Fundraising

Norwich resident Paul Saunders (37) ran the Lowestoft Scores Race in September in memory of his brother Sean, who took his own life in 2003, while suffering from depression. Paul ran the race in aid of The Davenport Trust and raised £1822 37p for the Norfolk charity.

Paul and brothers Sean and Dean grew up in Lowestoft. Their parents used to run The Crown Hotel at the top of Crown Score.

“I have never been a runner,” said Paul. “But last January made a resolution to get fit. I needed a focus to keep me going and thought that the Lowestoft Scores race would be the ideal challenge with all the hill climbs. Doing something positive in Sean’s memory has been an additional inspiration. I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends, family and colleagues and am very pleased to have raised just over £1800 for The Davenport Trust, which was set up following a tragic loss of life not dissimilar to Sean.”

James Clarke, Davenport Trust founder said: “My heart felt thanks to Paul and his supporters for thinking of The Davenport Trust. We are a small charity that is keen to remove the stigma attached to depression and especially help young people combat its symptoms.”

Norwich resident Paul Saunders (37) is running the Lowestoft Scores Race on Sunday, September 13 in memory of his brother Sean, who took his own life in 2003, while suffering from depression.

Paul and brothers Sean and Dean grew up in Lowestoft. Their parents used to run The Crown Hotel at the top of Crown Score, one of the landmarks on the Lowestoft Scores Race. The 4.75-mile run, organised by Waveney Valley Athletic Club, includes seven steep climbs, six descents and 409 steps.

Paul is doing the run in aid of The Davenport Trust, a new Norfolk charity set up to help people of all ages recognise and deal with the symptoms of depression, an illness from which, unbelievably, one in four of us suffers. He has already secured pledges totalling more than £500, see http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/paulsaunders.

“I have never been a runner,” said Paul. “But in January I made a resolution to get fit. I needed a focus to keep me going and thought that the Lowestoft Scores race would be the ideal challenge with all the hill climbs. Doing something positive in Sean’s memory has been an additional inspiration. I have been aware of The Davenport Trust for some time as it was set up following a tragic loss of life not dissimilar to Sean.”

“I have great memories of growing up in Lowestoft,” added Paul. “We got up to lots of mischief and it was always Sean who ended up getting the blame! It is going to be very emotional running a race in an area that used to be our playground.”

James Clarke, Davenport Trust founder said: “I wish Paul the best of luck for the Lowestoft Scores Race and thank him for thinking of The Davenport Trust. We are a small charity that is keen to remove the stigma attached to depression and help old and young combat its symptoms.”

The Davenport Trust takes its name from Shaun Davenport, a 17 year-old student at Hewett School, Norwich, who faced a bright future, yet took his own life in January 2003. The trust’s first publication I Feel Sh*t featuring contributions from young people, giving their personal views on how depression can be combated is due to be published in early 2010, www.davenporttrust.org.uk.

James Clarke received a cheque for £1,000 from Parker House, Hosuemaster, Fran Ellington at Norwich School on 1 May. The money was raised by Parker House students during a sponsored walk. Thank you again for your generous support.

Norwich School students from Parker House have designed eco-friendly 'bags for life', which are being sold in aid of The Davenport Trust.

Doctors Stuart Davidson and Paul Everden from Birchwood Surgery North Walsham, with fellow North Norfolk Mountain Bike Club member Bob Wright, completed the Marin Dusk ‘til Dawn Race in Theford Forest on Saturday night (October 6/7). The trio have raised £400 for The Davenport Trust.

Some 800 cyclists took part in the 8pm to 8am, 12-hour endurance race in Thetford Forest. Riders entered as ‘soloists’ and in pairs and threes, completing 11.7 miles laps throughout the night.

Paul Everden said: “We cycled as a relay team, with one person riding at a time. Each of us did three laps. We were all absolutely shattered but exhilarated at the end of the night. It was a great experience and we are pleased to have raised some money for The Davenport Trust, which is such a worthwhile cause.”

Students from Norwich School's Parker and Coke Houses staged a fancy dress fun relay in Norwich on Sunday, June 17. The event raised £285.20 for The Davenport Trust. Thank you to Fran Ellington and her team.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Corpus Christi service at Worstead Church on Thursday, June 7. The Davenport Trust shared the collection with the church and received £300.

Thank you to Kate Marris for raising a fabulous £1,400 sponsorship for The Davenport Trust, following her run in the 2006 New York Marathon.

Norwich based Kettle Foods, producers of Kettle Chips, has donated £500 to The Davenport Trust from the staff community fund.

Roger Nicholson, Captain of Mundesley Golf Club and Lady Captain, Pat Jackman have raised £2,103.91 for their charity of the year 2006, The Davenport Trust.

The captains both wanted to support a local charity and chose The Davenport Trust. The money was raised with a series of raffles, a quiz night, a Captain’s bunker on the course and a charity golf match. Anyone ending up in the Captain’s bunker had to pay a £1 fine. The charity golf match raised £1,000.

Davenport Trust founder James Clarke said: “I would like to thank Roger Nicholson, Pat Jackman and all the members of Mundesley Golf Club for their generosity. Their support is a great encouragement for our new charity.”

Davenport Trust founder, James Kenelm Clarke visited Norwich School on Friday, December 15 to receive a cheque for £859 from Parker House Housemaster, Fran Ellington and Head of House, Rowley Berry.

The cheque comprised the proceeds from the December 3 Busking Day, a sponsored walk and a further £200 donation from Norwich School

Belly dancers, carol singers, mime artists and musicians raised £409 during the busking day on London Street. Norwich School generously donated a further £250 from a sponsored walk, making a grand total of £659 on the day. Our thanks go to Parker House, Housemaster, Fran Ellington and her enthusiastic team of staff and students for organsising such an enjoyable fundraising event.

Gervase Clarke and Daniel Fattorini are doing a ‘Big Cow’ Triathlon on July 8, 2007 in aid of The Davenport Trust. This ‘half ironman’ comprises a 1.5 mile swim, a 60-mile cycle ride, and a 13.5-mile run.

Norwich publican, James ‘Tiny’ Little rowed The Atlantic in 2005 to help launch The Davenport Trust. He has raised £40,000 so far as result of his efforts.

His epic 3,000-mile solo crossing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua was completed in 118 days. Tiny is pictured arriving in English Harbour, Antigua.

To read Tiny’s online daily diary written en-route to Antigua go to www.tinysatlanticrow.com.