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Career change in France: from police officer to gardener
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Charles Aznavour: Grit and self-belief made the ‘French Frank Sinatra’
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‘Climate change should interest more people than it does’
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Thanks for buying our France calendar!
Three charities have benefited from the generosity of readers who bought The Connexion 2018 France charity calendar.
We want to thank the hundreds of readers who allowed Connexion to donate €525 to each of Cancer Support France, Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts, and the British Charitable Fund.
The charities give invaluable help. Cancer Support France will use its €525 to create a handbook for its Active Listeners, the trained volunteers who work with English-speaking cancer patients, their friends and families.
CSF president Penny Parkinson said they had wanted to create a handbook for some time: “We will take existing information held by our associations and add medical terms, health information sources such as the Connexion health guide and other welfare information to provide a comprehensive guide for France.”
Mick Moat, president of Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts, said the money will help fund stands to be used at gardening events across France.
Now in its sixth year, OG/JO began when four British gardeners in Creuse opened their gardens to help charity, and the idea caught on. Today, 40% of the gardens are French owned.
Last year they gave €23,500 to 11 French charities and Mr Moat said publicity is essential for expansion: “We are attending more and more plant fairs and professional presentation is essential if we are to convince the public we are serious.
“The cheque will help us add flair, style and vitality to our stands. Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts is so grateful to Connexion for the support they give us on an ongoing basis.”
The British Charitable Fund was created in 1823 to help ease the poverty of British migrant workers and their families in Paris.
Nearly 200 years later there is still poverty among the British in France and the charity gives financial support to those who find themselves, for whatever reason, without sufficient resources to live on.
Chairwoman Julia Kett said: “We are delighted. It came at just the right moment; just before sending summer clothing grants for children in families we are helping this year.”
Connexion will be producing a 2019 France charity calendar with €3 from each sale going again to our selected charities.
Orders placed by November 26 will be at the special price of €12.90 (plus P&P). After that, calendars are €15 (plus P&P). Ordering opens on our website shop in September.
