TFN is counting down to Christmas by celebrating and promoting some of its favourite charities, fundraisers and awareness days
24th December:
Our final advent entry of the year goes to Scotland’s army of volunteers – without which much of our society, never mind the third sector, would not be able to function. Volunteer Scotland estimates they are worth a staggering 2.6 billion to the Scottish economy. Let’s hear it for them!
23rd December:
At this year’s Scottish Charity Awards there was a new Digital Dynamo award. Glasgow-based Visibility saw its digital participation project take home the title. The peer-support project helped address low take-up of technology among people with visual impairments.
22nd December:
The Trussell Trust is a charity founded on Christian principles, that works with people regardless of religious belief or non-belief. Its vision is to end hunger and poverty in the UK. A total of 14,159 people – including 5,093 children – were sent by social services or other agencies to the Trussell Trust in December last year – up from 9,263 in December 2013, while more than 17,000 people are expected to be referred to its food banks throughout Scotland this month. TFN recently revealed that the problem of hunger in the UK is much worsethan previously thought - and a series of pilotprojects are to start next yearin Ibrox and Irvine where schools will open at weekends and holidays to feed poor families.
21st December:
Prince’s Trust Scotland - #MissionMerryXmas from Prince’s Trust Scotland on Vimeo.
Young people from the Prince’s Trust Scotland went on a festive mission to say Merry Christmas by constructing their own Christmas chain reaction circuit in one day. Inspired by the Rube Goldberg Machine, young people from its Future Starts programme put their skills to the test, taking part in STEAM workshops to create a wacky and wonderful design which has been turned into the charity’s a Season’s Greetings video. The video was produced by Kevin Walls, founder of Sonorous Films, a Trust-supported business.
20th December:
Last year Social Bite asked the public to pay £5 to allow it to open on Christmas day and give local homeless people a place to go for a good meal. Its target was to provide 800 meals but amazingly over 36,000 donations were made from all over the world. This year’s campaign was launched by none other than George Clooney and so far over 50,000 people have donated.
19th December:
From cards to party dresses, food to trees we have put together a list of social enterprises and charities who can help you make sure your Christmas this year has a positive impact on the world.
18th December: The Abbeyfield Society
Older people’s housing and care charity The Abbeyfield Society’s Coping at Christmas campaign has handled hundreds of calls from isolated older people who face being alone over the extended Christmas period. As a result, over 400 older people who would otherwise have spent the Christmas period without company are being welcomed into Abbeyfield houses the breadth of the country to enjoy festive events ranging from 1940s fancy dress parties to Christmas Day lunches and even overnight stays so they don’t have to wake up alone on Christmas morning.
17th December:
MND Scotland was this year’s Scottish Charity Awards Charity of the Year. It is the only Scottish charity providing care and support to people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), their families, friends and carers. It provides a wide range of services, information about MND, and funding for research. Through education, campaigning and research, it works collaboratively to ensure that people affected by MND have access to the highest quality care and support. If you would like to support MND Scotland this year why not make a donation on its website or buy from its online range of Christmas cards and merchandise.
16th December: The Big Issue
The Big Issue is a magazine sold by homeless and long-term unemployed people. Vendors buy copies for £1.25 and sell for £2.50. They are working, not begging. Since The Big Issue was launched in 1991 it has helped thousands of vulnerable people take control of their lives. It currently works with around 1500 individuals across the UK, offering them the opportunity to earn a legitimate income: to ‘help them to help themselves’. Pictured are Big Issue vendors from Edinburgh who enjoyed a Christmas lunch put on by Bistro Provence.
15th December: Action Medical Research
Children’s charity Action Medical Research has designed its first ever animated e-card for Christmas. The charity, which funds research to help sick and disabled babies and children, launched the card as a way for its supporters to promote and help the charity at over the festive season. The cute card features two robins who deliver a pair of booties to a family with a baby at Christmas and can be sent to any number of email addresses with users asked to make a donation to the charity. Sarah Moss, director of communications at Action Medical Research said: “We wanted a story which would reflect our work to make a difference for sick babies and children. We hope that people will share this with friends and family and will consider making a donation as they send it.” To send your own e-card from Action Medical Research, visit action.org.uk/ecard.
14th December: Beith Community Development Trust
Scottish Charity Award winner 2015 Beith Community Development Trust has raised the bar when it comes to wishing its supporters a Merry Christmas. Not content with a Christmas card young people from the Celebrating Communities winners have written, performed, produced and directed their own music video version of the 12 Days of Christmas. Instead of lords a leaping and gold rings the lyrics are made up of activities the charity offers such as football on the 3G astro pitch, soup club and therapets. Click above to watch.
13th December: Scottish Autism
Scottish Autism is calling on members of the public to help create more moments of clarity for families across Scotland this Christmas. The charity is looking to raise funds for its Autism Advice Line, which provides practical help and emotional support to hundreds of individuals with autism and their families. Scottish Autism relies on the generosity of the public, along with donations from trusts and organisations to maintain this valuable resource and it typically costs around £4 to support a family over the course of a month. Donations can be made online at scottishautism.org/get-involved/donate.
12th December: Boys’ Brigade Scotland
Boys’ Brigade Scotland has launched its new 2015-16 Kit for Kenya Appeal. The boys, who are working alongside the Girls’ Brigade Scotland for the first time, are raising funds in order to provide kit for boys from BB units in Kenya from the poorest backgrounds. The money raised from the appeal will buy material, sewing machines and employ people to make the uniforms for BB units across Kenya. Find out more at worldmissionfund.org.uk.
11th December:
Mary’s Meals, the charity which feeds schoolchildren in some of the world’s poorest countries, has teamed up with celebrity chef Tom Kitchin to create a Christmas fundraising campaign. In a video (that you can watch here) Tom explains how to create the most amazing Christmas dinner for just £12.20 – by buying a place at the charity’s virtual table. Your donation will help feed a child not just this Christmas but for an entire year! Visit onemoreforchristmas.com for more details.
10th December: Contact the Elderly
Contact the Elderly is a charity which looks to alleviate social isolation and loneliness among older people by hosting tea parties in volunteers’ homes. It is currently looking for new volunteers in the Glasgow area where it has a waiting list of older people who are looking to join a friendship group. Volunteers are needed to drive and accompany local older people to monthly Sunday teas and host a tea party once or twice a year. Volunteers are also needed to co-ordinate the tea parties. For more information watch the video above or visit Contact the Elderly’s website.
9th December: Streetwork
Streetwork is an Edinburgh based charity which specialises in helping people recover from the underlying issues that result in homelessness and exclusion. Working 365 days a year it reaches those living in the most desperate and destitute situations. As the cold weather sets in it is asking for assistance to help reach more people in need of emergency crisis support. This can be life-saving at this time of the year. Donate to the charity via its Just Giving Campaign.
8th December: Bethany Christian Trust
Thinking of buying a Christmas tree? Then make your purchase count. Bethany Christian Trust‘s enterprise Caring Christmas Trees sells trees to raise funds for the work the charity carries out. Working with 7,000 people a year, Bethany helps people who struggle with homelessness and addictions. It also works with children and families and helps people gain the confidence and skills to find work and contribute to the life of their local community. Trees are available to order from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow and Stirling. Visit caringchristmastrees.com to place an order.
7th December: National Deaf Children’s Society Scotland
The National Deaf Children’s Society Scotland supports more than 3,850 deaf children in Scotland. Its work includes campaigning for change, running local deaf children’s societies and offering a family support network. Over Christmas it is stepping up its fundraising efforts in a bid to help more deaf children overcome barriers. Next up is a Christmas fayre at its offices in 131 West Nile Street, Glasgow on Thursday (10 December). On offer will be lots of home-baking, children’s clothing, mini facials and stalls selling stocking filler gifts. Those in the area are invited to attend between 11am and 2.30pm.
6th December: Cornerstone
Learning disability charity Cornerstone’s Christmas campaign is made up of three elements this year. Supporters are urged to make a donation and send one of its very own designed e-cards, purchase a virtual gift by donating an amount such as £10 to make it possible for a person the charity supports to go out for the day to a garden centre or have tea and cake at their favourite café, or donate a gift to its Giving Tree which will be passed on to someone who may not receive anything else this Christmas. To find out more visit the Cornerstone website.
5th December: Quarriers
Social care charity Quarriers has launched its Box of Hope Appeal and is asking people to donate in order to provide young homeless people with some essential items to help them this Christmas. Supporters can donate to create one of three boxes. The £10 Starter Box contains essentials such as toothpaste and shower gel, the £20 Christmas Box has as a hat, socks, gloves, pyjamas, chocolate, an electricity card and food voucher and the £50 Moving on Box containing basics, such as a kettle, towels and cutlery to support young people to move on to their own tenancy. Donations can be made at quarriers.org.uk/hope or by calling 01505 690 875.
4th December: Glasgow Bike Station
Did you know 33% of children in Glasgow live in poverty, and this is the highest among Scotland’s major cities? Glasgow Bike Station and Glasgow Outdoor Experience have decided to work together to tackle this. Over the last few years the charity has provided free refurbished bikes to over 50 children and would like to reach 100 bikes this Christmas - but it needs some help. It is looking for donations of unused bikes to fix up to give to children less fortunate. The Bike Station would also love some donations to help fund the process. More information is available at localgiving.com/charity/glasgowbikestation/project/one.
3rd December: Cancer Research UK
Today sees, or even hears, a Christmas carol concert at Glasgow Cathedral on behalf of Cancer Research UK. Over the years the concert has raised more than £400,000 for Cancer Research UK and this year one of Scotland’s best-selling singers, Barbara Dickson whose string of hit singles includes I Know Him So Well is to perform. Scottish a capella group The Other Guys will also sing as will opera singer, Cheryl Forbes; the organist, Gordon Cree; Scotland’s Makar, Liz Lochhead and choirs from Erskine Stewart’s Melville School and The High School of Glasgow. Tickets on sale here.
2nd December: Food Train
Working in seven local authority areas in Scotland the Food Train helps older people remain independent in their own home by providing a number of services – including a grocery delivery programme. This Christmas it is trying to raise £500 through a crowdfunding campaign to purchase new shopping containers (like the one above) in order to help it continue to deliver vital fresh groceries to older people. To sponsor a box for just £10 visit its page on Indiegogo.com, call its head office on 01387 270800 or even visit it in person at 30 Castle Street, Dumfries.
1st December: Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland
Today is World AIDS Day and we have chosen to highlight the Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland. The charity is part of the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity and has centres in Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee and Glasgow. This World AIDS Day, it is asking people to fight the stigma of HIV by proudly wearing a red ribbon. You can even join in on Twitter and Facebook by adding the #StopStigma Twibbon to your profilepicture.
