Day of Donation: Thursday 15th December

Well the sponsorship money is still coming in for the Beard Off we held in the summer, but I should have a total for you before the end of the fundraising year - though on the night we took around £1000, so it was a great event all in all. Here are a few photos from the night of the poor unfortunates...

In the meantime here's what we have planned for the end of the fundraising year. So it's December now, a time when most people will be getting ready to welcome a load of new stuff into their house. But what about the old stuff? Well, as it's probably a bit late for a Nice to be Nice fundraising event, I'm suggesting that Nice to be Nice members make a donation to one of the Simon Community Shops in Belfast, Newtownards, Ballynahinch or Bangor, on or around Donation Day: Thursday15th December. It's easy enough, gather up a few items that you no longer need or will be upgrading soon, and the Simon Community will pick them up from you. It really couldn't be simpler. If you'd like us to arrange a pick up for you, then simply get in touch in the comments section or via the Facebook event page here. Alternatively call 028 90 232 882 to arrange a pick up time that suits you.

This month will really started to see the cold weather hit, and thoughts start to go out to those who don't have the same comforts that the vast majority of us do. I know times are still hard for a few people, but even a donation of a few simple items can make a difference.

Or how about donating your time for a few hours in December? The Simon Community are always looking for volunteers and have a number of events lined up. Call the same number above or vistit the Simon Community website. http://www.simoncommunity.org/fundraising/volunteer/

Belfast Beard Off

Well the Book Swap was a great success and raised over £300 for the Simon Community. And next month, thanks to the kindness and enthusiasm of a few good hairy men, we have another shave event on the horizon.


On Friday the 22nd of July five friends with facial furniture shall be revealing their chins for all to see! Ninja Joe Maxwell, Connor 'Murzo' Murray, beardy Mark McQuillan, inappropriate Kris Telford and Tomas 'Pirate Tom' Bamford, are all shaving their beards for the very worthwhile cause.
There'll be live music from: 

Kris Telford 
Stormzone's Kev Harris
and the amazing Phoenix 23!

And not only that, but you will also have the chance to come on stage and shave one of the hapless beardy types yourself! On the night of the beard off you will be asked to take a blank envelope and a pen (provided for you), you will then be asked to place a donation to the Simon Community in the envelope. Then its a simple matter of writing your name, how much you have donated, and who you would like to shave on the front of the envelope. The highest bid for each person gets to shave them live on stage!!

This will be a sell out event, so be sure to get down to the middle bar of the Pavillion on the Ormeau Road nice and early! Entrance fee is £3 and all proceeds go to the Simon Community.

Beard shaving equipment kindly provided by Hedonist Hair, the rockingest hair dressers in Belfast!


You can check out the Facebook event page here

Children's Book Swap Event

We kick off our 2011 fundraising program on behalf of the Simon Community with a Children's Book Swap and Family Fun Day at The Black Box Belfast, Saturday 2nd April, 12-3pm.

The 2nd of April marks International Children's Book Day and to celebrate we're holding a Children's Book Swap and Family Fun Day at Belfast's Black Box. A great way encourage reusuability, children bring along a book or books, get a token and can redeem these against other books donated. In doing so they save paper, save trees and discover some amazing literary favourites and recommendations from other kids and parents.

The event will host a number of family orientated activities including craft stalls (ideal for that last minute Mother's Day present), a toy jumble sale, recycled crafts, face painting, a raffle, entertainment, refreshments and more.

Entry is £2 per adult and FREE for children (all children must be accompanied by an adult), and money raised will go to The Simon Community - The Northern Ireland Charity for the homeless.

To find out more about the Simon Community and the valuable work they do in N. Ireland, please check out their website. 
http://www.simoncommunity.org/