Hello! We are soooo close to launching the brand new campaign but before we do we’d like you to meet the people who have been busy preparing for what we hope will be the biggest ‘Give it up for One25′ yet! Ladies and gents, boys and girls- I give you the committee:
Lu Willott
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Porridge…. or sunshine!
What three key things do you bring to the committee?
I’m good at generating ideas, ‘gently reminding’ people to get in touch with us, and promoting.
Who or what is your greatest inspiration?
People who hit rock bottom and yet manage to turn their lives around for the better- like many of the women we meet at One25
What are your favourite three films of all time?
When Harry met Sally, Forrest Gump and Dirty Dancing (I’m such a cliché aren’t I!)
What are your greatest three songs of all time?
This would probably change every day depending on my mood. But today it would be…
1. Lauryn Hill ‘Tell Him’ 2. Nizlopi ‘Love is’ 3. Amazing Grace
Do you have a ‘is this my real life…’ moment?
Standing at the side of the stage with Ed Sheeran’s tour manager, next to my musical hero Luke Concannon, watching Ed dedicate ‘The A Team’ to me and everyone at One25. Seeing the audience of nearly 400 people who had come to feel like good friends over the course of the ‘Give it up’ campaign. Wow- that was a real privileged and surreal moment!
Ruth McConnell
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
3 alarm clocks then a cup of coffee. My most annoying alarm is across the other side of my room to ensure I get out of bed. Most of the time this works!
What three key things do you bring to the committee?
A love of the women at One25 (I have volunteered here for 7 years), a love of new music and up and coming bands and the audacity to be able to go up to bands that I enjoy seeing live and convincing them to be involved with One25!
Who or what is your greatest inspiration?
People who can hold out hope for others or have persevered through seemingly hopeless situations. People like Val Jeal who founded One25 or a guy called Patrick Raegan who runs a project in Pekham working with young people in gangs.
What are your favourite three films of all time?
Oh this one is hard, I love films but I am going to go for:
1. Casablanca – a pure classic with a great script and beautifully shot.
2. The Godfather – clever and understated in all the right places.
3. 500 days of Summer – a rom com with a difference. The ending always causes a massive debate in my house which just makes me like it even more!
What are your greatest three songs of all time?
This has to be one of the hardest questions, but after great deliberation;
1. You’re all I need to get by – Aretha Flanklin. I like the composition, style, sound, lyrics, the whole shabang.
2: Angel – Massive Attack. This particular track reminds me of St. Pauls at night and the women we work with. When I listen to it, I can picture the streets… A haunting track.
3: Paranoid Android – Radiohead, a classic track that merges a few genres and is very reminiscent of when I was at school.
Do you have a ‘is this my real life…’ moment?
I love my job, and there are many moments when I find myself thinking, do I really get paid for this? I work as a Health Care Assistant in an Adolescent Mental Health Hospital and can be doing anything from therapy work with the young people to making jam and sushi, knitting or clearing up vomit. When all those things collide into one day then I do find myself thinking, “is this my real life…?”
Ruth ‘casually’ hanging out back stage with Ed Sheeran at our finale concert in May 2012
Josh Bowker
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
My beautiful wife, Laura. Always easy to wake up when you’re sharing a bed with your best friend 
What three key things do you bring to the committee?
Gender balance, tea expertise, and a passion to see guys get involved with One25, a largely female-driven cause.
Who or what is your greatest inspiration?
I am lucky to have a string of inspirational ancestors, going from my parents back quite a few generations. All people who left their mark on the world, and have inspired me to do the same.
What are your favourite three films of all time?
To Kill A Mockingbird
Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
Kung Fu Panda
What are your greatest three songs of all time?
Goldeneye – Shirley Bassey
Lover, You Should Have Come Over – Jeff Buckley
These Are The Days Of Our Lives – Queen
Do you have a ‘is this my real life…’ moment?
Performing in front of 2,500 people at the Manchester Apollo in an open-chested catsuit – that was pretty surreal!
Katie Sky
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
A massive mug of milky tea
What three key things do you bring to the committee?
I bring enthusiasm, passion and my voice lol!
Who or what is your greatest inspiration?
Life is my inspiration – when i’m fully living life, when I meet new people, eat new things, explore a place i’ve never been before, it all inspires me!
What are your favourite three films of all time?
Ace Ventura – When nature calls, Notting Hill, Memoirs of a Geisha.
What are your greatest three songs of all time?
Strip me – Natasha Bedingfield, Fallin – Alicia Keys, Fix you – Coldplay.
Do you have a ‘is this my real life…’ moment?
I have had many of these! Either when my 1st EP came out and I was no. 3 in the Electronic Itunes chart! Or when I did my 1st headline show in Bristol and it sold out
So this completes the ‘core’ team behind the scenes of ‘Give it up’ and we’ll look forward to getting to know you all over the next while. We are so excited about this years campaign and we know that anything is possible if you join us! I (Lu) personally see every single pledge as soon as you SIGN UP (which you can do right now) and you just make my day Do it, do it now!!! x
