Symbiosis ...

Unless the first time you have come across Gillian Jones Designs is in reading this blog you cannot have failed to notice that I am now a partner of the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity.

It is a brilliantly mutually beneficial relationship. I donate £3 from each navy themed print that I sell; donate the occasional print to be raffled or auctioned; and am designing an annual limited edition print from which 40% of the proceeds will go to the charity. In return they display my pictures whenever they have a stall at an event; are arranging an advert for me in Navy News; promote my pictures on social media; and allow me to use their logo.

I am very proud of my association with this charity and love that I can give a little bit to this fabulous organisation which works so hard to support sailors and their families.

In one of those moments of irony I have recently contacted a military charity which is supported by RNRMC to ask for some help! I use a wheelchair for any distances greater than about 10m or for any standing up that lasts longer than about 10 minutes. My wheelchair is fabulous on nice hard smooth surfaces but becomes an unwieldy monster the minute I leave the beaten track. My boys love being off the beaten track and I would dearly like to follow them. The solution (subject to a test drive) to my problem seems to be this...the Mountain Trike:

Unfortunately they cost rather a lot and having already bought a wheelchair this year the coffers are empty! Hence the request to the military charity. Watch this space.....