MEARFEST NORTH 2019 AND BEYOND

This year we announced that we need to change how we go about business, as in every sense fundraising is a business. We have had various ideas on how to move forward, by spreading the taboo word that is stillbirth around the world, by continuing to use Molly's name and her legendary handprint.

We only started all this just three years ago, it feels like ten, by achieving so much and we know that her little hand and her name has opened up people's hearts and minds that stillbirth can happen to any one of us, whatever age whatever background. The whole subject can be an awkward one, but how we have handled this has just been a natural progression, with many trials and errors, and many lessons learnt along the way, so it doesn't seem awkward anymore, in fact this subject matter can now flow a lot easier, mothers and fathers of sleeping babies are now able to talk openly at our events to each other and to others who have never even heard of such things until now, with trust and compassion, all via our social media and online websites. This for us is an achievement. We do not need awards, just to see our daughters hand move amongst the crowds is enough. Our dilemma to date is where do we go from here.

We have thought about this since the Butterfly awards, where we saw a lot of the same types of things going on, we realised while walking away with no award, that we are unique in what we do. No one does what we do using rock music events, t-shirts, art and poetry to help those who have lost to talk, and to spread the word that this shit happens to the best of us. We have big plans for next year, 20/20 vision as they say, we wish to grow bigger and be better than ever before, involving many friends who have been with us along the way to meeting new people with ideas and energy.

We wish to keep donating, we have decided to split out final amounts into thirds, one third of whatever we earn to a charity, this time it will be once again the wonderful Down Syndrome North East, as they were so kind in coming down to see us all last weekend. Even though they were not expecting a penny this time, they really got involved and for that we just adore each one of them. And Molly would have been six and enjoying her own special clubs by now. The people at DSNE help us feel closer to her in this way. And we are so close to donating to DSNE .....TEN THOUSAND POUNDS!!!!

One third will go on our costs of running all this, from all stationary, printing cost, t-shirts, to admin costs for our website, to travel costs, and just the sheer amount of time we put into this on a day to day level. Every night when Amélie is in bed I am dealing with Mearfest stuff, answering emails, some of them heartbreaking, most uplifting and proud moments, to uploading your wonderful photos god bless you all, to writing blogs, sending merch, creating artwork, it just goes on and on. Same goes to Brian, every day he is doing nearly the same, we are very visible online. And we are always here for any one who has gone through the same experiences we have.

The final third we need to bank, for future events or anything next year brings us. We have been asked to create some events for some bands, which will be a new venture this takes time and funding. But the revenue earnt will again go back into the three separate pots, so in time we can give more and achieve more.

Whatever we do, all you loyal Mearfesters know, we are not cheap, we give away so much of our time, energy and whatever items we may have. We hold onto nothing, (maybe Brian holds on to a few CDs here and there) its all material, it's not a life that is irreplaceable.

We need to look into raising our own £5k for us to register as a charity, I know this can take a lot of time to achieve, from past experiences from other charities, and there are many rules and regulations, then the red tape to wade through, by then we would have more of an understanding as to how we will proceed with who we are. It's our new challenge.

​So, last weekend we raised just over £2K. Which is amazing. We are donating £750 to DSNE inclusive of gift aid. Which they don't know about yet!!!! the rest was split as we had costs from Newcastle and annual admin costs for our website and those awards which we cant be bothered to mention.......
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE TIME PATIENCE SUPPORT.
ALL OUR LOVE CLAIRE BRIAN AMÉLIE AND MOLLY

LET'S MAKE IT £10K