Keep us informed, I'll be happy to handle the SA side
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Keep us informed, I'll be happy to handle the SA side
I got something to get rid of.
Count me in
So my additional idea is this:
there are probably a lot of us who don't have a specific unopened transformer that we are keen to get rid of, I know I don't, mainly cause I'm a bit selfish I suppose. On top of that if we all go out and buy a legends or deluxe class figure off the shelf right now, these kids are all going to end up with the same dozen characters between them, which isn't a particularly bad thing, but I have another idea.
More to go on top of the individual donations idea, certainly not to replace it.
I'm assuming you have heard of the Big Bad Toy Store. if not look it up, bbts.com.
Anyway, they have a lot of stuff on a huge discount, and as it turns out when you buy a lot from them, international postage is pretty reasonable per figure. for example:
this is the sale list: sorry about the formatting, may look better if copied out into textpad or something.
Product # Description Sub Standard Collector Subtotal
HAS10349 Rattrap $13.99
HAS11013 Iguanus $13.99
HAS11015 Razorclaw $10.49
HAS11174 Brakedown $9.99
HAS11480 Insecticon $10.49
HAS14133 Camshaft $8.99
HAS14980 Hot Shot 100 Piece Puzzle $8.44
HAS15124 Transformers Animated Bumblebee $7.49
HAS16268 Transformers Animated Voyager Atomic Lugnut $16.79
HAS16960 Marvel Transformers Crossovers Series 04 - Spider-Man $9.49
HAS17216 Autobot Skids $6.99
HAS17230 Pulse Blast Bumblebee $8.99
HAS17234 Bumblebee $7.49
HAS17237 Sideswipe $9.49
HAS17238 Mudflap $7.19
HAS17278 Mudflap $4.99
HAS17280 Cannon Bumblebee (Transparent Windows) $7.99
HAS17323 Scout Series 03 - Set of 3 $13.99
HAS17325 Scout Series 02 - Ransack $4.49
HAS17326 Scout Series 02 - Depth Charge $5.39
HAS17343 Scout Series 02 - Dead End $5.99
HAS17344 Scout Series 02 - Knock Out $7.49
HAS17345 Scout Series 02 - Rollbar $6.49
HAS17481 Blazemaster $4.99
HAS17485 Scout Series 04 - Case of 12 $55.00
HAS17488 Scout Series 04 - Ejector $9.49
HAS17489 Scout Series 04 - Nightbeat $7.50
HAS17537 Movie Legends - Recon Bumblebee $2.80
HAS17624 Arcee $9.99
HAS17625 Stalker Scorponok $6.99
HAS17630 Autobot Gears $7.49
HAS17741 RPMs Wave 02 Revision 2 - Set of 8 $21.99
HAS17745 Battle Chargers - Optimus Prime $8.99
HAS18009 Tuner Mudflap $6.50
HAS18010 Alliance Bumblebee $6.00
HAS18099 Marvel Transformers Crossovers Series 05 - Case of 6 $76.99
HAS18102 Marvel Transformers Crossovers Series 05 - Hulk (Bulldozer) $14.99
HAS18154 Scout Series 03 - Scalpel $8.99
HAS18327 Movie Legends 2010 Series 01 - Bluesteel Sideswipe $4.59
HAS18489 Transformers Animated Freeway Jazz $12.59
HAS18508 Scout 2010 Series 01 - Wideload $9.99
HAS18573 Movie Legends 2010 Series 02 - Stealth Bumblebee $4.99
HAS18735 Generations 2010 Series 01 - Autobot Drift $9.00
HAS18753 Legends 2010 Series 01 - Cyberfire Bumblebee $4.00
HAS18851 Bumblebee $8.00
HAS18876 Deluxe 2010 Series 02 - Tuner Skids $9.00
HAS18892 Generations 2010 Series 03 - Red Alert $10.00
HAS18902 Scout 2010 Series 02 - Oil Pan $5.00
TAK10166 D-17 Autostinger (Korean Box) $9.79
TAK10167 D-18 Autocrasher (Korean Box) $8.39
TAK10367 D-20 Autolauncher (Korean Box) $9.49
TAK10744 MA-10 New Bumblebee (`08) (Import) $15.74
TAK10746 Micron Booster Case of 12 $51.49
TAK10933 EZ Collection Devastator Assortment - D2 Decepticon Mixmaster $3.30
TAK10934 EZ Collection Devastator Assortment - D4 Scavenger $4.00
TAK10935 EZ Collection Devastator Assortment - D6 Long Haul $3.30
TAK11060 MA-02 Autobot Ratchet (Import) $26.99
TAK11162 Marvel Transformers Crossovers Series 02 - Human Torch (Import) $16.79
TAK11166 Marvel Transformers Crossovers Series 04 - Black Spider-Man (Import) $16.79
Subtotal $699.05
postage on top of this is $230
divided by 98 figures ranging from legends, to deluxe and a few voyager class, a few gravity bots and FAB's. works out to be $US9.50 per figure. This is fairly scale-able as well, so half as much stuff would still work out relatively cheap. and buy buying more cases of figures it gets even better.
We could set up a bank account and people could donate directly to it, and then we could use that money to purchase a truckload of toys from BBTS, and have them delivered directly to the charity. The postage would be UPS air service and is even trackable and literally takes about 5 business days to get delivered to Australia. Of course we would edit the list attached to suit, age groups and amount of money raised, take out bad figures like movie scorponok, and maybe skids and mudflap.
Anyway, just some thoughts, let me know what you think, maybe if not this year then next year.
Cheers
UltraMarginal
I have attached a collection of links to each item:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17485
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17291
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17357
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17237
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17488
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18508
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18327
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17624
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=TAK10367
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=TAK10166
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS11174
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS11174
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18099
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...il&picture=out
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS11015
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS11480
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS11013
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS10349
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS14980
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS16268
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18489
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18753
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18892
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18735
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18876
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18851
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=TAK11060
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS14133
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17489
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18154
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17326
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17230
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=TAK10934
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17280
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17745
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=TAK10167
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=TAK11166
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=TAK11162
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=TAK10744
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18009
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17625
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17485
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17345
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17325
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17344
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17537
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=TAK10935
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=TAK10933
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17234
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17216
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17630
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18010
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18102
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS16960
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS15124
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18902
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17323
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17343
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17741
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17278
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17238
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18573
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17481
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17327
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17328
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17486
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17324
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17828
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS17966
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...oduct=HAS18326
Not a bad idea, but I don't have the spare funds to buy any figures atm, I'm in a bit of debt that I am trying to crawl out of.
Anyhow, big thanks to everyone who gave me something at the Parra fair, it is very appreciated.
So dose, that mean there is a sufficient amount to donate...??:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by 1AZRAEL1
Becuase, i could try and buy another new one "just" to donate it if there isn't. ;)
Ultra Marginal, I think this is a great idea. However, given our timeframe, setting up bank accounts and coordinating this by collecting payments is a lot of work on top of just trying to coordinate the logistics of things at the moment. As fruitful as my discussions have been so far with the organisations, they're slower to mobilise on their side to help nut out the details b/c this is only one part of their organisations activities. It's great for them but on a daily basis, they're involved in coordinating and dealing any number of tasks, issues and activities to keep the residential care or foster care programs running smoothly. So I think the first step is building a relationship, getting locations coordinated, and a process in place..Quote:
Originally Posted by UltraMarginal
I was at one point going to aim for an organisation in 4 states this year but when I started discussions back in late October, I quickly knew it was going to be a tough ask in the time frame.
So my point is, I would love to explore the option of a joint bank account but I think at the moment, with the time we've got left up our sleeve, it's something we'll have to look at next year given their priorities and ours.
As for the idea of a utilising BBTS, let me first say off that's a brilliant idea there. Hell, I'd do it myself but I've already committed $$ to gifts already for the year. But looking at the list you suggested, I can't say that I got as good value for my $$$. And you're right on the range of toys as well. This opens it up a lot.
Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to come up with this idea. It will definitely should be something we look at next year. That's like 100 gifts which would've easily exceeded my expectations for this year! The lady I talked to this morning was saying that TFs are very pricey and it'd be amazing if we could offer that many at about $10 a pop. Once again, thank you so much for the effort and the brilliant idea.
Thanks to everyone from NSW who helped out! And a big thanks to you as well, buddy, for volunteering.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1AZRAEL1
Not a problem at all, I'm glad to be of assistance.
As you mentioned with the timeframe we have now, it did limit our options, but now that we know about it, we can plan for next year as well. I think an organisation for each state is a great idea as well, maybe something we should look at for next year. Something we can look at getting organised early in the new year.
Also, I know it was mantioned before, but would we wrap them up or will they have the manpower to do so? And how soon do you think I should send them off? I'd hate for them to turn up late. I don't mind paying to post them either, rather than have the AusPost thing set up, that may take too long this time.
Hold off on wrapping them for the time being. I've had a brief chat about it and what I'm trying to organise from their point of view is a list of ages and which is the best kid for what. With that, it's easier to wrap. Otherwise, we may just send it to them, they'll wrap and label it according to who they wish to give ti too.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1AZRAEL1
Agreed on AusPost too, definitely something for next year. But I'd like to chip in half though as well.
Good point. May be better to send them unwrapped, so they can give them out to more appropriate ages. Like Legends for the younger ones, and deluxes and such for the older kids. Hadn't thought of that.Quote:
Originally Posted by STL
No problem man, will you be delivering them yourself or is that not geographically viable? Is it best for me to send them directly to them? Probably best that way. I might send them off in the first week of December so it gives it longer to arrive.Quote:
Originally Posted by STL
While I could do it, I think having interstaters sending straight to the charities will work best as it saves me having to haul too much in one go. On top of that, each time, they get a package, it'd just reaffirm to them how we're contributing from all over.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1AZRAEL1
Yea, don't want to make you lug it all to them heh :)
So I post it off to the PO BOX that's on the website?
An idea on what we can do as well is keep an excel spreadsheet of what is collected/bought over the year and donated by who (or if they wish to remain anonymous) is maybe something we can look at for next years drive as well.
***To any New South Welshman wanting to donate, I will be posting the box of toys off on 4th December, if you can get it to me by then, that would be great. Or you can post it off yourself if you wish.
I'll let you know dude if I'm able to, it's going to be a tight budgeted Christmas this year. :oQuote:
Originally Posted by 1AZRAEL1
If you want to help out some more, by all means :)Quote:
Originally Posted by G1Optimal
Not sure if we have enough, but I am sure we will make some kids happy with what we have got :)
I know how you feel dude. This year is a trial to see, at least we have a year until next one, so I will be buying a few toys here and there all the way through the year :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
Will likely be that address but depending on a few things, your case might go to another state we're hoping to have an organisation in. Don't post until I have details though. We'll need to sort out numbers once we have an overall idea of the number of gifts in play.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1AZRAEL1
The idea of a spreadsheet could work well for this year too. I'll set up a spreadsheet tonight of what I have and send it to you. Then you can update it with what we have. I'll PM you later tonight. I'm still at work atm and probably won't be home to about 11ish though.
Please, please don't feel obligated to contribute. No one has to unless they are willing and can. So please, please don't worry too much about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
No, no, I don't feel obligated at all - I want to help out, I was merely pointing out that this year I wont be able to donate as much as I'd like to, but next year should be a different story.Quote:
Originally Posted by STL
I still intend on making a donation. :)
Where are you based 1AZRAEL1, if you're too far away it might be easier to just post myself.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1AZRAEL1
I live out west near Penrith, but travel to Central everyday for work.Quote:
Originally Posted by UltraMarginal
if you want to utilise a courier service instead of AusPost and don't have an account, http://interparcel.com.au/ is pretty good... they are logistic broker and is ideal for home consumers.
I've used it to send laptops and bulky statues to Melbourne in the past.
Hmm, not a bad idea. I will have to check that one out to see what the price difference would be between these guys and AusPost.Quote:
Originally Posted by Saintly
I caught up with Katy yesterday and things have developed quite significantly. Other than the broad strokes of the what we’re proposing, Johnny had not briefed her as to the idea. After running her through the vision we have, Katy was very conducive to the concept and excited about its implementation.
She brought up the potential to run it as a project rather than purely as a charitable donation. She particular loved the thinking we’ve put behind this and loved the creativity and problem solving dimensions that TFs and Lego offer. We discussed the possibility of setting up some KPIs behind this so that we could capture the outcomes of what we’re doing. While I know this all sounds terribly formal but one of the things that excites me about it is the ability for us to really be able to measure our footprint and show that this is more than just donating. I believe that this will definitely make it easier to make a foray into the other states next year as well because it will show just how organised and well-thought out this is..
I got some detail in terms of numbers. They have approximately 30 kids in their Residential and Foster Care programs that could benefit from this. So I think we’re well positioned to help them. Katy said that if we had more gifts than this, we could nut out some details with a lady named Jill who I believe looks after regional areas
From this it evolved to the point where Katy has asked me if I’d like to come in and present to the team leaders and managers at Orana. Part of this is they would like us to share with them our thinking with other stakeholders in the organisation. She also would use the opportunity to introduce me to one of their liaisons who could put us in contact with organisations in other states (Jill, I believe). I’ve tentatively agreed to this but there are a few details I’d like to run by you guys first.
1.) I’ve been asked to put into written form some quick words (a few paragraphs) about the thinking behind creative toys such as TFs and to a lesser extent, Lego). I’m going to put this together over the next few days (I’m just a bit flat out at the moment juggling three different things on top of a full-time job). But as I do, what would you guys like to mention?
2.) The Presentation: what do you guys think we should do about this? I’m more than happy to present but am thinking should we put together a slide pack to go with the presentation? Should it contain testimonials? A map of how many members in each state? Some pictures of collections? All ideas welcomed.
Great idea this. I put together the initial excel sheet with some categories and forward to 1Azreal1 to fill in.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1AZRAEL1
I've put some broad categories together but the key one I put in was a series of checkboxes with the age groups we think a TF/Lego will sit in: The categories were:
A = ages up to 7 years
B = up to 9 years
C = up to 12 years or more.
As always, any thoughts welcome.
All good thoughts, looks like it is moving further than we all anticipated. I'll fillout that spreadsheet with what I have tonight hopefully, I've been leaving work late all week and all I want to do when I get home is eat and sleep :p
No rush, mate. At the rate we're going you've got at least till early next week. If anyone wants the list or to PM myself or 1AZREAL1 to add to the list, feel free to do so as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1AZRAEL1
And yes, I think the concept of this as a project they're going to manage even though its a Christmas present is great. I've fleshed some thoughts out in relation to what things we could measure or factors to look for but certainly any other ideas in terms of KPIs would be more than welcome.
If anyone who has given me things to donate, please PM so I can put your names to it, or leave it as Anonymous if you prefer. I didn't get a chance to write down who gave me what, as it was really hectic at the fair.
In the background, I've also been working to start dialogue with a QLD organisation as well and I found it harder than I expected to be honest. Some organisations just aren't staffed well enough to receive and distribute which was unfortunate. After a lot of calls around, I'm trying to organise something through these guys.
http://www.ifys.com.au/
I've left two calls with them today and I think the contact person's name will be Christy from conversations so far. One of the reasons they haven't gotten back to me is b/c they have an AGM on Monday which they're busily organising.
Hi STL,
I haven't managed to catch up with 1AZRAEL1 as he's not considerate enough to live next door to where I work or live.:D
He tried to make himself available and I just couldn't make it work.
so, do you have an address where we can send presents. It's getting pretty close to Christmas and I'd hate to have this toy still sitting on my desk on Christmas day.
either yours or the charity I don't mind.
it's unwrapped right?
Hey mate, if you want, I can still meet up with you, I didnt get the chance to send them off last weekend.
Will definitely be posting them this Saturday though.
PS, you should be living where I work, not the other way around :p :D
Unless you are going to muse on Thursday night, I can't think of a way to meet up, I'm very busy this week out of hours, I was going to be at the powerhouse museum on Wednesday night but now I need to prepare for a job interview on Friday.
now worries, postage will probably be less than $10. I appreciate the offer though.
im so very very very proud of all of u!:D hopefully i can help out next year in some way
so at the parra fair did u have a box for donations that people can put toys into? maybe we could have one at the state fairs and collect for xmas:D
Nah didn't have a box, people just gave me some stuff.
Though not a bad idea for future fairs.
Hey mate,Quote:
Originally Posted by UltraMarginal
Yeah, I do have addresses but am still finalising details. The Orana one is very close. The IFYS is still in the middle stages but they're very keen. I'm waiting on one of their managers to give me a call as he's running a Christmas event this year that will focus on giving presents to children in foster and residential care.
I hope to have at least one finalised by the end of this week. The other by early to mid next week. So that should give them time to be there before Christmas.
The only thing is we do need to make sure our donations go half and half between the two places so that's a
1AZREAL, see your PM.
If we could get an idea of the number of gifts at the moment it'd be great. If anyone who intends on donating can post here or let me know how many presents they can donate, I'll put together a list of who should send what where.
At this stage, we have QLD and VIC location. So all donations will go to one of those locations.
ive got a few things laying around MISB, ill grab them out and drop you a pm with what ive got ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by STL
Okay everyone, finally have the details fleshed out for one of the charities, the other one close to being done. Should be resolved early next week..
Addresses and Organisation Details
Our contact at IFYS is Bruce who is their COO and he provided the following address:
IFYS
PO Box 1291
Maroochydore Qld 4558
I didn't manage to catch Bruce the last time I was in QLD, he was busy with their AGM but he was very excited about us doing our little to help our communities. To give you an overview of IFYS, they pretty much offer services throughout QLD and have a footprint in a lot of the little communities outside of the major cities up to Cairns. They have about 300 kids in foster care and 70 in residential care. Bruce told me that they're closed to wrapping up their Christmas events but they would love to work with us and appreciated our desire to inspire with the nature of our donations. With any overflow, they are going to put it to birthdays next years for children in residential care which would be great as well as many kids .
In the "From" lines, could I ask everyone who is sending donations include in their address "OTCA Christmas Appeal"? EG:
Joe Blogs
OTCA Christmas Appeal"
4 Iacon Speedway"
"Iacon, SE, C-01"
This will help them identify where the presents come from.
For Orana, the address will be:
Orana Family Services
PO Box 2086
Meadow Heights 3048
I'm still ironing out some final details in terms of their receiving department and whatnot but its close to being finalised.
Distribution:
I've only had a few guys let me know how much they're planning to donate and as such I'm not sure where the perfect split will be. So I'm going to ask for the those in following states to send their gifts to the following locations as I believe this will give us a good 50-50 split based on responses here
QLD/NSW/NT/WA -> IFYS
SA/VIC/TAS -> Orana
Melbourne guys, I'm ramping up collection next week with a view to collect all donations by Wednesday/Thursday and conduct delivery by Friday. So if you could please text or PM me when's most convenient for you, I'll make myself available.
For anyone still wanting to donate but still haven't gotten something, with $10 PCC scouts, you can't go wrong this week!
If anyone has any questions or ideas, let me know.
I'll let you know how many toys I have to send when i get home. Sorry work has just been so crazy the past few weeks that I haven't had the chance to.
Hi everyone, all details are finalised.
We did leave the running to a bit too late but both places are still very happy to have us on board this year and are really excited about next year
IFYS:
IFYS
OTCA 2010 Christmas Appeal
PO Box 1291
Maroochydore Qld 4558
Orana :
Orana Family Services
OTCA 2010 Christmas Appeal
PO Box 2086
Meadow Heights, VIC 3048
Feel free to send your presents to the organisation of your choice. But if you can't decide, the following split would be good:
- QLD/NSW/NT/WA -> IFYS
- SA/VIC/TAS -> Orana
Melbourne guys, let me know when you're free. I'm aiming for a Thursday delivery now.
Once again, a massive thanks to everyone who helped out!
I'm dropping stuff off to STL at lunchtime tomorrow. Anyone else?
meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeQuote:
Originally Posted by Paulbot
Posting today at lunch, should get to IFYS before Christmas, at least in time for an early new years birthday present.
Thankyou and Congratulations STL on suggesting and organising such a fantastic concept, hopefully over the coming years it can grow a little stronger.:cool: