Brian Macintosh

News updates..

2009-06-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

OXFAM HEAD-OFFICE ( OXFORD )

Wednesday 3 June: Stop press - Walking man! This is Brian MacIntosh, a volunteer from the Oxfam shop in Wallasey, the Wirral. Like many people affected by the credit crunch, Brian was made redundant, and started volunteering at his local Oxfam shop. He got so inspired by what he learned about Oxfam that he decided to do something different: walk 150 miles to let everyone know why it's so good to volunteer. And to raise money for Oxfam along the way. He left Wallasey last Friday, 29 May, and arrived this morning in Oxford. A huge thank you to you Brian - you are amazing! - and to all you other wonderful volunteers who make such a difference to Oxfam's work fighting poverty worldwide. A big three cheers for volunteers, hip hip...!

WALLASEY NEWS

SIX months ago Brian Macintosh was made redundant and admits he became lazy .... but now he has kick- started his life again.
The father-of-three has started to turn his life around and has embarked on a 150-mile walk for charity.
Eight years out of the Army and the former Mosslands School pupil found himself without a job, after his work as an HGV driver dried up.
Brian, 32, told the News: “I got laid off and started by being a bit lazy.
“Then I thought I’ve got to do something, so I did some volunteer work at Oxfam.
“I started there and, for some reason, decided to go to church.
“The local church here, St Hilary’s, is 150 years old this year, so I thought maybe I could do a sponsored walk and go 150 miles from the church to Oxford, where Oxfam’s head office is.
“It’s better than just sitting around feeling sorry for myself.”
And on Friday, Brian packed his bags, loaded up his tent and set off on his week-long trek.
He hopes to visit Oxfam shops along the way, camping some nights and staying with associates who have heard of his plans...

Brian said: “I aim to walk about 20 miles a day, but I know I can double that.
“Someone offered to put me up in Shrewsbury for a night, and they’ve sponsored me £2 a mile – £300 in total – so I’m very grateful for that.”
So far, the Wallasey Village man has generated £870 in funds for the church and he hopes to increase that to £1,000.
He’s also become involved in the church’s youth activities by helping to coach football, and now hopes to achieve a qualification that will allow him to work as a mentor to young people.
St Hilary’s Reverend John Farr said: “He’s got to be applauded for it.
“I’m sure he’s got friends in different quarters but he decided he wasn’t going anywhere and has turned his life around.
“I think the kids thought he was off his head when he started, but he’s great with them and doesn’t take any nonsense.”
And for those in similar positions, Brian added: “Just try and take part, because that’s what I’ve done.
“I started all this to keep myself busy and my mind ticking over, but I’m happier now than I’ve ever been.”
To sponsor Brian, visit www.justgiving.com/brian macintosh150milewalk
Have you been made redundant recently, before finding your feet again?

OXFORD MAIL

150-mile trek raises £1,000 for Oxfam
3:55pm Thursday 4th June 2009
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AN OUT-OF-WORK truck driver who turned his hand to volunteering at his local Oxfam shop raised more than £1,000 after walking 150 miles to the charity’s hometown of Oxford.
Brian MacIntosh, 32, was laid off from his job as an HGV driver at a recycling plant in Wallasey, near Liverpool, at the beginning of the year.
Keen to keep occupied, the father-of-one took voluntary work at an Oxfam shop and loved it so much he decided to do something big for the charity.
Last Friday, the former soldier left his home in the North West and began the 150-mile walk to Oxford, stopping at a dozen Oxfam shops. He arrived at Oxford’s Broad Street branch yesterday.
He said: “The distances have varied, but it’s been about 20 to 30 miles a day. On Tuesday I walked through the night from Worcester to be at Oxford for the morning — that was about 46 or 47 miles.”
He added: “I’ve had a really positive reaction from people along the way. One couple in Shrewsbury offered me a barbecue, a place to sleep for the night — which I accepted — and ended up sponsoring me £300. The reception in Oxford was brilliant and I’ve been given a tour of the head office in Cowley.”
Mr MacIntosh is now looking at working for a charity full time.

Brian Macintosh 150 mile walk

2009-05-13T04:45:00.000-07:00

Brian Macintosh 150 mile walk isnt that far away now, just 16 days an counting.... think its time to crack on with my final preps.. Any helpful tips or just good luck msgs all are welcome ..

You can sponsor me at http://www.justgiving.com/brianmacintosh150milewalk

All money recieved via that link go directly to Oxfam and get put to work straight away.. An we all know , " Every little helps ".

Brian Macintosh150milewalk

2009-05-13T01:52:00.000-07:00

Gearing up towards my hike of a life time, literaly 150 miles is no walk in the park...
16 Days to go,, ahh well i know i know its for a good cause and thats what matters at the end of it all.. God will help when i need him, Im certain of that.. So on with my training .
All good things have been happening lately and im enjoying it alot,

Another day!!!

2009-04-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

Well another day has passed and to be quite honest its been a good day... I managed to raise another £75 towards my £ 1000....
Im having problems with getting some bigger companys to back me, youd think the bigger they are the more helpful..Not a chance , from what ive learned today its the smaller, more family based companys that are willing to help me..
All i ask for is maybe a bit of equipment to assist me on my walk, trek whatever you want to call it? Im calling it my ''Walk for change''.
Oxfam to whom i volunteer are always looking for more volunteers / funds just to help for the basics in third world countrys.... Ive recently read that a simple £6 could feed 100 people...
thats just over our minimum wage per hour here in the UK ,

Thank you.

2009-04-17T23:21:00.000-07:00

Oh yes id also like to add a quick thank you to the people who have already predged funds..
Im currently on £245.00 which is a great start towards the £1000 i hope to raise and with everyones help i may just get there.
Theres also a very special thank you to Dave and Rebecca at Artisan Buildings limited who have kindly offered to put me up for the night and provide a meal whilst on my walk, as i pass where they live near shrewsbury.
Any help or ideas in meeting my total will be greatly recieved so please dont hessitate to contact me..

My build up to walking 150 miles for charity...

2009-04-17T18:58:00.000-07:00

Hi, Im Brian Macintosh .

Firstly may i thank you for visiting my Blog its for a worthy cause

Im planning to walk 150 miles for Oxfam.

I intend to start my walk on the 29/5/09, it begins in Wallasey,Wirral and ends in Oxford...

Well if your wandering why 150 miles, well alots happend to me in the last few months.
Ive started going to church on sundays, I also help out with the church youth club on a friday evening. Well this year the current church building is 150 years old and as a sort of respect i decided to do this walk along side oxfam....
Ill be honest im quite suprised how my life is turning around .

Up until recently there has been something missing in my life, but whatever it was its here now. Everyday i wake up with excitement and wonder,as i seem to be having alot of fun in all aspects of my life....

So i thought while im out of work i might aswell do something productive, hence this walk and my other voluntry work..

Obviously all donations will be greatly appreciated..

1 LESS DAY TO WAIT

2009-03-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

Yep ,thats rite ... 1 less day to wait.. To be honest im gettin excited about the prospect of going it alone. Its something 4 weeks ago i wasnt even thinking about working, let alone for myself.

I hope that some one out there reads this and at least takes alook at http://www.totalalbi.co.uk .... any suggestions, ideas or even links will be gratefully recieved..

MY LAUNCH IS COMING

2009-03-25T06:24:00.000-07:00

HI, IM BRIAN A 32 YEAR OLD, MARRIED WITH 3 KIDS SOON TO BE FOUR...
I LIVE IN THE UK AND JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD IVE RECENTLY BEEN LAID OFF...

SO WHAT AM I DOING?
WELL IVE DECIDED TO GO IT ALONE IN THE BIG WORLD OF THE INTERNET,,

VERY SOON ILL BE LAUNCHING A NEW SITE,,ILL BE HONEST ITS STILL IN PRODUCTION AS IM GETTING A VERY BIG RESPONSE BY ADVERTISERS AND PUBLISHERS WANTING TO JOIN ME ON MY NEW ADVENTURE,, ILL BE PROVIDING MORE DETAILS AS AND WHEN THE TIME COMES...

TRUST ME ,THIS WILL BE FULL OF DISCOUNTS ON ALL SORTS OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FROM EBOOKS THROUGH TO GAMES, SHOPPING AND MUCH MORE..