Bear Hugs for Haiti

Lancashire based business woman Debra Brown is co-ordinating the British arm of an unusual charity to help children who have suffered from the devastating earthquake in Haiti earlier this year. British based organisation Children of the World has teamed up with American charity Children of the Earth to support Bear Hugs for Haiti. Bear Hugs for Haiti aims to send hundreds of teddy bears to help to emotionally support children who have been orphaned by the disaster. Children of the Earth was praised by the United Nations in 2005 after it sent 1200 bears to orphans in Uganda, Rwanda and South East Asia.

Debra who runs a life coaching consultancy in Burnley was approached through her involvement in other charity work to assist the appeal by the patron of Children of the World, HRH Prince Frederick von Saxe-Lauenberg. Prince Frederick, whose organisation is based in Hale, Greater Manchester, commented “Much financial assistance has been given to support the unfortunate people of Haiti in rebuilding their lives. Bear Hugs aims to help orphaned children to emotionally rebuild their lives after the earth quake”.

Debra, herself a mother of two says “It’s a great opportunity for young people in the UK to connect with those less fortunate and let them know we care. Hugging a teddy bear can bring some comfort to children with no parents to hug”. A family fun day in Towneley Park Burnley is being organised by Debra to promote awareness of the appeal.

To find out more about Bear Hugs for Haiti visit http://www.globalhugs.com/bear-hugs-for-haiti

Secret Garden at Islington Wharf

Islington Wharf Apartments

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of listening to Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, explain his vision for the future of Manchester. In particular Sir Howard talked about plans to expand and regenerate the city centre. One area he targeted was Ancoats, historically a tough mill area on the eastern edge of the city centre, but under Sir Howard’s leadership this is changing. The Islington Wharf development by Isis is the new landmark on Great Ancoats Street and less than ten minutes walk from city centre.

The apartments feature quirky angular shaped rooms that won’t be to everyone’s taste and will require some creative thinking when furnishing, however they are light and airy with great views on the higher floors. Kitchens come complete with fridge, freezer and dishwasher; washer/dryers are also included but located in various utility/store cupboards. The 3, 4 and 5 bed apartments I viewed came with an impressive array of balconies, terraces or private gardens, that’s right gardens, with grass! On top of the second floor is a large communal area nicknamed 'Secret Garden' complete with garden furniture, barbeque area and a spectacular view of the City of Manchester stadium. Several duplex apartments have their own private fenced off garden.

Secret Garden

Externally the brown cladding creates mixed opinion but the copper alloy it’s made from reduces heat loss from the building. Isis is part owned by British Waterways who also own the land Islington Wharf is built on; as such the Ashton Canal running alongside the development has been renovated and landscaped to provide a more pleasant setting. Isis is apparently in talks with a leisure provider to open a fitness suite in one of the commercial outlets on the ground floor of the development. Parking is also available on the ground floor at an extra cost and like the rest of the development includes a high level of security.

If Sir Howard’s plans for the city continue to be realised, Ancoats could well be the next fashionable part of the city to live, and at under £290,000 for a 4 bedroom apartment, Islington Wharf presents a very tempting opportunity.