Christmas On Credit

“Was Santa good to you this year?”. The words every child is asked at Christmas time, the answer to which can only be yes in the eyes of their parents. Who just want to do best by their children by any means necessary and that can sometimes land them in trouble.


Financial trouble, at Christmas time, is always a tough time financially but for some families it can be far tougher and the rest of the new year can also become a struggle too.

In a recent channel 4 documentary, “Christmas on Credit”, these problems are addressed and explains just how difficult the Christmas period can be for Britain’s poorer families. 

It opens with statistics claiming that 11% of British families are still paying off money that they borrowed for Christmas 2012, 93% feel that they are under pressure to spend too much during the festive period and around 15% of British adults plan to take out a loan for this year. 

Perfection is strived for so nonchalantly that the struggle that follows can be very harrowing, but it is kept aside until the new year then the worrying truly begins.

Around seven million people will borrow money this Christmas and four million of that will borrow just so that they can provide their families with a good hearty Christmas dinner. 

For one of the families interviewed in the documentary, the loan taken out for 2012’s Christmas has still not been paid off and are planning on taking out another loan on credit to pay for this year. At a nationwide average of £822, though, does it comes as any surprise that debt will arise for those on benefits who struggle to make it through the week let alone Christmas.

Loans on credit that have been given out last Christmas and have failed to have been paid will result in lower credit scores, meaning that loans this year will be declined. This will mean that this Christmas will be difficult but if you can scrape by then great, but what about next year?

The stigma of the whole idea and pleasantries of Christmas dull down the negative thoughts of the repayments are kept at bay because seeing the smiles on their children's’ faces is worth it.

However all of this being said, what are your thoughts? Do you think that Christmas has been over-hyped and become the source of anxiety amongst many British households? Obviously it is a great festive time that should be full of joy and time with your family, but should it cause so much strain on people? 

If you'd like to find out more about how you can help to raise vital funds for With Kids please click HERE. You can contact us on Facebook or Twitter or call us on 0141 550 5770.

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With kids Christmas Appeal 2013

The countdown to Christmas begins!

This is the time where most of us will be thinking about what gifts you are getting your friends and family, what to wear to your Christmas parties, and of course, preparing for that all important Christmas Dinner.

However, Christmas can be a very difficult time of the year for many of us, so if you can help in any way, please make a donation to With Kids.

For many children, Christmas is simply another day without the fun and warmth that the rest of us take for granted. Poverty, family breakdown or illness are just some of the reasons that a child will wake to find that Santa hasn't come this year.

With Kids aims to provide a Christmas for families who would otherwise struggle. We provide presents and food hampers for families in need. We also have a special day with dinner, entertainment and a visit from Santa.

To enable this to happen we are in desperate need of donations and are looking for:

• Children's toys
• Stocking fillers
• Non-perishable food items for hampers

If you are able to donate just one thing, this would go a long way to making it a very merry Christmas.

Donate Glasgow

To donate children's toys. stocking fillers and non-perishable food items for hamper's for With Kids Glasgow please drop them into our office at 15 Annfield Place Dennistoun, Glasgow

Donate Edinburgh

If you would like to donate non perishable food for With Kids Edinburgh just pop into the Chesser, ASDA and fill up the With Kids trolley! The address is 3 New Market Road, EH14 1RS. Or you drop any donations into our Edinburgh office at 1 Hailesland Road, Edinburgh.

Donate Online with Amazon Wishlist

We have also created a Christmas wishlist on Amazon where you can buy toys which we'll then donate to those in need. It's a great idea and means you can donate to us with the click of a button! To check this out please click HERE.

At With Kids, we believe that every child and family should have a very merry Christmas so please help us to help them. We could not do this without your help and support - thank you!

For information about what's going on at With Kids, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Join JCI Glasgow at their Christmas Quiz!

Our friends at JCI Glasgow are hosting a 'Christmas quiz' with Quizmaster Scott Johnston to help raise funds for With Kids.

The event takes place on Sunday 1st December at O'Neills, Merchant City from 7pm.

This is a team event (flexible team sizes - £10 per team member).

If you don't have a team but would still like to attend, the good folks at JCI will help you join one, or even form one on the night!

At With Kids, we aim to help the most vulnerable children and families in both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

All of the money raised from this event will go towards helping us put on a Christmas Party for our families at With Kids. We provide presents and food hampers for families in need. We also have a special day with dinner, entertainment and a special visit from Santa.

If you would like to join in on the fun, whilst raising vital fund for With Kids, you can do so by following the details below:

Cost for the evening is £10 per person - please sign up to the event HERE.

And pay us either via PayPal or BACS (email maggie_g@jciglasgow.com for more information)

If you can’t make the evening then please help us hit our target by donating on our Just Giving Page HERE.

Please help us reach our target and put a smile on the children's faces - thank you!

To find out what else is happening at With Kids, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Letter Writing at the Disney Store to help With Kids

We're thankful to everyone who donates to us, especially on the run up to Christmas, which means we can help as many families as possible.

And we're thrilled that the Disney Store is supporting us this festive period!

The Disney Store has launched its annual 'Share in the Magic' charity campaign in Scotland. And we're bracing ourselves for an influx of teddy bears...

For every letter to Santa that is posted in-store or online, the Glasgow store will donate a soft toy to children through With Kids.

To get involved - head over to the store for letter writing workshops where staff members are on hand to help children write a letter to pop in the Christmas postbox.

If you would like to donate to With Kids, please click HERE.

Make sure you are following us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up-to-date with what's going on at With Kids.

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Dance the Tango and raise money for With Kids!

Tango Tipica, run by Catherine and Wim, have been dancing Argentinean Tango for more than 15 years and teaching for more than 8 years, both in Glasgow and abroad.

They're renowned for combining stylistic precision with musical interpretation and for keeping the authentic tradition alive.

Their dance style is shaped by the authentic tango of dancers such as Pepito and Suzuki Avellaneda, Antonio Todaro and Juan Carlos Copes.

The dancing duo are pleased to announce they will be supporting With Kids this year with all proceeds from their Tango activities being kindly donated to us!

If you are interested in taking part, having fun, and keeping fit, make sure you get involved:

• Series: The series consists of an (optional) free taster on 20th September and eight classes on Fridays 6.15pm-7.15pm, starting on Friday 4th October. 
• Location: Glasgow West End, in Turnbull Hall, 13-15 Southpark Terrace, Glasgow G12 8LG.
• Total fee for the series: Early Bird discount (before 13th September): £52 per person; after 13th September: £57 per person. All our proceeds go to With Kids.
• Pay: You can pay via their JustGiving page by clicking HERE.
• Dance partners: You need to enrol with a dance partner.

Let us know if you or any of your friends would be interested in taking part by leaving a comment either on our blog, Facebook or Twitter.

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Help pick the #WKMemories winner...!

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported and took part in the #WKMemories photo competition!

For those who don't know, we launched an online photo competition aimed at encouraging the public to reminisce and share their favourite childhood memory a couple of weeks ago.

We caught up with David Eustace over the weekend in order to choose the lucky winner.

Unfortunately, he picked a member of the With Kids team as the winner! Obviously, it would not be fair for them to win, so David has picked his next top five favourite photos and we are leaving the difficult task of choosing a winner down to you!

Below are David's top five favourite photos! The photo which gets the most combined 'Likes' on our Facebook page will win the overnight's stay for 2 at the CitizenM Hotel Glasgow.

As a massive thank you to everyone who entered, David has also kindly donated an exclusive print from his Highland Heart NYC show back in May 2013, which will be gifted to the person who gets the second most amount of 'Likes' on their photo.

This print was only available to guests who attended the opening night of David's show in May 2013, which was opened by Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland, and this print cannot be purchased.

David has said that "You're all winners for leaving memories and moments which are special. I love some of the images and they remind us of a moment in time, even if it's just a tiny photo as in the case of Laurie Hancocks image of her father and sister on the last day of the streetcars running in LA."

Click HERE to vote for the photo you think should win and remember to share the photo with your friends so they can help pick a winner too! Please note that you must 'LIKE' the With Kids Facebook page as well as the photo in order for your vote to be counted!

Good luck everyone! The voting competition will run until Monday 9th September until 12 noon and we will announce the winner and runner up at 3pm that day.

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Alan Rough Celebrity AM - 2013

Are you a golf fan? Why don't you join us for the Alan Rough Celebrity AM golf tournament at the impressive Mar Hall near Glasgow. It's guaranteed to be a fun day out while raising vital funds for With Kids!

Mar Hall is a luxury five-star golf & spa resort located 10 minutes from Glasgow International Airport. Set within a tranquil 240 acre woodland estate it is perfect for both UK luxury hotel breaks and for business travel in Glasgow - with a little extra class.

The event takes place on Friday 11th October and teams of players, including celebrities, will compete on the day for both individual and team prizes.

The cost of entering a team is £600 for a team of 4 or 3, plus a celebrity from the list in the graphic below. The price of the team also includes golf and a 3 course dinner.

If you would like to book a team please either email events@fatbuzz.com or call Fiona on 0141 427 0727.

You can also contact fatBuzz on Facebook or Twitter.

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Picture Perfect Competition from With Kids

At With Kids, we’re lucky to have some of Scotland’s most influential people as our ambassadors.

And one of our ambassadors, photographer, David Eustace, has agreed to help raise awareness of the work we do by putting his name to a photograph competition we’ve launched.

Launched at the beginning of this week, the online competition is aimed at encouraging the public to reminisce and share their favourite childhood memory.

Photographs are a great way of capturing memories, and with award-winning photographer growing up in the east end of Glasgow, which is seeing a huge transformation at the moment for the Glasgow 2014 games, he liked the idea of remembering the great times he had in a landscape which is quickly changing.

Nothing stays the same for forever. We all have memories of a time or place which can’t be revisited. Our competition is designed to help everyone remember a fond moment in their life, a moment that would bring a smile to their face.

Eustace said: “I jumped at the chance to judge this competition. Coming from the east end, I felt a real importance to be a part of this project. I take my role at With Kids really seriously, and anything which will benefit the charity, the work it does, and the children who use it is great.

“I think this is a great competition as it gives kids the opportunity to find out about what it was like to grow up in Glasgow when their parents were young. Not only that, it encourages them to learn more about photography, which you know is close to my heart too.”

Running for two weeks, the competition is dead easy to enter. It’s all done online, either on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, it’s up to you. Just remember, whatever social media platform you use though, you have to use the hashtag, #WKmemories.

Once the competition has closed, Eustace has agreed to go through all the entries and judge which one he thinks should be our winning image.

And thanks to the great people at the CitizenM Hotel, our winner will receive an overnight stay for two, in plush Glasgow boutique hotel.

If you’d like to take part in the competition, you can find the terms and conditions here.

For more information about the competition, just click here. In addition, you can watch the video below, where David speaks about the competition and one of his memories.

Good luck to all of you who enter, we’re looking forward to seeing your entries.

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The 'you know what' has hit the fan!

This weekend, our fantastic supporter, Samantha Sheridan was meant to be taking part in the London Triathlon to raise money for With Kids.

However, things didn't go to plan and after months of hard work and dedication, unfortunately for Samantha illness got in the way.

But all is not lost - read all about what other challenge she is taking part in below.

So after 2 months of training, cycling, running, squeezing wetsuits on and then off again... a virus seems to have taken GOLD!

Over a week of not being quite right has left me exhausted and dehydrated... I continued to run but 'runs' of a different theme have got in the way. My supporters who have kindly flown down from Glasgow sporting a banner have even commented on my muscle loss!!! Can I hide behind the banner???

I am gutted. My number is 2508 and my bike was serviced last week, it's all shiny and ready, plus my new Lycra tri-suit arrived which matches my wetsuit. I cant believe the weekends swimming in the cold outdoor pools of London has been a waste (way before the heatwave too!!!). 

However ALL IS NOT LOST!!! I am not a quitter and when I say I'll do something, and get sore bum cheeks from training so hard doing it, then I am not about to say 'oh well never mind'. And I want to compete for With Kids - its a charity I really believe in and want to do something for. 

So my friend Natalie has signed me up for the Brighton Triathlon - it's LONGER, TOUGHER and sea swimming!!! I'm scared, as all training has been for a sprint distance, but I do feel like I want and need a bigger challenge and I can assure you this time I will NOT be eating seafood or going near any busy virus filled places and in fact will maybe lock myself in a darkened room a week prior to race day. 

On a positive I think it will give more time for donations and it's definitely a life lesson,  because sometimes we work hard at something only to be halted by something else out-with our control - get up and aim higher!

I do thank everyone who has supported this far and I can't express how sad I am but please lets all keep momentum up. Brighton is in September and I'll keep you all updated soon... x

If you'd like to donate please visit Samantha's Just Giving page HERE.

For the latest updates from With Kids - remember to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Good Luck Samantha!

If you've been keeping up to date with our blog posts over the past couple of months you will have noticed that one of our supporters, Samantha, has been training very hard for the London triathlon.

Samantha is kindly donating all funds raised to With Kids and we really cannot thank her enough for her continued support!

She will be taking part in the Virgin Triathlon which takes place this weekend in London on Saturday 27th July.

The Virgin Active London race is the largest and most established Triathlon in the world and the team at With Kids would like to wish you the very best of luck!

We'll be sure to hear from her when she finishes the race and will let you know how she gets on.

If you would like to make a donation  please click on Samantha's Just Giving page HERE.

Or if she has inspired you to get involved in fundraising for With Kids then find out how you can help by clicking HERE. 

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Summer Programme at With Kids

At With Kids, our annual Summer Programme begins this week which gives the kids, families and all of our supporters the chance to relax and enjoy themselves throughout the summer holidays.

Our programme for the year is full but we thought we'd pull together a list of the activities to remind you of what's on.

The weather for the week ahead is set to stay lovely and warm - so make sure you pack your sun cream and take plenty of water if you're coming along to any of our activities.

We've got lots of fun packed events planned throughout July and August:

• Tues 9th July - RIVERSIDE MUSEUM 10.30am – 3pm
• Wed 10th July - PAMPERING 10.30am -12.30pm
• Wed 10th July - CATHEDRAL MURDER TRAIL 11am – 1pm
• Wed 10th July - CINEMA CLUB 1.30pm – 3.30pm
• Thurs 11 July - CALDERGLEN PARK 10am – 3pm
• Thurs 11th July - PIZZA MAKING/CAKE DECORATION 12.30pm – 2.30pm
• Fri 12th July -BBQ & GAMES 12pm – 3pm
• Tues 16th July - SCIENCE CENTRE 10.30 – 3pm
• Wed 17th July - OUTDOOR GAMES/ FOREST FUN -11am – 1pm
• Wed 17th July - FAMILY FUN & RELAXATION 1pm – 2.30pm
• Thurs 18th July - MILLPORT  10am – 3pm
• Fri 19th July - MUGDOCK 10.30am – 3pm
• Tues 23rd July - ARTS & CRAFTS 10.30am – 12.30pm
• Tues 23rd July - ARTS & CRAFTS 1pm – 3pm
• Wed 24th July - PAMPERING 10.30am – 12.30pm
• Wed 24th July - GLASGOW CATHEDRAL MURDER TRAIL 11am – 1pm
• Wed 24th July - CINEMA CLUB 1.30pm – 3.30pm
• Thurs 25th July -  KELBURN PARK 10am – 3pm
• Thurs 25th July - PIZZA/CAKE MAKING 12.30pm – 2.30pm
• Fri 26th July - OUTDOOR GAMES/ FOREST FUN 11am – 2pm
• Tues 30th July - RIVERSIDE MUSEUM 10.30 – 3pm
• Wed 31th July - LOCH LOMOND 10.30am – 3pm
• Wed 31st July - FAMILY FUN & RELAXATION 1pm – 2.30pm
• Thurs 1st August - UNCOMMONWEALTH GAMES 12pm – 3pm
• Fri 2nd August - MILLPORT 10am – 3pm
• Tues 5th-Thurs 8th August - CAMPING Meet at 10am Tues morning.
• Fri 9th August - SUMMER PARTY 1pm – 3pm

If you'd like any more information about our summer programme - please contact Suzy on 0141 550 5770 or you can contact us on Facebook or Twitter.

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Can You Help Create Our New Garden?

Our friends and supporters at JCI Glasgow are working with us to help improve our 'Garden Space' at the front of our Glasgow office on Annfield Place, Dennistoun.

When the sunshine decides to come out, we use the garden space for games and BBQ's for the With Kids families but it is a little tired looking and with a small amount of work could potentially be used a lot more.

Below we've posted some photos of our garden to give you an idea of how it currently looks.

We've been discussing sketch proposals with the team at JCI Glasgow and a final design is close to being agreed with the current scope as follows:

• Clean up the existing grass and trees Repair and re-paint the existing metal railings and gates
• Install a new dropped kerb at the Garden entrance
• Plant low level, low-maintenance bushes around the perimeter to give an element of privacy and act as a natural protective barrier around the existing metal railing supports
• Install a hard standing area with timber planters and benches
• Construct a ‘Living den’ for the children
• Create an area next to the gable wall for growing flowers, fruit plants etc.

Existing & Proposed Plans June 2013

The next step in the proposed plan is to make the vision a reality and if time allows, we are looking to have the garden ready by the end of summer/early autumn 2013.

However for this to happen we need your help and we are looking to recruit a project team as soon as possible.

If you would like to get involved or know someone who may be able to help out with either the on going design process or the actual construction/landscaping work then please get in contact with either Tom (tomwiddows@jciglasgow.com) or Lauren (lauren_murray@jciglasgow.com).

Or you can get in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter.

To find out more about JCI Glasgow click HERE. 

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£200 of toys for With Kids!

At the weekend we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to take part in a trolley dash at the opening of The Entertainer Toy Shop in Buchanan Galleries, Glasgow.

Characters Ben 10 and Wizard Hazard officially opened the shop and some of our kids got to meet them!

The kids managed to bag around £200 of toys from the trolley dash which they get to keep - but best of all they had such a good time!

Below are some photos of the kids looking chuffed with their new toys and having good fun!

We'd like to thank The Entertainer Toy Shop for donating the toys to With Kids - it's greatly appreciated!

With the summer holidays now in full swing - we're starting our summer programme next week and we're looking for volunteers.

If you'd like to help out please contact Suzy on 0141 550 5770 or s.blair@withkids.org.uk. Or you can let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

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How With Kids Can Help

At With Kids, we wanted to reinforce the vital importance of the work we do for families in both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

With Kids is based in the East End of Glasgow and in South West Edinburgh which have some of the highest levels of poverty in Scotland and the UK.

Although the facts and figures may seem bleak, not all families will have the same issues. Living in or near an area of high poverty can affect you directly or indirectly through crime, lack of amenities, poor educational facilities etc.

As well as this, the sheer volume of families who may need help means that sometimes children and families might not get the support they need; a parent struggling with a child with a learning difficulty or emotional issue might not know where to turn, a parent who's a former addict may be afraid to ask for help in case social services intervene.

How We Can Help You

All families, regardless of background find that they have difficulties from time to time and too often parent's may not be aware of available support or the best action to take. With Kids aims to fill that gap and to provide flexible support that is suited to the needs of children and parents.

Breaking Down the Facts and Figures

In some postcode areas in the east end of Glasgow, 60% of children live in workless households, almost 50% of adults of working age are on incapacity benefit and life expectancy can be as low as 54. - Glasgow Herald.

Over 90,000 children in Scotland live in severe poverty - of these:

• 72% of children parents’ are not in work
• 66% of children are in families claiming income support, job seekers allowance and incapacity benefit,
• 45% of mother’s of children have no educational qualification,
• 1 in 2 children live in single parent families,
• 10% of children are from an ethnic minority, compared to 2.6% not in poverty,
• 41% of children live in families with a disabled adult, compared to 17% of children not in poverty. - Living Below the Radar:Measuring Severe Child Poverty in the UK - Save the Children

Poorer children are five times more likely to regularly miss school. - BBC News

To find out how we can help you, give us a call on 0141 550 5770 or you can contact us on Facebook and Twitter.

The actual cost of running With Kids is some £320,000 per year. That means we must raise around £27,000 each month just to keep the doors open. 

If you'd like to make a donation to With Kids you can do so HERE. 

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Samatha's Training Update...

Welcome to Samantha's blog, where you can find out how her training is coming along in the lead up to the Virgin Triathlon on Saturday 27th July! We've been following her closely to see how she's been getting on and below you can read the next step in her training journey...

Arghhh Clips!!!! Ok so in the crazy world of road biking, for the competitive amongst us, it becomes necessary to attach your shoes to the pedals in order to gain as much power as you can.

I have to say out of everything I have ever attached myself to (which more recently includes a windsurf sail using a hook) this is by far the strangest and most unnatural thing I've ever done! My feet are attached to the pedals! I'm attached to the bike! Attached!! Clipped in!!! Oddly these special pedals are called 'clipless pedals'?

So from now on every time I come to a stop, I have to twist my foot and pop it off the pedal so I can put my foot down on to the ground. Should I by chance forget this, or time it wrong, I will fall over attached to the bike... Attached!!! So nothing like this picture at all actually.

I researched online and decided to go with Look Keo CroMo max 2, my friend Anna works with Free Flow Bikes in Scotland and she looked after me! I also purchased quite a bit of Lycra and padded shorts. That involved a lot of research too...never thought I'd see the day where I'm googling Lycra and viewing people modelling bum padding, but life can take you in all sorts of directions and I'm secretly loving this new found passion. I'm even happy to admit to buying cream which you rub into the shorts before you put them on... It's to avoid chafing... I haven't had any issues with chafing incidentally, just FYI!!! Prevention is key!

So I planned my first 'clipless' cycle in Richmond park with my friend Sam (he has done more than a few triathlons)! It was my first outing in the clips, so I picked up the bike jumped on and had an absolute nightmare at a set of traffic lights with a double decker bus on a hill.

If you take anything from this please let it be that you try out clipping and unclipping in the safety of your home or against a wall before you ride off into the sunshine. However, I am still here to tell the tale and it now feels quite natural.

I'm no show off though and although I'm clipping in and out fairly well there are folks that keep themselves clipped in at traffic lights and bounce around to stay balanced... I think this has the potential to end in a disaster and it looks way more effort than its worth!!! I admit this takes skill so these people must have been practising it indoors for hours at a time and that's taking it all way too far... plus the clipping noise is cool!!! Just in case I do fall, I found this hilarious cartoon cycling tips website. There's a video on falling and also on how to blow your nose and spit the 'correct way'... Love it!

This weekend it was a friend's birthday, yes that meant no training. So yesterday it was back on the bike at 7am, it's day 2 and the weather has held up! Last night I did my first kinda 'brick session' running 5km straight after my cycle home. These are to get my legs used to the quick change in movement... painful! I completed it in 28mins on the treadmill at speeds 10.5kmph and 12.5kmph intervals. (Treadmills give you slower times than running outside by the way, it's an ongoing mystery?) Tomorrow morning I want to do a run straight after my cycle into work, maybe along the River Thames. I'll take pictures! x

To make a donation to Samantha and her good cause, please click on her JUST GIVE PAGE.
To find out more about With Kids and to hear the latest from Samantha, remember to follow us on Facebook and Twitter or you can visit our website.

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The Amazing Bubble Man

The Glasgow Comedy Festival is in full swing and we have just the thing to keep the whole family entertained this Easter!

Join the international sensation, Louis Pearl, as he explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles. The show also combines comedy and plenty of audience participation, as well as spellbinding bubble tricks to keep every child and adult entertained!

You'll be mesmerised by his square bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes to people inside bubbles. We're bursting with bubble excitement and the amazing bubble man is guaranteed to make you laugh and keep the whole family amazed with exciting tricks!

The Bubble Show and are offering two for one on tickets for the show. Tickets are priced at £10 each but if click HERE and enter the promotional code (BUB241) you will receive two for one tickets.

If you would like any more information about The Bubble Show - click HERE.

Remember to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news from With Kids.

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A Touch Of Class Fundraising

We were absolutely delighted when we were contacted by a very talented lady, Sophie Kochanowska a few days ago, who told us that she will be holding a fundraising concert in April.

Sophie explained that she will be donating the profits of the event to With Kids which is fantastic, and has definitely put a smile on all of our faces!

Sophie is in her final undergraduate year at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and will be performing solo in the fundraising concert which will take place on Saturday April 20th at 7pm in St. Mary's Cathedral on Great Western Road, Glasgow.

The first half of the programme will involve Sophie performing classical songs (soprano), followed by an interval, and then she will be joined by tenor, Christian Schneeberger, from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and mezzo-soprano, Dagmar.

The second half will consist of opera and light music arias and ensembles (including favourites such as the Barcarolle from Les contes d'Hoffman and Puccini's O mio babbino caro). After the concert, a complimentary glass of wine or a soft drink will be on offer in the Cathedral.

For tickets, send an email with your name and the number of tickets required to dsconcerts@gmail.com and a ticket will be reserved for you to be picked up and paid for on the day. Tickets are priced at £10 or £7 for concession.

This night promises to be a wonderful evening, and we are so impressed with Sophie's enthusiasm and would like to thank her very much for her support. This is an excellent and unique way of fundraising for a vital cause, and we hope that you are inspired by Sophie's efforts! We know that all of our supporters and followers are very creative people, so perhaps you could hold your own event just like Sophie?

We look forward to seeing you there, and the With Kids team might even learn a thing or two about Classical music!

You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more information about With Kids.

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JCI Glasgow Run The Edinburgh Marathon Relay For With Kids!

The Edinburgh Marathon Festival takes place on 25th/26th May 2013 and in line with the UN Millennium Development Goals of 'Ending Poverty and Hunger', and 'Imporiving Child Health', JCI Glasgow have entered a team in this year's Edinburgh Marathon Relay to raise funds for With Kids!

Our friends Neil, Tom, Lauren and Brendan from JCI Glasgow will be running the Edinburgh Marathon Relay on behalf of With Kids!

They will be running 8.4 miles, 5.4 miles, 7.6 miles and 4.6 miles respectively from Edinburgh City Centre to Gosford House in Longniddy then turning back for a Grandstand Finish at Musselburgh Race Course.

The team at With Kids would like to give them a big cheer and shout out on their behalf and we hope the weather improves in the next few weeks for the run!

If you would like to donate you can do so online by clicking HERE -

Or simply text 'JCIG76 £<enter amount>' to 70070. For example a £2 donation would be 'JCIG76 £2' (Text messages are free).

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St Patrick’s Day Charity Ball Fun!

On the 16th March 2013, the With Kids team were dressed to impress as they attended the 11th annual St Patrick’s Day Charity Ball held in the Marriott Hotel, Glasgow.

The ball takes place each year to raise vital funds for children’s charities across the Glasgow area, and we were very grateful to be chosen as one of the organisations to benefit from this year’s funds in which over £35,000 was raised. Thank you to all who helped and organised the event. Your support is invaluable to us!

A lovely dinner was enjoyed by all, and St Roch’s Ceilidh Band ensured that our feet never stopped tapping! We were thoroughly entertained by young Irish dancers from the Steward School of Dancing alongside a band called Funk Nation who definitely got us in the mood for a party!

There was even a cartoonist there to ensure that all the guests never forgot the evening by drawing very glamorous pictures! An auction was also held where some very desirable pieces of artwork were up for grabs, and there was no shortage of bids!

Everyone had a fantastic evening, and there couldn’t have been a more positive way to raise money for so many worthwhile children’s charities. Thanks again to everyone involved, and we hope you all had a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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Update with Heather

Hi everyone! I hope you've been having a great few weeks. I thought I would give you an update on what I've been getting up to recently! We've all been very busy at With Kids and it’s exciting to become more involved with the charity, especially when you are given free cupcakes on a Monday morning!

An important part of my role is to raise awareness of the work With Kids are doing online, so I've been enjoying updating Facebook with details of all our clubs and activities which are running this month.

I've also been making sure to engage with Facebook followers as well as reaching out to wider audiences by sharing a variety of posts, images and articles. If you haven't already, why not check out our Facebook page which contains all the information you need about our upcoming events, as well as finding interesting articles, videos and pictures to view!

The first edition of our monthly e-newsletter, ‘The Stream’, which will be sent out on Friday 15th March, has been keeping all of us busy in the office! Researching content, and designing templates are just some of the things that I've been involved in. We are all very excited about the launch of ‘The Stream’, and hope it will be a great way of networking and discussing the work that we do with others.

I’m sure many of you have heard in the news recently about the new universal benefit system that the government are planning to put into action later this year. I’ll be exploring what this means for single parents, and whether it will be a factor in contributing to the rise of parental depression, so be sure to look out for an article soon about this.

My role at With Kids has got off to a great start, and I’m looking forward to attending the St. Patrick’s Day Charity Ball on the 16th March in Glasgow which will raise vital funds for children’s charities throughout the area. All that’s left for me to do is find something to wear!

Be sure to keep up to date with all the fun from the ball as well as the work I’ll be getting up to through Facebook, Twitter and the With Kids Blog!

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