Introducing… the Mumsnet Christmas Appeal for Refuge and Women’s Aid

[JustineMumsnet]

Hello, hello

As some of you will know, we’re not going to run the Mumsnet Secret Santa this year. It had a brilliant run over more than ten years, with many MNers nominating recipients, and sending and receiving gifts. We know from reading the ‘thank you’ threads over the years that it’s brightened up many an MNer’s festive season. But over the last couple of years it seems to have provoked quite a lot of angst and if there’s one thing none of us needs over Christmas it’s more stress.

To replace it, this year we’re going to promote a couple of very worthy causes close to many of your hearts: Refuge and Women’s Aid, both of which provide life-saving support for women in abusive relationships and their children.

‘Donate’ links will be appearing around the site, and all you have to do is hit on one (or both) of them to be taken directly to the JustGiving page for that charity, where you can make your donation. We at MNHQ will be match funding donations made to both up to a total of £10,000.

We know this is an expensive time of year, but anything at all that you can spare, however small, would be fab - collectively we can make a big difference. This page includes more information from Refuge and Women’s Aid about what how your money will be spent.

We’ll keep you updated with running totals, and there will be some Guest Posts on our Bloggers’ Network to provide a bit more background: we’ll put the links to those up here when they’re published.

Thanks for reading and we look forward to helping these two brilliant organisations give more families a Christmas to remember.

And, of course, a very merry Christmas to you all!

Thanks [santa]

click here to donate to Refuge

click here to donate to Women’s Aid

[BIWI]

... or why you would rather support animals over humans, especially other women who are suffering at the hands of those who are supposed to be their nearest and dearest.

[EvenTheWind]

Aww.

You're very welcome, Lieutenant It's-All-About-Me!

[Chamonix1]

Lovely
Both worthy causes

[cozietoesie]

I love the thought of HMRC having to pay (via Gift Aid) all of Just Giving's costs as well. Makes me grin like a snake.

[EvenTheWind]

RIGHT. I would have picked one but now I will donate to both in lieu of my lieutenant here.

Luckily, the affected women and children won't be able to see my smug and righteous glow, just appreciate the food, clothing, toys or support, whatever the MNHQ doubled donation buys.

[cozietoesie]

This is the guest post to which I referred earlier. Be warned though - it's not an easy thread to read.

[Trumpton]

Donated . I also managed to send a shoe box of toiletries to
a collection centre . I received a mumsnet secret santa a few years ago and the difference it made to me made me determined to
Pay It Forward or indeed Back .
I have been fortunate in my life with a long and happy marriage but feel so deeply for those who have to flee .

[PippaFawcett]

Great charities. I have already donated presents for children to our local WA branch but I didn't think to get anything for any of the women so I will do that as well as donating.

I'm not sure why people are complaining - if you don't want to support these charities then pick your own to donate to, no-one is stopping you.

[SenecaFalls]

Great idea, MNHQ.

[SenecaFalls]

Also helpful for us Americans that the link already shows up in dollars.

[Wenker]

Donated

[RowanMumsnet]

@Onenerfwarfrombreakdown

Yes great idea MNHQ but could we have links to Scottish, Welsh, NI links too please as people may prefer to support locally not just England.

Morning all

Yes the MNHQ Xmas Appeal will direct your generous donations (THANK YOU) to Women's Aid England. We'll clarify the situation with Refuge and add any extra links to other UK branches here this week.

[santa]

[CondensedMilkSarnies]

Fabulous idea.

I left my abuser in the middle of the night with just the clothes I had on.

I was picked up on the corner of our street by a woman from Refuge.

They gave me paper knickers to wear , a travel toothbrush and a bar of soap. I was so so grateful . But they apologised for the fact that they couldn't give me 'proper' knickers due to lack of funding.

Extra money will enable them to provide these items for desperate women.

I felt like I'd inherited the world when I finally put a proper pair of brand new knickers on.

Heartfelt thanks for this MNHQ and everyone who has donated .

[MrsHathaway]

I felt like I'd inherited the world when I finally put a proper pair of brand new knickers on.

Sarnies that's heartbreaking. I wish you all the loveliest new underwear in the world, and will add knickers in your honour to the refuge parcel we're making up.

[Badders123]

Donated
Links working fine

[CondensedMilkSarnies]

Thankyou MrsHathaway

[MrsHathaway]

(sorry, I realised too late that that sounded a bit weird)

[cozietoesie]

Didn't sound weird to me, MrsHathaway.

[CondensedMilkSarnies]

Not weird at all

[MrsHathaway]

Thanks both

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

Sarnies, it sounded very life-affirming to me and I hope that you are now happy and content. :)

I love this campaign, it's such an important one. Thank you, MNHQ, you've done a blinder this year!

[CondensedMilkSarnies]

Lying i still feel the joy of opening a multipack of knickers , unfolding them and pulling them on - it's very symbolic to me ( daft I know ) .

My DD and I are now safe in our own home and rubbing along nicely.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

It's not at all daft, Sarnies, I absolutely get it and feel the same about slippers and for the same reason. Had to leave my favourite ones and I have a 'thing' about slippers now, I have dozens of new pairs packed... just in case.

Here's to you and your knickers! ... and your daughter's and your very own new, safe home.

[CondensedMilkSarnies]

To knickers and slippers

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

Absolutely!