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Love 4 Tibet

About Me


LOVE 4 TIBET - Janey, Jodie & Richard at our CANDLE FOR TIBET vigil in Hebden Bridge on 07.Aug.08
Jodie, Richard & Janey releasing flares on opening day of the Beijing Olympics
LOVE 4 TIBET was set up by Richard Dalby & Jodie Underhill in 2006 as we wanted to directly benefit the lives of ordinary Tibetans by organizing great events (often musical / cultural, but always with an emphasis on having fun and being just that bit different) which will raise money for vital educational projects and medical facilities.
We realised that by raising even modest amounts can make a BIG difference. The £/$ goes a very long way in Tibet, and we're really proud to have helped fund midwifery training (a large % of Tibetan children still needlessly die at child birth due to lack of these services, especially in the countryside) and to help build schools.
The story of LOVE 4 TIBET by Jodie Underhill
I consider myself quite well travelled but was unaware of the gravity of the situation in Tibet until 2005 when a friend of mine gave me some literature to look at. I was horrified to hear that possessing a picture of the Dalai Lama or a Tibetan flag is an offence punishable by imprisonment and torture. The research continued and the more I learnt, the more I realised that I couldn't just sit idly by, and so the campaigning began.
I decided to raise awareness of the plight of the Tibetan people by organising a fundraising event at Marshalls Bar in Hebden Bridge. On the day of the event I met Richard on the street whilst asking passers by to sign a petition demanding the release of the Panchen Lama, who was kidnapped by the Chinese in 1995 when he was only six years old. Richard and I stayed in touch and started organising the first 'Concert for Tibet' which was held at the Trades Club in April 2006.
The event was an overwhelming success and completely sold out raising over £1,600. The money was donated to several charitable organisations including the Dilgo Khyentse Fellowship (funding medical, educational & cultural programs), Act for Tibet (funding training for Tibetan midwives) and the Free Tibet Campaign. Soon after we formed support group Love 4 Tibet and set up information stalls to raise public awareness.
Richard Dalby presenting the Khenpo (Head Abbot) of Shechen Monastery, Nepal, with funds raised by Love 4 Tibet for humanitarian projects within Tibet - February 2007
Later events included a performance by the monks from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery at Todmorden town hall and a second Concert for Tibet at the Trades Club, Hebden Bridge, to raise money for the Tibetan Children's Village in India. The T.C.V. provides much needed care and education for destitute Tibetan children living in exile. Many of the children faced danger and death as they made secret journeys to escape from Chinese occupied Tibet, seeking a future in India.
We sponsor two children at Chauntra School, a girl and a boy, Thinley and Kalsang. The schools rely on sponsorship and donations for their survival. It's £190 per year to sponsor a child which is 52p per day. This helps to pay for one child to be fed, clothed and educated and brings stability into the life of that child, often traumatised from their journey from Tibet and the loss of their family.
Sponsorship gives hope and encouragement as well as financial help. Having contact through writing plus the important fact that someone cares about them and their progress has an immense impact on their life.
It's a long term commitment not just something you would do for a just a year or two. We send pocket money and we want to buy them shoes and a coat for winter. Their clothes are made within the school on ancient sewing machines. We have already received lovely letters from the children. I'm planning to go and meet them early next year and would love to volunteer at the school. There are 100 children in each Home which includes two dormitories housing 50 children and a Tibetan "foster" mother and helper who cares for 100 children as a family. The children love to learn and the school motto is "Others before self".
Jetsun Pema, founder of the T.C.V.
I personally think it is fantastic that Tibet and the Dalai Lama are receiving such public support from around the world. Senator Feinstein summed it up completely when awarding the Dalai Lama Lama the Congressional Gold Medal.
“The Dalai Lama is a worthy recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal. He is one of the world’s greatest religious leaders and has used human compassion, courage and conviction as his tools in carving a path for peace. For half a century, he has struggled to better the lives of the Tibetan people. In doing so, he has been a shining light to all those fighting for freedom around the world,”
The Dalai Lama only wants freedom for his people yet is called a terrorist by the Chinese. He is fighting for peace and basic human rights, peacefully. If only more world leaders had this philosophy the world would be a much better place.

My Blog

Help needed! Support the Tibetan Childrens Village

Dear friends of Love 4 Tibet, Jodie, co-founder of LOVE 4 TIBET, is quitting work for a while and travelling out to India later this year to spend 2 months working at the Tibetan Children's Village.&n...
Posted by on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:59:00 GMT

CONCERT FOR TIBET with Francis Lickerish

CONCERT for TIBET 3 - Trades Club, Hebden Bridge Saturday 16th AugustA huge thank you to all those who came along to last night's unforgettable 'Concert for Tibet' in Hebden Bridge. We had the most ...
Posted by on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:33:00 GMT

Candle for Tibet vigil / Flares for Tibet !!!

We've had a FANTASTIC couple of days, busy taking part in the CANDLE 4 TIBET campaign and also setting off FLARES from Stoodley Pike in West Yorkshire.  Please note: Text taken from PRESS / MEDIA...
Posted by on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:07:00 GMT

LOVE 4 TIBET - article on BBC BRADFORD website!!!

Woo hoo!!! Love 4 Tibet are today featured in a major article on the BBC's website.  Read it here.Jodie & Rochard of  Love 4 Tibet  (Bloomin' gorgeous aren't we!?)Don't forget to p...
Posted by on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:32:00 GMT

Candle 4 Tibet Vigil - Hebden Bridge 8.30pm 7th August

Hello all!We're organising a CANDLE 4 TIBET vigil, in the town square, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, on Thursday 7th August at 8.30pm.  If you can spare half an hour, please come along.  If...
Posted by on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:40:00 GMT

Love 4 Tibet - newspaper article!

Hellooo!The Yorkshire Post / Halifax Courier have just published a major article about LOVE 4 TIBET.  LOVE 4 TIBET articleMore newsWe'll be taking part in the Candle 4 Tibet event next week, whic...
Posted by on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:44:00 GMT

LOVE 4 TIBET - festival wonderment!

Hello to the big wide world!Love 4 Tibet had a fantastic weekend at the 'World On Your Doorstep' music festival in Hebden Bridge.  We met loads of lovely people, and raised just over £200 at our ...
Posted by on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:55:00 GMT

CONCERT for TIBET - ticket / travel / B&B etc. info !!!

Hi everyone, We've had many enquiries from people from allover the UK wanting to come to the gig. I've put together the following information which should help with your questions about travelling to...
Posted by on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:46:00 GMT

LOVE 4 TIBET - we are now sponsoring 2 Tibetan children

LOVE 4 TIBET are delighted to announce that we are now sponsoring two young Tibetan children on a long term basis; a girl called Thinley Choezom (7 years old) and & a boy, Kalsang Youten (12 ye...
Posted by on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:32:00 GMT

CONCERT FOR TIBET 3 - 16th August - line up confirmed

We're proud to announce the rather incredible line up of music for the forthcoming Concert for Tibet 3 at the Trades Club, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire on Saturday 16th August.Francis Lickerish (foun...
Posted by on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:34:00 GMT