Save the Bury:

Help Save Ickwell Bury

May Day - Springtime Sponsored Fast

1 May - 8 May

Click here to download Sponsorship Form

Click here to download Fasting Tips & Advice

Click here to download Springtime Fast Notice

Click on the documents listed above to download the Sponsorship Form, Fasting Tips, and the Springtime Fast Notice which you can display in your yoga class. Please be patient with the downloading time! (If you get a pop-up Network Connection box, just cancel out of it.)

You can choose whatever type of fast you want and how many days you want to fast during the first week of May. One to three days is recommended for first time fasters and the bank holiday weekend will be an ideal time for keeping your activity to a minimum.

Collect pledges from your friends and colleagues: -- e.g. "John, I'm raising money for charity by fasting for 3 days. How much money would you be willing to donate if I am able to stick to my commitment for the entire period? You know this is going to be hard for me!" Then let him sign his name and the pledge amount on the Sponsorship Form. At the end of your fast, you let your sponsors know that you were successfull and collect their contributions.

Not only will you be participating in an act of karma yoga, raising funds for a registered charity, you will also be giving your body and mind a wonderful 'spring clean'.

The Yoga for Health Foundation (reg. Charity no. 271648) is a residential yoga centre promoting the practice of yoga for all -- from the fittest to the most seriously disabled. The Foundation has pioneered the use of yoga as a therapy, developing expertise in helping people with chronic illnesses such as MS, ME, Parkinsons Disease, Cancer, Arthritis and Asthma to take control of their lives through intensive residential yoga courses designed especially for them. The Foundation is also a wonderful retreat for the healthy and fit with a program offering the chance to work with some of the best yoga teachers from around the world and it is a teacher training center in general and remedial yoga.

Ickwell Bury, a country house that has been specifically adapted for the disabled, is set in secluded, peaceful surroundings. It has been the Foundation's home for 24 years. Gandhi said "There is enough for every man's need but not for every man's greed." As a result of a local developer's threat to turn the premises into luxury apartments, the Foundatoin decided to go to battle for aparigraha -- they launched an appeal to raise £1 million to purchase the Bury's freehold so that those with special needs can continue to reap the benefits of yoga. Although £250,000 has been raised so far from sponsored yoga events and donations, it is people like you and me who are going to advance this figure closer to the target. Thank you for your help.

Laura Bissell