Kindness competition entries

116 Comments

1. Had a wierd experience helping a blind man a while back. A total stranger came up to me in the street and asked if I knew where Chichester Museum was. When I said yes he asked me to escort a huge blind guy with a white cane there (who I gathered he’d only just met), and left me to face the music.
   I started down the road to the museum, and the guy I was escorting must’ve sensed I was walking my dog Max as he started asking loads of questions about what kind of dog it was. Then, just to make things even weirder, he pulled out an instomatic camera and asked me to take some photos of my dog for him. I was fairly sure he was blind, I could see his cataracts clearly, so why he had a camera at all was a bit of a mystery.
   Still, I wasn’t about to disappoint him, so I took some snapshots of Max and passed the camera back to him. I left him at the museum foyer, feeling his way around the exhibits.
   I can only assume he wanted someone to describe his adventure back to him later…
2. I think the cake should win. The person who ran the Race for Life sounded like she was just bothered about winning the goodies. You shouldnt do something like that for personal gain as it’s for charity. Yes, the person did something amazing but kind of rubbished it by the attitude that followed in the rest of the post. The cake is just fab!
3. My mum had cancer so I’d hae to go with the race for life!
4. Im g’s little sister, im 12, and the cake she made tasted GEORGEOUS! If you think its good you should see her others! Shes amazing at cake making! So there not fake! They look so realistic! xoxoxoxoxoxoox VOTE FOR THE CAKE! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo I saw derrens show ‘ Enigma’ in Grimbsy, it was FANTASTIC! The guy is soooo talented and my 13th Birthday wish would be to meet him XD! Derren is my total idol!
5. I agree with Josh- the person ruined the story about the race for life in all honesty.

   Ithink the cake as its a simple everyday gesture that would make her grandma happy- and soemthing that we could all do.l
6. ROFLMAO – a genuine spirit pic!! way to go DB! 🙂

   I vote the race for life……

   :o)
7. Well i have to vote for the running as i myself would not run to get a free doughnt (not even krispy krem!!) However having said that when i did do the race for life (with a backpack as i intended to walk) the last 100 yds just had to be run given the cheering crowds (show off) sadly though i had misjudge just how far away the finish was there i was doing a six million doller man run smiling…… till i realised there was another half mile to go. It was either run or look really really stupid so….. i ran though given that i could not move from my desk the next day should have stuck with stupid after all no change there.

   As for the spirit picture i think the tecnical term for it is water on the table?

   Doesnt stop me finding you absolutely fascinating though.

   Thank you

   xXx
8. Ever considered mobile broadband? Not quite as zippy as WIFI but a heck of a lot cheaper.

   Get a dongle.

   Make your own jokes.
9. I am voting for the Race for Life, because if someone wants those sweets badly enough to rasie money for charity and run 3 miles who knows what they will do if you don’t just give them the loot?
10. Difficult choice!

    My dad recently died of cancer so naturally I’d go with the Race For Life person.

    BUT.

    It does seem she only entered for the sake of winning the goodies, unless by:
    /”i wouldnt normally run for anything – and I wasn’t going to do this anyway. i really did enter this in order to try and win” /
    she meant win the Race for Life, not this competition. I’m now thoroughly confused!

    So my vote is for both people to share the goodies!

    What a long winded explanation of my vote! 😀 lol
11. I’m so stressed and now annoyed because now I Want Chocolate Cake Thankx! So I say give it to the runner. Sorry but cravings drive me into irrationality. (Plus I usually run the RFL and can’t this year so it assuages my guilt)
12. CAKE CAKE CAKE.

    I think the picture on the table is Jade Goody. Why she has chosen to haunt a hotel in Northampton, I don’t know.
13. You’re not very objective Derren, the parrot zoo is close to your heart (well ..) …. it’s not a fair game this way!

    Anyhow … ofcourse, everyone did winn a prize … this nice stuff on the inside by doing something good … so apart from knowing that you’re helping someone else/others, brighten their day for a moment.
    but not just this time …

    I love the cake I have to say .. but thought it was a genuine basket … still am not all sure although it does look a bit different than baskets if have a more closer look ..

    Run for life … for someone who does not like running and never does … quite a distance to run … and now, so she is not all without being selfish .. she will have to … she said .. she will loose face if she does not get on with it … very good G! You know your flaws and know how to get around them. Having someone close to you with the disease gets you more stimulated in this area ofcourse. I have a little cousin who had cancer, so I know why it is different when you have someone more close to you with a disease .. although the result does not always need to be different.

    Now … I wonder … Derren .. what is your nice thing for someone else. No, no .. not the shows, not your work, you get paid for that …. To set an example … For those who did not feel stimulated enough yet … they might follow it ..

    Helping ourselves … is sometimes more difficult than helping others… and those who are therefor not always serving others (anymore either) . thumbs up to those!
14. I’d go with race for life, seriously all that way and all he mentioned was the key ring! Also the water puts me in mind of the original cover of Alan Moore’s “Watchmen”. As we ALL know Alan is both God and Satan at the same time, this just proves it. Perhaps he’s telling Derren to slow down at last, he’s virtually omnipresent these days.
15. Lots and lots of wonderful people do the race for life… but how many people bake a cake for their grandmother? I’ve done neither. This competition has made me feel guilty. Damn you.
16. VOTE PARROT SITE come on derren pick the parrot site. A lot of work has been put into that site and anyone can bake a cake plus if there’s no proof of date then how do u know it hasn’t been bought from a shop. The parrot site will be a kind act over a longer period of time. At least do a runner up prize for the other 2. 2nd choice the runner.
17. Yeah Parrot Site was a good thing too. Either Parrot Site or cake to win!!!
18. hey everyone. Even if the parrot site isn’t going to win it would be great if you would take a look as it’s a great place for derren fans to go, there are loads of free ways you can help the parrot sanctuary to help without donating. I think the race was a lovely gesture as its physically challenging.
19. I think the cake should win if only for bare cheek – Great fun (And KIND to the eyes). The Smiley face ghost pic of the century is out of this world, and I am now converted – Send it to Mr Wiseman for analysis – It does look vaguely familiar in a generic sort of way, but definately not Jesus as is missing a thorny bush.
20. First, I’m not the G from the cake, I would not dare taking credit for such a cake … still think it looks like a real basket … the ones I have in my garden …

    I wanted to add, to Nopke’s comments, that Derren needs to explain .. a face????? What type of people are you surrounded with ??? Where did the eyes go, and the nose? And why does it have a crack in its skull???? Unless ….. hm … alien ghosts …
    What? Brain surgery it had? That caused its death back then? The ancient brain surgereon techniques as we have seen in a previous post on this blog ?
    And no eyes just a nose placed not right … gene defects … the bodies as we have seen on this blog before either which are not ‘normal’?

    What? Not complete? You did not allow them to use your energy to make this drawing … not enough ectoliquid?

    Hm ….

    Pepsi diet you say? Ah, that explains … it’s the diet in the pepsi that causes a not so full body cell system in this ghostly appearance .. reversed pepsi makes peponsi .. no boost … no energy … makes a ghost …of You ….
21. I’d go for the Race for Life runner. I’ve run the same gruelling 3 miles for 3 years and it ain’t no mean feat. Sadly didn’t save my grandad from the cancer curse but it did save me when I got the diagnosis so here’s to everyone who wants to live life to the full and share it with others!

    Derren you were fantastic in Sheffield. Still gutted hubby’s video of you signing my book doesn’t work…..am gonna make him use 3 cameras next time to make sure one works!
22. I’m hard pressed to say one or the other. I’m also for keeping this doing nice things for others going but since that is not the question I’m going to ask is it possible to send a dvd to both? My grandmother loved to get baked items from us before she passed from Alzheimer and I volunteer for race for life so I know what the runners go through. To the one person who wondered if G was a pro at making cakes the frosting method was on Paula Dean’s show and is very easy to do.

    As for the picture maybe it was a spirit that wanted to spice up the diet Pepsi. Okay I know wrong kind of spirit but I thought I’d go for the laugh.
23. That cake looks amazing.
    big thumbs up to M for running the race for life.
    I’m glad I don’t have to pick the winner!!
24. Pay the kindness forward…..check out http://www.akoha.com
25. Its nice to know that even Derren keeps tabs on the cost of things. lol! Wifi typically costs $10-20, depending where you stay.

    I just booked a plane ticket and found out it was $10 cheaper a few days later for the SAME flight. I’m pissed! That $10 could go towards the cost of a taxi or drinks on flight!
26. I’d vote for the person running the race!

    The cake is a nice gesture but……it just doesn’t quite cut it. ;p
27. I purposely tripped my pal up and he ended up in hospital needing 20 stitches… I guess I dont win right?…..

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28. It’s quite a difficult choice. I used to work in oncology so I’m really touched by that one, but the cake did make me laugh.

    Plymouth was amazing on sunday night!

    It embarrassed me what you said, but the comment you made on portraits page 131 made me laugh so hard when I got to the hotel!
29. The cake is a lie
30. I think the cake – there was absolutely no motivation for it.
31. love the cake
    love the race
    but best of all i loved the face

    simple but true x
32. TAMSIN – the Roger Hargreaves thing made me laugh out loud!!

    VOTE – goes to Race For Life dude, as my lovely dad is battling cancer right now and I’m spending most of my life waiting in hospitals… big up to anyone out there helping (although the ungrammatical incomprehensibility of the last sentence does slightly perturb me).

    MR. BROWN – Plymouth on Sunday was awesome; and thank you for taking the time to sign / pose afterwards – you made this stressed fangirl grin like a Cheshire cat.
33. Actually I think the parrot one should win- what a lovely idea and all the lil feathered bodies will benefit ahhhh

    *is all glowy*
34. I think both of the entries are lovely, and the race is certainly a worthy cause, but I’m voting for the cake. Why? Because it’s more of a random kind thing to do, something to brighten someone’s day, and thus it’s more in the spirit of the contest. The race, as a fundraiser, is a very good cause to contribute to, and it’s a wonderful thing to do for her aunt, but it’s in another category, I think.

    Also, the cake reminds me of my own plan to bake cupcakes and hand them out to random strangers in the street… I chickened out, though. Random strangers are scary! …says the wannabe street magician… 😛
35. haha, I could not stop laughing at Derren’s picture of the smiley face.

    That was totally unexpected, lolz

    x
36. i think you should give it to that dog that helped the other dog off the motorway after it got hit.

    Or Lenny Henry for sleeping with Dawn French so no-one else has to.
37. Wow that cake is a masterpiece. kudos to creator but I still think race for life should win for all the sweat and …there must’ve been tears at the end of that? no…Good cause…

    Besides the cake without proof etc could be a photo found on the interwebs…

    I was late for my boyfriend’s birthday because I saved a man’s life on the way. He was a schizophrenic who’s medication hadn’t kicked in and he was feeling really suicidal, so I stayed with him for about 20 minutes, calming him down and chatting to him, reassuring him and telling him of my own mental issues to make him feel better. I also gave him the only change I had so he could get something to eat and he was much better in the end. However I completely FAILED to rememeber to take his photograph with a paper despite having both a camera and a London Lite with me, as I was too caught up in making sure he was ok…

    I did a good deed that’s all that counts…

    Oh and quick get Richard Wiseman to check this photo…more evidence for his scrutination. Did I just make that word up? I think I did…
38. What about the initial criteria? Tell us about the other entries…

    Hey, something to make you smile. My fortune was read by a dodgy reader at a psychic fayre many moons ago. I’ve always wanted to meet with him again as I found most of his comments/predictions inappropriate, irresponsible and unfounded at least. By total coincidence, at the end of last year, he began to drink in the local pub (hundreds of miles from where we met originally). I recognised him when he started doing the ‘this is where I can see you’ name-in-bright-lights flattery mumbo jumbo. He was with a businessman and denied being the aforementioned chap or having said “powers”. Nothing more was mentioned. Until last weekend when tables were turned: I enquired about stuff I knew because I remembered it relevant to the man at the psychic fayre. “But how could you know that?” he says in amazement. I wish I’d captured the look on his face when I casually mentioned I’d met him before.

    Would you agree there should be reasonable guidelines laid out for charlatans and frauds to follow?

    Best regards

    HM
39. My sister suffered a horrible miscarriage last year. Thankfully this year she’s now expecting again, and I decided to knit a little baby jacket for him/her. Bear in mind, that even though I can knit I have NEVER done anything like this before! I’ve had to learn everything, from casting-on to button-holes, to picking up stitches, to decreasing stitches, to casting-off. And my sister doesn’t have a clue I’m doing it for her little one.
    I’m doing it for no other reason than to see the look on her face (my god, Claire did that?! lol) and just for being a sister.
    I, perhaps should have entered this for the comp, but alas, I’ve not finished it yet (therefore, no finished pic), and besides, I guess I didn’t think of doing this than for any other reason than for what a member of the family would do for another.

    As for the wonderful entries that are mentioned above. Well, I can’t choose! My brother has run the London marathon for CLIC (he trained really hard and yet was so knackered after he desperately needed oxygen) and does a lot of half-marathons still. And in my time (when I was a hell of a lot fitter) I also ran a few races. So I know how hard that is. On the other hand, making that magnificent cake isn’t exactly any easier either!

    Sorry, can’t decide. Toss the coin, Derren!!

    Claire xx
40. Quite a coincidence that the smiley pepsi mark appeared the day you were going to type the kind act post. Its a sign! lol. x
41. Parrot site! … Parrot site !… Parrot site !….

    (chaining myself to entrance of Brown Towers) …

    Parrot Site !… Parrot Site !……. Parrot Site !…
42. Parrot! .. Parrot! … Parrot! ….

    Parrot! … Parrot ! … Parrot! ….

    On behalf of the cast of the movie THE Birds … I forbid you to choose another one than the Parrot donation site ….
43. The cakegets my vote because the race for life thing seems like something they should do anyway and the cake is a bit more random. Huge well done to the person doing the race though and I send their Aunt lots of love.

    £15, Derren? 😮 The words ‘rip off’ spring to mind! I’m surprised at you. You either really, really, wanted to get feed back on the competition entries or you have something else more important to do, (although I can’t imagine there would be anything more important than this).

    Take care lovely.
    x

    ps: I found Mary in my porridge this morning but it was raining outside and I was hungry so I ate her. I did feel warm and comforted afterwards so I am taking this as comfirmation that it was really her. Hallalujah.
44. Actually on a second look it does look like a real basket which either means it’s a rreally fantastic cake and should win more than some sherbet or someone is pulling someones leg. If you likes em, Derren, just send them both some sweeties or maybe some bananas to the runner to keep them fit.

    Since the kindness comp post, I’ve done a few random bits and bobs including leaving a packet of hula hoops on someones windscreen with a smiley face sticker on them (they now probably think they’re being stalked.) and I left a £2 coin in the pages of ‘365 random acts of kindness’ by Danny Wallace whilst in Borders. A large man picked it up looked around suspiciously and then put it back. It’s either still there or a poor Borders employee has found it.

    x
45. Been interesting reading all these kindness comments and has reminded me of a small kind act that I carried out that was received so well that it has definitely made a difference to how I treat others.

    About 4 years ago my young son had a class teacher who was exceptional. She was so full of good ideas and enthusiasm and this transmitted itself to the children. My son progressed in huge leaps and bounds in her class and that enthusiasm for learning is still with him today. At the end of the year, instead of the usual box of chocs, I wrote to the Head Teacher to express my appreciation. A couple of days later the teacher caught up with me at the school gates and she was in tears. She said no-one had ever done anything so kind for her.

    I will never forget that reaction and now try to express my gratitude wherever it is deserved. I would urge everyone else to do the same. It is so easy to complain and moan when things aren’t right but if you make the effort it is just as easy to express appreciation.

    Sermon over. 🙂
46. Hmmm! Maybe it’s just my suspicious mind, but cake looks “faked” to me. Why would you put candles on a cake not intended for a birthday? It is a beautiful cake, but not sure – and it really wouldn’t be fair to “genuine” entries for it to win. That said, if it is genuine then my apologies 😉
47. My vote goes to the lady who set up the Parrot Sanctuary site…..

    Wow! I’m stunned by the very obvious image of Christ underneath your glass Derren. This is the sign you’ve been waiting for. What next……stigmata maybe? Cliff will be devastated of course…
48. The cake is real – believe me – I am a cake maker myself, that’s why it gets my vote!! I’ve walked a 26 mile marathon every year for the last 16 years for different charities – easy peasy – 3 miles PAH!

    Come on peeeeeps vote for the cake and then make one yourself to give to someone you love – it will make their day!

    Love to everyone!!
49. Yeah, the cake is real. I’m still very much an amateur at cake decorating myself, playing mostly with fondant which is far easier to sculpt, but I’ve seen similar baskets on websites about buttercream decorating techniques. It’s apparently a very hard skill to master, so I’m quite impressed with how lovely and realistic it looks!
50. Vote the cake! Anyone can walk 3 miles! but it takes a special talent to make that cake! xoxoxox 😉 The CAKE LOOKS GEORGEOUS! VOTE THE CAKE! And its a real swet thought too! xoxox