“Al Murray and Friends” at The Tivoli Theatre to benefit CamKids

On 30th June and 1st July Al Murray 'The Pub Landlord' (and CamKids Patron) will be hosting an evening of comedy in aid of CamKids at The Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne Minster, Dorset.

Guest acts include premier children’s entertainer Jeremy Lion, Jewish heavy metal band Guns ‘n’ Moses and the Daily Show’s Andy Zaltzman. Other top turns may join the bill !

To make a booking please telephone the Box Office on 01202 885566 (opening Times, Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm, Saturday 10am - 1pm) or go to www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk

Al Murray - 'The Pub Landlord' is Patron of CamKids

The comedian Al Murray (also known as The Pub Landlord) became the patron of CamKids when it was launched in March 2007.

Cambodia came to Al’s attention when his close friends Dom and Benita Sharpe, who are 2 of the trustees of CamKids, adopted a little Cambodian girl in June, 2004.

Dom asked Al to host a fundraising evening in January 2006 to pay for the building of a medical centre at the Kais Village orphanage, where their daughter came from. From here, Al’s interest grew and when he was asked if he would like to become a patron of the charity - he was delighted and accepted immediately.

Al, his wife Amber (now also a trustee) and their children, travelled to Cambodia in April of 2007, to see for themselves the projects which the charity would be supporting, and check on the progress of the medical centre one year on.

Al and his family immediately fell in love with Cambodia and the spirit of the people who live there – people who have suffered so much in recent history. They spent most of their time at the orphanage playing with the children and babies and becoming far too emotionally attached !

Al says “Although when you first get to Cambodia it seems to be a country beset with problems, you can do a lot with a little. Four dollars (only two pounds) buys forty loaves of bread – so although things may seem hopeless at first glance, it’s far from impossible to make a difference.”

Al, along with the trustees, is determined to make CamKids a success, so that the projects which you will be supporting by your generosity will benefit children for years to come.

The Flute Player

The Flute Player, a documentary and performance of traditional Chapei music from Cambodia, is being presented at a number of venues around the UK during July & August.

" If the Khmer Rouge had not taken over Cambodia in 1975, Arn Chorn-Pond probably would have carried on his family's legacy and become an opera star. Instead, at the age of nine Arn was thrust directly into the darkness of Cambodia's Killing Fields. For four years Arn struggled to stay alive amidst torture, murder, and front line combat.

As his family and culture were destroyed, Arns musical talent kept him from perishing in a genocide that took the lives of 2 million Cambodians. This film shows how Arn finds the remaining master musicians of his country and helps them work together to teach new students Cambodian folk music.

Now after living in the U.S. for 20 years, Arn faces the dark shadows of his war-torn past as he fights to save Cambodia's once outlawed traditional music from extinction. An extraordinary story of survival, The Flute Player is a testament to one man's triumph over tragedy. "

Venues and dates can be found at the website of Cambodia Living Arts UK: www.cambodianlivingarts.co.uk

Great British Duck Race - Guinness World record attempt

The Cambodian Children's Charity, is to take part in the Great British Duck Race Guinness World record attempt. The Duck Race will take place on the River Thames at Hampton Court Palace on 2nd September, when 165,000 rubber ducks will ‘race’ down a 1km stretch of the river. Anyone can ‘adopt’ a duck for £2, plus a recommended £3 donation to charity. The owner of the duck that crosses the finishing line first will win £10,000.

Guinness World Record.
The World Record for a Duck Race is currently held by The Singapore Duck Race, which successfully sold and raced 123,500 ducks in 2001. The Great British Duck Race was launched in London on April 26, by TV presenter Gaby Logan. This is a great opportunity for The Cambodian Children's Charity to raise much-needed funds. Please encourage your friends and family to support the charity and adopt as many ducks as possible.

Current Project - Orphanage Kitchen & Canteen

This is one of the current projects being funded by the Charity. We are still looking for donors to help cover the fitting out, furnishing and ongoing costs. If you would like to find out more about the Charity or can make a donation, please visit http://www.camkids.org/ - mark any donation ‘Canteen’. Alternatively, e-mail: info@camkids.org.

New Fundraisers on Justgiving

2 new fundraising sites have been created at Justgiving.com. Please support them and spread the word !

www.justgiving.com/barefootcamino - 600 mile barefoot walk through France & Spain

www.justgiving.com/matthewtyler - Etape du Tour 2007 cycling event

If you would like to organise a sponsored event and need help setting up a Justgiving site or would like to receive some fundraising material, please contact us at info@camkids.org or go to www.justgiving.com/tccc/raisemoney to set up your own JustGiving site.