CHARITY
2021
Each month, Jackson Films chooses a charity and makes a contribution.
This is our way of giving back.
See who's been picked this month or drop us a message and make a suggestion for next month.
January 2021
Honnold Foundation
Reading Alex's book, Alone on the Wall and immediately after, watching Free Solo (2018), it was an easy choice to acknowledge such an incredible individual achievement through a contribution to his foundation.
Even if you're not into climbing, you will be impressed by the film crew's ability to capture this remarkable story.
Taken from the website:
"The Honnold Foundation envisions a world where all people have equal access to opportunity and live in balance with the environment. We believe in solar as a proven, environmentally sound solution to global energy poverty, and we award grants to community organizations whose projects are innovative, equity-focused, and have the potential to shift the narrative on what’s possible for energy access worldwide."
February 2021
Bumblebee Conservation Trust
I filmed a press release at Kew Gardens a few years ago for their bee and insect pollinator awareness event.
It was a fascinating and insightful day that keeps coming back to me whenever the plight of bees reappear in the news.
Check out the resources available from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, as well as the
British Bee Coalition (www.britishbeecoalition.org)
to see what super simple contributions you can make to supporting bees and insect pollinators.
Taken from the website:
"Bumblebees are an important and cherished component of our biodiversity. Several species are threatened with national extinction. We aim to ensure that populations of these species have a longterm future in the UK. Our more common bumblebee species contribute significantly to our economy through the pollination of crops. Pollination is vital for many of the nation’s wild plants and it helps to maintain affordable five-a-day fruit and vegetables. Bumblebees also support the wider ecosystem through pollinating a diversity of wild plant species."
March 2021
Groundwater Relief
One of the best things about being an independent filmmaker is the way it introduces you to people and organisations you may not have otherwise come across.
My wife told me about the challenges her friend's husband's work has in helping distribute water to those who need it most.
It's very easy to take for granted the fact that we just need to turn the tap on to get water. Not everyone in the world is so lucky.
Taken from the website:
"Groundwater Relief provides technical support to organisations engaged in supplying water to the world's poorest and most vulnerable people.
Via our membership of over 300 technical experts, we help organisations construct and manage groundwater infrastructure in a professional, responsible, cost effective and sustainable way, engaging local authorities, companies and institutions."
April 2021
Vranch House
I am very lucky to live on a road that has a strong sense of community and so many families with young children. One of the families organised a plant and bake sale to raise money for a wheelchair accessible school bus for the local Independent Day School for children with complex physical difficulties. I wasn't able to make it but did provide some cakes as well as this month's donation.
Taken from the website:
"Vranch House School provides unique learning opportunities for children aged 2 to 18 with significant physical difficulties. Children may experience associated difficulties including: visual impairment and/or hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, severe, multiple and profound learning needs or complex medical needs. Educational and clinical work is integrated in a curriculum developed specifically to meet the challenges these children face both now and in the future."
May 2021
RD&E Charity
We were blessed with our second baby daughter at the beginning of May, which made for an easy choice for this month's donation.
The care and support received by all members of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the RD&E was exceptional. Thank you.
Taken from the website:
"The RD&E Charity raises money to support the amazing and often lifesaving work that takes place across the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust."
June 2021
UNICEF
Living in the UK, I feel incredibly lucky to have been given access to COVID-19 vaccines. I settled on supporting UNICEF to donate towards the global fight against COVID-19, as not only are they part of the COVAX programme, they are a child-centric charity that takes a holistic approach to overcome the challenges many children face today.
Taken from the website:
"UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive and fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
The world’s largest provider of vaccines, we support child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality education and skill building, HIV prevention and treatment for mothers and babies, and the protection of children and adolescents from violence and exploitation."
July 2021
HELPMADINA
I've been a Type-1 Diabetic for well over a decade and know first-hand how quickly you can become ill when you can't get access to insulin. Thankfully, accessing insulin via the NHS in the UK is straightforward, other countries and communities have to overcome incredibly challenging obstacles.
Taken from the website:
"In 2008, whilst Veronica was working in a town called Kambia, she witnessed the death of a previously fit and healthy young man. He had developed type 1 diabetes and was in desperate need of insulin. There was no insulin available and he lapsed into a diabetic coma. She could not believe that someone died simply because insulin was not available.
Insulin has been available since 1922 and is classified as an essential drug by the WHO. However, there are no reliable supplies of insulin in the country, so the life expectancy for a person who develops type 1 diabetes in Sierra Leone is estimated to be less than a year."
August 2021
EXETER COMMUNITY
INITIATIVES
It is always difficult to choose one charity over another when looking to support local causes but I was pleased to discover the ECI, which supports a range of important initiatives across the city.
Taken from the website:
"Exeter Community Initiatives helps people facing poverty, inequality and homelessness to get their lives back on track.
We do this by developing new projects to help people develop skills to help them succeed in life, improve their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing and increase their sense of belonging.
We work with partners supporting people with experience of homelessness, alcohol and substance misuse and mental health issues."
September 2021
EXETER FOOD ACTION
Before Jackson Films came into existence, I had studied and worked as a Food Scientist. It is great to see the work by Exeter Food Action redistributing food to those who need it most.
Taken from the website:
"All food received is donated to organisations that support more vulnerable people in Exeter, including those affected by hunger, homelessness, family breakdown, low incomes, poverty, benefit uncertainty, abuse, poor nutrition and those receiving palliative care.
So we share food with soup kitchens, hostels, food banks, community cafés, schools, hospices, and others. Any group can access our food as long as they are local to us, and do not make a profit from the sale of the food. Food is not resold or given to individuals.
Every year, we rescue over 30 tonnes of food, and save the groups that receive it over £80,000."
October 2021
The work that MSF does is truly inspiring and life-saving. Some of the situations that are reported are beyond comprehension and make it difficult to know how to offer support. This is why Jackson Films is donating.
Taken from the website:
"We are an international, medical humanitarian organisation working in more than 70 countries around the world.
Our medical teams act fast to save people’s lives in conflict zones, natural disasters and epidemics. We go where we are needed most."
November 2021
DISASTERS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE
The situation in Afghanistan sounds dire. Often when reading the reports of these disasters, it is difficult to know who to help. Donating is one way.
Taken from the website:
"The situation in Afghanistan is catastrophic. Almost 9 million people are on the brink of famine as drought, conflict and the Covid-19 pandemic have caused a surge in hunger. Children are dying today, and a million more under the age of five are at risk of dying over the next three months. We need to act now."
December 2021
Marcus Rashford brought this charity to my attention and the aim seems simple: Redressing the issue of food waste vs hungry people. I can support that.
Taken from the website:
"We redistribute surplus food to charities that turn it into meals.
We are doers. We are a community. We change lives."