Suprise snowballed - what do I do now!

[binkyblinky]

TL:DR - do I still give vouchers, or do I send cash? would really like some opinions on this please!

Earlier in the year, a lady from my school set up a Facebook chat no we left school at 1995, so are all in our 40s now.

The lady who set it up didn't have a pleasant experience at school I believe, I believe she has some form of learning disability. She messages the chat every couple of days asking how everyone is, and trying to start conversations. It is clear to me and several of my former classmates that she is incredibly lonely. She has said in the past that she didn't have the best experience at school.

We are very grateful for her setting up the chat and putting people back in touch.

She has had a terrible year. [MNHQ have edited these details to protect identity]

I thought it would be a kind gesture to have a small collection for her, intending to send her some supermarket gift vouchers so that she could perhaps buy all her and her daughters's Christmas food 'on us', so I set up a just giving account and hoped to raise £50-£100 for her.

Well! It's snowballed a bit. And currently I have £295!

Now. This is a large sum of money. It could really help her! Do I send her the cash (I have her address) - or do I send her £100 supermarket vouchers and £200 love to shop vouchers? I don't know much of her situation, whether she is in debt or not. But I kind of feel that it would be great for her to not have to worry about gifts for her daughter, and Christmas food.

AIBU to still give vouchers? Or do I send her cash? (Into her bank account)

Would love some opinions / ideas x

This is so lovely, well done OP

Send it Special Delivery, not just Recorded.

@BlankTimes

Aren't some benefits only paid if you have less than a certain sum deposited in your bank and if you exceed that in one month then, the benefit is stopped? I think it's UC ??

I've seen people post on here about something similar, so I'd say stick to the vouchers, it will be safer for her.

No, that's not true.

You are allowed to receive gifts, which is what this is. The only thing that reduces UC is the amount you earn in a month and savings over £6,000

How about a visa gift card? She can use that wherever she wants then.

Try and make the message focus on how much you all appreciate her getting you all back in touch with each other again, so that she sees it as a thank you more than charity.

I'd do half and half. then half is a gift and half is how she'd like to spend it.

with a nice card etc

@andadietcoke

How about a visa gift card? She can use that wherever she wants then.

good idea!

People suggesting m&s or John Lewis- what planet do you live on? Seriously?

Oh please not love to shop.
Especially now when people are being asked to avoid using cash if possible.
I can never find anything I want using the Love to Shop vouchers and always end up buying something I dont actually want or need.
I think if you what her local supermarket is then that would be best. Or if you know she uses amazon then an Amazon gift card.
But currently getting out and into shops is so difficult, I'd find it really difficult to spend a large amount in love to shop vouchers.
Also you gotta be careful as so many shops are closing down or rumoured to be closing down. You dont want to buy vouchers and then they cant be used.

Big bunch of flowers/chocolates and then lovetoshop/Tesco vouchers.

to you OP. I know someone who sounds very like this lady, and something like this would mean so, so much to her.

Vouchers

I do think that vouchers can be a real pain due to expiry, remembering them etc. Companies must have made absolutely missions due to random/lost/expired vouchers being given as gifts. I’d send cash or at least make sure that if it’s Tesco vouchers, that Tesco is actually where she does her shopping.

Supermarket vouchers for one near her/on bus route.

She lives near to a very big Tesco, so I'll probably go with Tesco. I'd hand deliver but I live a couple of hundred miles away now!
I'm so excited. I really hope it makes such a different to a horrible year for her.
We were never friends at school but I can see how lonely she is (she has just posted again in the group asking how people are)
I always try to be kind - I'm going to her her a lovely card and write her a letter explaining my idea. I didn't expect people to donate so much!

Agree with Rudolph, Love to Shop vouchers are really hard to spend.

Such a nice thing to do.

I bet she will be overwhelmed with happiness.

@Elfieishere I really hope so, if she understands

@binkyblinky OP may I suggest gift card? Is that the same as vouchers as she may be shopping online and may not access shop directly if self isolating or shielding

What a lovely thing to do. Vouchers are the way forward I think, and in Tesco she has the option of food, luxuries for herself or gifts for others too.

@binkyblinky how lovely of you all 😇

I think this is so lovely. Reminds me of when I lost my partner, for whom I had moved 100 miles to be with. Because I had had to give up work a few months earlier to care for him, I was absolutely skint. All our friends had a whip round for me, and I was presented with £300 which basically enabled me to stick around and find a job, rather than head home. I stayed there for another 5 years, and have lifelong friends there still.

OP this is a lovely thing to do!

As someone who grew up in similar circumstances I would suggest that the Tesco vouchers are a brilliant idea, because they are a gift but they will allow her to pay for Christmas and free up money if she needs it, especially if you know she lives near a large Tesco.

Also I’ve had a crappy few days and you have just restored my faith in humanity as well so thanks !

Awww @TriflePudding there are good people out there. I promise x

@devildeepbluesea your post has made me tear up, such lovely friends at a rubbish time for you.

I would send vouchers, good idea about splitting between supermarket and love to shop ones so that she can use for Christmas gifts if she wants to.