By Livi Ngroom
First we had Comic Relief, and then there was Sports Relief and now a fundraising day hopes to offer ‘Hand Relief’.
The new day launched by Bassett Rivers Care Group is aimed at offering ‘hand relief’ to thousands of carers by giving them ‘Hand Jobs’.
Charity chairman Ivor Nosenseofirony said: “The idea is quite simple. Carers work really hard all throughout the year so on this one day a year on April 1 we are going to give them the best present we could give them - ‘Hand Relief’.
“By our fundraisers going out and doing what we call ‘Hand Jobs’ we are hoping to make carers smile across the town.”
But the new fundraising day has run into a couple of snags after it was pointed out that the terms ‘Hand Relief’ and ‘Hand Jobs’ could be considered as quite rude.
Mr Nosenseofirony added: “There are always some naysayers out there who have their minds in the gutter. I’ve never heard of ‘Hand Relief’ and ‘Hand Jobs’ as rude things.
“All they are meant to mean is that carers will be given some respite on this ‘Hand Relief’ day and fundraisers will be carrying out much-needed ‘Hand Jobs’ that need doing.
“We’re not going to change the name as the aim of this day is to provide a ‘Happy Ending’ as we’re calling it to thousands of people who might not have had any satisfaction to themselves for a long time.
“We’re not going to rub people up the wrong way and our resolve is stiffened.”
According to the latest figures hundreds of thousands of men have already signed up to the scheme either as fundraisers or recipients.
“It’s really surprised us the massive reaction that we’ve got to this day. I never thought it would be as popular as it has been. We are so touched. And I’m sure the day will be touching a lot of people.
“Next year’s definitely going to be a hard act to follow.”
