Tuesday 13 May 2008

Taking the Plunge and Falling House Prices

I hate fundraising. Hate asking for cash. Even in a good cause.
But I've agreed to step off the roof of Belfast's Europa Hotel in celebration of Habitat for Humanity, who bring communities together to build houses and communities where once people like us burned our/their neighbours out.

I know house prices here are falling, but have you heard this? The average cost of building a Habitat house in the developing world is... £1250. There must be quite a few people around here paying that monthly. The world is "ill-divid". I wonder how many folk spend that on a holiday... or one of several holidays...

The Europa was (for 25 years or so, according to urban legend in my youth) Belfast's most bombed hotel. Europa Hotel Belfast
Now, it's probably one of the safest buildings in Europe. On the inside anyway. I'm counting on the abseiling instructors knowing their stuff to make my Spiderwoman descent a thing of beauty, and not in the way that strawberry jam can be beautiful. (No more bombing in Belfast, right?)

Oddly though, I know the hardest thing about this whole process is not stepping off a building, relying on a string or two. It's asking for people to give. But unless YOU want this blog to become a place for my psychotherapy, I think I'll ponder that one silently for a little longer. (Meanwhile, if you want to ease my angst, click on the widget over there... to the right, and make a donation to Habitat!)

4 comments:

Ruth Strong said...

I took that plunge one time.... soooo much fun! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

olli said...

Hi there. I didn't realise you were blogging too. So have you done your trip over the edge yet or is it still to come?

Anonymous said...

Well done Cheryl - hope it was as fun as it looked (on Alan's blog!).

Highest CD Rates said...

Yeah, you have raised a valid point about building a house in developing world and monthly income in developed world. There is nothing to compare in between two. As if we convert that too one currency then there is hardly any difference between two.