Sweet Charity

By John Randall – www.facebook.com/jrsussexphotography

In my first blog, I mentioned that I was made redundant last September. For anyone who has lost their job, I was left with a sense of what do I do now? In between looking at various job boards, I also used the time to think about how I might be able to take my love of photography to another level and that led me to set up JR Sussex Photography.

However, I also decided to use my photography to help a local charity and for me it seemed logical to support the Shoreham Foodbank. After all, for two-years I’ve been doing their social media marketing on a voluntary basis, creating stories for local Facebook Groups as well as uploading Twitter and Instagram posts.  So back in November, I decided to create my Shoreham Sunsets 2021 calendar with a donation from each one sold going to the foodbank. I was overwhelmed by the response from the local community and to my surprise the calendar was sold out by Christmas. So thank you to everyone who bought one.

Food for thought

Shoreham Foodbank is just one of many charities in the local area and all deserve as much support as we feel able to give them. Here are some facts and figures about how much the foodbank is needed in the area and if you forgive the pun, it gives food for thought.

The foodbank runs two sessions a week and is open on Tuesday and Friday mornings between 10am and 12noon. In January and February this year the foodbank provided three days’ worth of emergency food for 638 adults and 353 children, a staggering 991 people in total. On average that’s 220kg of food given out to families in Shoreham, Southwick, Fishersgate and Lancing. Any of out-of-date or short-dated food items are donated to The Purple People Kitchen foodbank in Portslade.

Best of Shoreham photo competition and fundraiser

I’m delighted therefore that EnjoyShorehamBySea is helping to raise money for the foodbank along with the Dog’s Trust via their monthly photography competition.  There have been some great images so far this year and you don’t need an expensive camera to enter. Remember, all my images are taken using my mobile phone.

Your photos can be of nature, local life, community – pretty much anything and everything to do with our beautiful town. All winners will receive a professionally framed photo of their entry, and will be credited on a Wall of Fame page. The 12 winning photos will then be made into a Best of EnjoyShorehamBySea 2022 Calendar which will be on sale in October 2021.

For more information on how to enter go to Best of Shoreham-by-Sea 2021 photo competition.

Back to work

Fortunately for me, my time out of work was relatively short-lived and at the end of February, I started work part-time as Fundraiser for Electric Storm Youth, a fantastic charity which provides services for young people in Lancing, Sompting and Shoreham, supporting teenagers now by laying the foundations for the future.

Don’t give up

The past year has been hard for everyone and more than ever we need to help each other get through lockdown and to better times that will return. It may not be for everyone but I know that my voluntary work helped me get me my new job. Redundancy also gave me an opportunity to be more creative through photography.

So if you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t despair. Take time to think what you would like to do, try out a new hobby and perhaps think about volunteering for one of the many great local charities in the area.

Are you a local to Shoreham-By-Sea and have a story to tell about our wonderful town? Then get your story online! #EnjoyShorehamBySea are looking for contributors to celebrate all the wonderful things to do, find and discover of our past, present and future. So if you wanna get published online please contact us today.