Side with the child over the gun…

March 7, 2024March 7, 2024 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

This month I continue to support the people of Palestine with my charitable donations. I still find it extremely difficult to believe that we are witnessing a genocide happen in real time, ignored by most of our leaders.

Watching the videos coming out of Palestine is unbearable. Palestinians are forced to live this horror, so we cannot turn away. This week I have been inspired by the amazing Robyn Boyle and her work with Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee promoting boycotts. To quote Robyn, a boycott is an easy thing to ask of people because in a sense, you’re only asking that they do nothing. Boycotts are a free and simple way to take action. BDS (Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions) are a great resource on who to boycott, with location specific information. Money talks, where you choose to spend yours can have a huge impact.

We must of course also keep pressure on our politicians. They work for us, public opinion is overwhelmingly in support of a ceasefire. It is incumbent upon us to make that clear.

For my part I have also chosen to donate to UNFPA’s ‘Mama Kit’ campaign. A Mama Kit provides essentials for women with newborns in areas affected by natural disasters and conflicts. Gaza is currently severely lacking in food, clean water and medical supplies. One of these kits really could mean the difference between life and death.

Humanitarian Crisis

January 30, 2024 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

January’s charity contribution was sadly a very obvious choice. The assault on the Palestinian people has continued despite even the intervention of the ICJ. The resulting humanitarian crisis is overwhelming.

Health care & residential infrastructure have been decimated. Most of the population are starving. Malnourished mothers are giving birth to babies who can survive only a few days. The scale of suffering is hard to comprehend. If you can please consider donating to one of these amazing organisations.

Unicef provide essential aid to combat disease, malnutrition & injury. They are focused on caring for the millions of children impacted in Gaza.

Medical Aid Palestine works for the health & dignity of Palestinians living under occupation. They desperately need help in providing urgent medical care and developing local capacity to ensure long term medical services.

Hakini is working to set up an emergency hotline for people in psychological distress. They provide specialised training for volunteers to support civilians & aid workers.

Give a little more…

December 18, 2023December 18, 2023 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

Christmas is a time for giving and this year there is so much need. It’s really difficult to decide where to put my money because we’re all surrounded by deep suffering. My donations can sometimes feel inadequate, but if we all give a little it can become a lot.

I started close to home with Crookston Community Group. They operate a food bank for local people and of course are needed more than ever. I came across their Donate a Pound campaign on social media and of course I wanted to help. I am sure your local Foodbank is in need of donations too, but if you want you could also donate to Crookston. All those £’s add up.

The Willows Cat Hotel is part of Willow Animal Sanctuary. The specialise in taking cats who are not house trained or have issues that means no other facility will take them. They offer these cats a safe warm place to live, food and proper veterinary care. Whilst still allowing them roam the grounds & be independent. I love that there is a place for cats that everyone else has given up on. You can Sponsor a cat, make a donation to the cat hotel or to the sanctuary’s work.

Sleep Pod provide emergency tents for homeless people in extreme weather. We all know how cold it gets out there in the winter. It is appalling that so many people are without safe homes, but since that is the situation we find ourselves in, these tents save lives. You can make a donation here to help sleep pod provide them.

I understand that finances are stretched. Please look after yourself first. If you afford to make a donation, that would be wonderful.

Come to the Cabaret…

November 16, 2023November 16, 2023 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

This month I am flinging my financial support behind a group that have long had all my other support. Cabaret Against Hate are an LGBTQ+ & ally group who organise counter protests to stand against hate speech in Scotland.

They combat hate with live music, song & dance. Their presence at anti abortion & anti trans protests has had incredibly positive effect. It is essential to provide an opposition to intolerance. It’s equally vital to show support to those impacted by these hideous protests. I would love to be on the front lines with Cabaret, but my disabilities prevent me. Thus I have been sharing & supporting in whatever ways I can.

The group are currently fundraising for a new PA System. Please donate here if you can.

Charity of the Month

October 20, 2023October 20, 2023 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

Sadly, recent events in the Middle East have made the decision of who to donate to this month obvious. The humanitarian crisis in Palestine is more urgent than ever.

A terrorist atrocity should not lead to an attack on a civilian population. The international community has a responsibility to upload international law & to provide aid to Palestine.

Medical Aid for Palestine provide immediate medical treatment for Palestinian living under occupation and as refugees. They also help create infrastructure & train people to ensure the development of the healthcare system.

I’m sure you have all watched the news with the same horror as myself. Children make up half the population in Gaza. No child (or any person) should have to experience such fear & violence. If you can please donate here.

You can also find a template to write to you Mp here. If you’re not sure who your Mp you can find them here.

Charity of the Month…

June 26, 2023 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

This month’s donation was prompted by a piece in Private Eye about Rohingya refugees. To my shame I didn’t know the details of their current situation. The article explained the World Food Programme being forced to cut rationing at Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.

Since fleeing violence in Myanmar the Rohingya refugees have been reliant on food aid. The rising cost of food has impacted limited how far WFP stretch. The current budget is $8 a month per person. This allows for about 450 calories a day; half of a toddlers daily requirements. This will inevitably result in malnutrition and even more suffering. The world doesn’t seem to be paying attention, as I said I wasn’t aware of this situation. If you can please donate to the UN’s WFP. They are active in over 120 countries helping people in most precarious situations.

Charity of the Month

February 10, 2023 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

I am popping in from my rest break to do February’s charity of the month. Supporting disaster relief after the earthquakes in Turkey/Syria is an obvious choice. The news & images in the aftermath of the tragedy have been utterly heartbreaking.

I didn’t know where to donate, but after reading positive things about DEC my mind was made up. 20,000 people have already lost their lives and a further 17 million remain in the affected areas. They are in urgent need of food, shelter and medical aid. In the midst of winter conditions will only become more critical. If you can, please consider making a donation.

The Home Front…

November 28, 2022November 28, 2022 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

I joined my local Facebook group during the refuse strikes because I never knew what I supposed to be doing with my bins. I had mostly forgotten about it until recently when I noticed that folk were using it to help those in need in our community. I was so impressed with how tirelessly some people work to make sure no one goes without essentials.

I hadn’t considered this way of helping out before, but it really is incredibly straightforward. You can donate clothes & items that you don’t use. Little gifts, toiletries etc that will make a huge different to families who are struggling this winter. I don’t necessarily believe in the ‘charity begins at home’ mantra, but I do hate to think of neighbours being in dire straits. We all know that this year it’s harder than ever to make ends meet, it’s good to know that we can take simple steps to help.

Please check out local community, facebook groups etc if you are having a clear out or can afford to pick up a few extras this Xmas season. There are undoubtedly families close by who’s Christmas would be greatly improved by these little acts of kindness.

Kid’s Out provide Xmas gifts for children in refuge. You can select & pay for a gift online.

Alternatively, you can’t make online donations to a the following groups.

The Trussel Trust is the UK’s largest foodbank group. You can donate online to support their work of keeping people fed this winter.

Refuge have an option to buy a Xmas dinner parcel for a family of various sizes. You can help provide a happier festive period for families feeling domestic violence.

Charity of the Month…

October 27, 2022October 29, 2022 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I know there are lots of campaigns at the moment, but I want to suggest a less discussed group. METUPUK are a patient advocacy group who push to promote issues related to secondary/metastatic cancer.

In the UK 31 women a day die from secondary breast cancer. Despite this secondary cancers are often less visible. People living with secondary cancer need better drug access, more drug trials and more awareness.

I was shocked when I learned that figure. I discovered it through an Instagram friend, who is living with secondary cancer. The lack of knowledge about a disease that effects so many people is appalling. Please consider making a donation if you can.

Charity of the Month…

September 21, 2022 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

The floods in Pakistan have been devastating. The world seems to paying much less attention than we should. This is catastrophe of our making. The people of Pakistan are paying the price for climate changing behaviours that they haven’t engaged in at anywhere near the rate we (in the west) have. It is absolutely our responsibility to help them recover.

A third of Pakistan is now under water. Millions of people have lost everything. If you can please donate to one of the many organisations providing aid.

UNICEF are working to provide food, shelter and healthcare of children. They are also providing families with hygiene kits to reduce disease outbreaks and setting up temporary education centres.