Hi, my name is Mary and I am fundraising for A-Sisterhood.
During the day I moonlight as an Entrepreneurship Assistant, but it's Fundraising and Community Work that have my heart. I have been fundraising using my own business Your Pet Portraits since its inception in 2012. Over the years I have supported numerous charities, including Comfort Cases UK, A Skye Full of Stars, Cancer Research and Hope House Hospice.
As a Miss Universe Finalist this year, I aim to raise enough funds For Miss Universe Great Britain's A-Sisterhood, to be able to partake in the once in a life time trips to India and the Philippines, to support charities and organisations that empower women and support those in need.
A-Sisterhood is an organisation that donates funds to a variety of women's charities regionally, nationally and internationally. Combining the words Assist, and Sisterhood, this organisation champions collaboration, community and empowerment in the name of women. With charities such as Welsh Women's Aid, Llamau and Smalls For All in the UK, and Stop Acid Attacks, The Black Mambas and Consider the Lilly, in India, Africa and Manila respectively, A-Sisterhood aims to support, empower and protect women worldwide.
My own personal experiences allow me to empathise with women who benefit from these charities, and I am aiming to utilise the platform I have within education, creative arts and Miss Universe to make a huge difference to the lives of women who need support.
Coming from an adverse background myself and spending time in Foster Care as a child, I know only too well the difficulties you can face when labelled as a minority and it can be a huge challenge when you feel like you dont belong or have anywhere to turn.
At 16 I had to leave home and live in a vulnerable women's hostel, after gaining help from a charity very similar to Llamau, which helps homeless women get off the streets.
I had a support worker and was able to access higher education in order to gain a career, and now in my role working within Wrexham University I am supporting young people to become more entrepreneurial and employable while they study.
I aim through my creative practice workshops and collaboration with The King's Trust to offer workshops in creative practice this coming year, using creativity as a catalyst for building confidence through sessions like 20 Seconds of Courage and Where does Confidence Come From?
It is with this and my background in mentoring women in confidence workshops, public speaking and community work, that I hope people can support this incredible cause.
I will be doing a series of fitness challenges and small events where you can donate, in addition a percentage from each purchase of Art work from my collections will go to A-Sisterhood.
Please join me in this incredible movement towards Celebrating Women, their achievements and empowering them to live better lives. We all deserve to thrive. <3
M. xxx
Organizer
