charity of the month

The Greatest Gift…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

December is here, which means it’s time to get festive. I love Christmas time. It’s cosy and pretty and so much fun for the littles. It is also the time for giving.

I always feel very grateful at this time of year. I have a loving circle of friends and family to celebrate with. I will exchange gifts & decorate my warm home. I’ll indulge in yummy festive treats and watch the kids in my life enjoy the seasonal magic. I am incredibly lucky to be in such a safe & comfortable position. I’m not wealthy, but I have a little to spare and I will be sharing that extra.

Refuge provide support from women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Often those fleeing abuse must leave everything behind. You can fund a variety of parcels ranging from essentials to gift that will bring a little Xmas joy.

Willow Animal Santuary run a ‘cat hotel’ that specialises in homing cats that have been unable to find a safe home elsewhere. Cats who are not house trained, have psychological issues or are feral. Often cats like this are abandoned or euthanised. Willow allows them to live their lives in safety and comfort. Willow also provides sanctuary for farm animals. They have a strict no kill policy and cultivate the most loving environment for animals who may have led difficult lives. If you can, please help the animals in their care continue to thrive.

Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas is an excellent resource for donating to local charities. They host tonnes of Glasgow based organisations and details what each needs. You can select the kind of gift and recipient you would like to donate to. There are lots of groups facilitating present buying for kids who might otherwise receive nothing. The idea of a child being excluded for the joy of discovering that ‘Santa has been’ breaks my heart. Charities like this allow us to be a tiny part of the Christmas magic. That feels like an enormous privilege.

Renew Roots are providers of direct aid in Gaza. They are currently supporting 137 families. Their aim is feed, educate, offer support to families who have lost everything. Despite the ‘ceasefire’ attacks and blockades are ongoing. Please give whatever you can.

Ginger life…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

I gave you a brief introduction to my beautiful ginger boy a few months back. Now that we’ve had time to get to know each other I wanted share all the details. Plus tell you about the awesome organisation who brought us together.

I feel extremely lucky to have found this boy. He is a dream cat who has settled right in. When he arrived he had been an indoor cat for quite a while. He was curious about outside, but a little scared. Within weeks he had gone from not venturing past the doorstep, to using the catflap to come and go as he pleased. He loves to patrol his garden and make sure no other cats even think about entering. I also instigated a name change. I wasn’t sure if he would take to a new name, but after a few weeks he was happily responding to his new moniker. Since he is orange like Irn Bru, I have named him Bru. It suits him to a tee.

Bru is a snuggler. He climbs right up on my chest for cuddles complete with possessive little head buts. It is incredible to have won his trust so quickly. He has of course stolen my heart. Bru has also claimed his spots; window sill for optimal observation, top of the wardrobe for being king of his castle and right beside or on me when he’s ready for head rubs. He does occasionally exhibit the trademark ginger cat traits. For instance he frequently fall off his perch whilst sleeping. Mostly though, he is as sharp as his claws. He learns fast and adapts smoothly. I’m so proud of him.

As much as he is a love bug, he is crazy strong. He moves with speed, leaps great heights with ease and when he wants a cuddle, he is getting a cuddle. He needs a big fuss when I get out of bed in the morning and whenever I leave the house. He has taken to following me outside and demanding some love at the end of the drive. He hates it when I have a shower or bath. He sits right by bath and screams out his concern until I get out. Then he follows me around as I get dried, dressed etc just to make sure the drenching has damaged me. Bru is a sweetheart and I adore him.

Now, how did I get to be his Mum? That’s thanks to Glasgow Pet Collective. An amazing charity who not only find home for animals who need them they also help people keep their beloved pets. Their inclusive policies are a breath of fresh air. I cannot recommend them enough. I fostered to adopt with Bru, it was very straightforward. The first few weeks that I had him in my care I was officially fostering. Glasgow Pet Collective took care of cost of neuturing and vaccinations and I kept them updated on Bru’s progress. Communication was fantastic and as they knew I wanted to adopt we moved towards that. I signed the papers and became his Mama after about a month. I really appreciate that the collective support foster parents and ensure all adoptees are properly placed.

If you would like to support Glasgow Pet Collective’s work you can donate, foster or volunteer.

Keep Giving…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

Yup, it’s time for my monthly appeal to your generosity. There are so many groups in desperate need. These are just some suggestions that I have given my support to this month

This month I will continue to donate to two families in Gaza. Their situation continues to be dire. If you have anything to spare, it would make a huge difference.

I also chose to support UNFPA emergency birth kit campaign. These kits include essentials like Soap, latex gloves & umbilical cord clip. These simple tools can save the lives of mother & baby when people are forced to give birth in challenging conditions. These kits fight the risk of infection, one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. You can provide an emergency kit with just a £4 donation. If you are able, please consider giving whatever you can.

Charity of the Month…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

I know all is not well in the world and many of us are struggling. I only ask that if you are able, you consider making a contribution to any of the following appeals.

Another month over and still no improvement for the people of Gaza. The conditions remain horrific and Palestinians still desperately need our help. I have been supporting Haitham & Khalil and would dearly like you to give whatever you can. Haitham was studying to be nurse before this horror began. He is raising money to support his whole family. Khalil is a footballer who has dreamed of being a professional goalkeeper all his life. He and his family are struggling to access basic necessities like clean water. Please consider helping these young men if you are able.

My amazing sister did the Kilt Walk last week. Last year she participated 7mths pregnant, this year she had the baba strapped to her chest. She walked as part of a team raising money for Spina Bifida Scotland. Each year Spina Bifida Scotland must raise over £1 million to fund support services for children, young people and adults with the life long condition. With little statutory funding they rely almost entirely on donations. Please consider making a donation.

Charity of the Month…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

As usual I want to share where I am putting my charitable pounds this month in the hope that some may follow suit. If you are in a position to help, any donation can make a difference.

It will be no surprise to you that I continue to support of Haitham & his family. Conditions in Gaza remain dire. This family need our help to reach safety.

This month I have also made a donation to World Vision to aid their mission of supporting vulnerable children. I chose to contribute to their FGM (female genital mutilation) campaign. At least 230 million girls in the world today have gone through this brutal procedure. World Vision partners with organisations around the world to promote child protection and reduce the circumstances that can lead to genital mutilation.

If you can spare it please consider making a donation.

But for now, Merry Christmas…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

The big day is almost here. The tree is up, presents are wrapped and the festive tunes are playing. There’s only one thing left to do; share the joy.

There are so many people in desperate situations this Christmas. If you can, please consider giving a little.

Glasgow Spirit of Christmas aim to ensure that children don’t miss out on the magic of Christmas time. They provide Xmas gifts to children who otherwise would not receive one. I chose this organisation as it is local, but there are similar schemes everywhere.

Living conditions are Gaza are getting worse. There are no places of safety, access to medical treatment, clean water, shelter and food are incredibly limited. There is no end in sight. I have been sharing & supporting Haitham and his family all year. They are still in desperate need of our help to reach safety.

Refuweegee do wonderful work with refugees here in Glasgow. This year in support of Palestine they dropped complicit corporate partners, resulting in a loss of £40,000. More than ever they need our support.

These are just some places I have chosen to give to this month. There are innumerable organisations doing fantastic work with vulnerable people. If you are in a position to do so, please share your good fortune this Christmas.

The smallest man who ever lived…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

I’m feeling like I shouldn’t have titled my last post Crazy Little World since it just got a whole lot crazier. The US election results hit me hard. I really struggle to reconcile the fact that so many people actively support that dangerous, hateful man.

I feel scared for the world. I am terrified for the many real people who will be hurt by another Trump presidency. The trend of politics sliding to right horrifies me. I don’t understand why people are so easily conned into hating groups who have done them no harm.

I despair at the inadequacy of our own government. Keir Starmer’s refusal to take action to protect Palestinians, but eagerness to congratulate Trump is cowardly. Under his leadership Labour have become unrecognisable. Their failure to protect the vulnerable in our society is unforgivable. I fear that inaction will lead to a loss at the next general election and throw us back under Tory rule. So far Labour have not done much to offer me hope.

It’s a frightening landscape that I want to improve. The scale of our situation feels overwhelming. Just telling people to vote feels far from sufficient. The truth is I don’t have the answers, I don’t know who does. The best I can do is stay engaged; I will continue to vote at every level, I will protest, sign petitions, get my hands dirty where possible. Right now I feel like supporting organisations who can help those in jeopardy is paramount.

Reproductive rights are under threat. People are dying because they cannot access the medical care they require during pregnancy. Extremist groups based in the US are trying to make inroads into other countries. If you want to keep access to abortion legal/decriminalise it and help people get pregnant people the care they need you can support one of these organisations.

The National Network of Abortion Funds

BPAS

Abortion Rights Scotland

The situation in Palestine continues to grow worse. Israeli aggression remains unrestrained. Cities have been destroyed. People are fighting warfare, starvation & disease to stay alive. A genocide is taking place, if you can please support one of these fundraisers.

Get Haitham’s family to safety.

Hands for Humanity

Medical Aid for Palestine

Although the UK is a relatively rich country, people will suffer this winter. Shelter, food and heat will be a scarcity for many. Please consider giving your support to one of these organisations.

Shelter Scotland

Trussel Trust

Refuweegee

And if somebody hurts you, I wanna fight…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

As the horrific attacks continue in Gaza it is easy to feel powerless. This month I am asking that you do what you can to help Haitham & his family.

Before October 7th Haitham was studying to be a nurse. He lost his home & place of education in Israeli strikes. He now lives with his parents & siblings in a tent. The family have been displaced many times. Haitham’s dream is to finish his studies & use his nursing kills to help his people. He recently organised a fundraiser to provide essentials & Eid gifts for children living in the tents. He desperately needs our help to get his family to safety.

Haitham’s mum, Tahrer is ill with rheumatic disease. She can not access the treatment & medication that she needs. His Dad, Jibril had a good job and comfortably supported his family. Due to the ongoing bombardment he is no longer able to provide. Multiple displacements have resulted in Haitham’s oldest sister Lenda, her husband & small child have been separated from the family. His younger siblings are living in terror. Haitham has already lost family members. He is raising money to evacuate his family when the Rafah crossing reopens. In the meantime they need our help to cover daily expenses.

If you are able you can make a donation here. Even small amounts add up. If you are unable to give money, you can still help. Please share Haitham’s story with the link to his gofundme. The more people who know his story, the higher the chances of reaching his target.

Haitham and his family are exactly like you & yours. They were going to work & school, having family meals, his younger sibling were safe to play & be children. Their lives have been destroyed through no fault of those own. Please don’t ignore their plight.

Help Haitham & his family reach safety.

Open your eyes…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

This month I’d like to talk about conflicts in parts of the world that are often ignored. People are dying, being exploited and suffering whilst most of the world does nothing.

The conflict in Sudan broke out in April 2023. A power struggle between government forces & RSF has resulted in a humanitarian crisis. More than 7 million people have been internally displaced with a further 1.9 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. The human cost is enormous; gender based violence, food & water shortages, disease outbreaks pose immediate threat. Economic insecurity, health & education infrastructure attacks compound the crisis. You can help.

UNHCR work tirelessly to provide aid to refugees. They establish transit centres for rest, access to essential protection services and emergency supplies. They also assist displaced people inside Sudan with non food items and shelter. Please donate if you can.

A resurgence of fighting in DR Congo has worsened the humanitarian crisis. Forced displacement began almost 20 yrs ago, 7.9 million Congolese people are currently displaced. Many of them are in urgent need. In conflict areas women and children face widespread sexual violence. Kidnappings, extortion and forced labour are common place along with food, water & medical shortages. The scale of the crisis is terrifying. Please do what you can.

The IRC work to provide a number of services in DR Congo. Emergency medical care, shelter, training government workers, counselling for survivors of sexual violence and more. Please give what you can.

In this silence…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

Today marks a year since the beginning of the conflict in Sudan. A conflict that has been largely ignored my most of the world. To date 16000 people have been killed and over 8million have been forced to flee their homes.

Millions are currently living with acute food insecurity and without the basic necessities of life. Sexual and other violence are widespread in conflict zones & asylum routes. We can help by not being silent about the crisis in Sudan and if possible by supporting one of the following organisations.

The UN Refugee Agency provides protection and critical life saving services in Sudan. This includes shelter, food, water, health & sanitation facilities, cash based interventions and resettlement resources.

UNICEF provide emergency aid along with child targeted services such as education, immunisation and support for unaccompanied children.

If you are unable to make a donation at this time you can still help. AWOON, a women’s activist organistation providing legal assistance & advice for women in Port Sudan. Their work is especially targeted at people who have experienced sexual & gender based violence. They are currently hampered by interference from government agencies. World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) is asking us to write to authorities in Sudan demanding that AWOON be allowed to operate freely and have their assets unfrozen. You can addressed and more information on the OMCT website.