Operation Christmas Child

Category: CharityNews

Many of us will be busy wrapping and organising presents to be delivered to our loved ones in various countries around the world. Christmas is a busy time for logistics companies and we are no different. However, we felt it was important to raise awareness of how you can support those whose Christmas is nothing like ours by packing a box for them full of essentials.

To that end, operation christmas child send pre packed shoe boxes to children all around the world. You can see the impact a simple shoebox gift packed and sent with has on a child and how it reaches into a community.

You can drop your shoebox off or pack one online until the 18th November. For full information please visit the Samaritans website here

There are many other organisiations that also give to needy children. The Salvation Army run a Christmas Present Appeal where you can locate your nearest drop off point and donate new unwrapped toys and gifts for children who might not otherwise receive a Christmas present.

The gifts will then be wrapped and distributed to those in need. You can view their website here

Locally, Southampton Hospital Charity take donations at this time of year, there are patients who have to remain in hospital over the Christmas period, and some have no family to visit them. By donating a gift, you can make someone’s Christmas extra special.

Christmas wish list:

•Magazines, colouring and puzzle books for adults

•Toiletry gift sets

•Mince pies, tins of biscuits, Christmas treats including gluten free and those suitable for diabetics for our outpatient and day clinics

•Personal hygiene sets, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and wet wipes

•Tea and coffee for our Macmillan centre and memory cafes

Another local charity is SCRATCH Southampton who run their Christmas Complete campaign, their annual toy project where donations can be dropped off or posted to local locations.

You can go to their website here

Christmas is always such an exciting time of year, and being able to help those who are less fortunate will make a massive difference to their quality of life.

Recent charity donations from Think Worldwide include £100 each to the British Lung Foundation, Abby’s Heroes and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Charity donations are very close to Lloyd at Think Worldwide’s heart, because in December 2012 his youngest son was diagnosed with Leukaemia. As a result of the fantastic care that he and his family received, Lloyd has always pledged to help charities whenever he and the business can…..

The British Lung Foundation are the only UK charity looking after the nation’s lungs. With your support, we’ll make sure that one day everyone breathes clean air with healthy lungs. They been researching lung conditions for 30 years.Today, it remains at the heart of what they do. Their aim is always to improve care – and to prevent, treat and cure lung diseases. Please visit the British Lung foundation website for information or to make a donation.

Abby’s Heroes offer help and support children and their families during and after their diagnosis of cancer, including bereaved families, who come under the care of the Piam Brown Ward in Southampton. As a charity they offer practical and financial help and support and with the important family fun time and memory making. Please visit Abby’s Just Giving page for more information or to make a donation.

Abby’s Heroes was set up when Abby became a patient on the ward in May 2013. Abby very sadly died on 29th May 2016. She was a bright, sparkly, generous soul, much loved by her family and all those who were lucky enough to have met her. Her family decided to continue her memory, in her spirit, be a hero, make a difference and do something for someone else. No matter how small, or large, any donation is welcomed with love and appreciation.

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to fighting for a life unlimited by cystic fibrosis (CF) for everyone affected by the condition. Their mission to create a world where being born with CF no longer means a life-long struggle, when everyone living with the condition will be able to look forward to a long, healthy life. Please visit their page here .

Yearly collections are also running for Wessex Cancer Trust, Make A Wish Foundation and the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.