News

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.

Soft Shoe Shuffle can now be seen online at ITV Local Anglia Your Campaign section and in the short films.

Soft Shoe Shuffle a 10-minute film written and directed by UEA graduate Henrietta Burgess was filmed at Epic, Magdalen Street on Monday 2 June. The film looks at the impact of depression on the relationship between a father and daughter. Set in an Anglia TV studio, the father, a former Anglia TV cameraman, attempts a reconciliation with his daughter by showing her the scene of his former triumphs. The actors are Robin Saunders, a Maddermarket theatre regular and Rosie Sengul, a Cambridge graduate who has appeared at the Edinburgh Festival. The film will be given it's premier at The Davenport Trust concert, I Feel Sh*t, at Norwich Arts Centre on Saturday 28 June.

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.

Norwich Arts Centre is the venue for 'I Feel Sh*t' an evening of music from local bands, on Saturday, 28 June 2008, in aid of The Davenport Trust. Bands featured are Hewett School Soul Band, Smaller Than You, Mondatter Funk and The Oli Brown Band. Tickets £5, www.norwichartscentre.co.uk, tel 01603 660352.


The event also includes the premiere of Soft Shoe Shuffle, a short film written and directed by Henrietta Burgess, which confronts the issues surrounding depression.

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.”

The Davenport Trust is performing upstairs at Take 5, Tombland, Norwich on Wednesday, October 10, from 11am to 1pm, to mark World Mental Health Day.

The scenario, created and directed by UEA graduate Henrietta Burgess, is set in the out patients of a mental health hospital. Patients are meeting their therapist for a group therapy session. The therapist will be played by former Anglia TV presenter Helen McDermott and the patients will be played by local actors. Norwich School of Art and Design graduate Matt Reeve has created a special themed set.

James Clarke, Davenport Trust founder said: “Depression unbelievably attacks one in four of us. It is time for this debilitating illness to come out of the closet. The over the top characters in our performance will demonstrate that depression has no barriers and effects people from all walks of life. We do hope that passers-by will pop in and watch our performance unfold.”

“Henrietta Burgess is also Editor of our first publication,” added James Clarke. “She has gathered 50 contributions from young people featuring prose, poetry and art related to the topic of depression. The aim of the book, which will be published in early 2008, is to help sufferers understand and overcome their depression.”

The Davenport Trust Needs You!

To contribute works of prose, poetry, song lyrics, or art related to the topic of depression, and how to overcome it, for a book to be published by the end of this year.

We desperately need your help – depression, even now, can seem a taboo subject; even something to be embarrassed about. The Davenport Trust is looking to SURMOUNT this.

YOU – and your contributions are INTEGRAL to this so PLEASE HELP. It shouldn’t take up too much of your time, but the help you could give other sufferers is inestimable.

Contributions can be up to 1000 words long (and as short as a couple of sentences) – the importance lies in the content – your words could be the very thing that helps another overcome their depression.

For further information, please visit www.davenportrust.org.uk
Or email: henrietta.burgess@davenporttrust.org.uk

Deadline for contributions; 1st September 2007

REMEMBER: one in five of us suffer – but YOU have the power to help.

Thank you so much.

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.

The Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Worstead.
CORPUS CHRISTI
Thursday 7th June, 7.30 pm
SOLEMN MASS AND CEREMONIES
The Rt Revd the Lord Bishop of Norwich
The Sine Momine Choir directed by Dominic Vlasto
organ Patrick Hawes (Composer in Residence at Classic FM)
In aid of The Davenport Trust
The aisles of Worstead Church will be covered in petals creating a carpet of flowers in the nave.
All are welcome
Further information, James Kenelm Clarke, The Davenport Trust tel 01693 538781

Hanison's Restaurant at The Unthank Arms, Norwich was packed on the evening of Friday, March 23 for a dinner to celebrate Tiny Little's achievements for The Davenport Trust. Guest speaker, Dr Ian Gibson MP, paid tribute to Tiny's dedication to the trust and bravery in crossing The Atlantic single-handed. Dr Gibson also presented Tiny with a certificate naming him as Patron of The Davenport Trust.

Davenport Trust founder James Kenelm Clarke was interviewed on Wednesday, March 21 about the work of the trust, by David Hoffman from Norwich's new commercial radio station, Radio Norwich www.999radionorwich.com.

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.

Tiny Little was guest speaker today at Norwich School's assembly in Norwich Cathedral. Tiny outlined The Davenport Trust's work, talked about his solo crossing of The Atlantic and encouraged everyone to come along and support the Parker House busking day on London Street on Sunday, December 3.

More than 100 Norwich School students will be busking on London Street (outside Habitat) on Sunday, December 3, from 10.30am to 3pm, in aid of The Davenport Trust.

Male belly dancers, mime artists, jugglers, guitarists, a recorder group, carol singers and the Parker House Band comprising trombone, trumpet, alto sax, oboe, clarinet, flute and drums will be performing during the day. Davenport Trust founder, James Clarke will also be chipping in with a specially assembled jazz trio at 2pm.

Fran Ellington, Housemaster of Parker House said: “We have a charity fundraiser every year and thought that it would be great fun to stage a public busking day. We are going to have a great time and hope that all the passing Christmas shoppers enjoy our efforts.”

“I know Tiny Little, who rowed the Atlantic last year for the Davenport Trust,” continued Fran Ellington. “His superb achievement inspired us to raise money for the Trust, which is aiming to support young people who suffer from depression. It is so important for us to raise awareness of this illness, which, unbelievably effects one in four of us.”

Rowley Berry, Head Boy of Parker House will be in charge of collecting donations on the day: “I hope lots of people stop for a short while to watch our entertainment. We are all looking forward to the day and raising as much money as possible for The Davenport Trust.”