Christmas Half Year Donations
This is always a fun time of year to meet my Charities, celebrate December and of course open a pink envelope or two! Thanks to the two rented apartments I still have the ability to help where I can and for that I am grateful. Charities are facing tough times always and to be a regular donor is something which helps them and on which they rely. I was also able to find a way to be part of the BIG GIVE to those who were registered doubling my donation which was a real bonus! What a great scheme……
Eikon were takin
g part in the BIG GIVE so this was another double donation! But it also meant that the transaction was not done in the usual pink envelope way so hence the look on the CEO’s face – Chris Hickford – when he opened it! However, he was doubly pleased at what we had managed to achieve for them so we doubled the drinks!
Young people need increasing help in Surrey it seems – times are getting tougher for them it appears these days and as Eikon say “we would rather be the rescue party at the top of the cliff than the ambulance at the bottom.” Quite! I am also mentoring a young person at Eikon so I see first hand what the issues are and how mentoring provides vital support.
First up to get in the Christmas Spirit was Sean McCallion from Back up Trust – we met in Putney and enjoyed some great pre Xmas drinks. They were part of the BIG GIVE so it was double your money time! My donations are being used to help fund the Mentoring programme.
People who have suddenly found themselves with a spinal cord injury resulting in them never walking again are facing huge life changes, seemingly unsurmountable challenges to everyday life and a lot of uncertainty. Mentors are there to support them and their families undergo these changes and find a new way of coping practically and positively.
This is what Jenny had to say:
Jenny’s life was permanently changed in an instant. After waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, Jenny felt dizzy and fainted, hitting her head on the shower door. Jenny was instantly paralyzed, but the cause of her fall was later discovered to be from a large buildup of calcium on her spinal column. The fall had injured her spinal cord on the C7 level, combined with the damage already done by the calcium on the C3 – C5 level. This resulted in an incomplete spinal cord injury. For Jenny, this means she uses a wheelchair to get around, but can stand with the use of mobility aids.
“In hospital I thought that within a few months I’d be ‘back to normal’. I thought I’d be returning to work and walking like I did before.
“I just did not appreciate the seriousness of it all.”
Jenny soon realized that she needed support in understanding her life after spinal cord injury. This is how she got involved with Back Up. After reaching out to Jenny, we partnered her with a mentor, someone who already had lived experience with spinal cord injury. Jenny’s mentor provided a listening ear, and helped her stay positive after her injury.
“In those early days, if I was feeling off I’d blame myself. My mentor was always there to remind me that I could have had off days before my injury, but I was still able to get through them. It is no different now.
“My mentor was so patient. He gave me such a boost and plenty of advice whenever I needed it. It left me wanting to do more with Back Up!”
Another Carol Concert in December at St Anne’s Wandsworth in aid of Home Start. A lovely evening with great readings and fun Christmas anecdotes. We also heard from families who have benefited from the volunteers at Home Start who support them in all manner of crises and make a big difference to their lives. My donation will continue to support them.
This just has to be the highlight of each December!
Not only do I get to visit the most beautiful RAF Church of St Clement Danes in the Strand but I am shown to my seat by immaculately uniformed reservists from the Honourable Artillery Company who also pour Champagne! The service is spectacular with the resident choir and organist and the band of the Honourable Artillery Company. The Meath choir also perform and bring tears to our eyes as we join in with them “signing” and singing and watching them having such a great time.
My donation as previously, will go towards the little extras that are so needed to make their lives more comfortable at the Residential Centre in Godalming such as individual physio and therapy sessions.
Give it Away has been supporting REACT almost since the beginning and they do two things which always impress me: the donation monies are distributed quickly and I am sent total feedback about where the funds have been used. They are providing sometimes seemingly simple items such as buggies, special beds, bathing equipment, even bedding to families who are struggling financially usually as a single parent or carer with a child who often has multiple disabilities. They also arrange for me to visit families so I can see and understand the circumstances first hand. A most dedicated and worthwhile Charity.
I gate crashed their Christmas party at the Red Lion in Barnes so a great place to do a pink envelope moment with all the team present as they are the ones who will be making good decisions about where to place this donation!
I have always supported UK Youth’s outdoor magnificent centre in the New Forest called Avon Tyrell. Here in a beautiful rural parkland children can come and experience the great outdoors whatever their ability or restrictions. Previous donations have supported families to spend a weekend together safe in the knowledge that the staff here are fully equipped to deal with all manner of disability so that together, they can all have an exciting outdoor experience.
I visited in the summer when their devoted patron HRH Princess Anne came along to see the latest activities, plant a tree and unveil her very own sculpture. I think she liked it! I attended an event in London with them and was happy to give another donation to help Avon Tyrell.
We met by the Christmas Tree for a pink envelope moment to brighten up a dull December day! I have long supported Treehouse – the education centre for autistic children based in North London and they are always innovative about their fundraising programmes. This support programme as outlined to me by the fundraisers I believe to be very worthwhile as I have seen first had how difficult it is for families to cope in this situation. I am glad my donation can support so many.
As mentioned, we have a Family Services Team that supports learners who may be going through a transition from school to college and beyond, to parents who may need benefits advice. A lot of these services are face to face, with a Family Services Officer in each of our settings. They ensure families have increased knowledge, skills, and confidence to support their autistic children and young people by providing timely direct advice and support.
For this, £2000 can support around 100 autistic young people and their families with an hour of dedicated support from our Family Services Team.