The Beer Goggles Strategy

My fundraising is now going well. In addition to the fantastic pledges of my work colleagues, many of my history buddies have also contributed to the pot.

I spent a very interesting evening in the Beer Tent at Herstmonceux Castle on Sunday Night - at England's Medieval Festival in Sussex.  I have trouble comprehending just how many people have been touched by cancer - so much that they will contribute to a localised hospital Chemo Unit - which is far away from where they live. As I said in my speech (short, succinct as all my speeches are..... No, really, they are..... Oy! Stop sniggering) I've lost far too many good friends to adequately describe how much it affects us, wherever we are in the UK. And so many more have been 'eaten', changed, or lost loved ones. The worry, the pain, the hardship, the despair, the ridiculous and bizarre outcomes (yep that's you my hairy soled friend) and the horrid side effects of the treatments - which is what the Chemo unit and their counterparts all over the world have to deal with.  All too much to bear.  So altogether a very worthy cause confirmed.

As I walked around the Beer Tent shaking my ..... Collecting tin, (stop it you lot) I collected not only coins and notes, but stories, and love, and gratitude. For my litle efforts seem very worthwhile all of a sudden. Eyes glisten. Sighs. Tales of hope.

And a few happy glances at my outfit. (Bosworth 2285 for those that remember it- (er - can you remember a date in the future?)). I guess an adjective would be 'voluptuous',  Happily, the word still exists and has not yet been banned by the thought police in favour of the 'mankini' and 'jeggings' - please see my facebook group 'Voluptuous is a wonderful word. Let's get it back in the Concise OED' and pledge your support there.....

This is where the beer goggles come in. I was advised by a very cheeky friend (female) to collect coins in the purposeful blue plastic collecting tin and keep all notes down the cleavage of a substantially structured leather corset. I didn't go that far (well it might be lost to the world down there!) but did notice a strong correlation between the amount contributed and the lateness of the evening. Gender was also a factor!  But there wasn't a lot of actual flesh on show, I promise.... No, really, there wasn't.... Honestly, you lot,!!!! There might have been a little dancing. There might have even been a few kissed cheeks. But the beer goggles were just looking  - and donations increased steadily throughout the evening.  So much so that the tin I carried to the end of the evening, had THREE TIMES the money of the one that went home earlier in the evening.  Well Girls - my advice for your future fundraising is

Flaunt it!