100…99….
I have been reliably informed that there are less than 100 days to go until Christmas day. Festive films are being shown on TV and selection boxes are on the shelves of supermarkets up and down the country.
Pretty soon the nights will be drawing in and the first Christmas trees will start to appear, and I hear that there have already been early reports from North America of Michael Buble coming out of storage and being prepared for the holiday season.
Last year, our fundraising efforts helped to support hundreds of people; our hampers and gift packages went out to people across Cornwall and Devon to help make Christmas a little easier. With the kind donations from our friends, family, colleagues and random strangers, we managed to raise over £3000 in cash, selections boxes, toys, games and books. We provided nearly 50 Christmas hampers, hundreds of selection boxes, toys, games and books and Christmas goodies for the staff at the cancer treatment wards at RCHT. And, also donated to the St Petrocs charity who fight homelessness in Cornwall.
Together we helped a whole bunch of people, the real spirit of Christmas shining through, and the fact that you had donated to show your support for me too was very special, and I can’t thank you all enough.
If this was all happening in a small American town, with perma-snow on the ground, and I was a square-jawed, handsome former weatherman now running a cash-strapped bakery…well, it would be the Hallmark Channel holiday movie from where A Goldstitch Christmas got its name.
This year we are hoping to do something similar, providing hampers, gift packages and other essentials (and some luxuries) that would help over the Christmas period. It’s going to be a tough year for everybody, so I completely understand if you are unable to donate in the same way as you did in 2021. But, anything that you are able to offer would be appreciated. Those in most need of support are already fearing the worst with the rising costs of putting food on their tables and keeping the heating on.
Each and every one of you that donated to my fundraiser in 2021 made a difference to those people that we were able to reach out to. And I know that you probably donate to a lot of other good causes too, and may have your own stresses and financial worries to consider. But if you are able to donate anything at all, I want you to know that it means a lot to me.
So, our JustGiving Page is live and ready for donations. We would also appreciate donations of selection boxes, toys and games, toiletries, gloves and blankets. We hope to provide hampers, gift packages and support packs for St Petrocs to distribute. Whatever we can do to help support people, however small or large, makes a difference.
We’ve already had our charity football match at Hayle Football Club and they helped us raise nearly £400. We have a World Cup Sweepstake (places still available at £5.00 per entry) and my colleagues in the Customer Services team at LiveWest are arranging a Halloween fundraising day too. And, I’m trying to arrange a couple of other things, I will keep you posted as soon as I get any news.
Did I mention the merchandise?
You could be the proud owner of a mug or t-shirt with the new A Goldstitch Christmas logos. We will be selling them at cost price with the t-shirts £15.00 and the mugs £10.00 (not including P&P), if you want to get your hands on one, just let me know. However, if it’s a choice between some of our limited edition merch or donating to the fundraiser, a donation would be our preferred option.
If you’d like to know more about why we are fundraising and what we did last year, click here and have a read.
If you have any ideas for fundraising events, or if you know of any business that would like to sponsor us or provide raffle prizes or items to auction, we’d love to hear from you. You can message us on our social media, the contact form or by email at goldstitch@agoldstitchchristmas.com.
One last thing…if anybody has got any contacts with Roy Wood, Shakin Stevens or Noddy Holder, please can you let me know. I’d love to be able to get some more video messages for the website.
Find our social media links by clicking here.