Thursday, December 11, 2008

Charity suggestions welcome again

Christmas treeThis year, like last year, a bit of an excess has built up in my account with the Charities Aid Foundation. Since it's almost Christmas again, I reckon that now is a sensible time to empty the account and give the money to good causes :-). Last year there was an excess of £1.6k, and taking into account the suggestions that I got from readers, £400 was donated to each of The Terrence Higgins trust, Crisis, The Albert Kennedy Trust and Action for blind people. During the course of 2008 I've sponsored a few more friends than last year, so this year there's only an excess of £1.3k. None the less, if any readers wants to make sensible suggestions in terms of who to give some money to then I'll try and take their thoughts into account. All suggestions welcome, as long as they're registered UK charities :-).

12 comments:

Ken Skinner said...

At this time of year? Battersea Dogs Home!

When we were in Paris the other weekend I thought it was funny that there were loads of billboards basically saying 'It's Xmas, get a pet!'... which runs somewhat against the line the UK have been plugging for as long as I can remember.

Ken Skinner said...

Another one I'd recommend, though I can't see whether they're UK or US registered is "Dress for Success". A friend of mine volunteers her time to help administer it over here. It's basically a not-for-profit organisation which helps get interview clothes for disadvantaged women, to help them get back into the workplace and self-sufficient.

What I like about the cause is that it's basically aimed at helping people to help themselves as opposed to just giving a handout.

creating my life said...

how about www.foodchain.org.uk

Anonymous said...

Nice Hanukkah bush in your photo--six pointed stars, blue lights. But where is the Menorah?

Anonymous said...

Hi, a fellow CAF Account holder here. If you're stuck for ideas why not check out the advent calendar on CAF's website, there's a new charity featured every day throughout December: http://www.cafonline.org/

Anonymous said...

Hi, how about Médecins Sans Frontières (UK), although the origins of it are French, it was set-up as a registered charity (Charity Number 1026588) in the UK a few years ago, they go anywhere in the world where medics are needed and others don't go. They are in Zimbabwe in a big way at the moment dealing with cholera - you need to have courage to do that.

Phil.

Hedgie said...

Hi GB -How about St Mungo's - they help the homeless at Christmas. Or what about one of the Cancer charities?

Great idea, well done you. Hoping you have a lovely, indulgent time over the holiday season and all the best for 2009!

Anonymous said...

merry christmas :) it's a beautiful pic, and i hope that things sort out for the best between u and bf P. :)

GB said...

Thanks for all your suggestions guys :-). I've donated £200 to each of Dress for success, Food chain, Médecins Sans Frontières, St Mungo's, The Terrence Higgins trust and Crisis, with £100 going to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home too :-).

Sorry there's no Menorah, Cody!

Thanks for the "charity of the month" suggestion first anonymous commenter, but with everyone's suggestions here plus my own ideas that wasn't necessary.

I didn't choose a cancer charity Hedgie because earlier this year Cancer Resarch got £500 from me when I sponsored a friend to run a marathon.

Thanks for your good wishes closetalk. Merry Christmas to you too :-).

GB xxx

MadeInScotland said...

Thanks GB for making the THT donation. I've done the same, and bettered it ( ;) ) . I hear that their funding has recently been slashed...then there is the credit crunch.

Ken Skinner said...

Wow. Definite thanks for the DforS (and Dogs' Home) contributions :-)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for including MSF GB,

Take care,

Phil.