Christmas Charity Giving

[NoSquirrels]

Thought it might be nice to have a thread devoted to charity giving at Christmas. It's the time of year when lots of people do feel motivated to give a little extra, and I keep coming across schemes that are lovely. I can't afford to donate to them all, but maybe one or two will catch someone else's eye and speak to them? Perhaps everyone could add their favourite appeal too?

There are the usual 'big' charity schemes, like Salvation Army Toy Appeal, Oxfam Unwrapped, Good Gifts, etc., but here are a few things that I have come across.

BookTrust
£10 to send a book to a child in care or who is vulnerable.

Graffeg make beautiful books - for every book bought until Friday 6th they will donate another book to a hospital, care home or school.

Action for Children Secret Santa

Beauty Banks runs an online wishlist where you can donate toiletries, beauty stuff etc.

The Big Give matches your donation to your chosen charity, effectively doubling the money.

Also, remember to check if your favourite charity is signed up to Amazon Smile if you are buying from there.

Thanks, will take a look at The Big Give especially.

Not quite what you were aiming for with your post, but my favourite present this year may be a good bet for some others out there as well perhaps. Possibly the best-known hedgehog (and wildlife) hospital in the Bucks-Berks region gives the opportunity to adopt an animal there, and I have adopted their male hedgehogs, through their online shop, on behalf of my DH (who doesn't know this yet). I was prepared to pay for the pack for a year upfront but if you do it per month it's only £2.50 so this was additionally a big help just at the moment. The pack has now come and it's beautiful, photo and magnet come with it.

Ooh Ormally - what animal hospital is that? Sounds like it could be a good idea...

Has the name of Beatrix Potter's hedgehog laundrywoman in its name! There is also the option of sponsoring a hedgehog X-ray and the picture with it is extremely cute (never having seen a hedgehog X-ray before).

I got a Cat Protection League sponsership for DD - it's a "Pen" that you sponser so there is a variety of cats passing through (on their way to new homes) .

I always buy some good gifts and do donations to our local homeless shelter, cash for kids and the Trussell trust

I put food in at our supermarket collections
I've tried a local Food Bank but they only had drop offs one day a week at a set time and I am at work then.

Pet Food as well. Many families have cats & dogs (and rabbits/guinea-pigs/hamsters) .
I put a pack of cat food in when I donate

I’ve noticed that the supermarkets by us are doing not just food bank & toy appeals but also Women’s Aid collections, so worth looking out for too.

Just found this charity Action For Children When you donate you become a secret Santa and help a child have warmth and food this Christmas. Thanks.

I usually make up a box of essentials and toys, books chocolates etc for my local women’s Refuge at Christmas and take some extras to the food bank.

I also try and do something for the homeless in my area, a lady near me takes in gloves, socks, gift cards and other things to distribute, but this year I donated to a crowdfunder for a mother who found herself homeless with her young son just before Christmas this year, so I go with my heart a bit and hope to do some good somewhere.

Another small thing dh and I do is collect the stickers from Macdonald’s coffees if we get them throughout the year, and try and make up a card or two for a free one and then we give them to people in the city who might need it.

I like the GOSH one: gosh.org/stockingappeal you can send a message to all the children who'll be in hospital over Christmas. I've had friends who really liked reading the messages - made them feel not so alone.

A Bear Named Buttony - a lovely charity who donate a Buttony bear to children undergoing stoma surgery. Buttony has also had surgery and has a stoma. A Buttony costs £30 to sponsor but any donation is very much appreciated. uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?pageId=998646&fbclid=IwAR2_cZaIKXXF8gm-NcNbQ5czOT0DjXY0HHNBlcUa7o3YMDheztkiYP86CSM

Can I just remind people that if you are donating to your local Food Bank please check what they actually need at this time of year. I volunteer at a Food Bank and we tend to get overwhelmed with donations at Christmas but forgotten about by late Feb/March when supplies run low. We are currently running out of storage space .....

People are really generous but we’ve had to ask people to kindly hold off donating until next year. And do check what they actually need ... chocolate oranges & Christmas puds are nice but there’s only so many you need.

This isn't the same sort of giving, and I know not everyone can (and that in places the system is disctinctly unfriendly)

But the gift that every recipient welcomes most is blood

Also bone marrow (you can join that register when you give blood)

@Dannie38 sorry to hear you’re having a tough time. I’m unsure where you’d need to go but there is a free food Facebook page in my area where the idea is that people donate food they no longer want (but is in date) for people who need it. It’s trying to help people and also avoid more waste! I’m not sure where you’re based but probably worth checking if there is one in your area. I wish you all the best.

Thankyou sooo much for your help and advice . Merry Christmas 🎄

@Dannie38 Lots of services can refer you to food banks etc. Start with school - they will be able to refer. You can also talk to your GP, your local religious leader, or contact CAB - if it’s an issue with benefits etc you need help to know what you’re entitled to. Check the Trussell Trust website to see if there’s one in your area.

I absolutely don’t mean to offend, but in the run-up to Christmas MN does get a lot of scam posts from people trying to get money etc. and so if you want better help or signposting to help for your specific situation it might be better to make a post in Chat or somewhere with details of exactly what you’ve tried/what the issue is. There are lots of really knowledgeable posters who can advise on things like Universal Credit etc. @MNHQ will post to give the standard warning that no one should offer you money directly but that’s just sensible.

Thankyou I appreciate your advice. I’m not offended as I totally get where your coming from and agree with what you said .

Thank you for this. We always donate to the local food bank, but later in the year.

I have just adopted 2 hedgehogs for my DD’s for Christmas, they will absolutely love it.