ItsNotBoris - Photos & Flowers
Donation protected
For about 5 years now, Drew Galdron has worked as an impersonator for renowned British politician and current Mayor of London, Boris Johnson MP.
Working as a political lookalike can be both lucrative and fun, but work doesn't come easy, or frequently enough for Drew to earn a living off of it - it has also presently been the only work for which he's been paid, in his broader role as a "Creative Consultant", a service he otherwise provides for free to other organisations in London.
So after waiting long enough, Drew has now made the crucial decision - that his ability to entertain and draw a photo-frenzied crowd as Boris, is a gift that must be shared with the whole of London, its residents, and visitors.
It took quite a long time for Drew to decide the best way to go about making this a product that could be "sold" or provide any real revenue. Ideas included simply selling prints of a meme which has slowly started, including a photo of himself as the infamous mayor.
But ultimately, he's decided to go with the route of crowd-funding, not only because it's simpler, but also because this public offering of his likeness and a chance at photos with anyone who wishes, can without doubt be considered a work of art.
We're starting out with only a target of £1000 for the July-August 2015 period. If we reach our target, Drew will offer photographs and flowers, to any passers by, around a handful of London attractions, completely FREE, for a total of around 60 hours, throughout London's afternoons and evenings.
Purchasing roses, and maintaining the all important suit, make the costs start to add up of course. And that's why we depend on YOUR contributions, to help this attraction continue, hopefully into the autumn and perhaps even winter months.
Reasons to support ItsNotBoris :
- Help protect Drew's intellectual property; as long as he's being paid to give away photos of himself, people who take photos without his permission - and there are many such rude people out there - can't steal that intellectual property so easily, or without any benefit to Drew.
- Maintain an attraction for London's vibrant culture; London will not only be able to celebrate its current Mayor and his celebrity, but also give tourists both foreign and domestic something extra to remember on their visit. Very few who come to London will ever meet royalty. But at least they can say that they met the Mayor!
- Give Drew something productive to do with his time; Drew has always aspired to create works of art. This could be the first of his works to gain true success, and could see him creating more in the future, in topics other than political satire!
Just imagine the possibilities you could help to unlock, by contributing to ItsNotBoris!
- Get outstanding rewards; Big contributions to ItsNotBoris come with big returns. You'll get to hire him for events and shoots. Or "Boris" can take you to dinner. Or even be your personal shopper for a day out in London.
Our reward offers are growing all the time! And you can use the contact form on our website if you wish, or our Twitter feed, to suggest more possible rewards we could offer.
- Show that you truly want to help end the "something for nothing culture";
many of Boris's colleagues in the Conservative party believe in "putting an end to the something for nothing culture". Many voters have supported them on this ambition.
But Drew currently faces both sharp edges of that culture - between the occasional pay cheques, he has to survive on only disability benefits - something which this government seeks to cut soon. But his disability makes finding ordinary work far more difficult than most neurologically typical adults. And at the same time, even when travelling out in plain clothes, Drew is often pestered, heckled and even photographed without his consent, by strangers.
Not only does this exagerrate the anxiety that comes with his disability, but the behaviour of these people is yet another example of Britain's "something for nothing culture" - because they believe it is okay to entertain themselves or steal intellectual property, from a somewhat vulnerable adult, without paying for it.
We would all be upset, if we were treated this way, by people who think that your image is their property to take.
They might not pay for this form of entertainment. But at least Drew has some dignity, and pride in knowing that other people have already paid for it.
You can do your part to help end the "something for nothing culture";
If you truly support Conservative party policies on welfare and jobs, drafted by colleagues of the real Boris, then you should put your money where your mouth is, and contribute to this project.
- Support better mental health;
As was mentioned earlier, a major reason that Drew cannot find gainful employment, is because of anxiety issues which are an inherent part of his disability. But many years of experience with this, have allowed him to learn that creative outlets can be an escape from the worst of his anxieties. He's also gained the necessary skills to become a counsellor, or even a psychotherapist - possibly the first in the UK to be living with his disability.
Your contribution will not only give Drew the comfort of a better income, but also the means to let out his creative aspects through the persona of "Boris", and an occupation which will without a doubt bring improvements to his mental health. But above all this, your further support of this project's future into 2016 could help Drew's even longer term plans, to study for a Masters degree, or gain other necessary qualifications to become a registered counsellor or therapist, and help to treat and improve the mental health of others.
Contributing to Drew's project today, could mean that your niece, or your cousin, or your friend, or their child, may get life-affirming, even life-saving treatment, from Drew, years down the line.
And even if not, your support will have empowered and strengthened him to lead a better life.
Please celebrate your pride in London, its mayor, and his fame, by contributing to the projects of itsnotboris.co.uk
Help us to add to the vibrant, colourful, cultural city that is London :)
Working as a political lookalike can be both lucrative and fun, but work doesn't come easy, or frequently enough for Drew to earn a living off of it - it has also presently been the only work for which he's been paid, in his broader role as a "Creative Consultant", a service he otherwise provides for free to other organisations in London.
So after waiting long enough, Drew has now made the crucial decision - that his ability to entertain and draw a photo-frenzied crowd as Boris, is a gift that must be shared with the whole of London, its residents, and visitors.
It took quite a long time for Drew to decide the best way to go about making this a product that could be "sold" or provide any real revenue. Ideas included simply selling prints of a meme which has slowly started, including a photo of himself as the infamous mayor.
But ultimately, he's decided to go with the route of crowd-funding, not only because it's simpler, but also because this public offering of his likeness and a chance at photos with anyone who wishes, can without doubt be considered a work of art.
We're starting out with only a target of £1000 for the July-August 2015 period. If we reach our target, Drew will offer photographs and flowers, to any passers by, around a handful of London attractions, completely FREE, for a total of around 60 hours, throughout London's afternoons and evenings.
Purchasing roses, and maintaining the all important suit, make the costs start to add up of course. And that's why we depend on YOUR contributions, to help this attraction continue, hopefully into the autumn and perhaps even winter months.
Reasons to support ItsNotBoris :
- Help protect Drew's intellectual property; as long as he's being paid to give away photos of himself, people who take photos without his permission - and there are many such rude people out there - can't steal that intellectual property so easily, or without any benefit to Drew.
- Maintain an attraction for London's vibrant culture; London will not only be able to celebrate its current Mayor and his celebrity, but also give tourists both foreign and domestic something extra to remember on their visit. Very few who come to London will ever meet royalty. But at least they can say that they met the Mayor!
- Give Drew something productive to do with his time; Drew has always aspired to create works of art. This could be the first of his works to gain true success, and could see him creating more in the future, in topics other than political satire!
Just imagine the possibilities you could help to unlock, by contributing to ItsNotBoris!
- Get outstanding rewards; Big contributions to ItsNotBoris come with big returns. You'll get to hire him for events and shoots. Or "Boris" can take you to dinner. Or even be your personal shopper for a day out in London.
Our reward offers are growing all the time! And you can use the contact form on our website if you wish, or our Twitter feed, to suggest more possible rewards we could offer.
- Show that you truly want to help end the "something for nothing culture";
many of Boris's colleagues in the Conservative party believe in "putting an end to the something for nothing culture". Many voters have supported them on this ambition.
But Drew currently faces both sharp edges of that culture - between the occasional pay cheques, he has to survive on only disability benefits - something which this government seeks to cut soon. But his disability makes finding ordinary work far more difficult than most neurologically typical adults. And at the same time, even when travelling out in plain clothes, Drew is often pestered, heckled and even photographed without his consent, by strangers.
Not only does this exagerrate the anxiety that comes with his disability, but the behaviour of these people is yet another example of Britain's "something for nothing culture" - because they believe it is okay to entertain themselves or steal intellectual property, from a somewhat vulnerable adult, without paying for it.
We would all be upset, if we were treated this way, by people who think that your image is their property to take.
They might not pay for this form of entertainment. But at least Drew has some dignity, and pride in knowing that other people have already paid for it.
You can do your part to help end the "something for nothing culture";
If you truly support Conservative party policies on welfare and jobs, drafted by colleagues of the real Boris, then you should put your money where your mouth is, and contribute to this project.
- Support better mental health;
As was mentioned earlier, a major reason that Drew cannot find gainful employment, is because of anxiety issues which are an inherent part of his disability. But many years of experience with this, have allowed him to learn that creative outlets can be an escape from the worst of his anxieties. He's also gained the necessary skills to become a counsellor, or even a psychotherapist - possibly the first in the UK to be living with his disability.
Your contribution will not only give Drew the comfort of a better income, but also the means to let out his creative aspects through the persona of "Boris", and an occupation which will without a doubt bring improvements to his mental health. But above all this, your further support of this project's future into 2016 could help Drew's even longer term plans, to study for a Masters degree, or gain other necessary qualifications to become a registered counsellor or therapist, and help to treat and improve the mental health of others.
Contributing to Drew's project today, could mean that your niece, or your cousin, or your friend, or their child, may get life-affirming, even life-saving treatment, from Drew, years down the line.
And even if not, your support will have empowered and strengthened him to lead a better life.
Please celebrate your pride in London, its mayor, and his fame, by contributing to the projects of itsnotboris.co.uk
Help us to add to the vibrant, colourful, cultural city that is London :)
Organizer
Drew Miles
Organizer