# Diary of a Newcomer pt1

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/08/08/diary-newcomer-pt1/
- Published: 2008-08-08T12:41:07+01:00
- Author: Guest Blogger

**I guess from the professional fundraiser’s perspective I am new to the charity
sector (I have been with telephone fundraisers Premier Contact for only 5 or 6 weeks!),
and will doubtless be seen as such from others who have been in the sector for a
lot longer.**

Yet, over the past 20 years I have been involved one way or another with many charities.
It all began with fundraising for various local charities with Halstead Round Table
back in 1988, then a period as Chairman of a small local charity running events 
for those with learning disabilities, recently on the committee of group set up 
to try and save a local building, Chairman of Halstead Chamber of Commerce for several
years raising funds for charities such as Essex Air Ambulance, through to being 
a trustee for an organisation involved in work in the Gambia. Pretty diverse really.

Through that time I recall having been dressed as Father Christmas many times. Memorably
sitting atop a plywood chimney mounted on a rickety trailer being towed around the
streets of Halstead, loudspeakers blaring out carols, by the driver of a Land Rover
who was totally oblivious to how high I was sitting and how low the branches at 
the roadside were!!

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I leave you to picture that one!

Where was the H&S risk assessment?

To the embarrassment of my children I have been dressed as a Womble collecting for
Children in Need, and have walked the streets of Halstead dressed as Pudsey Bear.
I even had a photo of me as Pudsey and my two daughters published in the Halstead
Gazette – though they never admitted to their friends it was their father inside
the outfit!! Great supporters!

So, whilst I am ‘new’ I nevertheless have some sound knowledge and experience of
what goes on at grass roots level, and how important it all is at the delivery end.

Throughout my postings I hope to bring a fresh perspective to what is happening 
in the sector and perhaps even raise a few eyebrows!

……to make a difference!

 * **[Meet the fundraiser: Chris Mitchell](https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/05/17/meet-the-fundraiser-chris-mitchell/)(
   17 May 2022)**
 * **[Meet the fundraiser: Francesca, Oxfam street fundraiser](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/02/03/meet-the-fundraiser-francesca-oxfam-street-fundraiser/)(
   3 February 2016)
 * **[Meet the fundraiser: Susanna Spicer](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/02/05/meet-fundraiser-susanna-spicer/)(
   5 February 2017)
 * **[Meet the fundraiser: Kitty Gardner at Womans Trust](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/09/13/meet-fundraiser-kitty-gardner-womans-trust/)(
   13 September 2017) **