Past Events

On 21st April, Grippers supporter par-excellence, Rob Gardiner, gave an entertaining talk with beautiful slides on his cycling adventures through China, North America and Cuba. Rob’s talk highlighted adventures, and sometimes scrapes, which most of us would prefer not to think about!

For instance, sliding down a precipice at the side of the road in mountains in British Columbia. It was interesting being drawn into Rob’s thoughts on the solitariness of travelling in unfrequented places abroad. His affirmation, that we humans do need each other, was seen in photos with his friends in North America. We all enjoyed lingering into the evening with a buffet meal to hand and with lots to talk about… The evening raised £465, which will go towards outward-bound projects in the near future.

The eight voices in the ‘Joy of Song’ concert given by OCTAVO delighted the audience in Poulton Church from start to finish. Smiling throughout, the choir entertained with both sacred and humorous songs dating from 16th century to 20th century.

The encore ‘I’m a chucka train’ by Albert Hammond gave us a good fast vehicle in which to travel home after the song ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’ and previous gems such as ‘Bogoroditsye Dyevo’ from the vespers by Rachmaninov and ‘Sing Joyfully’ by William Byrd.

Grippers is very grateful both to Octavo and Poulton Church for allowing us to collect a handsome figure to help the charity fund activities for those recovering from psychosis.

Beautiful weather on this Saturday afternoon in mid-June enabled the Grippers walkers to enjoy another highly successful walk, once again choosing the River Severn as an inspiring view to accompany the walkers throughout.

We started at The Red Lion pub at Arlingham, Gloucester, GL2 7JN – highly recommended for those who do not know it already and who like riverside walking. The visible ‘goose-neck’ loop of the river is attractive and beckons: and so it is that all eleven walkers finished this walk by lunch-time. The manager and staff of The Red Lion were very welcoming, taking food orders before the walk. Beers and hot food were ready for us and they joined in the spirit of our day with their generous donation. Sponsorship came to a grand total of £610.

The trustees are pleased to let you know that the Grippers coffee morning on Friday 28th February raised £601.19 for the charity.

This year, we are already committed to paying for equipment for the GRIP Women’s Group (Gloucestershire Recovery In Psychosis) and for trips away for residents in three care homes for people in recovery in psychosis.

Thank you very much for your support.

The Grippers Sponsored Walk on 27th October, 2013 was a great success! We all managed the 5 miles under quite tricky conditions in slippery, hilly, though very pretty, woods.

The last two miles were over a stretch of green fields and a lane which we sauntered down to our destination, the Daneway pub at Sapperton.

The sun shone through the woods and there was only a little rain to fight off!

Thank you very much to the walkers and to the sponsors. Without Grippers’ help, psychosis sufferers would not be able to take part in a number of important activities.

This, our sixth Grippers Sponsored Walk, was a success. Several hundred pounds were raised, thus ensuring continued financial support for activities for young adults during their recovery from psychosis.

The Charity T-shirts, with the rainbow emblem, perfectly represented the contrasting weather – the sun shone and the rain poured! A very British picnic was held under the shelter of a barn roof on Sandhurst Hill; the view of the golden fields a reminder of the glorious sun of the previous hour. From the barn, we slid down the muddy path onto Wainlode Hill. Dogs and buggies led the way! A short stop at the Red Lion pub on the banks of the River Severn gave us time to reflect on this site being perfect for viewing the Severn Bore. Our final trek to our vehicles at Norton Village Hall was over wet ground, but we departed happy.

The caller Fiona Jarvis ensured that she kept everyone on their toes for the Grippers’ barn dance

This was great fun and very well supported, with Bailey’s Beads provided lively music. Fund-raising was augmented by a raffle and an auction with interesting items, including a ride in a fast car at Castle Combe and also a signed Gloucester Rugby shirt.

About fifty people attended the very successful ‘The Islay Whisky Trail’ evening, which was kindly hosted by Andrew and Robina Sabourin.

Highlights included a fascinating talk about the whiskies, along with tastings and including lines from Robbie Burns and tunes on the bagpipes. We then had fabulous haggis, neeps and tatties prepared by Robina and finished the evening with some lovely pictures of Islay.

This was a fruitful partnership between psychosis sufferers, Grippers charity members and friends when they combined to raise money.

This was a highly productive year in which publicity was good and funds were boosted.