FESTIVE FEELGOOD
ways to make a difference Offer a helping hand to those in need this Christmas. Here are some thoughtful ideas that will make the world a better place
Buy charity cards With many charity card designs now available as e-cards, they’re a
items, household essentials and toys to local families in need. To take part, visit the Christmas Hamper Appeal on its website and click through to the Eventbrite page, where you can select a hamper drop-off time slot. Choose from standard or small hamper types, or a special dietary needs one (vegan, gluten-free, halal), and buy what’s on the list (approx £20-£30). Pop everything into a robust carrier bag and take it to Robinson House, Cowley Park, Cambridge CB4 0WZ on your pre-selected day and time slot. cambridgecity.foodbank.org.uk
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sustainable option that means you save on postage too. Buy them from organisations such as the British Heart Foundation, Friends of the Earth or dontsendmeacard. com, which supports The Salvation Army and The Red Hen Project, among others. dontsendmeacard.com
Volunteer Charities may appreciate extra help over the holiday season. Volunteer
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Cambs is an online platform that helps put volunteers in touch with charities in need of assistance. “People looking to volunteer at Christmas can simply type ‘Christmas’ or ‘winter’ into the search field,” explains Lorna Gough, communications officer at Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service, “or they can opt to join the volunteer pool so that charities can contact them directly.” volunteercambs.org.uk
Buy a virtual gift for a patient Help bring some Christmas cheer to Addenbrooke’s by visiting its
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charitable trust online shop, where you can buy a virtual gift for a patient or one of its specially designed Christmas cards. Virtual gifting can buy anything from an hour of therapeutic play or a stocking filler for a child in hospital over the holidays, a set of warm clothes for elderly patients or even refreshments for hardworking staff. “Money raised by supporters funds innovations, research and high-tech equipment, above and beyond what the NHS can provide,” says Shelly Thake, chief executive of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT). Visit shop.act4addenbrookes.org.uk
Donate to a food bank Food banks often struggle to meet demand at Christmas. Donate non-
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perishable items or festive treats to bring joy to those in need. Morrisons, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Co-op supermarkets all have donation cages. “We’re seeing more and more people coming to our food banks for the first time in Cambridge,” says Kate McIntosh, local organiser for Cambridge City Foodbank. “In 2019-2020 we provided 9,500 emergency food parcels; in 2024 it’s been 17,500.”
Donate a warm blanket or sleeping bag Cold winter weather can be tough for
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those sleeping rough. Many charities, such as The Salvation Army, accept donations of coats, blankets and sleeping bags to help the homeless stay warm. Homeless shelter Jimmy’s accepts new blankets and sleeping bags, and has an Amazon wish list you can buy from. Wintercomfort, another Cambridge charity, also has an Amazon wish list for toiletries and other sundries, and says £5 and £10 supermarket or high- street gift cards are very useful. salvationarmy.org.uk; jimmyscambridge. org.uk; wintercomfort.org.uk
Make up a Christmas hamper The Christmas Hamper Appeal, brainchild of Cambridge City
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Foodbank, is inviting members of the public to pledge a hamper filled with non-perishable Christmas treats, hygiene THOUGHTFUL GIFTS Charitable giving can take the form of participation in events like punting with carols (top right) or donations to organisations such as ACT (all others)
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