Give Your Best…

Christmas is a time for giving. However, given the current economic state it’s understandable that more people than ever are unable to be as charitable as they’d like. Thus, I thought I’d offer some easy (& free) ways to help

Give Your Best is a tech for good enterprise that allows people to donate quality clothes. Clothes are shown on their website and can be shopped by those in need. The organisation supports people in the UK who are seeking asylum, refuge, have been victims of trafficking, destitute with no recourse to public funds or have precarious immigration status. The platform accepts donation of clothes, shoes & accessories and allows people to pick the items they want at no charge. It’s a simple system that engenders choice. If you have items that would be of use to someone please sign up in the website.

Smalls for All accepts donations of new pants and new or gently used underwear. They work with various organisations who disturb the items throughout the UK & Africa. Pants can be picked up so cheaply & if you’re anything like me you will have bras that you wore once and found it didn’t fit properly or didn’t give you the shape you wanted. Small for All facilitates getting those garments to people who need them.

Many charities can raise funds by recycling used stamps. All you have to do is cut them from the envelopes they arrive in and send to any of the following organisations.

RNIB

Amnesty

Oxfam

Retired Greyhound Trust

Parkinson’s UK

The Lullaby Trust

Children’s Heart Federation

Finally is you are able giving blood is an amazing way to help others. As a recipient I am eternally grateful to the people who donated the blood I needed. Uk blood stocks have been alarmingly low this year. Although they are now recovering, blood donors are always needed. You can find out if your are eligible & how to donate here.

Oxygen for India…

Covid 19 has been hell. We’ve made sacrifices. We got ill, lost people, missed people, missed life. We have suffered, but we have almost made it through. Even in our worst times we have privilege. So much privilege.

Throughout this nightmare we have had access to excellent medical care & now vaccines. Many of us have had safe houses to lockdown in. Food, clean water, the ability to stay in touch with our loved ones. It doesn’t negate the bad, but it does make us incredibly lucky.

Now that we are close to escaping this pandemic we cannot abandon those still being ravaged. We have to help. India is in dire straits. We, in the west are good at taking what we want from other cultures without asking & without giving anything in return. It is past time for us all to do what we can to fight Covid in India. Please give whatever you can.

Oxfam India Covid Appeal

British Red Cross

Action Aid

Oxygen for India