Text Santa

As we all know, Christmas is a time for fun, family, friends and presents. 

Alternatively, it's a time of rampant consumerism when even the most hardened Bah-Humbugger like myself* is eventually brow-beaten into getting into the Christmas spirit... 

But Christmas has a serious side. It's a time when we remember the birth of Santa who came into the world to spread his Mirth and sell Coke. Oh, wait, you mean that isn't the real story of Christmas...?!

There are many, though, for whom this isn't the Christmas they'll have:

Those for whom there are no families or friends, roaring fires or chestnuts. Instead they have shop-doorways, parks and pavements whilst others revel around them.

Those for whom Christmas Day will be much the same as any other day... caring for an elderly relative, perhaps, or caring for an ill parent and their own siblings. Elderly, housebound people with no family nearby.

There are those for whom Christmas will be too much. When seeing others happy will remind them intensely of their own unhappiness. Those for whom "joy to world" will ring a particularly hollow note. Those for whom leaving the world will seem a far better option.

There are those for whom this could well be their last Christmas - people in hospices where the staff do their utmost to make life bearable to the last.

And finally, there are children that will need Santa to deliver to them in hospital. Children who won't be able to wake up and sneak downstairs to open the presents, or try and wake their parents at unearthly hours. Families where medical necessity will separate parents for children and siblings from each other.

Christmas is not always what we're sold when we walk down the high-street. Life and circumstances often get in the way. 

The point of this post isn't to depress you, though. The point is to highlight itv's new charitable campaign "Text Santa". 

By simply texting SANTA1, SANTA5 or SANTA10 to 70070, you can donate £1, £5 or £10 to charities helping all the above groups. 

If you're a taxpayer, you can also utilise Gift Aid to give an additional 25% in tax relief. In addition, the Government has pledged to match funding up to £250,000.

You can find more about the charities supported here - it's an excellent initiative by itv and, I think, well worth supporting.

Andrew

*Actually, contrary to popular belief, I do like Christmas. I just hate (and a previous career in retail ingrained this in me) the 3 month build-up. As a result, I end up being far more grumpy about it for much longer than I would otherwise be. A sensible 3-4 week build-up would make me quite happy.

Some Good News in the Economic Gloom

This is the post I was busy working on when my computer's last hard drive forced me into an unanticipated interregnum. Here it is in a completed form, with a post-script which relates to news which was reported during that break. 


We are constantly being told that these are hard economic times. To see that you only need to open a utility bill, fill up your car with petrol or look at these BBC News pages (here and here; Notice I've not had to archive the pages - I'm pretty sure the same general negative feeling will be evident whenever you happen to click the links).


Inflation is running at 5% (and for many will be higher), unemployment is at 8.3% of the workforce, youth unemployment has topped 1m (and is at 19.6% for those age 18-24*), growth forecasts have been lowered and the Eurozone remains in crisis.


Of course, there is a danger of too much negative reporting and of talking ourselves back into recession. Indeed, the "R" word is often banded around as if we were. That's another, but important, issue which is a particular bugbear of mine. It's not, however, the point of this post.


There is no doubt, though, that one way or other people are feeling the pinch. According, for example, to the ASDA Income Tracker which measures discretionary income, average disposable income fell by 8.4% in September compared to the previous year.


In addition to the above figures, here are two more:

£26,332,334

£102,166,598

On Friday [the 18th November], the BBC's annual Children In Need appeal raised an on-the-night record of £26m - £8m more than the total last year. Comic Relief raised £102m this year which even allowing for the £15m that the government contributed was still some £4m higher than the figure raised in 2009.

It is heartening that in these times of austerity we can still, as a nation, think of those in even more dire straits. Perhaps it's because we are more conscious of the cost of things that makes us want to help those in even greater need. Whatever, it makes me proud to be British - not in a jingotistical way (I don't believe in "pride" based on something you have no control over) but proud of my fellow subjects and proud of what can be achieved collectively.

Andrew

Since I conceived this piece, this research hit the news. In essence, more people are giving to charity but the average gift has reduced. Although this seems at odds with the record figures above, I still think this is encouraging news, in it's way. 1.1m more people have been moved to give notwithstanding the current economic climate - people may not be able to give as much but they are giving.

It may be that Comic Relief and Children in Need, as the highest profile fundraising events, have benefited disproportionately from new gifters but I think it would be churlish and somewhat cynical to let this colour our view of their achievements this year.

Whilst many charities are feeling a squeeze as donations and other sources of funding are reduced, the sector should take comfort from the willingness of people to give - and work on ways to encourage increased giving from these new donors when circumstances improve. Some imagination will be required to achieve that - simply asking people to increase their direct debits is not, I think, the way forward - but with the right approach this could be the start of a new culture of giving.


*Source: Office for National Statistics Labour Market Data Tables Nov 11

East African Drought: DEC Appeal

On Red Nose Day, I posted this blog which featured footage of the tragedy which was the genesis of Comic Relief. This week, the news of the growing problems caused by the drought in the Horn of Africa has led to a Disasters Emergency Committee appeal. The footage may not be as dramatic as that from 1984, and the camps may seem to be better run and better prepared and supplied, but 10 million people are believed to be at risk of famine.

Please watch this video and, if you are able to, please consider donating. DEC appeal funds are channelled through major UK charities, many of whom are already working in the affected area. You can donate online here and if you're a UK taxpayer please complete the Gift Aid declaration so that tax relief can be claimed on your contribution - boosting your donation by 25%. You can also text "CRISUS" to 70000 to donate £5 through your UK mobile network.

If you're not able to donate but did contribute towards this years record breaking Comic Relief total (£102 million at last count), you may find this of interest, taken from an e-mail I received today:

Andrew

Tributes to the Strength of the Human Spirit

For most of us in the UK, most of the time, life is a routine of some description - we work, we play, albeit in differing measures. For others here, and countless others around the world, life is more complicated. Circumstances, illness and disease can all conspire to disrupt the "normal" course of events.  

Somehow, though, the human race has the ability to triumph over all kinds of adversity. An example I came across recently was in an episode of The Secret Millionaire. The programme featured a fabulous lady called Anna Chandler. Anna is 24, wheelchair-bound and suffers from a congenital condition called Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones) but that doesn't stop her from being an enthusiastic volunteer on the hospital radio. Rather than give in to her circumstances she has adopted a wonderfully stoical approach to life - battling her own pain by helping others with a constant smile and ready wit.

Another example of someone who faced adversity with good humour and grace is Rob Daley, the father of the British Olympic diver Tom Daley. Through years of battling with a brain tumour he supported his son's ambitions and saw him rise to the highest level of his sport - embarrasing him once or twice on the way.  While his son is - and will continue to be - an inspiration to many, Rob Daley should be an example to us all.

Of course, a cheerful disposition is not, in itself, enough to face life's hardest challenges. People like Anna and Rob rely on the help and support of various medical and care professionals. It is in recognition of this that the family of Rob Daley have launched an appeal in aid of three organisations which helped him: St Luke's Hospice in Plymouth, the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust and Marie Curie Cancer Care. Should you wish to donate, you can find details here.

Andrew