pete pedals off on 19 May, and stays in the saddle till 22 May. Watch out for him along the route!
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