FESTIVE FEELGOOD
SPREADING CHEER Shoebox ‘stocking’ donations bring smiles to young people’s faces (right), while Christmas trees can be recycled by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (below right)
Host a festive fundraiser Have a small gathering, bake sale or virtual event to encourage donations
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for your chosen cause. Save the Children is hosting a Festive Jumper Day on 12 December – get friends, family and those who can afford it to dress up and donate £5 each for charity. savethechildren.org.uk
Check on an elderly neighbour Christmas can be a lonely time for older folks, especially those who live
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alone. Why not volunteer at a community drop-in centre or join the Warm Welcome Campaign – a network of welcoming spaces that offer belonging and reconnection to guests. Or, sign up with Age UK to befriend an older person, drive them to local activities, support those being discharged from the hospital or help them regain confidence after a bereavement or fall. ageuk.org.uk; warmwelcome.uk; cambridge.gov.uk/community-centres
the young people using our services are estranged from their families, so don’t get any presents at Christmas and can get a bit despondent,” says assistant manager Claudia McKenzie. “Our Shoebox Appeal is a way of giving them their own Christmas stocking, but in a box. The first time we did it we got 120, and last year we got 500! People put so much thought into them, and our suggestions include gift cards for coffee shops or supermarkets, stationery, games and puzzles, toiletries, hats and scarves, savoury snacks and chocolates. It’s a real privilege to see the young people opening their gifts and feeling valued at our annual Christmas dinner. It’s just a lovely thing to watch.” chsgroup.org.uk
Sing carols from a punt The Traditional Punting Co and Let’s Go Punting are joining forces
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yet again this year for a fundraising carol- singing session from the River Cam on 15 December from 2.15pm, led by St John’s Choir. All proceeds from the event will go to the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation. Tickets for chauffeured punts cost from £70 for three people and sell out fast, but you can also watch from Garret Hostel Bridge and donate online. See cambscf.org.uk/donate; letsgopunting. co.uk/special-events/christmas-carols- on-the-river
Trumpington Park & Ride to drop off gifts for local children in need, including the children’s wards at Addenbrooke’s and local families supported by The Red Hen Project. This year, the ride out will take place on 8 December. See Cambridge Bikers Christmas Toy Run on Facebook.
Buy and recycle your Christmas tree for charity The Phoenix Trust, a social enterprise
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Take part in the Christmas toy appeal Managed by the City Council, this
Donate a Christmas dinner box “Each Christmas, we encourage individuals and businesses to donate
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and charity for people who have a range of learning disabilities and other complex needs, will be selling Christmas trees from its site on Milton Trading Estate next to the country park this year. Come January, you can pay East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices to come and recycle it for you as well, for a donation of £20. phoenixtrust.org; just-helping.org.uk/collections
to our festive campaign,” says Jen Rutter at The Red Hen Project. “Some of the money goes towards a Christmas dinner box for six from the Cambridge Fruit Company, which we deliver on 23 and 24 December. The rest helps fund the long-term support we offer year round.” redhenproject.org/xmas
appeal invites us to buy new toys on its gift lists at the John Lewis and Lighthouse Toys websites, costing £2 to £15. They can be dropped off at the Natwest Bank on Petty Cury or at council community centres. Visit the council’s Christmas appeal webpage for more details. cambridge.gov.uk/christmas- gifts-for-families-in-need
Get on your (motor)bike By far the noisiest charity event is the Cambridge Bikers Christmas Toy
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Fill a shoebox with goodies CHS Group, a charitable housing association based in Cambridgeshire,
Give cold, hard cash At Christmas, most of us want to donate gifts, but the charities we
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Run. Hundreds of motorcyclists, many in Santa hats and suits, will ride in procession from La Pergola car park in Harlton to
runs a Christmas Shoebox Appeal with Cambs Youth Panel. “Quite a few of
spoke to for this feature all said it’s money that makes a real difference. “This year, we’re part of the Christmas Challenge organised by Big Give,” says Jen Rutter at The Red Hen Project. “They’ll match fund any donations we get for 3-10 December. So £50 from a member of the public will become £100.” donate.biggive.org
It’s a real privilege to see the young people opening their gifts and feeling valued at Christmas
12 DECEMBER 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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