By Megan Griffiths
Christmas is the season of giving. Whether it is donating your money or giving your time, there’s many ways that you can get involved with charities during the festive season. With this in mind, here are seven Gloucestershire-based charities that you can support this Christmas.
James Hopkins Trust’s Mega Raffle
Founded in 1989, the James Hopkins Trust provides care for babies and children up to the age of five, and their families, who have a life threatening or life limiting condition. From overnight respite care to multisensory therapy, they currently support over 100 children in the county.
Their festive Mega Raffle, which is their first and only raffle this year due to Covid, aims to raise vital funds for nursing respite care. It is £2 per ticket to enter and prizes include a family pass to Butterfly Farm, tickets to Slimbridge Wetlands Centre and luxury hampers.
You can enter James Hopkins Trust’s Mega Raffle here.
The Pied Piper Appeal’s Christmas Toy Appeal
The Pied Piper Appeal supports disabled and sick children in Gloucestershire. From funding The Children’s Centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to support all of the county’s SEND schools, their services support children physically and mentally.
To support them this Christmas, you can give toys to the appeal or donate. Working with the Play Specialists, they aim to raise £2,000 to purchase Christmas presents for Gloucestershire’s sick and disabled children.
Find out more about their appeal on their Christmas Toy Appeal page.
Caring for Community and People’s Hamper Scamper
Caring for Community and People (CCP) is a charity that works to “transform the lives of children, young people, families and vulnerable people by preventing homelessness, strengthening families and promoting independence”. They deliver their services across Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Bristol and beyond.
According to CCP, Hamper Scamper is their “flagship food poverty and winter debt campaign”. Since its launch in 1999, the campaign has sought to spread festive cheer by providing seasonal food parcels to those in need.
Find out how you can get involved here.
Sue Ryder’s Winter Appeal
Sue Ryder provide palliative, neurological and bereavement support. At their Leckhampton Court Hospice, they offer hospice care, which includes the treatment and support of people with life-limiting conditions.
Both their Winter Appeal and December Daily Dash offer people the chance to get involved with fundraising for their hospices. The December Daily Dash is where participants run, walk or jog 5k every day in December, including Christmas Day!
Find out more about their Winter Appeal here and their December Daily Dash here.
Cheltenham Open Door’s Christmas Shelter
Cheltenham Open Door supports vulnerable, disadvantaged and lonely people. Aiming to relieve poverty, hardship and social or emotional distress, they work with both men and women from all walks of life.
People can donate their time, money or both to Cheltenham Open Door’s Christmas shelter. The shelter is open between 9am and 6pm on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, offering three meals a day plus snacks, drinks and treats to their guests. They also offer chiropody and hairdressing sessions, showers and entertainment.
To find out more, please visit their Christmas appeal page.
Allsorts’ Christmas Appeal
As a charity for families with children with additional needs, Allsorts is a pan-disability organisation that works with children and young people from 0-25 years old with any disability.
Like Pied Piper’s Toy Appeal, Allsorts is asking people to spread some festive cheer by donating a toy to their appeal. They even have an Amazon Wishlist Toy Library to help people know what to buy.
To find out more, please click here.
National Star’s Christmas Appeal
National Star is a charity that works with people with disabilities, allowing them to realise their full potential as “equal and active citizens in control of their lives”. They do this via National Star College, training, specialist services and community work.
This year, their Christmas appeal focuses on one of their students, Molly. Having started as a residential student three years ago, she now lives independently and has achieved a BTEC Level 1 Introductory Certificate.
For more information on National Star, please click here.
