Projects
Nadine is proud to live in Hampshire and is a keen supporter of local community projects. She has been inspired by the multitude of people she has met through this work who give up their time so selflessly to help improve the lives of others.
She strives to use her art and imagination to create events and to work on projects which will help make a difference to the community around her. Each of the projects below has been created to raise awareness and much needed funds for very worthwhile causes.
Wild Wheelchairs Project
The Wild Wheelchairs Project is about inspiring people to achieve their goals irrespective of the obstacles that are put in front of them.
Our first project is focused on Ethiopia. We will undertake an expedition in 2019 in which two amputees will ascend Ethiopia’s tallest mountain, Ras Dashen (4,550m). Quadruple Amputee and motivational speaker Alex Lewis (www.alex-lewis.co.uk) and Emebet Ale Dires (Ethiopia) will be climbing Ras Dashen along with the other key members of the Wild Wheelchairs team.
Update – Conquering Ethiopia’s highest mountain
It has now been 2 years since the “Wild Wheelchairs Project” was set up.
The project featured recently on the BBC (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBOJhuRpoyI) and we have also featured on BBC 1, ITV etc (see videos on the you tube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZudflHSEczMLWLeIuA7HOQ?view_as=subscriber)
The wheelchairs factory is up and running and producing wheelchairs in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
In October 19 we undertook the 14 day expedition to ascend Ras Dashen – where we were successful in reaching the summit on 6th October – you can read a blog of the expedition on www.wildwheelchairs.com as well as at https://www.tesfatours.com/wild-wheelchairs-into-the-simiens-the-ascent-of-ras-dashen/
In the expedition team was Winchester Hospital’s Intensive care specialist Dr Geoff Watson, who had saved Alex’s life 6 years ago and was the one to help him up the final stretch to the summit.
In addition we used a specially designed solar powered battery assisted Handcycle to allow Alex and the other amputee taking part in the expedition (20 year old Emebet, who has no legs) to transport themselves through the foothills upto below the summit of the mountain. This Handcycle was developed by a team of Masters students from the University of Southampton and one of them (Tom Parker) accompanied us on the expedition along with Dr Dave Marshall from the University Staff
The project has also involved the design and construction of two special solar powered off road handcycles, which will be needed for Alex and Emebet to get up the mountain. The handcycles were developed and built by a team of Masters engineering students from The University of Southampton.
We are raising money to finance the construction of wheelchair manufacturing facilities in Ethiopia, which will transform the lives of hundred of disable people living there. The project will be filmed by Director Simon Ratigan. We aim to produce a documentary of what is achieved.
For further information, please contact Nadine Collinson 07714 245335 or visit www.wildwheelchairs.co.uk
Ambassador for the Murray Parish Trust
I am absolutely delighted to be invited to represent the Murray Parish Trust as an Ambassador. Their important work is very dear to my heart and I am eager to raise awareness of the charity and to help realise its inspirational ambitions.
For further information, please contact Nadine Collinson 07714 245335 or visit www.themurrayparishtrust.com
The ICE Project
I am very proud to actively support The ICE Project
This ambitious, innovative programme is a collaboration between Hampshire Cultural Trust and Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, provided by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The ICE Project promotes the benefits of arts and culture on our emotional and psychological health and wellbeing, working with at-risk and vulnerable young people across Hampshire.
The project aims:
• To INSPIRE young people in Hampshire to connect with their own mental health through arts and culture
• For young people to participate in arts activities and CREATE artwork, in order to acquire skills, express themselves and experience a personal journey
• For young people to EXCHANGE their ideas, opinions and advice about mental health with the public and feel a sense of achievement
The project has a wide reach across Hampshire, working with a range of young people and a range of art-forms; from young people with eating disorder making original film, to children in care making a piece of theatre and children with disabilities exploring music.
Photo credit -Taken as part of The ICE Project, by a young person referred from Fareham & Gosport CAMHS.
For further information, please contact Nadine Collinson 07714 245335 or visit The Ice Project
Winchester Portrait Exhibition
in association with The Peter Cooper Motor Group and Paris Smith LLP
The Winchester Portrait Exhibition is a collection of photographs of people who have made an impression on local life through their work and activities and who live in, or come from, Hampshire. The portraits have been taken by photographer Michael Butters, the project was organized and styled by local artist Nadine Collinson. The portraits were supported by a selection of Nadine’s sculpture
The exhibition was held at The Great Hall, Winchester supported by Eileen Berry, the Mayor of Winchester 2014/2015. All money raised were donated to The Murray Parish Trust’s #2millionsteps Campaign, PICU (Paediatric Intensive Care Unit) at Southampton University Hospital and Winchester Cathedral. The exhibition was presented in association with The Peter Cooper Motor Group and Paris Smith LLP.
The exhibition so far has raised in the region of £10,000 for the charities. In addition, a special announcement was made by James Murray from The Murray Parish Trust that a donation of £10,000 was made directly to the Murray Parish Trust, as a direct result of the exhibition. This donation will be match funded by the Barker Mills Foundation and then this combined amount will then be match funded by the government to add an incredible £40,000 to their #2MillionSteps campaign.
For further information, please contact Nadine Collinson 07714 245335
www.winchesterportraitexhibition.co.uk
www.michaelbuttersphotography.co.uk
Graze Festival
I am proud to be a member of the Graze Festival committee I am pleased to see it continue to grow and go from strength to strength each year.
Graze Festival has rapidly established itself as a highly successful and hugely popular music and food event for the communities of Twyford, Winchester and neighbouring areas.
The event attracts over 2,500 visitors and is an exciting day out for all the family. Graze Festival brings famous artists and rising music acts to this area of Hampshire. Graze Festival is also a showcase for local talent, performing arts and regional food and produce. It is situated in Twyford near Winchester and is held on August Bank Holiday Sunday each year.
Graze Festival is a not-for-profit enterprise run entirely by a team of volunteers which raises vital funds to support local community charities and activities. The surplus generated by Graze Festival is set aside in a fund administered by a local charity which then distributes grants according to a simple and clear set of criteria. Each year we select a focus charity. We have been proud to work closely with The Murray Parish Trust and The Joe Glover Trust in recent years.
Our sponsors and supporters in 2018 included: Paris Smith, Snows Group, Hotel du Vi, NFU Mutual Winchester, Hartog Dental, Humphreys Farms, Ideal Collection, Twyford School, Eco German Kitchens, Burrells Jewellers, Hamptons Winchester, David Lloyd Clubs, The Watercress Company, Princes Mead School, Veolia, Boxxfresh.
If you would like more information or are able to support The Graze Festival in any way please contact Nadine for further information.
