The Farm, Morocco. Water Pump Appeal?

[Jabbawocky]

Hi Robin

No problem John, but I think there needs to be a proper 'business' plan in place before we start asking the public for cash.

If it all falls through for any reason, what happens then to any cash collected?

If we are to do this, I think we need to keep control. In the scheme of things, this is a very small project. Basically we are doing to raise cash for the brothers. If we start raising the cash, but never quite get enough for the whole project, then imho, we just give them the cash. All we need to do is keep a record of what is raise and keep everyone informed. Once we get a bit of cash together, we could open a Building Society account. As we are probably talking of less than £5000, we cannot be a Registered Charity, but we could apply to HMRC for a Charity number. All we need are some Trustees and a constitution. Loads of info on the web to help sort this.

I'm happy to set up a page on my website publicizing this and could even take on-line donations.

If we are going to do this, I think we should give it our best shot this year and see where we get too.

Cheers Mick

[DanC]

If you are doing this and I think it sounds a good idea, I go to publication on B2L in about 4 weeks time and am happy to give it some publicity if you can set it up in the next couple of weeks?

Let me know.

Dan

[RMS]

I still think we need to be careful Mick - it's one thing doing posters, adverts etc. saying we're collecting for a particular purpose; ie. to provide and fit a pump to help irrigate land for cultivation to help a farm in a developing country after a disaster, but if folk give for that and then find the money has just been handed over to spend on anything, that's not right in my opinion. [EDIT: Sorry, I'm not saying it's not right to hand over the money; I meant it's not right that people might not know that's what might happen ] After all, the public don't know the family, and could think the money might be spent on booze and loose women

Ok if it's just folk in the know gifting the money or even the pump and go to set it up ourselves, like we originally talked about, but not if we're asking the general public for donations, in my opinion.

Yes, there could be small print to say what happens if the target isn't reached, but I think it needs to be out there for folk to read.

It's just my opinion, and I have every hope that we would reach the target, but as I say, I think we need to have something official in place to protect our reputations if nothing else

I hope that doesn't make me sound paranoid - just making sure we don't end up with egg on our faces

Cheers,
Robin.

[RobW]

OK, so it's essentially a jet pump. Given their efficiency, is the water moving quickly enough to provide the lift?

[RMS]

OK, so it's essentially a jet pump. Given their efficiency, is the water moving quickly enough to provide the lift?

Plenty of flow when we were there Rob - river is about 15-20m wide there and probably a couple of metres deep at its deepest, at a guess.

We were told it flows all year round

[overlander]

OK Robin let's put the fund raising on hold till we establish whether there is a need. To be honest it had never occurred to me that people might be concerned that donations might end up being used for loose women and alcohol - whatever gave you that idea? In the past I have sponsored people on bike rides and marathons and stuff in aid of various charities without following up whether the money reached the intended destination. Perhaps I have too much faith in human nature.

No need for a hidden disclaimer in small print, it could be writ large! Reputation, what reputation? - mine's in tatters.

Leave it with me, I'll keep people posted here.

cheers

John H

[Jabbawocky]

Hi Rob

OK, so it's essentially a jet pump. Given their efficiency, is the water moving quickly enough to provide the lift?

These are a modern hydraulic ram pumps. The old very heavy Victorian cast iron versions are still quite common here in the Dales and most have run continuously since they were fitted, many well over a 100 years old. I am Ecological Consultant, specializing in Agricultural Ecosystems and have worked on projects where we have fitted these pumps to provide drinking water to stock miles away from the watercourse. They do not need much head of water to make the pump work and we will be modifying the existing irrigation gully to provide the head of water to power the pump.

Robin

I fully understand where you are coming from. It's all about interpretation. I will have a look at the wording/budget of the project and make sure donators are clear what will happen with their money. I am happy to do a leaflet with the background to why we want to do this and explaining what we intend to do. I think we need to be very positive in the leaflet, stating that the project will happen as soon as the money is raised. I think mentioning failure in the leaflet would be the kiss of death to the project. We are only aiming raise a few thousand and projects I have be involved with have achieved much more in only a few weeks. Our church has in the last few weeks raise significantly more than we need, to build a toilet block at a orphanage in Sierra Leone and are sending 6 parishioners out to build it. It's all about commitment, if we take a serious professional approach to this and get the word out, I have every faith that we will raise the cash we need to help the Brother re-establish the fruit trees they have lost and secure the future of the farm for future generations of their family.

Off to have a think about the leaflet, but first need to put some more coal on the computer as the steam pressure keeps dropping!!!

Dan. I'm happy to do an article for B2L as soon as we all agree a way forward.

If everyone is happy, I will set up a online donation page on my website, to go live when the mag comes out and then go on holiday with the money. Only joking.

Cheers Mick

[flyingant]

We are in a bit of a Catch 22 situation here, as the brothers need to accept they need help, and to define what that help should be, before we start raising funds. As they are traditional Muslim gentlemen, they will naturally be adverse to any notions of 'charity'. Also, we don't really know what their ideas of help would entail. To this end, we should send John (to determine their needs, and what they would accept from us), and Mick, (as a highly qualified agronomical engineer) to establish the best way to achieve these aims. I am prepared to put ‘my money where my mouth is’, and finance travel costs, but I should appreciate help from others!

[overlander]

It's suddenly gone very quiet on this thread - perhaps it's all the excitement about Phillips new purchase, what a bargain! Come on guys dig deep, Tony has started the ball rolling and we are only looking for another 6-£800 for the first phase - establishing the need and making a survey. I am calling in a few favours which should help. Donations can be made to my Paypal account or I have opened a separate 'WaterPumpAppeal account with the Halifax - pm me for details.

This is a worthy cause even if you haven't been out there and actually seen, as we have, the uprooted trees caused by the flood. Anyone interested in helping make this happen on the ground when the time comes, is welcome to join us, basic accommodation and food at the farm would work out at around 12-£15 per person, per day payable directly to the brothers and in addition you would be encouraged to raise a couple of hundred quid a piece for the cause. Naturally all monies donated would be accounted for and in the happy event of the target being exceeded, other nominated charities would benefit.

Thanks

John H