The Marley Family Support Their First UK Charity Projects Through 1Love.org Initiative
Online, February 1, 2012 (Newswire.com) - THE MARLEY FAMILY SUPPORTS THEIR FIRST UK CHARITY PROJECTS THROUGH 1LOVE.ORG INITIATIVE
1Love.org, the global movement with a simple mission - do good in honour of Bob Marley's vision of hope and unity - has announced its first UK charity projects that will support Urban Development and Wings South West. 1Love.org, a not-for-profit organisation created with the Marley family, is dedicated to raising awareness and a sustainable flow of contributions to benefit charitable initiatives that empower youth, protect the planet and encourage peace.
Supporting grassroots projects, the 1Love.org donations to the UK projects will be made possible by contributions from product sales of two Marley Family ventures: MARLEY audio products from The House of Marley and Marley Beverages.
"My father believed in a better world - and his values still ring true for today. 1Love.org represents my father's vision, as we look to bring it to a new generation," said Rohan Marley, Bob Marley's son, on behalf of the family. "Whilst individual projects may appear modest, together they add up to a bigger global programme to bring about lasting change in peoples' lives. Working with projects in the UK and across the world, we aspire to create a more peaceful and hopeful future."
Urban Development is a not-for-profit music development organisation based in Stratford, East London. It reaches out to young people in the most challenging socio-economic circumstances using music as a tool of engagement, particularly to improve access in areas of deprivation and low participation. 1Love.org funding will directly support its projects committed to providing mentoring and skills development for the next generation of young urban vocal talent in the UK.
"Our project is about developing new musical and social skills, raising aspiration and helping young people access the highly competitive music industry, said Pamela McCormick, Director of Urban Development. "We're very grateful to the Marley family for sharing their success with the new generation."
Wings South West supports young people in Bideford and the surrounding area of Northern Devon - one of the most deprived rural regions in the UK, with double the national average of youth unemployment. The Wings projects aims to engage with those not in employment, education or training and work with them for a brighter future. Turning to urban music as a great way to connect with young people not engaged with society, the 1Love.org funding will look to create a professionally run new digital music and media course. New musical equipment will also be secured as part of the project, to equip participants with new skills and inspire them to a more positive future.
"Our new digital music project, using funding from 1Love.org, will give underprivileged young people in the Bideford area a unique opportunity to be part of something truly creative," said James Lewis, Programme Manager of Wings South West. "Helping attract those who are usually very hard to reach, the project aims to empower participants, giving them something to engage with, feel passionate about and help them make change in their lives."
The support of local UK initiatives furthers the work done globally by 1Love.org. 1Love.org recently presented charity:water with a donation of $100,000. charity:water is a non-profit organisation bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Across the globe, 1Love.org supports charities including Invisible Children, The United Nations Environment Programme, Playing for Change Foundation, Save The Children and Little Kids Rock.
"As the Marley family launches its newest ventures in the UK, we're eager to introduce people to the 1Love.org movement as a platform to spread positive, global change," said Donna Mastropasqua, executive director, 1Love.org. "We believe 1Love.org can become one of the largest global communities for unity and peace, supporting hundreds of charities and amplifying an individual's power to give of their time, talent, money, kindness and love."
-ENDS-
For more information contact:
Dave Robertson / Paula Figgett / Kristanne Roberts
T: 020 3176 4719
E: houseofmarley@kaizo.net
Notes to Editors
About 1Love.org:
The epicenter of a global movement, www.1Love.org is dedicated to spreading Bob Marley's message of unity and peace by lifting up a new generation of "young gongs" to strike the hammer for charities, causes and ideas that can change the world. 1Love.org is a not-for-profit organisation created with the Marley family to create awareness and a sustainable flow of contributions to benefit 1Love.org-supported charities that empower youth, protect our planet and encourage global peace. A portion of the proceeds from product sales of three Marley Family ventures, MARLEY audio products from The House of Marley, Marley Beverages and Marley Coffee, support 1Love.org.
About The House of Marley:
Working together for a better world, The House of Marley was created from the belief in Bob Marley's vision of "One Love," offering a range of eco-conscious, innovative audio electronics products that adhere to the Marley family core values: equality, unity, authenticity, sustainability and charity. The House of Marley donates five percent (5%) of its annual profits to 1Love.org.
Learn more at www.thehouseofmarley.co.uk, join us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheHouseofMarleyUK, and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/houseofmarleyuk.
Visit the Marley Family's primary website at www.BobMarley.com and join the Official Bob Marley Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BobMarley. Learn more about other Marley Family ventures by visiting Marley Beverage Company at www.MarleyBeverages.com, Marley Coffee at www.MarleyCoffee.com, and 1Love.org at www.1love.org.