We’d like to try a Mumsnet Giving week - tell us your thoughts/ which projects you'd like to support

[JustineMumsnet]

Now then: without wanting to gush, one of the great pleasures of toiling at Mumsnet is watching how much you all give to one another - in terms of advice, humour and friendship, obviously, but very often in material ways, too.

Over the years, we've made a few ad hoc donations to causes and charities close to Mumsnetters' hearts, but I've been pondering how we might formalise the goodwill and try to do a bit more. And I thought it might be an idea to give a Mumsnet Giving Week a go.

Here's how it could work... (and do bear in mind that this is a first pass and we're very much open to suggestions on how to improve/refine the idea; if it works well, we'd like to make it an annual event). Together, we settle on some deserving causes that could do with our collective support: maybe you're trying to bring a community garden back into bloom, for example, or want to start a support group for parents of children with SEN, or are trying to raise funds to buy a piece of vital equipment for a good cause. Or there might simply be a deserving small charity that you want to support.

Once we've agreed who we'd like to back, we'll then have a week in which we promote and highlight them, and in which Mumsnetters can donate as much or as little as they choose, via a Yimby crowdfunding page (here's a bit more about Yimby.com, a new crowdfunding community for social good).

At the end of the week, MNHQ will match your donations (although I think we'll have to set a £25k limit for match funding, just in case one of you turns out to be Bill Gates and drops a million - which of course would be marvellous, but would also leave us struggling to meet the payroll).

If this all sounds ok to you, we'd like your suggestions for projects we should support on this thread. They don't have to be registered charities; indeed, our feeling is that national charities don't tend to struggle for exposure and are probably not in most need of our support. Instead, we'd love to use this as an opportunity to give smaller organisations and community projects some airtime. And because we also want to make sure that the causes are ones that existing Mumsnetters have settled on, we're only going to shortlist projects suggested by members who are registered as of now. (Apologies to newbies who join after this point, but there's always next year.)

After this thread's been up for a bit, we'll go through it, pick a shortlist of five and ask the Mumsnetters who submitted the ideas to start a Yimby crowdfunding page in support of them. We'll then - with much fanfare - announce the start of the Giving Week, during which we'll encourage everyone to donate. And at the end of the week, we'll match what's raised.

Do hope you think this is a good idea - please shout if you think it's lousy or we've missed a trick... Otherwise, please submit your nominations for deserving projects below.

[BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability]

If i could second that suggestion of homestart, as it is all done at local level. My local branch has recently closed.

[LostMyPants]

Mrscog that's an excellent idea.

[hatchypomagain]

//www.avuk.org

Helps profoundly deaf children to listen and speak. Supports the family in using their hearing aids or implants to the best of their ability and gives bursaries to low income families to access the service. Life changing for hearing impaired children.

[turgiday]

No please not Ronald McDonald. I am sure the charity do great work, but MN would also be promoting McDonalds at the same time and I would not support that at all.

[NowFourSpuds]

I second andHarry with the Luton and Dunstable NICU appeal, my twins were there for almost 5 months after their extremely premature birth. We could never thank the staff enough for saving our twins, but the unit and the facilities for parents desperately need modernising & improving.

[anotetofollowso]

Waiting for MNHQ to let us know if we can nominate charities outside the UK. There is a wonderful charity in South Africa I would like to nominate. But I'll wait to find out if it could be eligible.

[piscivorous]

Aren't there some fantastic causes here? Lovely people doing small acts of kindness which really brighten the lives of others. This is the great side of MN

[mumsbe]

Could I nominate my local community centre as they are just starting out but have already done a lot in our community and provide well needed clubs for children

[Springheeled]

There are so many important causes out there. I recently found out about the Sophie Lancaster Foundation which does great work in schools to promote tolerance and tackle the attitudes that can lead to hate crimes.

[frankie80]

Can I nominate 'hearing dogs for deaf people'. Not only do they provide assistance dogs for adults but they also do so for children.

[SuperLoudPoppingAction]

I really love matched funding as I'm poor and I like the idea of my donation counting for more. I always use 'The Big Give' when it's on.

I'd like to nominate Horton Women's Holiday Centre
hortonwhc.wordpress.com/
as it's a brilliant resource for mothers. It has a huge garden with play equipment. A playroom indoors is full of toys, books, art supplies. One room has a huge platform bed you can all sleep on together.

In the past, it's functioned as a place where women fleeing abuse have been able to turn up and stay at, although obviously that's not its main purpose.

It's on a train route so non-drivers can go.

Sadly, though, the subsidised prices for women living in poverty mean it's always in need of financial support.

[ThisIsNotWhatIWasAfter]

What a lovely idea. Clicked on a few links and now I'm welling up. Will have a think about good causes.

[strawberrypenguin]

Wow turgiday let's hope you are never in need of their help then. The Robald McDonald House Charity does amazing work that makes being in an utterly shit situation a little more bearable

[turgiday]

I am sure they do do amazing work. But it also by association promotes McDonalds.

[EasterSundaySimmons]

Turgidly, the Ronald McDonald House charity is funded by the generosity of staff fund raising and the general public, it is not directly funded by Mcdonalds.

It is petty and mean to disqualify this very worthwhile charity that takes away the worry for families who need to be near their sick child in hospital.

The accommodation provided by RMHC is of an invaluable help to these families and supports them at a time when their finances may not cover the cost of hotels etc.

[MoominAndMiniMoom]

RMHC opened at Birmingham Childrens' Hospital a few years after my parents were there with my brother - three hours away from home and from me, I was three at the time - but I'm fairly sure, if it had been open, they wouldn't have given a toss that it was sponsored by McDonalds. It would've given us the chance to all be together, and them the ability to spend time with their dying son without having to rush back every night to make sure I was alright, because I could've been in Birmingham with them.

I would like to second/third/fourth/whatever we're on whoever nominated Ronald McDonald House Charities

[kikidee]

hatchypomagain thanks for nominating Auditory Verbal UK. I second that nomination! We have benefitted hugely from their unique service. We travelled from Scotland for appointments and it was emotionally and financially exhausting and it would be lovely to donate some money to help with travel costs, or even just the normal appointment costs as it's fairly expensive if you don't qualify for travel bursaries.

They are a small charity and their service is not provided anywhere else in the UK and their support and techniques change the lives of deaf children and allow them to achieve their potential.

Love this idea, thanks Mumsnet!

[FloraPost]

Well, we were offered a place in one of the Ronald McDonald Houses so I am very aware of the good work they do. However, Ronald McDonald House Charities held net assets worth $120 million in 2012 (latest audited accounts) so MN's money will have much more impact elsewhere.

[showyourloveforlucy]

I'd like to nominate 'Sports Driving Unlimited.' It is a small, innovative charity providing therapeutic equestrian experiences for disabled and disadvantaged children and adults. They never shy from a challenge and always find a way to accommodate any level of need, no matter how severe or complex.

My nephews have disabilities and have been attending carriage driving lessons for three years. It has given them the chance to experience success and taught them to become more responsible through caring for the horses. Their self-esteem is higher and they find it exhilarating. Many of the users would not be able to take part in other sports and this charity provides them with a unique opportunity. I think it's really worthwhile.

www.sportsdrivingunlimited.org.uk/About.html

[LocalEditorWandsworth]

Great idea, we've been giving a free ad space to a local charity each month on the Wandsworth local site but would be fab to give actual cash.

Can I nominate, First Touch NNU which raises funds for our local neonatal unit www.first-touch.org.uk and Cedar House Support which runs free local support groups for mums with PND www.postnataldepression.com/cedar-house-support-group.

Both make such a difference to local parents at the most difficult times of their lives and rely totally on volunteers and donations.

[hatchypomagain]

pleasure kikidee - I'm attending appointments with DS2 after DD graduated. They helped us so much, emotionally as well as helping to teach us and DD life skills that will enable her to do whatever she wants, despite her deafness. Glad to find another AV-er !

[stealthsquiggle]

The cakes for kids thing sounds right up MN's collective street, and we could really make a difference. I just searched and there are no groups anywhere near me . If there were, I would be happy to bake and to contribute financially, but simply don't have time to set one up. I think it would be an ideal candidate though.