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Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

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Local Facebook group gets global support for charity with launch of Xmas tune

This news post is over 3 years old
 

Worldwide Santas Xmas Eve Jingle has more than 240,000 followers

A Facebook that has gone viral has thrown its support behind a local charity.

Cancer charity Maggie’s Forth Valley has been chosen as the nominated charity for local Facebook Group gone global – Worldwide Santas Xmas Eve Jingle.

The group which was set up by two local Carronshore ladies, Lauren Sinclair and Terri Niven started in October as a way to spread festive cheer.

After such a tough lockdown year, the girls wanted to create a special memory for children in and around Forth Valley by asking families to stand outside their house at 6pm and ring a bell for two minutes to spread festive cheer and help power Santa’s sleigh on his way.

Little did they know at the time that the Facebook Group would go global - with members from all over the world, the group now has 240k followers and is growing every day!

And as if that wasn’t Christmas-sy enough, local singer songwriter Dionne Hickey has decided to donate all download and royalty income from her Xmas song Won’t You Be Mine for Christmas released on 1 December to Maggie’s Forth Valley.

Cristina Pouso, Maggie’s Forth Valley Centre fundraising manager, said: “We are so excited to be supported by Worldwide Santas Xmas Eve Jingle and Dionne Hickey this year. Our Elf Family Fun Run is a key event for us so it’s obvious that we like all things Christmas.

“Being part of a group that is spreading so much festive cheer during these difficult times is so inspiring and it’s great to be involved in something so positive during these difficult times”.

Lauren Sinclair said “Both Terri and I never thought our idea to spread some festive cheer in our community in Forth Valley would spread across the globe, it has been an amazing experience and so positive.  When we first spoke to Dionne about supporting Maggie’s Forth Valley it felt like the right thing to do. The centre is so beautiful and peaceful and we know how helpful it is for anyone with cancer to have somewhere like that to go.  We want to do our bit to help raise awareness and money so they can continue to help people with cancer”.

Dionne’s Xmas tune, ‘Won’t You be Mine for Christmas’ will be available to download for just 99p from 1st December from iTunes https://music.apple.com/gb/album/wont-you-be-mine-for-christmas-single/943258776and Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00PVZHO30/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_J3VQFb1RV3HZ9 with all proceeds being donated to Maggie’s Forth Valley.

Alternatively, followers are being asked to donate to Lauren and Terri’s Worldwide Santas Xmas Eve Jingle Justgiving page.

Maggie’s Forth Valley which is in the grounds of NHS Forth Valley hospital is ready to welcome anyone with a cancer diagnosis, or their family and friends, in a way which adheres to all local and Government guidelines.

Support by professional staff is available face to face in the centre or by phone, email or online to help people with stress, fear and anxiety as well as money worries and questions about treatment.

Visitors will be asked to call ahead for an appointment while social distancing, hygiene and safety measures will be in line with Government guidelines, though if you are visiting the hospital anyway, please do just pop in.

Yvonne McIntosh, Maggie’s Forth Valley Centre head, said “We can help with money worries, questions about treatment and support with stress, anxiety and more, but even if all you want is a chat then please do get in touch.

“We can organise an appointment with our psychologists very quickly if needs be too, just give us a ring.”

Maggie’s has been supporting people with cancer throughout the coronavirus crisis over the phone, email and through our online community. This support helped people over 74,000 times during full lockdown.

Since Maggie’s opened their first centre in 1996, the charity has developed a programme of support that is proven to help people with cancer and their loved ones take back control.

Maggie’s Forth Valley relies almost entirely on voluntary donations to be able to offer this high quality, professional support.

To find out more about Maggie’s Forth Valley phone 01324 868078.