Taster Massage Day in Berkhamsted

My trip to Sarajevo to volunteer with the Healing Hands Network is now less than a month away. That really has come around quickly!

In one of those small world coincidences, Carol Quirk, a Sports Massage Therapist who also offers treatments at BAYoga Studio in Berkhamsted, will be out there at the same time as me.

So we've decided to team up for an event at the Studio,  to fund our volunteer work with Healing Hands and raise money towards our flights and accommodation etc. 

Try Indian Head Massage
at the taster afternoon

On Saturday 25^th August between 1pm and 5pm, in the BAYoga Studio, Carol and I are offering 15 minute massage ‘taster’ sessions.  These will include seated back massage, Thai foot massage and Indian head massage.

In return we are asking for a donation to the charity, which will go towards our costs.

So please come along to support us on the 25^th, and bring a friend or family member with you!

For further information about Healing Hands Network please see this previous blogpost or go to www.healinghandsnetwork.co.uk 

To donate directly to mine or Carol's fund, please go to www.mycharitypage.com/carolquirk or www.mycharitypage.com/lucinda

Charity Massage-athon - in pictures!

Charity Massage-athon for the Healing Hands Network
Saturday 14th July 2012, St Albans Town Hall
Here's how it all went on the day...

Our beautiful display, with lots of information about
Healing Hands and our lovely massage therapists

Everything ready, waiting to go

An early client, he seems to be pleased

Neck and shoulder massages
proved to be the popular choice

Carly Day helping out with a shoulder massage

Danny Smith, who interviewed me on Radio Verulam
about the Massage-athon, came along to try a
massage for himself

The Massage-ometer!

Tracking our massage total throughout the day

(And everyone loves an excuse for a bit of colouring in!)

The end of the day,
21 massages done,
£129 raised!

1. 
   

Charity Massage-athon for Healing Hands Network

I hinted a while ago that I was scheming away on fund raising events for Healing Hands Network, and that there would be a chance to get involved (for those around Hertfordshire anyway). I've been true to my word, so without further ado, here it is!


What is it?  A Charity Massage-athon. Ten-minute mini treatments on as many backs/feet/shoulders/heads as possible


When is it?  Saturday 14th July, between 10am and 4pm


Where is it?  St Albans Town Hall, alongside the Artisans, Arts and Crafts Market, and the St Albans outdoor market


Who can get involved?  You can! Please bring along achey shoulders, sore feet, stressed heads or tight shoulders for us to treat; we can't do it without you!


Where do I sign up?  You can e-mail me to book a slot at a specific time, which will help with planning, but you can also just come along on the day and book in, or if we're free, get a massage there and then!


Who will be doing the massaging?  At the moment, me! But I'm hoping to have a team of brilliant therapists joining me throughout the day. If you're a massage therapist, or massage student, and would like to join in, if only for an hour, get in touch. It's a great way to get loads of experience and meet lots of people, and it's fun too!


What does it cost?  A minimum of £5 donation for each treatment - but any more you can give will be truly appreciated and it all goes to a great cause.


How else can I help?  Help man the stand for an hour (or more!). Tell your friends about the message-athon, and encourage them to come along. Even if you can't make it, you can sponsor me - go to my charity page or e-mail me.

Who are the Healing Hands Network?  A charity dedicated to the relief of suffering caused by war and disaster. In Sarajevo, volunteer therapists treat survivors of concentration camps, rape and horrendous physical injuries. "HHN is one of the rare things I look forward to in life because its therapies have enabled me to laugh again." Peljto Behija, Concentration Camp Union. For more information see their website and this blogpost.


What if I have more questions? Ask me - just drop me an e-mail and I'll do my best to help.


Any and all support you can give me, by coming along, helping out or spreading the word, will be hugely appreciated.

On my feet for Healing Hands

As you may know, I'm raising money for the Healing Hands Network. Healing Hands is a charity that brings together complementary therapists and people needing help as a legacy of war or disasters. The network pioneered its work in Sarajevo, Bosnia and is still there, working with those for whom rape, torture and the disappearance of loved ones during the war continue to have terrible consequences.


I’m hoping to go to Sarajevo in September as a volunteer practitioner. Although I know that the two weeks will be extremely hard, both physically and emotionally, I also think it will be incredibly rewarding. To go, I need to raise £750, although the cost to the charity is much higher.

Waiting for the off

The fundraising got underway this weekend when I completed the Hertford 10k. This was a departure for me; usually I take my exercise, if at all, indoors and slow - think yoga. Partly this is due to back problems, so I was walking not running, but mainly it reflects a strong preference for warmth and comfort. Nonetheless, I'd been getting out and training, and not just when it was nice weather. I've been rained and sleeted on, all in the name of a good cause.


In the end, it was perfect day for it - sunny but not too warm. I set off at 10.30 with about 400 other participants, most of whom I didn't see again as I settled into my position at the back! I was second to last home, but really pleased to manage a time of 92 minutes, well inside my expected 100 minutes. And yes, I did treat myself to a massage afterwards.

Success - with my medal
and goodie bag

Having proven I can do it, I have whetted my appetite so I'm thinking about taking on another challenge. There are more fund raising activities in the pipeline too. Keep an eye out for updates and ways to get involved. Here's a starter for 10; book a Healing Hands Massage and 50% of the price goes to the charity.


For more information about the Healing Hands Network see my page or their website. If you would like to make a contribution, you can do so here.