A Podcast on Purpose

Join us as we chat to Alison Lapper MBE, artist, television presenter, speaker and founder & patron, of the charity Drug of Art. She was the subject of the sculpture Alison Lapper Pregnant, which was displayed on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square from September 2005 until late 2007 and has appeared in numerous TV programmes including Child of our Time, No Body's Perfect and more recently was the subject of the BBC documentary In My Own Words.In 2021 Alison set up the charity Drug of Art, after losing her only son, Parys. The charity introduces art to young people to support their mental health. Alison came to Crowdfunder to help raise funds for the charities activities including workshops, masterclasses and exhibitions and to date, they have raised over £82,000. We chat to Alison about what it was like to grow up with no arms and shortened legs in a time when disability was misunderstood, how she has turned her grief into a force for good, helping young people with their mental health and be inspired to start your own crowdfunder.  Host Philippa Forrester is also joined by Crowdfunder's co-CEO Simon Deverell as we also explore the benefits of charities using the Crowdfunding platform. For more information about Crowdfunder and to start your journey, visit Crowdfunder.co.uk Visit Drug of Art on Crowdfunder https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/drug-of-artFor more information on Drug of Art, visit https://www.thedrugof.art/

With over 486 million children living in or near a war zone, we chat to Rich Clarke from War Child on how they maximise on their music roots to raise vital funds through Crowdfunder to help children around the world. From being part of a Glastonbury prize draw, which raised over £1.3 million in 2024, to regular music related prizes including signed turntables, we explore what it takes to run successful appeals.War Child is the only specialist charity for children affected by conflict. For more than two decades, they have been driven by a single goal – to ensure a safe future for every child living through war. They aim to reach children as early as possible when conflict breaks out and support them long after the cameras have gone. They deliver life-changing services and support in communities affected by conflicts to keep children safe and help them to heal and learn for the chance of a better future. Host Philippa Forrester is also joined by Crowdfunder's co-CEO Simon Deverell as we also explore the benefits of charities using the Crowdfunding platform. For more information about Crowdfunder and to start your journey, visit Crowdfunder.co.uk Visit War Child on Crowdfunder https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/war-childFor more information on War Child, visit warchild.org.uk

When Jack Leslie was selected to play for England in 1925, no one could have imagined what would happen next. Being the first ever black player to be selected to play for his country, Jack's elation soon turned to disbelief when his name was dropped from the list for no apparent reason. Fast forward almost 100 years and a campaign to honour this incredible footballer raised over £100,000 for a permanent statue of Jack at his club, Plymouth Argyle.But that's not the end of the story, as we discover from Matt Tiller, author of The Lion That Never Roared and who, alongside Greg Fozsmith, have now raised over £140,000 on Crowdfunder - find out how they did it, so you can do the same for a cause close to your heart. We are also delighted to chat to Jack's granddaughter Leslie on this episode. Hear how she grew up with a famous footballer as a grandfather, and how much the statue and his ongoing legacy means to the whole family.Host Philippa Forrester is also joined by Crowdfunder's co-CEO Simon Deverell as we also explore the benefits of charities using the Crowdfunding platform. For more information about Crowdfunder and to start your journey, visit Crowdfunder.co.uk Visit the Jack Leslie campaign on Crowdfunder https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/jack-leslie-campaignRead more about Jack Leslie here https://jackleslie.co.uk/

Over 900,000 children in the UK won't have a bed of their own to sleep in this Christmas. School teacher, Bex Wilton, founded Zarach in 2018 to tackle this growing problem, after she discovered a little boy in her class didn't have a bed. Fast forward 6 years and Zarach have now delivered over 10,000 beds, but they still need your help. They are on a mission to end child bed poverty in England. In 2024 they launched their first ever crowdfunder to delivery 1,000 beds to children before Christmas. With a week to go, they have already delivered 800 beds - help them reach 1,000 by sharing this podcast and their story.  Host Philippa Forrester is also joined by Crowdfunder's co-CEO Simon Deverell as we also explore what opportunities are available to everyone on the Crowdfunding platform.  For more information about Crowdfunder and to start your journey, visit Crowdfunder.co.uk Zarach's appeal https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/zarachchristmasappeal2024 For more informartion on Zarach, visit zarach.org

In an empowering response to the frustrations of fuel poverty and climate change, Dan shares the story of how he and his wife embarked on building a renewable power station on the roofs of their street. Using the skills they had in filming and art they approached the project in a way that only they could with incredible and sometimes hilarious results. Dan Edelstyn filmaker discusses empowerment, change for the community, fundraising and attention grabbing with host Philippa Forrester and Co-CEO Crowdfunder Simon Deverell. For more information about Crowdfunder and to start your journey, visit Crowdfunder.co.ukSupport Dan's crowdfunder here https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/power-station

Suds In Schools raised £39,000 from over 1100 supporters on a mission to relieve hygiene poverty in schools.Hear how this crowdfunding campaign by SMOL, an innovative laundry company, used crowdfunding to create free-to-use school laundrettes so children living in hygiene poverty can access clean clothes.Hilary Strong from SMOL reveals the idea behind their campaign and Sarah Smith, Head teacher atThe Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust shares their story of its impact with host Philippa Forrester and Co-CEO Crowdfunder Simon Deverell. An innovative and impactful campaign that illustrates how brands can help tackle societies challenges at a grassroots level.For more information about Crowdfunder and to start your journey, visit Crowdfunder.co.ukhttps://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/sudsinschools

On this heartwarming and astonishing episode we hear from Hari Budha, an amazing fundraiser who, in May 2023, became the world’s first double above-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest, powered by the funds he raised on Crowdfunder. Host Philippa Forrester is blown away as Hari tells the story of how a barefoot boy from Nepal, succeeded in joining the Gurkhas, but then had his life virtually destroyed after, whilst serving in Afghanistan, he stepped on a homemade bomb. Hari describes how he rebuilt his life and how, supported by the power of the crowd, he triumphed over almost unimaginable physical and mental challenges to summit not only Mount Everest but the seven highest peaks in the world. He is now an ambassador for disabled people across the world. Listen in - we dare you not to be inspired by Hari! For more information about Crowdfunder and to start your journey, visit Crowdfunder.co.uk Support Hari here… https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hbm7summits

Join us as we hear from Natalie O’Rouke from Park Lane Stables RDA (Riding for the Disabled), as she shares a master class on how to run a high impact crowdfunding campaign and how she overcame what seemed an almost insurmountable challenge and raised over £1million in just six weeks to keep her beloved stables open and make sure everyone who needs it has the opportunity to 'Hug a Horse'. On this awe inspiring show we hear how just one ordinary person can achieve the extraordinary, from enlisting the help of local celebrities, to appearing on BBC Breakfast and even targeting supporters in Australia! Host Philippa Forrester is also joined by Crowdfunder's co-CEO Simon Deverell as we also explore what opportunities are available to everyone on the Crowdfunding platform and discuss how Natalie was able to maximise on her success. It'll make you laugh and make you cry. Kleenex at the ready! A must listen for anyone who needs to learn how to raise a big number - or who loves horses! For more information about Crowdfunder and to start your journey, visit Crowdfunder.co.uk Save our Stable Crowdfunder https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-stables Park Lane Stables https://www.parklanestables.co.uk