Feeling all buzzy after the Dragon's Den "doo" in London...

Well, I know all of you that have been checking on this blog want to know whether we won the £750... unfortunately we didn't, but we did win £350 for getting into the final so really we did win! It is a shame because it would have helped us start up quicker, but given the sheer determination and motivation in our team - we'll still make a positive impact all over the world, not just in our local area. We are planning for two designs to go into print straight away, one of mine, and one of Emz' so all of you who have filled out the form on http://www.mi-tee.org/ will be the first to know once the t-shirts are there to be bought. Pictures of example t-shirts with the designs will be up within the next 7 days, SO WATCH THIS SPACE!! Wow... what a day! It has been so unbelievably positive and I'm really buzzing with positive energy from it all! Such wonderful people all making something beautiful happen in such a sick world and so many people to network with! I still can't believe that I met several people who lived in Kenya too, and even know the school I went to! (Sorry, I had to sneak that in, I'm still excited about it - hello to Dance4Life!!!!!)

The only thing I do regret today is that when meeting with the Dragons they asked me what I feel was the most important question right at the end, and they hardly got to hear any of my answer because we had run out of the 5mins we were allocated... so what I shall do, is say my answer here for other people who may be wanting to ask me or the rest of the team the same thing...

"Given that Mi-Tee is a Christian organisation, is it just limited to Christians?" (it was roughly that question - I can't remember word-for-word, so that'll do!)

Although Mi-Tee is a Christian social enterprise (well, will be a social enterprise as soon as Emma gets along to it) we aim to let it have a positive impact on as many people as we can, regardless of faith or background. The designs are all based on Christian ideas, but won't all necessarily be seen as a "Christian" t-shirt - some will just be a positive message that although it was derived from a Christian idea or bible verse, it won't have enough on there for it to be deemed "Christian". I want there to be a selection of designs, those for people who are non-believers or followers of another faith, designs for Christians that want something more subtle, and designs for Christians who aren't held back by wearing a t-shirt that's more obviously Christian. I think as a Christian it is important to do what we can to not limit our produce as "just for Christians" - it's not something that I would see Jesus doing. Another thing is that anyone will be able to submit a design once the webiste is fully up and running so that people all over the world can send in their design and if we think it would sell well, to be made into t-shirts and for that designer to get a percentage of the profit. People don't need to be a Christian to submit a design or to wear the t-shirts. We want these t-shirts to be positive and not to cause offence to other beliefs and faiths.
Lastly, people of all ages, races, faiths, nationalities (EVERYONE) can be impacted in a positive way (I hope!) with this. Profits will not only got to keeping Mi-Tee up and running, but also go to the Shed, to the designers and monthly charity.... not only that but we want the t-shirts to be fairtrade and use recylced stuff wherever we can! Last point (I mean it this time) - people can even get positively impacted by this in the simplest of ways - just one of t-shirts making someone smile is something positive, no?

LETS CHANGE THE WORLD, ONE T-SHIRT AT A TIME!!!!!

Pledge to Buy a Mi-Tee T-shirt!

Help us by pledging to buy a t-shirt on www.mi-tee.org or for those who I have personally contacted, get in touch with me, Beth Webster, through my personal email or Facebook page and I'll be happy to do that for you. We are estimating t-shirt cost to be between £12 and £14 and for those who live far and wide, don't worry we won't let you miss out as we can easily post them to you! A big thank you to those of you who have already pledged or said that you are interested - we really value your support! Many of you have been asking to see the designs, but we need to copyright them before popping them up for you to see, but those who have said that you're interested or pledged will be the first of the public to see them. Don't forget to pledge ;)

More about The Shed

The SHED is a project run by OBC. Its mission is to provide a safe meeting place for young people aged between 11 and 18. A place where they can discover positive channels for their energy, creativity and frustrations and where substance abuse and anti-social behaviour is discouraged. Somewhere where personal development - physical, spiritual and emotional is encouraged and also the use of gifts and talents are encouraged for themselves and for others. A safe place where OBC can reach unchurched people and connect them to Christian young people. It is open as the after-school project every weekday, but all sorts of other exciting things happen there too during during the rest of the week. The group is mainly led by young people but with supporting adults.

Why is there a need for this project? Well, firstly there is little going on in Rutland to keep the kids from doing anti-social things such as drugs, graffiti and fights, so the variety of activities we offer helps keep them out of trouble! The project is run by young people for young people so they all get a say in the daily planning and running of the SHED whilst being suppported and facilitated by an adult team.

Still here but working away!

Myself and Emz are now a year older *sigh*... I actually feel my age makes me feel younger though as I'm always told I was more 18 going on 28......... Anyway, enough of that!

Plenty of birthday "do's" been going on this week, I've had far too many late (/early!) nights this past week, and I have no idea what I am doing writing this at this time when I have to be up at 9:30 to look after the creche and Sunday School at church! Crazy stuff!

Next team meeting should be tommorrow *fingers crossed*! We have much to discuss....