As we all know 2020 has been exceptionally difficult for everyone and Give it Away was no exception. Having completed the two four-bedroom detached properties in West Clandon, Surrey in the late summer of 2019, West Grove House sold itself very nicely that Autumn thereby enabling donations to be made.
But these could not follow the same path as the previous happy clappy, pink Champagne moments for obvious reasons so you will see under “News” and “Donations” how they were handled!
Lime Grove House next door, fell under the bad spell of Brexit and Election dithering and then of course the LOCKDOWN. However, at the time of writing, viewings are brisk and I have every faith that Savills will pull off a sale before March 31st 2021
So, proceeds from the sale of the first house were distributed and having given great though to the numerous emergency appeals popping up, all with incredible needs during this terribly difficult time, Give it Away decided to maintain contact with all the regular Charities who were of course bereft of their usual funding streams. A lot of these donations proved invaluable during the lockdown period and enabled regular support to be maintained. Hopefully with the sale of the second property more can be done.
This brings the total GIVE AWAY tantalising near to the famous £2 million standing currently at £1,990,183!!
There were quite a few “Zoom” giveaways – most unsatisfactory but we did it! On some occasions we managed to organise a real live rendezvous in between lockdowns and restrictions varying from the Sun Inn Barnes, to La Famiglia in Chelsea, Hush in Mayfair and of course the back garden patio when the sun was shining! We continued to stay in touch with each other, Spring, Summer and Winter, in between being “locked away!”
Whizz Kidz
Ruth Owen, Malcolm Tyrell of Whizz Kidz and I met in a very strange, deserted passageway off the Southbank, the normally atmospheric Hays Galleria and brought our own Prosecco and biscuits! Odd – but we had fun…..!
UK Youth
We succeeded in getting a meeting in at a restaurant pre Christmas which was very exciting since “going out” had been prohibited and the famous pink envelope took on a Xmas outfit – Vicky and I had a great time!
SEBASTIAN ACTION TRUST
We picked a wonderful day for this event and the garden patio hosted us magnificently! Brendan Dean, Senior partner at Ashworth’s LLP who magnanimously offers their property service pro bono to Give it Away, came for afternoon “tea” as a trustee of Sebastian Action Trust together with founder and CEO Jane Gates – we had fun!
EIKON
Another lovely summer’s day in SW15 saw Chris Hickford, CEO of Eikon make a home visit to celebrate another donation.
Not much afternoon tea was drunk but there was music and merriment!
Home Start Wandsworth
Having tortured ourselves with online financial transactions for donations and had not enjoyed our usual. happy meetings, Maria Kinsella joined the Birthday Bash (6 people only!) for an outdoor lunch and some laughter!
MEATH
Meath also benefitted in 2020 and after yet another unrewarding Zoom encounter Lucy Miguda from Meath also joined the Birthday Bash for a catch up and a few glasses!
Other Charities who benefitted in 2020 were
BACK UP TRUST
REACT
AMBITIOUS ABOUT AUTISM
OASIS CHILDCARE