FC United are again hosting the Big Coat Day at their Boxing Day match against Ashton United. Each year FC United and their supporters do a fantastic job collecting winter coats for those in need across the city. The Mustard Tree are one of the charities to benefit from this great effort and we receive hundreds of warm coats to pass on to our clients. If you’d like to contribute or to go along to the match you can find more details here

Watch the video below to hear Johnny Vegas’ thoughts on Big Coat Day:

We have been hugely benefitted by the support of Julian Gratton and RedC Marketing this year. Earlier this year Julian decided to spend a night on the streets to raise monay and awareness, RedC have now created some inspirational Christmas Cards to raise money for The Mustard Tree. The cards feature members of the Mustard Tree community along with their story of recovering and rebuilding. They are available to purchase (5 cards for £3) and view online here or from us at 110 Oldham road or at Hey Little Cupcake in Spinningfields.

Thanks to Julian and RedC and to Paul Moffat the photographer who gave his time and skills generously.

The Mustard Tree Drama group are performing at Nexus Art Cafe on Dale Street, this Tuesday from 7:30pm. Come along and experience it for yourself. The trailer below gives a small taste of what might be in store.

If you’d like to read our latest newsletter please click here to view it.

If you’d like to receive our newsletters directly, please contact Lydia at lydia@mustardtree.co.uk or on 0161 228 7331

Many thanks

You are cordially invited to the Mustard Tree Drama Group’s Celebration event at Nexus Art Cafe on Tuesday 29th November at 8.00pm (doors open at 7.30). There will be live theatre, music and film and food will be provided.

Nexus Art Cafe- Dale Street  Manchester M1 1JW.

If you would like to attend please contact Janet Wong on 0161 228 7331 or email office@mustardtree.co.uk Or you can contact Fran and Rosarie on 07749110154.

Below is an inspiring picture of the intrepid team from the John Lewis Call Centre in Didsbury just after they successully reached the summit of Ben Nevis.

John Lewis in Greater Manchester have been supporting the Mustard Tree across a range of areas this year from training and cooking Christmas meals to fundraising and mentoring.  One of the fundraising activities was this sponsored climb up Ben Nevis.

We are very grateful to all the partners at our local John Lewis’ for all their support this year, specifically to Ken Sweeney, Jess Doyle, Holly Thrower, Rachel Morgan & Martin Wright for trudging up to the summit on our behalf.

If you or your company would like to find out more about supporting the Mustard Tree or sponsored events, please contact Lydia at lydia@mustardtree.co.uk or on 0161 228 7331.

Thanks to the great Manchester Vision for producing this excellent video on our behalf.

One of our great supporters, Arcus Consulting, are hosting a charity 5-a-side tournament to raise money for the Mustard Tree. The tournament is happening on 24th September 2011 from11:15 – 16:00 at the Soccer Dome in Trafford.

They are inviting teams from across the city to take part, if you and your friends or colleagues fancy your chances please get involved and raise funds at the same time.

Interested parties should contact Ashley Reynolds on 0161 905 3222.

For full details and application form etc. click here

Below is a poetic response by Jez Green (Mustard Tree’s Freedom Project Coordinator) to the recent riots in Manchester.

These Words

These words can
not explain
how I feel.

If I say I am grieving
you’ll think me bereaved.

If I write violated
you’ll consider me abused.

Distressed is close
but I carry no anxiety:
disturbed, yes,
but not depressed.

Troubled not tormented;
concerned not worried;
astonished, yet not surprised;
aghast, yes, but far from afraid.

You can break our windows
but never our spirit;
steal our trinkets
but nothing of value.

You can burn our cars
but not our hopes;
ravage our city
but never, never our
glory.

To see the full version with image please click here

We are very happy to announce that it is now possible to donate to the Mustard Tree charity simply by sending a text. The process is very straight forward, send a text saying ‘ROCK13‘ followed by £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 depending on the amount you wish to give e.g. texting ‘ROCK13 £5′ would result in a £5 donation to Mustard Tree. The text should be sent to 70070.

For other ways of giving financially just visit the ‘How Can I Help’ section of the website.

Thank you to all our wonderful supporters out there who have already given so generously in a huge variety of ways.