MNHQ calling: Giving Week (our recent match-funding drive) - your thoughts please!

[KateHMumsnet]

Afternoon folks,

As you may remember, back in June we hosted our first ever Mumsnet Giving Week to shine a light on some brilliant causes nominated by Mumsnetters. Thanks to you, we were able to raise £11,302.43, which when we matched, rose to a whopping £22,604.86!

Woolly Hugs, Women’s Aid, Haven House, the PDA Society and Free Cakes for Kids are all overcome with warm-fuzzy feelings, as are we. This will make such a difference to all the people out there supported by these incredible charities and causes, and we hope will have a really positive impact on what they can achieve this year, so hats off to all of you!

We’ll be back with an update from the charities later in the year, so that you can hear firsthand from them about how your donations have made a difference. But in the meantime, we wanted to to ask you what you thought of our first ever Giving Week.

What do you think worked well, and what didn’t?
What compelled you to give, if you donated?
If you didn’t get involved in nominating or donating, was there anything in particular that stopped you?
What would you like to see as part of future giving weeks?

Giving back to the organisations who support Mumsnetters is important to us, and we’d like to make this a more regular feature so all feedback very welcome.

MNHQ

PurplePidjin... I can't even do squares... over the years I've tried, they're kind of odd shaped 'rhomboid/semi-oval' thingies... :(

I can buy wool though - or send a donation for dextrous and clever people to wield their needles! I would like to do that.

Lying, my squares are not always so well square , but the fabulous Woolly girls make them fit!

Yes but Bella, mine have as yet been undetermined; there is no possible description on earth for them...

Yours sound as if they are consistent at least... mine are full of holes, knots, squeezed tension (from me and the wool) and would not be a joy for anybody to try to fashion anything out of them.

I am left-handed if that explains it...

Oh I have extra stitches, not enough stitches, never ever the right tension ... Left handed you say?

Lying have you ventured over to the dark, hooky crochet side?? I cannot knit but I can hook..... It's witchcraft really, but worth try? I learnt from a book called The Happy Hooker - is there a book out there with a better name ?!

You really would not believe the shapes and sizes of some of the squares in the pic I posted ^ up there plus other blankets. But I was fucked if I was going to leave them out - somebody sweated blood to make them and they damned well went in the blanket!

There is, however, a paypal button on the website beta.woollyhugs.com/ just under the banner pic for those lacking time/inclination/skill/whatever and i know the lovely ladies who have made the Hugs what they are today are very grateful for any help people might feel they can give

I received a Christmas box last year. I wasn't 'in need' but I was at a very very low ebb.
I have no idea who nominated me, but I have never been so overwhelmed than when I received the email from hq and the lovely parcel.
This year I'm donating. If I can cheer someone else up in that way, then I'm happy to do it.
everyone has a reason for being nominated, and it's not just about being poor.
As for wooly hugs, I think they are lovely. In the same vein, I'd imagine that that realisation that many many people are thinking of you and working for you and putting in so much effort, must be like a ray of light when the world is utterly utterly bleak. All of those people making the effort in memory of your loved one, of in support of you in your darkest hour.
charity isn't just about helping people who have nothing. its about helping people, period!

We'd love your donation Lying Thank you very much

We have fabulous crafters who will be able to turn your yarn into something beautiful from you both. Honestly donations mean so much, we always want to be inclusive, for everyone to join in if they would like to, and some folk just wouldn't be able to afford to. Your kind donations make it possible, we really are so grateful. Thank you

I'm coming to Pm you now

oh, higgle has gone - I really wanted her to know that I think she's a twerp of the highest order.

My word Higgle, talk about not knowing a thing about the thing you are discussing and.

I am proud to be a active member in Woolly Hugs.

Maybe you should spend more time fact finding.

Thank you very much for the paypal link, I've made a donation. Thank you all for putting your time and skills and love into these blankets; I'm sure they make the world of difference to how somebody feels. Even if the clock can't be turned back, it's something tangible that can be held close and know that somebody - many bodies - have cared enough to want to make the blanket for them. You are lovely, lovely ladies.

Purple... I really wouldn't want to present you with my woollen 'offering', it would embarrass me and exasperate you; I don't doubt that you'd have the skills/superglue to make it fit but I really couldn't.

Horses... that does indeed sound a wondrous book. I think I have one of a similar title, although it has absolutely nothing to do with crafting of any kind...

Pistey - I have amillion squares but don't know how to put them together. Can I sent them to you?

Grain... just ... a million, a freaking MILLION!

BeerTricksPotter... pay no heed to those who've either misunderstood the purpose or seek to belittle it. You know what it is that you're contributing to and so does everybody else.

You can ALL knit though... or do some kind of craft thing...... well done those ladies!

higgle
When my 12 year old daughter was dx with cancer we received a small quilt. She took it with her whenever she was in hospital.
She had it with her throughout those two years of hell. She had with her when she died.
I slept with it for a year after she died and then it was used as a cot blanket for the two little brothers she never got to meet.
It is now back on my bed and I sleep with that and her nightie every night.

If my house burnt down that quilt would be th thing I would save.
Now blankets are sent with my daughters's name on them to children in developing countries with the same disease as her.
I am proud of that and greatful to have the chance to honour her and help others.
These blankets also serve a practical use in countries where people have nothing as well as bringing colour and comfort to children.

Your post is ignorant, high handed and does you no favours.

I have worked in the not for profit and public sector my whole adult life. Not at the lofty heights you have reached admittedly, and high they must be for you to be able to look so far down upon us and our efforts.

But still, I know the sector well. I know what people appreciate and I also know how some big charities have lost sight of the 'little things'

So excuse us if we continue to do what we do without your approval.

well maybe not quite a million, but I did at least one blanket worth, then some, I took my knitting on holibobs sort of thing. But i tried putting them together and I am crap.

I want to join with the upset people.

I cannot believe the attitude of people. It absolutely sickens me. If you don't choose a particular charity, leave it alone! You may not see the value in it but, if one person feels the benefit, physically or emotionally, then leave it alone! Don't slag off what you clearly don't understand!

Lying what lovely posts, I have PM'd you

Why not stop the pile in against higgle. She was wrong but you've corrected her so stop acting like Woolly Thugs ok I got that off another thread

Could you just try a bit harder to be more offensive, CateBlanket?

I am sure she will be absolutely fine.
But at least you got a chance to use your hilarious joke.

i thought we'd eaten all the buns and were onto fluffy stuff now

attic24 is a good blog for beginner hookers, as is crochetgeek on YouTube

Higgle, you would be well advised to know exactly it is you are mouthing off about before you start posting. Clearly you know nothing about Woolly Hugs. I actually think you sound a bit of a snob.

Actually your posts highlight the problem with big charities - they aren't personal enough and totally forget the individual. You assume that just because your aunt doesn't like crochet blanket (don't worry she isn't ever likely to be a recipient of a WH anyway) that nobody likes them. WHs only produces blankets for people who actually want them and will get benefit from them. It is a little charity with specific beneficiaries in mind.

In answer to the OP, I gave to two charities but I do agree that there was a general lack of publicity. I only heard about it via group outside of MN who were canvassing (but not pressurising) for support. After reading it I was aware of the other 4 charities and gave to one of them. I have several DD's going out to charities but am happy to give one off donations is I can. Regular giving does not mean that I can't do one-offs although I realise not everybody is in the position to do that but I don't think anybody should feel bad if they don't want to or they can't.

Or Woolly Slugs?

Every home should have one.