Earlier this evening I was notified that the Bring Da King initiative — organized by Dave and Isabelle of Broca’s Area and Scarborough Dude of DicksnJanes –  to raise funds to help bring James Whittingham to Podcasters Across Borders has been closed up and collected funds returned to generous contributors.

I have learned that there are two reasons for this decision.  The first is that the campaign is still well short of its goal of $1000 which suggests not enough people were interested — or, more likely, that people who planned to contribute never got around to doing so.

The more distressing of the reasons is that some folks in the community have expressed their disapproval to raise funds to help a friend.

I appreciate that some people may not feel inclined to kick in any of their personal funds, however small, for their own reasons.  I’m good with that.  What concerns me is that some people feel it is their responsibility to discredit and dismiss the generosity of others.

My sincere congratulations to Dave, Iza and Scarborough Dude for taking it upon themselves to organize the campaign, demonstrating the true spirit of community, leadership and friendship.  I am so sorry that your efforts were scrutinized.  I’m also very sorry for James who was caught in the middle of this.

Dave and Isabelle (Broca’s Area) and Scarborough Dude (DicksNJanes) are leading the charge to raise funds to help bring James Whittingham (Regina Radio) to Podcasters Across Borders 2008.  The initiative, called Bring Da King, has raised $200 in small donations from the podcast community.  The goal is to raise $1000 to cover James’ travel and accomodations.

I’m helping Bring Da King.  Are you?

Those of you that have attended or follow the Podcasters Across Borders conference know that James Whittingham is just as much a part of the event as everyone who attends, and he manages that from his home in Regina while everyone else is talking, listening, drinking and hugging in Kingston. The cost of travel from Regina to Kingston is more than James can afford right now.

Dave and Isabelle of Broca’s Area have started a collection to “Bring Da King” to PAB2008. Their goal is to raise $1000 through Paypal donations at bringdaking.blogspot.com.

Update 2007-01-21: Scarborough Dude (DicksnJanes) is also behind this great initiative.