******************Important thread - please read - EVERYONE********************

[soapbox]

OK!

I'm distressed reading about those of you who are worried sick about Christmas and having no money to buy things for your children!

Rather than sit of my ample backside and do nothing I have the following proposal to make.

Those of you who have old toys/gifts which are in good condition, or who are willing to buy a new gift for a child can register your contributions with me.

Those of you who are down on your uppers can send me your details - name, address, age and gender of children, what kind of things they like!

Those lovely MN who will send me Christmassy things will be matched up with those people who would like a bit of a hand with Christmas.

Those giving pressies will wrap the pressie and label it 'To XXX from Santa', and then send it to the address given to them.

If people receiving presents want to remain anonymous then I can ask people to send their contributions to me, and I will forward them onto the gift receiver, I will bear the postage cost of the onwards posting!

If people want to help, but have no toys etc to do so, then a small amount on a gift voucher for woolies, argos or the like can be sent instead!

Please post on this thread whether you think it is a winger - if we get at least 10 givers and 10 receivers then I will go ahead with it, and will post my email address to start the ball rolling!

Receivors must be regular MNetters, in case we are deluged from other sites

So it is over to you guys - good idea or not???

Never thought about the helping of deliveries soapbox. I can offer services of delivering around the Worcester area.

Bump

Soapy I am also a seasoned lurker but would love to help out here. I am inspired by the true spirit of christmas going on right here! Will mail you as requested to register as giver but can also help with deliveries in South Wales area if needed.

Don't we got a warm fuzzy feeling girls?

I can help with deliveries in the midlands

Soapy - I have posted a few times when I feel I have some advice that can help someone and I would like to help with this fantastic idea aswell. I have some things I can donate and will email you, but also, I live in Solihull, I have a car and can collect and deliver any items within a ten mile radius that are too big / too costly to post. I have a zafira - so can fit things as big as bikes in. Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with in this way.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think the deliveries help was only needed becasue one person was in the country from abroad and wanted to drop off some donations whilst he was in the country.

I can help deliver in the west of Scotland if required. Sure I will regret that as we all seem to be pretty spread out!

Brill thing you are doing Soapy. Have E-Mailed you as I can do Vouchers. Makes me all emotional.

xxx

Julienetmum - you are right, but one MNetter said she had a trike to donate but it was too big to post and she could not deliver - so the thought was if any one else is in the same situation, another Mnetter could collect and deliver it on there behalf - just another way to help out!

I have only just seen this, how did I miss it?? Such a good idea, I have emailed you.

Thanks for organising.

Soapy have just emailed you. This is a great idea but have become far too emotional reading all the messages and am in danger of betraying my prgenant blubbery state to my whole office!! (none of whom know yet).

I think there was someone who had a trike to send, I think those of us who cant or dont have stuff to donate its a nice way to get involved if we can help out with postage or pay for courier to deliver the item

Helen

Soapbox

I know that you are really busy with all of this - but could you please let me know fairly soonish who I need to send to? As I'm in Thailand I'm scared that the gifts might not get there in time for Christmas if I leave it too long.

THanks
SIP

Sorry been in meetings all morning and then had to rescue a sick DD from the sick bay at school!

Anyway I just had to post some BIG news from GLTC

I had an email this morning which I thought was just to sort out their original offer of help. It said (paraphrased) 'We've just read the thread all the way through, and we'd like to do more to help.

How fabulous is that?

Well done GLTC - you really will make some children very happy this Christmas!

***

And in the meantime - I am hoping that Countess Dracula is busy sorting out nominations (but she's gone very quiet)!

And I am filling in my spreadsheet and starting to get ideas of who to match with whom! And although there is a lot to get through it is the fun part of it really

__

More breaking news: The first parcel has landed and here is Mum's thank you note:

'Please pass on a H-U-G-E thank you. A parcel with lots of lovely winter clothes arrived this morning. I was only expecting one coat... this is just so fantastic! Big hugs from me & the boys'

Offers of help are still flooding in - I'm working my way through these too

So it's another good day so far!

SarahinP - I will get on to that tonight

Re deliveries - a lovely idea but not really very practical - this has all gotten so big that it would be a logistical nightmare to try and co-ordinate. But it was a lovely idea

I LOVE YOU ALL XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
bigtearysniff

this just gets better and better.

well done soapy and GLTC!!

as someone who would give their kids their life but can only afford very limited things Xmas present wise, can I just again say thank you all givers for your sooo soo soo generous thoughts, I'm sitting here trying not to cry when I think of the extreme kids heartedness out there.

It is because of this that I can look at christmas without a feeling of dread.

Me to Flame. I was getting into a right tizzy trying to work out how to sort out the food, presents etc now I am feeling a little calmer. As I realise that a) I am not the only one stressing. b) I can help someone else. c) Christmas spirit is well and truly alive here on mumsnet.

The best thing for me was this week when I realised I had something to give that someone else might need, instead of just receiving.

I've only just seen this thread!! What a wonderful idea. Would love to help out and will email you.

Good on GLTC!

Well done GLTC

its good to think MN 2006 will be remembered for this

Would also like to add a huge thank you for whoever nominated me (case of pride being swallowed here) we are so stuck for money taht i am having to take back some of the things i had got for the boys so that i can get some food in this week. Have also had a letter from a debt recovery agent today (our faulkt i know) but its nice to know that someone thinks enough of me/us to nominate.

Thank you Soapy for doing this x