So, yesterday saw the welcome home celebration that marked the end of the All Counties Craft Challenge for Maisy and myself but what of the challenge; did we succeed?
The Mission
When Maisy and I first set out on this challenge we had two specific goals in mind.
- Raise much needed awareness of, and funds for, Mind – the mental health charity.
- Promote mindfulness through creativity.
This was to be done through travelling the country and hosting workshops in as many of the 92 historic counties as possible.
The Result
Sounds like a simple enough thing to do, right?
If you have followed the diary posts you will know that at times it was not the easiest of tasks, especially given that I was doing all of this after suffering a breakdown and whilst living with subsequent depression and anxiety myself; key reasons why I chose to do the challenge in the first place.
There were some major highs in all forms; people, places, events.
There were some definite lows; the suicide of a friend, mood dips and panic attacks.
So, was it all worth it?
HELL YEAH!
The challenge, in raising over £22,000 for the charity, has also been able to get mental health and mindfulness talked about in a large number of print and online publications with total circulation reaching into the 100s of 1000s and has also been featured on several regional BBC radio stations with similar coverage.
That is a lot of people talking about a subject that all to often can be swept under the carpet.
Goal 1 accomplished!
1000’s of you chose to attend a workshop or grab yourself an official Create and Craft TV All Counties Craft Challenge postcard colouring book and get colouring in order to be more mindful.
Goal 2 accomplished!
Did we hit all 92 counties? No. What we did do though is create and attend 92 events around the country from as far south as Cornwall all the way up to the Shetland islands and from Northern Ireland to the eastern counties, covering a total of 25,000+ miles around the entire United Kingdom. I’d say that was a good trade off, wouldn’t you … ?
Welcome Home
The star of the event has really been Maisy the motorhome. She has been my home and the one to lug me and my craft stash around those 25,000+ miles and been parked up in the most unusual places.
From when we first met …
… through her makeover and official reveal …
… to her final day of workshops …
… I loved that lass and will miss her a lot.
She has been pap-snapped in car parks, laybys and motorway services and whenever she is spotted people have stopped and talked.
It was fitting therefore that she should be the centre of attention during the recent welcome home celebrations that were held at the Create and Craft TV studios in Peterborough.
Driving her back into the car park and seeing the crowd was a little daunting.
This was it!
The rest of the day was great as I also got to meet the fundraising coordinators from Mind that had helped with collection pots, banking and all of the legal aspects behind the challenge – and hand over a GIANT cheque :)
There was even cake!
Somewhere in front of the queue anyway ;)
Nom!
All too soon it was time to grab my suitcase and head off up to my new home in Scotland and say au revoir to Peterborough.
Final Donations
Whilst the challenge has officially ended you can still make a contribution and help someone else who is going through a difficult time.
The Just Giving page will remain open until August and the Postcard Colouring Books will still be available from Create and Craft TV allowing time for anyone that still wants to contribute to do so.
All donations from both of these methods will go directly to Mind.
Many thanks to EVERYONE that chose to take part in whatever way – you are the reason that I kept going through the challenge, and the reason that I have the chance for a new start.
Thank you.
x
GENTLEMAN CRAFTER 
Sad that I never received my small piece of art work as described when you first started challenge John but well done all the same
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Don’t panic. They’re being done. Possibly you didn’t get the email I sent a month or so back?
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thank you
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Well done what an achievement and welcome to Bonnie Scotland hope your happy here its no a bad wee place to live
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Magnificent achievement John…& Maisie! Congratulations and for such a worthwhile cause. Thank you also for the pleasure and inspiration you have given us on your journey. Well done. You should be very proud of yourself. Perhaps another one in. the future? We are greedy but love what you do so much. 💋
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Well done sir! I’m annoyed that I didn’t get to any of your events ‘north of the Border’ but I hope to see more Mandalas on the horizon!
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Congratulations John on your huge achievement! I have thoroughly enjoyed following and supporting your journey, you have made a huge difference to many people raising awareness, You have made me laugh out loud whilst following your journey blogs- no mean feat. So thank you . Good luck with your new beginnings and hope to see you on the tv doing what you do so well!!
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Well done John, you should be proud of yourself. It was lovely meeting you in Exmouth. Good luck for the future. x
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Well done John, going to miss your adventures with Maisie. Welcome to Bonnie Scotland, and may you have more crafty adventures here :)
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Well done John. My friend and I came to the Derbyshire event and we had a great time. I am a trustee at Derbyshire Mind and we are celebrating and fundraising in this our 50th Anniversary year. I have challenged myself to hold a coffee morning and crafternoon. No where near the challenge you set yourself, but hopefully I will raise a few pounds. I have bought the postcard colouring book and I have included a set of crayons as one of the raffle prizes. Well again John you are an inspiration and a legend. Enjoy your move to Scotland
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Good luck with the event! :)
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Well done John. Really enjoyed the workshop I did. Best of luck for the future. Will miss your posts.
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You’re a star, shining brightly whatever the challenge ….well done and congratulations on an amazing achievement. I will really miss you popping into my mail box. I wish you all the very best for your new life in Scotland. Keep well and carry on crafting. Karen X
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What an amazing achievement John. It was a pleasure to meet you and to host two of your events. So sorry we had closed and could not hold your finale. Good luck in your next chapter of excitement, I look forward to more blogs!!! 😊 Katy (The Manor House) x
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Well done and many thanks to you too John for giving us so much pleasure. All the best in whatever you choose to do. ‘Mind’ was also mentioned on the ‘One show’ this week.
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Thank you for all you’ve done & achieved over the past year. I know you’ve been an inspiration to many people. It’s going to be strange not hearing about all the places & people you’ve met on the road but I’m sure we will be hearing a lot of what ever it is you’ve planned or are planning to do from now on. Enjoy your new home & keep safe dearest man. xxxx
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Welcome to your new home north of the Border and I hope you are as happy as I have been since I moved up here some 16 years ago. You have been a source of true inspiration and your blogs have got me through some very dark days too. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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I am incredibly proud of what you have done not only to help MIND but also what a positive message you’ve brought about dealing with a wide array of mental health issues. Crafting truly is a wonderful tool to reach out to others. The year seems to have gone by in a flash, but what a journey. I’m so glad I happened to tune into Create & Craft to see you and Maisy on your triumphant return. I’ll miss your stories from the road, but I also look forward to hearing about your new adventures in Scotland. Finally, I hope you will consider publishing a coffee table book with the many amazing photos from the past year. Much love.
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