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Introducing… the Mumsnet Christmas Appeal for Refuge and Women’s Aid

174 replies

JustineMumsnet · 01/12/2016 15:27

Hello, hello

As some of you will know, we’re not going to run the Mumsnet Secret Santa this year. It had a brilliant run over more than ten years, with many MNers nominating recipients, and sending and receiving gifts. We know from reading the ‘thank you’ threads over the years that it’s brightened up many an MNer’s festive season. But over the last couple of years it seems to have provoked quite a lot of angst and if there’s one thing none of us needs over Christmas it’s more stress.

To replace it, this year we’re going to promote a couple of very worthy causes close to many of your hearts: Refuge and Women’s Aid, both of which provide life-saving support for women in abusive relationships and their children.

‘Donate’ links will be appearing around the site, and all you have to do is hit on one (or both) of them to be taken directly to the JustGiving page for that charity, where you can make your donation. We at MNHQ will be match funding donations made to both up to a total of £10,000.

We know this is an expensive time of year, but anything at all that you can spare, however small, would be fab - collectively we can make a big difference. This page includes more information from Refuge and Women’s Aid about what how your money will be spent.

We’ll keep you updated with running totals, and there will be some Guest Posts on our Bloggers’ Network to provide a bit more background: we’ll put the links to those up here when they’re published.

Thanks for reading and we look forward to helping these two brilliant organisations give more families a Christmas to remember.

And, of course, a very merry Christmas to you all!

Thanks [santa]

click here to donate to Refuge

click here to donate to Women’s Aid

OP posts:
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NewNorman · 01/12/2016 15:30

It might just be me but neither of the links work. Great idea though!

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SausageSoda · 01/12/2016 15:33

Links working OK here.

It's nothing to do with Mumsnet but I emailed my local Woman's Aid a week ago stating that I had loads of unopened size 2 pamper nappies that my baby had grown out of and did they want them. No response.

Any other suggestions on what I could do with them?

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babybat · 01/12/2016 15:55

Sausage could you put them in the food bank collection box? I think all branches of Tesco have one at this time of year.

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cozietoesie · 01/12/2016 15:57

Links working fine for me.

Thank you Justine. Smile

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SausageSoda · 01/12/2016 16:03

Thanks babybat - will have a look in my local Tesco to see if they're doing one.

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Somerville · 01/12/2016 16:10

These are great causes to promote. And although many MNers may support them already, the match giving makes it feel worthwhile to donate to this appeal as well. Well done Justine and all.

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cozietoesie · 01/12/2016 16:35

....And although many MNers may support them already....

Yes indeed.

(I also hope that anybody who can give in kind, might feel able to contribute. Smile Money is always useful for these organisations - vital for some things - but it's not the only way.)

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PausingFlatly · 01/12/2016 16:48

Thanks for this, Justine.

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AnyFucker · 01/12/2016 16:57

Great idea. Thanks.

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BoreOfWhabylon · 01/12/2016 16:57

Good decision Justine

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cozietoesie · 01/12/2016 16:57

Any chance of pinning this one on a few boards MNHQ? (Say, Christmas, AIBU, Chat and Relationships? ) I think it might be appropriate in this case.

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Nineloves1 · 01/12/2016 17:12

What a lovely idea.

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MrsHathaway · 01/12/2016 17:22

Thanks, Justine.

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JustineMumsnet · 01/12/2016 17:32

@cozietoesie

Any chance of pinning this one on a few boards MNHQ? (Say, Christmas, AIBU, Chat and Relationships? ) I think it might be appropriate in this case.


Will do
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cozietoesie · 01/12/2016 17:39

Thanks. Smile

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Kr1stina · 01/12/2016 18:03

I see that this is for Women's Aid in England. Are you supporting the equivalent charities in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland too? I'm sure that many Welsh , Nothern Irish and Scottish Mumsnetter would like to support services that cover their area .

Does Refuge only work in England as well?

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cozietoesie · 01/12/2016 18:14

I don't know on that one. TBH, I'm happy enough to support such charities wherever they may be. (There will be plenty of Mumsnetters who post here from outwith the UK even. )

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BankWadger · 01/12/2016 18:16

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saltydogandme · 01/12/2016 18:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 01/12/2016 19:13

Brilliant, thanks Justine.

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RosaRosaRose · 01/12/2016 19:32

Understood. This is good. I will donate as a person now in safety. I have donated to the charity that helped me and donated to the Archers BBC 'Helen' reach out. But, just to say, while in a refuge, I was nominated for a mumsnet gift and it meant the WORLD to me to have a gift sent to me, my name, to ME. It made me feel loved and made me feel that someone was not only listening but really hearing what I was going through. I got my gift, chosen by an individual, a scarf, moisturiser, a bracelet - I treasure them all, still. I felt the love.... still do. That feeling that some, one person, had put that into a gift wrapped package was so warm. So heartening.

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hawaiibaby · 01/12/2016 20:06

Wonderful Xmas Grin

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throwingpebbles · 01/12/2016 20:08

Such great causes. So very worthwhile, especially at this time of year when sadly DV often escalates.

I fled a DV relationship. (EA). The police helped me and my children leave. Luckily my wonderful sister took us in and endured us staying for several weeks while we went through the necessary processes. But without her, our only option would have been a refuge (my parents are too far away). It could easily be one of your friends or family facing that choice one day. It turned my life around staying safe with my sister for several weeks, knowing ex couldn't find us (thank fully he had never been to her house as he cut off contact as much as he could!). These are amazing charities that are absolute lifelines (literally) for so many

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Imbroglio · 01/12/2016 20:30

sausage you could try taking them to a local food bank?

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ThisIsSylviaDaisyPouncer · 01/12/2016 20:40

Donated - excellent idea

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