Many thanks to everyone who came to our HASTE garden party on Friday (2nd July). It was a great success, the rain held off and much Pimm’s was drunk. We raised over £1,100 pounds – not bad for an evening’s work – and the takings were especially good on the tombola, so thanks to everyone who bought tickets and congratulations to one lucky winner who took home TWO bottles of scotch. Please keep the bottle donations coming in, and remember: it could be you next time!

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Missed our latest craft sale at the annual garden party? Never fear, our babies’ clothes and blankets are now on sale on our new Etsy shop! Visit us now at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HASTEcraft

Don your finery and join us for the HASTE garden party, you know it makes sense.

Days are getting longer and – joy of joys – the sun is starting to come out for more than just a momentary tease at a time.

Time to put some dates in your diaries for summer. Why not start with these ones for our summer fundraising events?

July 2nd is our annual garden party at the charity headquarters. As usual there’ll be lovely wine flowing, nibbles and great conversation, plus an update on the charity’s works by our chairman and a bottle tombola – will you win a bottle of champagne? To book tickets (£10pp, including 2 free glasses of wine) or for more information email iandjbing@btinternet.com

Elsewhere in the country we’ve got out Open Garden days in Tenterten, Kent, on 5th-6th June (2pm-6pm). Take the opportunity to enjoy a garden stroll in the Garden of England.

Come and join us for a glass of wine to celebrate the coming of summer. God knows we deserve it!

Knitting pretty? Let us needle you into helping!

Ahoy there crafty cats!

Are you handy with a pair of knitting needles, crochet hook or sewing machine? Or perhaps hammer and nails, paper or glue? If so, the HASTE Craft Club needs your help.

We are looking for crafty people to help make items for a HASTE craft sale to be held early in 2010. Any kind of craft practised to a reasonable standard will get you admitted to the club and HASTE will supply materials and sell your products for the charity – all you have to do is supply the elbow grease, ideas and a little imagination.

Fancy knitting us a blanket? Go ahead! Matinee Jackets, bonnets, bootees, jumpers, scarfs, hats and gloves – all excellent ideas. But why stop there? We’d love to hear from knitters, sewsmiths, carpenters, dressmakers, jewellers, milliners, upholsterers – amateur and professional – who could donate something of their own making.

All products will be branded with our very-own ‘made for HASTE’ labels and sold for top prices to make the most money possible for Africa, with 100% of profits getting to the kids who need it most.

So dust off your artistic flair, dig that sewing machine out of the basement and make haste making something for HASTE.