Shakin' Buckets for Charity
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£39,117.60 Raised to Date
£60,000
About Shakin' Buckets
Shakin’ Buckets was born from a challenge that I set myself in September 2024, which was to raise £60,000 in 60 weeks before I turn 60. I assigned this challenge the tag #60by60.
The idea is to raise £10,000 for each of 6 different charities—MIND, Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, British Liver Trust, Alzheimer's Society, and SANDS—by whatever means I can muster.
My first venture was to write a book around the lyrics from 60 songs I had written over a period of around 40 years which I called ‘#60by60 – A lyrical peace of my mind’, explaining in the Introduction just how writing lyrics has helped me work through issues and problems, essentially bringing me some peace of mind – hence the title!
Off the back of the book, I started working with a number of musicians with the aim to put music to some of the lyrics in my book and publish them; but to do that, I needed an artist name to set up a profile on Bandcamp, my initial platform of choice to sell the music.
Since all proceeds from the songs would be going to charity, and people could donate more than the designated £2 per track, I came up with the name Shakin’ Buckets – a combination of the rock and roll era I was born into and the idea of rattling collection pots/buckets for donations.
Learn about, listen to, and buy my songs from Bandcamp.
On this site you will find news and updates on my progress towards the £60,000 target, upcoming events and ways in which you can get involved to help me achieve this goal.
If you'd like to know more, or can help spread the word, please...
Russ in the News
Below you will find interviews and features in the media. Click on each one to expand or collapse the section.
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Northwich and Winford Guardian – 3rd July, 2025
Northwich man faces fears in high-flying fundraiser for friend
A NORTHWICH man with a fear of heights has taken on a series of high-flying challenges in memory of a friend. Read more...
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Radio Merseyside Interview with Kevin Duala – 17th February, 2025
60 by 60 Interview with Kevin Duala on Radio Merseyside
Current, Upcoming and Recent Fundraising Events
Below you will find a bit of info about my fundraising events. Click on each one to expand or collapse the section.
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29 November 2025 - Fearless for Forget-Me-Nots
Empowerment Experience Day: "Fearless for Forget-Me-Nots"
29th November 2025—Burton upon Trent
In aid of the Alzheimer's Society
A Day of Personal Transformation, Powerful Connection, and Fundraising in Honour of Loved Ones and Dementia Support. With five challenges:
- Arrow Break—Break a wooden arrow with the soft part of our throats!
- Rebar Bend
- Glass Walk—Walk barefoot over broken glass!
- Board Break Challenge
- Firewalk—Walk barefoot over hot coals!
With each of these challenges, we will have to be trained to equip us with the right mindset to overcome any doubts or fears we may have about achieving the goals.
I am doing this for Alzheimer's Society along with a colleague, rebecca Blackwell.
Read our story on the JustGiving page.
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23 October 2025 - Of Loss, Love and Hope
Of Loss, Love and Hope
23rd October 2025
In aid of the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS)
An Early Bird Discount of £5 per ticket is available until 30th September 2025.
Just enter SANDS5 at the checkout.Of Loss, Love and Hope is a candlelight concert in aid of the Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Society (SANDS), a charity supporting bereaved families following baby and pregnancy loss.
The event, sponsored by specialty chemicals company Innospec Limited at Ellesmere Port, features both classical and contemporary tunes/songs performed by:
The Northern String Quartet
and
Cottontown ChorusThe Northern String Quartet is highly acclaimed and recognised for its versatility and musical excellence, performing on platforms such as BBC2, ITV1 and Netflix. The quartet is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Their recordings for BBC Radio have further established them as a leading force in the classical music scene.
Cottontown Chorus is a multi-award winning acapella group. Having won 24 awards over the last 25 years, 2 of those earlier this year, they are one of the UK's best kept secrets. Their tight harmonies, established through hours of practice, provide an audible feast!
Their performances will be compered by Joy Winkler, a former Cheshire Poet Laureate and author of several poetry collections, a novel called 'Morgan' and an acclaimed piece of theatre called 'Lightening under their Skirts', amongst other works. Joy is currently Writer in Residence at RHS Tatton.
There will be two halves to the evening of about 1 hour each, with both acts performing. There will be an interval in between with refreshments available from the Chester Cathedral bar.
Tickets from Ticket Source.
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20 September 2025 - Music & Memories
Music & Memories 20th September 2025...
In aid of Alzheimers Society
A chance to get together with friends and loved ones to enjoy reflecting and reminiscing over afternoon tea with the 18-piece
Fish Lip Soup Band
Sounds of the 40s and beyond
- Standard afternoon tea: £10.00 per person
- Prosecco afternoon tea: £12.50 per person
Tickets from Ticket Source or directly from me (see poster for contact details or use the contact form).
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July 2025 - Summer Sounds Sensation
A sensation of summer sounds awaits you at the Bolton Parish Church on Silverwell Street, Bolton, in aid of Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.
You will arrive from 6.45pm Saturday 19th July, to the wonderfully evocative sound of members of the Bolton Caledonia Pipe Band who will play a collection of their typical parade and event tunes.
From 7.15pm you will get to hear performances from Bolton Cancer Voices and the award winning Cottontown Chorus.
These two groups bring contrasting styles of well known classics and popular music, reinvented for a collection of voices - A positive feast for the eyes and ears!
During the interval, coffee, tea and a limited bar will be available with proceeds to Bolton Parish Church.
Tickets for the event itself can be found at Ticket Source.
If you are unable to attend and would like to donate, please do so here: Summer Sounds Sensation - GiveWheel
Tickets for the raffle will be on sale on arrival and during the interval with proceeds from that and profit from ticket sales being split equally between Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.
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June 2025 - Moggy Memories - The Adventures of Flora, Vol. 1 (AKA - Wrecking Russ)
From Sunday 1st June to Wednesday 4th June 2025...
I travelled round 4 counties in the north of England in my 59-year-old Morris Traveller, Flora, in memory of a school friend of mine who passed away on 1st June 2023 from liver cancer, that went undiagnosed for too long, just 3 days from his 57th birthday.
I visited places that mean something to me, the various reasons for which are clear if you followed my updates:
Bolton, Lancashire
Rivington, Lancashire
Ingleton, Yorkshire
Threshfield, Yorkshire
Ilkley, Yorkshire
Skipton, Yorkshire
Haworth, YorkshireLeigh, Lancashire
Ince-in-Makerfield, Lancashire
Vauxhall, Cheshire
Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
Rushup Edge, DerbyshireThe first letters of these places spell out the first 2 words of the charity I am raising money for.
Follow my updates on LinkedIn.
On my road trip, my co-pilot and friend John, organised a daily challenge for me to help me overcome my morbid fear of heights and pay homage to my school friend. We therefore nicknamed the trip as ‘Wrecking Russ’!
- Day 1 – Go Ape Tree Top Trail
- Day 2 – Abseiling
- Day 3 – Climbing
- Day 4 – Up-up and away!........ (whatever that means!)
With all these challenges, I put my Trust in other people and equipment, whilst finishing off the charity’s name.
Having led a sedentary life for the best part of 25 years, and with a number of muscle/joint related ailments, these challenges were not easy, less so with my anxiety of heights.
Many thanks for your donations.
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May 2025 - Gala Night
Gala Night 8th May 2025...
May 8th was a Gala Night in aid of Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.
It was a dinner-dance with a live auction, silent auction and raffle held at The Village Hotel in Bromborough.
Check out more photos in my Gallery Page.
Charities I'm Supporting
Below you will find a bit of info about each charity, why I chose that charity and a link to their site. Click on each one to expand or collapse the section.
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Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer's Society
"At Alzheimer’s Society we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. We do this by giving help to those living with dementia today, and providing hope for the future."
I chose this charity because...
I have seen what dementia can do to people and to their loved ones. It’s a truly awful disease that takes away the person that you knew and loved, locking them away in another world, for the most part, that nobody really understands.
It creates a range of emotions in both the sufferer and those around them – frustration; anger; fear; guilt; sadness; hurt and more.
A slow and silent killer, this disease creeps up on people and, when diagnosed, it is often too late to do very much about it.
Alzheimer’s Society does a lot to support people with dementia and those around them, as well as currently funding over £53 million of world leading dementia research to understand the causes of dementia, advance diagnosis, improve care, and search for a cure.
With 1 in 3 people born in the UK today expected to be diagnosed with dementia in their lifetime, that research is of vital importance and raising money to support it is something I feel strongly about.
You can find out more about this charity here.
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British Liver Trust
British Liver Trust
"We are the British Liver Trust, the UK’s leading liver health charity working to improve liver health for all and supporting those affected by liver disease or cancer."
I chose this charity because...
Two years ago on 1st June 2023, a good friend of mine passed away due to liver cancer, 3 days before his 57th birthday, 4th June 2023.
We had many road trips together, often in his vintage land rover.
A fearless individual, he never shied away from confrontation or challenging situations and for a number of years spent his spare time hang gliding.
To mark the second anniversary of his death, and what would have been his 59th birthday, I will be taking my 59 year old Morris Traveller, Flora, on a road trip, starting 1st and finishing on 4th, June.
The route is an "in memory of" tour of places memorable to me, the first letter of each one eventually spelling out the words British Liver.
You can find out more about this charity here.
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Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK
"Cancer is relentless. But so are we. Whether you fundraise, pledge to leave a gift in your will or donate. Every part supports life-saving research. Play your part and together we will beat cancer."
I chose this charity because...
A number of my close friends, family and colleagues have been/are being impacted by cancer in one form or another.
With so many different types of cancer, it is inevitable we will all have our lives impacted by it in some way. Reputedly, one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage of their life.
Cancer Research UK is the only cancer charity that funds research into all types of cancer and has been doing so for the last 120 years. Helping to fund that research is something I wanted to get behind.
You can find out more about this charity here
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Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support
"We're doing whatever it takes to help more people with cancer get the best care the UK has to offer, whoever and wherever they are."
I chose this charity because...
Macmillan Cancer Support help individuals and their loved ones come to terms with a cancer diagnosis, supporting them all whether it be physically, emotionally or financially.
At Macmillan, they will do whatever it takes to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can, constantly searching to find better ways to help even more people who need their support.
Some of my family members and friends have benefited from the wonderful support that Macmillan’s provide either in the home or in their locally based hospices and I really wanted to be able to give them something back to help them continue with their invaluable help to cancer sufferers and their families.
You can find out more about this charity here.
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MIND
MIND
"Even though 1 in 4 people have mental health problems, most of us don’t get the help we need. This has to change. We’re Mind. We’re here to fight for mental health. For support, for respect, for you."
I chose this charity because...
In 2020 I challenged myself to review all the poems I had written during lockdown along with all the photographs I’d taken, and put them in some semblance of order, making them print ready in 26 days to create a short book – My first Mental Mindful Marathon!
With the help of Inna Sklarska's graphic design skills, a host of fantastic donors and my company's match funding, I raised over £6200 for the Mental Health Charity, MIND.
Back then, the rate of overdoses and relapses had increased by 30% during lockdown.
Each year one in four of us experiences a mental health problem. For some, that can lead to substance abuse, self-harm or even suicide.
MIND provides much needed support for people suffering from mental health problems through nationally available helplines, online information and support communities.
Four years on from my first Mental Mindful Marathon, I attempted something more challenging: To produce a similar book, but this time containing song lyrics I had written during my lifetime that have mostly been long forgotten and hidden away in a box.
Processing thoughts, feelings, experiences - good or bad - through writing about them can be very therapeutic and bring some clarity of mind.
The box held handwritten notes, ideas, poems and lyrics, along with a number of old-fashioned Dictaphone cassettes, floppy disks and CDs – dating back over almost 4 decades!
The challenge was to find the complete ones, maybe finish some unfinished ones, organise around 60 of them into appropriate sections, commenting on some of them around the subject or event/s that inspired them and finally getting it all print ready.
Once completed and in a publishable format, the aim was to get them printed and bound into a booklet, reflecting thoughts, feelings and events of the world around me over the last 40 years!
Whilst I have this coping mechanism, it isn’t for everyone and MIND supports people in their own difficult times, bringing them some of their own peace of mind through their online peer support community; an Infoline; campaigning for better mental health services; providing a Legal Advisor to support those needing such advice.
Helping MIND continue their vital work in our communities was something I wanted to support due to the increasing prevalence of mental health issues.
You can find out more about this charity here.
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SANDS
SANDS
Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death support) is the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity.
I chose this charity because...
SANDS is not as well known as some other national charities and deals with a topic that is not one easily discussed.
It is said that currently, in 2025, 13 babies die every day in the UK. The number of maternity units and hospital trusts being investigated for inadequate care of mothers and babies, has recently appeared to increase, with more and more families and individuals coming forward to report problems.
These are extremely sensitive issues, and it is generally very difficult for people to know what to say to those who lose a child either during pregnancy or neonatally.
Sands offer support to people who have experienced baby loss; campaign for better healthcare for mothers and babies and are also involved in research into baby deaths which accounted for just a small part of reproductive health and childbirth research in 2022, receiving only 2.4% of funding for health research in the UK.
I wanted to contribute to the work that Sands are doing in the UK in whatever way I could – keeping a family safe and well in today’s world is an increasingly difficult task, but having that family in the first place can be extremely challenging and, at times, devastating – times that no one should have to go through alone and with Sands there to support, no one has to.
You can find out more about this charity here.