Charidee at Christmas...

Well this year has certainly been a busy one, with turning 30 and all that jazz.  Lots of this year, I am very proud to say, has been focused on raising money for charities in one way or another. 

As most of you will know I had a big birthday bash (a little reminder...) http://mrssammyb13.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/a-mad-hatters-tea-party.html?m=1

I sourced most of the props for the party from charity shops, paid a fair price and did my bit.  But it didn’t stop there... After the party I sold all of the props and donated the money raised from the sales to charity.  So I'm very pleased to say that my 30^th birthday was not about spending senselessly for nothing, I raised lots of money for charity, which you can read more about here… http://mrssammyb13.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/charideee.html?m=1  

The final total from the props sold was approx…..

The Rowans Hospice –£60

British Heart Foundation – £70

Cancer Research – £115

Womb Cancer Research - £50

Well all of this has got me thinking about Christmas and charity, giving to others who deserve it and who need it more than ourselves.  So I started looking into volunteering at Christmas.  It is something I have always said I want to do, but ideally I would like to do something locally and just couldn’t find anything.  I also started looking at the food banks in the area to offer my time to, but they are only open during the week while I am at work, so again a no go :0(

I have also decided this Christmas, not to make Christmas puddings.  I have done it for the last few years, but this year I have just run out of time to make them.  I have had lots on with changing jobs, a poorly puppy and a trip to Barcelona – there are not enough hours in the day!  Believe it or not it usually costs me a small fortune to make the pudds, the ingredients/alcohol etc not to mention the 5 hours each one takes to boil!  So we have bought one, I do have one left over from last year we will use as well – so there is a small touch of homemade in there somewhere.  The money I have saved from this, I decided all else failing being able to find something worthy to do – I will donate it to charity.

That very day my decision was made, someone posted on facebook a link from Refuge regarding their Christmas list appeal; to buy a child and or an adult a present this Christmas.  Refuge supports 3,000 women and children, many people fleeing domestic violence are too afraid to risk collecting their belongings and arrive at the Refuge with little more than the clothes they and their children are wearing.  

My mum, who used to do Body Shop parties, used to donate her products that were used as samples (some opened and tried, others just opened and had been passed around at parties) to a local women’s refuge in Portsmouth, who were extremely grateful for shower gels/body creams/make up/ anything really.  We even donated all of my Nan's toiletries when she passed away (two large bags full - I have never seen so many bottles of unopened shampoo in one cupboard!) and what a worthy cause.

So I followed the link and did my bit and have happily purchased a present for a child and a mother, it only cost me £10, and someone with nothing will get a little Christmas cheer this Christmas.  If you want to have a look and help or find out what they do – do click on the link http://refuge.org.uk/get-involved/christmas-gift-list-appeal/

I still had a hankering to do more, and do more locally - but just really unsure what, until someone posted this on facebook…https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/358718177608188/

Just perfect!  A local charity I can actually do something for.  They recommend going to charity shops to buy the items in the rucksack and they are then given out at Centre Point in Portsmouth to the homeless this Christmas.  So off I go to do what I do best…. Shopping!!!

I'll keep you posted! 

TTFN, Sammy xx