The Charity Initiatives The SL Team Are Supporting This Christmas

“I've always wanted to help those lacking in food and basics at Christmas, especially given the excess many of us enjoy. This year, I'll be taking part in Brighton & Hove's Food SOS campaign. It's easy to do and simply involves creating a special box or bag of goods you'd be happy to share with those in need. Not only is it fun to do, but it also makes a difference to those who need it most. I'll also be snapping up my cards from. All proceeds go straight to Mummy's Star – a UK charity that supports families affected by cancer during or after pregnancy. The cards are unique and a simple way to give back this festive season.”

“During the festive period I often think about people living with loneliness and the many elderly people in the UK who will spend Christmas Day alone. Marmalade Trust aims to tackle the issue of loneliness in the UK – for both young and elderly people. This Christmas, the team are putting together hampers and gift bags to donate to people around the country. While volunteering roles are now filled, you can still get involved by buying items from the charity’s Amazon wish list. Each person will receive a gift bag in the run-up to Christmas and a hamper on Christmas Day, and for many it will be the only gifts they receive.”

Visit MARMALADETRUST.ORG 

“For me, Christmas is about children – the magic of watching them unwrap presents, full of excitement for what’s inside. It breaks my heart to think of children anywhere waking up to an empty stocking or nothing under the tree. This year, I’ll be donating toys to The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal. To support, all you need to do is donate new, unwrapped toys and gifts. They will then be wrapped and distributed to those in need. You can find out where your nearest appeal is here. Keeping children in mind, I’m hoping to attend Place2Be’s Carol Concert this year. Held at Holy Trinity Church in Sloane Square, the event will be hosted by jazz musician and radio presenter YolanDa Brown, and include readings by Simon Callow, Nigel Lindsay, Skye McAlpine and Victoria Smurfit.”

“Christmas can be a time when people really start to feel financial pressure or experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. This is something the Royal British Legion take seriously. Given my personal connection to the armed forces – both my grandad and my partner served in the Royal Navy – I’m keen to support its Together at Christmas campaign, which was launched in 2019 when the late Queen prepared Royal British Legion Christmas puddings at Buckingham Palace along with the then Prince of Wales, Duke of Cambridge and Prince George. From Christmas lunches to weekly social events and food parcel drops, the Royal British Legion does amazing work in bringing people together and offering support at this time of year. A bit closer to home, I’m planning to pick up some gifts for my godchildren from QT Toys and Chalkboard on Battersea’s Northcote Road, both of whom are giving a small donation per purchase to Home-Start. The charity, which is made up of 13 schemes that cover most of London, supports local families to create environments where young children can thrive. You can also support their work by donating a toy to a child in need via its Amazon wish list.”

Visit BRITISHLEGION.ORG.UK & HOME-START.ORG.UK

“Christmas is about spending time with your loved ones. But when I’m surrounded by my friends in the pub or my family at the dinner table, I always think about what it would be like to be alone at this time of year. For a little while, I’ve been thinking about volunteering for Age UK as a telephone friend. All you have to give is 30 minutes of your time weekly to chat with someone – it can make a huge difference to an older person’s life. I also think it would be really interesting to connect with an older person and hear their stories. Otherwise, I’ll be buying my Christmas cards from Shelter to support their ongoing work to protect children from the grim realities of homelessness.”

Visit AGEUK.ORG.UK

“I'm hoping to attend Battersea Dogs & Cats Home's annual carol service which takes place in the first week of December at St Luke’s and Christ Church, Chelsea. It's a chance to sing carols in the company of the charity's rescue dogs and enjoy music from the Collegium Musicum of London’s Chamber Choir, but also to donate, and help Battersea in their work providing expert care and attention to the animals that need it most this Christmas. I'm also buying my cards from Cats Protection, the UK's leading feline welfare charity. This year, it's running a campaign to stop unscrupulous sellers from selling kittens too young and otherwise negatively impacting their health and development.”

Visit BATTERSEA.ORG.UK 

Every four minutes, a young person is faced with a life of homelessness – be it young asylum seekers or those trying to escape a toxic home environment. It’s a heartbreaking statistic that’s even harder to ignore as the temperatures drop and the festive season approaches. This is why Centrepoint’s work is so vital. By providing stable accommodation and ongoing support, the charity gives young people the chance to rebuild their lives in a safe environment. If you can’t attend or help at food banks or donate clothing, Centrepoint's ‘Sponsor a Room’ initiative is one to get involved with. Anyone can donate and sponsor accommodation relative to their own budget – what might seem like a small gesture can make an incredible difference to those who need refuge most. 

Visit CENTREPOINT.ORG.UK