GUEST BLOG: NICK’S STORY by CARINA TALMEY

We recently donated a weekend away at the Wiremill as a prize for a fundraising event which will be held in honour and support of Nick Stanley on Sunday 11th September. This is the story that encouraged us to help Team Stanley, told by his good friend and former colleague, Carina Talmey.

After years of hard work at school and university, I was loving my new job as an Occupational Therapist (OT) at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, but after a long illness which saw me out of action for nearly eight months, the thought of returning to work was pretty daunting. That’s when I met Nick Stanley.

Nick was a Locum OT at the hospital (meaning he covered shifts across a range of specialties – an incredibly competitive sector) and worked in the Trauma Unit, to which I was returning. Not only was he a fantastic colleague and OT, he also quickly became a great friend. He held my hand as I made a tentative return to a crazy world, stood by my side when I needed him and encouraged me to stand alone.

In the six short months we worked together, I learned more from Nick than I ever had from anyone. He rebuilt my confidence and left me believing in myself. He also helped develop my love for the Trauma Unit –  I am now the lead OT at my local hospital and am training to become a specialist in spinal cord injury.

You can imagine my horror when a few months ago, news reached me that Nick had been involved in a serious accident. He’d been knocked off of his bike whilst cycling to work and was left fighting for his life in intensive care.

Against the odds, Nick bravely fought back from the brink. Tragically, he had sustained life-changing injuries. A severe spinal cord injury had left him paralysed from the waist down and further injuries resulted in him losing the use of his left arm. As a friend, I was devastated by his life had changed and as an OT, I understood exactly just how much.

But Nick had so many reasons to get better. His wife of nearly 3 years, Nicole. His little girl, Rylee-May. The unborn baby his wife was carrying at the time of the accident. An entire family and friends who loved him. And his patients of the future.

Having had such an impact on my life, I knew I had to do something to support Nick and his family in their time of need. They are always the ones that help others – now it was our turn. A close friend of the family set up a fundraising page and friends, family, colleagues and former patients flocked to offer their support. I wanted to offer something to help but I knew that if I put my mind to it, I could turn my donation into something more.

Cue the Team Stanley Fundraiser.

I hired a community centre, invited some friends along and wrote to local businesses, asking if they would be able to support the event in any way. I envisaged a raffle with maybe one or two nice prizes, a little cake sale in the corner and hoped to perhaps raise a few hundred pounds for my friend and his family.

It’s now three months later and I feel like I’ve taken on a second job as an events planner! With the support of my own incredible family and friends (particularly my loyal sidekicks Emma and Sam), we’ve created an event which we hope will be really special.

There’ll be a buffet, alongside the cake sale, a whole section for kiddies with a tombola, lucky dip, guessing games and face-painting (I offered to have them try a few faces on me – I now look as if I’ve had a bit of a dodgy tan!). There’s also a raffle so phenomenal I can still barely believe it. For even in a time when money is tight and business is tough, unbelievable generosity from local businesses has seen us create a raffle with over £1,000 worth of prizes! We’ve had so much support; we’ve had to put some of the prizes in a silent auction! With generous donations from people who can’t be there (and also monetary donations from some local businesses too), we also have a healthy fund – before the day has even arrived.

It’s schemes like the Random Acts Of Kindness project that make it possible for people like me to do things like this. They have helped me turn a little idea into a huge fundraiser. That in turn is going to make the most amazing difference for Nick and his family. The money can be used to help make their property accessible. It can take off the financial strain (neither Nick nor Nicole have been able to work for many months now, being stuck miles away from home with Nick in a spinal rehab unit). It can take away some unnecessary worries and it can allow Nick to focus on his rehab to regain as much independence as his injuries will allow. It will quite literally help change their lives for the better, at a time when they have had to face so many difficult challenges.

So thank you – family, friends, businesses. Thank you to projects like The Random Acts Of Kindness. Thank you for helping me help my friend.

Written by: Carina Talmey

365: 34 A RAOK FROM THE LEAST EXPECTED

Any random act of kindness is pretty incredible but this woman? She’s something else.

Fiona Munro gave two strangers in a diner a £20 note to pay for their lunch. Yes, that’s pretty great all on its own but what makes this experience all the more amazing is that those £20 came from money that she received from family and friends as a gift, for her and her husband to treat themselves while Fiona recuperates from her cancer.

But wait, it gets better. One RAOK motivates another, as it turns out the women Fiona gave the money to have pledged to do a RAOK of their own with a charity bungee-jump! Talk about inspiring! We’ve contacted Fiona so we can make her smile like she made those two women smile. If we don’t hear from her that’s OK, too (she has the right to her privacy, of course). Stay tuned!

365: 33 ICE, ICE (COFFEE) BABY

Yeah ok, the headline gives it away…but it’s Monday, so cut us some slack! Some of you are probably still recovering from hardcore partying at Lovebox. We too love a festival, which was why we decided to join in on the fun during Somers Town Festival (we are Somers Town Coffee House, after all). And what better way than to give away some free iced coffee, chips and sandwiches? #RAOK

365: 29 CLEAN PARK, CLEAN MIND, GREAT KARMA.

Tooting, it’s your turn to do some RAOK. Manager at the Gorringe, Paul, has decided it’s time to do a summer clean.

No, no – not at the pub. The loons will be heading to Figge’s Marsh park, to pick up any litter and make the green spot shiny and new (and safe for our furry friends)!

Fancy joining us? OF COURSE YOU DO. Come, clean, laugh. We’ll treat you to a hot or soft drink afterwards – on the house, for being so awesome. Bring the pup’s along too (we love a doggy cuddle).

Meet at the Gorringe Park at 11am on Saturday 9th July. It’s good karma and everyone needs that.

365: 29 PRIDE: BUST OUT YOUR COLOURS

You might have noticed that we’re looking a little different today. Nope, we’re not talking about the hot, hot, hot photo of Keith, Tim and Anthony in red heels (RAWR) – although that’s definitely worth talking about.*

WE’RE TALKING ABOUT PRIDE! It’s the final weekend for the festival and you know what that means – BUST OUT YOUR COLOURFUL CLOTHING AND GET OVER TO SOHO (followed by a visit to one of our pubs, EHRM). In honour and support of the festival, we’ve turned ourselves into a rainbow-coloured bunch.

On a more serious note, in light of the horrible events in Orlando, we’d also like to share some heart-warming Random Acts of Kindness stories that we’ve read about in the last few days, which are in support of the people affected by the tragedy: Rock ‘Em apparel, who created the special pair of Orlando United socks of which all proceeds will go to the One Orlando Fund and #OrlandoUnited t-shirts, a joint collab between sports teams in Central Florida, MLS’s Orlando City, NWSL’s Orlando Pride, NBA’s Orlando Magic, ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears and AFL’s Orlando Predators.

But the story that truly touched our hearts? It was right here, in the Big Smoke:

*Allie’s in the process of framing it.

**Apparently Tim is quite fond of his heels. An electric blue pair for Christmas perhaps?

365: 24 HERE’S TO YOU, LOONS

Remember how a few weeks ago, we told you we’d be rewarding one of our loons for being extra-super-awesome? Well, you may have noticed Head of Being Awesome (Tim, y’all) announced it on Wednesday. We’d like to give another BIG congrats to Roxana – well done!

We’d also like to thank both customers and managers for their kind words about our loons and for telling us all about their RAOK’s. They had some lovely things to say about you lot…

Josh (Somers Town Coffee House)
“We would like to nominate Josh. He is not the looniest loon and he is an exceptional person who deserves recognition. He’s reliable, kind and delivers 110%, on top of his current situation. Joe and I are really impressed by him.”

Will (The Wiremill)
“I’d like to nominate Will. He’s been a great asset to the mill, handing in his notice to dedicate time fully to hospitality. He’s been up against a host of issues of late; from leaking ceilings, to cold showers and hasn’t moaned about anything, just got on with it, had some banter with the customers & begun to really grow into the role. Anything I have asked of him he has done without hesitation, he has an appetite to learn & I think he is a key member of the WM team.”

Bethany (Grove Ferry)
“All round good egg, hosted the wedding on Saturday with ease, outstanding feedback from the bride and groom. She delivers some of the best guest service I’ve seen in a long time, nothing is too much trouble for her in terms of shift patterns – she comes in early and stays late, first one to offer help to cover staff holidays / emergencies. I love her! There’s also silly things like, at the wedding there were some elderly guests she asked to remain seated and she went to get their food from the buffet for them.”

Lucille (The Stoke Newington Tea House)
“Always works hard, helps out and is all-around great. Is way ahead on CPL, wants to grow in hospitality and form a career, truly interested in the business. Doesn’t need to be told to do things, just gets on and does them – self-sufficient.” 

Toby (Gorringe Park)
“He always puts hits hand up to cover shifts and does the extra mile for customers an is keen learner and is being trained to be supervisor. Tobs for the win! Legend!”

Charlotte (Vic)
“She works really hard and she’s great at her job – she wrote this about herself:” Can you imagine someone that has super smarts, super silliness, super sass and super sexiness all rolled into one, you are looking at her right now. I’m a proper bow belle beaut and you will know when I enter the room! It’s not my fault, I cant help it, sometimes I’m just a bit laad sometimes.. most of the time, ok so I have trouble controlling the volume of my voice, but I’m clean and tidy and can’t deal with mess, EVERYTHING has its rightful place, but I don’t have that OCD thing or nuffing, just like the place to be clean. Gotta love Fantasia and Mary Poppins, only in a perfect/Disney World would self washing and cleaning exist. Currently only magic seems to make these things happen, but I’m working on it, gonna be a millionaire one day soon, bruv,  when my self cleaning glasses come about, keep an eye out for me on Dragons Den! Save the bees, no pollen without bees, without pollen there are no flowers, then no trees, then no air, then we’re all dead. Love going to watch the Arsenal with the family, favourite player has to be Francis Jeffers oh oh oh or Pascal Cygan, or Theo Walcott, I could be the best thing that could happen to you. I can bake, bacon-infused crumpets are my speciality. Love crumpets and donuts, I’ll bake them for you for breakfast!

Poxy buildings, filled with incredible people…

I own a poxy f*@king pub company.

Six stunning pubs that house some of the best talent in the hospitality industry, but every time we let a customer down, we become a poxy f*@king pub company.

Fact.

I’ve spent the last five hours explaining that to people. That & the newly adopted f*@k off in 18 months recruitment strategy I’m literally force applying to my business. There are a lot of swear words for such a short intro, but sometimes the gravity of a situation can only be endorsed by crude language*

*for uneducated people, of which, at large, I am such a person.

But it’s true.

I can make my pubs look amazing; spend loads of cash; which I’ve sacrificed my own personal happiness & development for, for the greater good of what’s coming & yet we can’t deliver the core basics of hospitality. Sometimes you can never win, sometimes the expectations of the customer are just too great, but 99.9% of the time we can absolutely deliver, in fact, we can over deliver. My business is about kids, about people, about taking kids with limited or no futures & making them stars, the ‘riff raff’, the ‘troublesome ones’, the ‘difficult teenagers’ & it’s also about the gifted ones, the guys & girls that have their ‘whole lives in front of them, why hospitality? Why for gods sake, why? You could do so much more with your life?!!!’

It’s a balance that often goes wrong, but when it goes right, boy am I soooooooooooo proud of the business I have built.

A business that sustains an entire population of the ‘youth of today’. I’m only ranting because today is my birthday, another year gone, anther year I have achieved many dreams. Another year I’m the old git in Yummy. On the train to town I picked up a story of a stunning young talent we were fortunate to begin to nurture in Liam Pope. He’s just cooked with Raymond Blanc at the Royal Chelsea Flower Show, a dream I remember him chatting on about how he was going to cook with this chef & that chef & this chef & that chef…the boys doing it, regardless of the barriers put in the way, he’s living life.

For the past year I have lived with the mantra to live my life. Really live my life. Not fancy holidays or living dreams, but life, appreciating the day to day, getting up in the morning, cuddles with my babies, smelling their heads as they come fresh out of bed, life, not dreams.

A tiny little girl & a fat bloke (who shall be un named for now) taught me that.

This year, hand on heart I can say I have, lived my life.

I’ve watched & enjoyed my gorgeous boys growing (my babes, not the two ugly gits above). I’ve married my long suffering ‘other half’ (she’s still suffering, but now married) whom I love with every ounce in my body & watched my business grow. Lucy thinks its my passion; Yummy, what makes me tick & she’s right, but what she doesn’t see is that its my family that give me the energy & the drive to make Yummy special. I’ve also helped a few people along the way.

For my birthday tomorrow I’m going to take another kid out of sheltered accommodation. It’s a bloody horrible place, but it’s better than the concrete. Writing this, I’ve decided, that’s what I’ll be doing tomorrow, because I’ve built a business that can do it, the real beauty of hospitality. I joked with a chap I admire greatly tonight, Mr PBN (he knows who he is) saying he came from pot wash to CEO, but his recourse was ‘Cellar boy’ – that’s the beauty of my trade unlike any other, he’s a phenomenal, driving force of the industry & he started there, I have talent in Yummy, bloody tonnes of it, future leaders & we’ll make that a reality, gifted kids or those off the street, either way, we’ll give them the space, then it’s up to them to shine.

My entire business is beginning to embrace just what we are about through random acts of kindness from cuddles to ice creams to sandwiches for the homeless, It’s simply amazing to see. However, small acts often go un noticed, but in the new era of “YPC never missed” – Roxana is our first YPC loon!!!

We’ve asked our customers, our team, the delivery guys, the suppliers to nominate an individual in YPC that they LOVE for many & any random reason. As such, Roxana from the Somers Town kitchen is our stand out loon. An overwhelming response from ‘nothing is too much trouble’ to ‘ never a moan’ to ‘great talent in the making’ has been the response, so Roxy, you’re our first YPC #RAOKLOON – well done! A treat is making its way to you (via very slow pigeon).

…and so random acts of kindness will build from strength to strength, its been great fun so far, I think we’ve only just touched on the tip of the iceberg of what we can achieve.

Onto another year – this year will be bigger, more colourful & more entertaining than the year past, I simply can’t wait!

#LiveYourLife

365: 18 LOOK. SEE. FEEL.

We tip our hat to Amnesty International for this beaut’ of a video. Yes, we got a little bit teary when we watched it (Allie got VERY teary. She’s a sensitive soul, that one!).

May we suggest you sneak a peak? It’s a worthwhile four minutes of humanity, love and yes, KINDNESS. We dare you not to start sniffling!*

*tissues at the ready!