As a posted early this morning, I've been touched by a foundation called BIRT. If you still don't know what they're about go to my Tumblr: http://stricklyleisure.tumblr.com/post/4001436052/mcflydares-no-im-not-just-talking-aboutto prep yourself before you read this interview. I was also recently touched by four particular girls on Twitter since I've re-opened my account. Their diligence and passion for this cause has l ask the question, "Why?"
To answer my question, I decided do get in contact with them. Having recently been an active voter for McFly's recent Pioneer Presenter Group I realised I had supported one of the McFlyDARES girls, Miss Jay Julier, in her endeavour to be the PP for the ... show. Eager to answer my questions, here's how our e-mail interview went:
1. What attracted you personally to BIRT?
I actually have a mental health condition that I was diagnosed with when I was ten years old. Now it’s nowhere near as substantial as those that are helped by BIRT, but I can completely relate to wanting to experience things the same as everybody else takes for granted. For example, the opportunities to attend concerts, to attend the theatre, to go to the cinema, everyday things that we can all do, but without somebody to assist them, these people can’t. And why shouldn’t they? A lot of charities are based around providing the absolute bare essentials, the fundamentals, which is fantastic. But why not provide that little bit extra – a true new ease of life? It is one thing to merely survive, but quite another to truly live. My condition has strong links with depression and anxiety, and I have been in a position before where I have simply been so ill I couldn’t face anything or anyone. The only way I get out of bed in the morning is by focusing on the exciting plans I have for the future, by planning ahead and making the most of every single day. And by being a part of Eyes Alight I can provide that satisfaction to other people, something I just couldn’t face life without.
2. How long have you personally supported BIRT?
I have been aware of BIRT since the beginning of January this year, but only truly found out about it after being in the audience for The Cube, seeing Tom Fletcher raise money for the cause. After seeing how important it was to Izzy Johnston (the founder of Eyes Alight), and her reaction upon hearing how much he raised, as well as finding out their average turnover is only £2,500 a year. I knew I had to find out more. So I researched the cause and after finding out more about it, I couldn’t not be involved.
3. With the launch of the Eyes Alight Appeal, what made you say to yourself, "SOLD! I want to join this cause."?
I have been involved in charity work for as long as I have been able to, there is a photo of me at five years old carrying a charity bucket! So it seemed only natural as an adult now to be involved in as much charity work as possible. Eyes Alight in particular is something I can truly relate to, and I am deeply passionate about through my own relevant experience. I think it truly makes a difference when someone is talking to you about a charity if they are really passionate about it and if they know everything and have experienced something similar first hand. That’s why I think we’ve been so successful so far!
4. Who are "McFlyDARES" and how did you become "McFlyDARES"?
McFlyDARES was actually set up by a few friends of mine, Sarah Lawson, Hannah Campbell and Lucy Copley. All fellow McFly fans who, after being inspired - much as I was, by Tom’s incredible fundraising on The Cube television show, decided that they would also like to raise some money for the cause. The idea of McFlyDAERES came about as a combination of finding something to do while camping for the upcoming McFly gigs (we all regularly camp overnight to obtain the best places!) and how they could make that [usual “tradition”] raise money for charity. Then McFlyDAERES came about - why not have a bit of harmless fun, do something silly, to pass the time and who says we couldn’t get sponsored for it? It started off as merely fancy dress (£1 donation to participate) and has escalated into all sorts of things. Our most successful [fundraiser] so far has simply been selling hugs for 50p! I actually became involved in the cause not so long ago, I am very good friends with Lucy Copley of the original trio who started it off and she was asking me for some advice since I am an Events Management student and I have been involved in charity fundraising before. Since I have a lot of experience in that department she approached the other two to request that I be a part of the team to help them out. And here we are!
5. You recently jumped into the ocean as part of your commitment to the appeal, why?!
Haha! Yes I did, well I actually swam in the ocean - I think jumping would’ve killed me. Basically I decided that to boost the donations a little bit, our audience needed a bit of a bribe. So I announced online that if we reached over £300 online by the end of the Bournemouth gig on theAbove The Noise tour then straight afterwards I would swim in the sea. That way people could see me swim if they chose to and the fact that it was dark and cold made the dare more worthy! If anything it just proves how passionate I am about the cause, it means a lot to me and I’m willing to do anything to ensure that the appeal gets the coverage it so deserves.
6. You also recently interviewed McFly (congratulations on your win for thePioneer Presenter Competition - you did well) where you briefly told the boys about your participation in a cause that they all support, how did it feel letting them know that there are fans out there behind them in their own commitment to the cause?
Thank you very much, it was great fun. I intended anyway to broadcast some information about McFlyDAERES. Super City has a huge following of over 20,000 subscribers and that way I knew I could reach a lot of people in a very short space of time and encourage them to donate. I knew previously how important the cause is to Harry Judd (Izzy Johnston’s partner) and therefore I felt it only right he knew what we were doing so that Izzy would be aware of the money we were raising for them. I think he was very touched by it all but it should be noted that it was mentioned in the interview so that Izzy would be aware of what we were doing for her, and that fans watching would be encouraged to donate, not for recognition from McFly. The fact that they are very grateful that we are involved in the same cause is wonderful, and I love the boys dearly and had a lot of fun with them, but the two things are mutually exclusive. We both support the same cause, this was a means of getting as large an audience as possible as well as letting Izzy know of all the stuff we are doing for her. Granted I did not win the Pioneer Presenter competition with the intention of mentioning it originally, but when it came down to it there was nothing I wanted to talk about more. It will stand as one of the best days of my life for many reasons, meeting and interviewing McFly (who have been my favourite band for 7 years) being but one of them.
7. So obviously your cause is in conjunction with McFly’s Above the Noise Tour, do you think your cause will go INTERNATIONAL?
I would love for it to; we have had a lot of interest in people fundraising overseas so I don’t see why not. It is a cause based in the UK so I believe the donations would have to be online but find me somewhere that doesn’t have the internet! Of course we would be more than happy to help out with organising things overseas although actually attending could be difficult. The more people know about the cause the better, the more donations to the cause the better.
8. If it does, how much money do you think it will raise?
Oh gosh I don’t know. We’ve raised over £500 in not a very long time so the sky’s the limit!Eyes Alight’s aim is to raise over £100,000 and I will continue to help for as long as I possibly can, even when they surpass that goal, which they will.
9. Now I have to ask the inevitable question, does 100% of every donation go to BIRT and the Eyes Alight Appeal?
Oh yes absolutely 100%. We have absolutely no interest in any personal gain. This is solely for the Eyes Alight Appeal, every single penny goes straight to them.
10. Finally, when does the appeal officially end?
It doesn’t officially end! It will be an ongoing appeal for as long as we feel we can help. I for one will continue to raise money for as long as we are needed, until I see everybody’s eyes alight.
Thank you to Jay Julier for agreeing to do this interview and I hope to hear the inspiring and encouraging stories of the rest of McFlyDARES. I hope you've been inspired to donate to this cause.
Lots of Love, sL
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