So. Recession, no lending, small business, banks, struggling, benefit dependency, better communities, local economy, inspiring stories..

Freddies is an amazing charity supported by volunteers from the local business community who make the lending decisions, do mentoring, give free office space, fundraise, so small loans can go to sustainable small businesses to kickstart the local economy.

I have to give up all my treats LIKE HUGE BEERS for a whole week in March to raise awareness of how too many people are dependent on benefits in the current climate, and to raise much needed revenue for the Foundation.

There's already loads of money to be lent. But we need to pay for local client managers like Mike Lewis in Gloucestershire to administer everything - to meet the clients, draw up the paperwork, get the lending panels together, and bring the bacon sarnies to meetings.

Seriously - this is one of the few ways we can as individuals help to boost the local business economy. Please stump up the price of a HUGE BEER and a bag of crisps, I've pledged a minimum of £71, which, along with anything above that, goes directly to Freddies to keep the small biz loans moving. The client stories are often really inspiring. The loans make a huge difference to individuals and their families. And people who run the new businesses then don't claim benefts and pay tax. So it's win-win for the economy.