Charitable Knutsford, Giving at Christmas

Charitable Knutsford, Giving at Christmas

For some of us living in a pleasant, market town like Knutsford, it can be easy to forget how difficult life can be for others living in less fortunate circumstances.  Having said that, Knutsford is a big-hearted town where there are many opportunities for residents to donate to a charity or cause of their choosing. This is particularly the case at Christmas.

Let’s face it, 2015 has been a tumultuous year in terms of world events, with the Syrian refugee crisis seemingly reaching its height in the summer, with the issue of poverty high in the headlines both here and in other parts of the world and freak weather causing global homelessness and distress. We’re fortunate that the local Knutsford businesses, churches, schools and local organisations give us plenty of opportunity to help and donate to the various causes both at home and abroad, local and national, and for all ages and situations.

St Johns the Baptist’s Church

St Johns are supporting three charities this festive season:

Samaritans Purse – Operation Christmas Child – sending shoeboxes (collection date in Mon 23rd). But online it is possible to do virtual shoeboxes if people still want to but have missed the collection date. info is available at: www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk

All the primary schools in Knutsford help the Samaritans Purse charity with their shoe-boxes. I know that my own children get so much pleasure from choosing small gifts to put in their boxes every year. A really great charity.

Wood Street Mission: They are currently collecting for Christmas – New toys and books (unwrapped!) for newborn-13 years and non-perishable foods for hampers. They are collecting again at St Johns church and also at St Johns, Toft church. During the rest of the year they also take clothes etc.

Hampers of hope: North East Cheshire Food Bank. They are collecting non-perishable food too. Again they are a collection point and but Knutsford Methodist Church are participating also.

St Johns and Knutsford Methodist Church also support the Welcome Cafe in Longridge all year round.

Charity Shops

There are an array of charity shops in Knutsford, great for donating unwanted or needed clothes and toys to but also great to buy from! They are Age UK, Barnados, Children’s Adventure Farm, Cancer Research UK, Oxfam Books and the British Red Cross.   The Red Cross in particular is running the Europe Refugee and Syria Crisis Appeals. One only has to read the heart-breaking stories in the media this year to know how worthy these appeals truly are.

Donate Your Old Bra for Breast Cancer Charity

The Knutsford Guardian reported this week, Over Peover mum Kate Wadsworth and her friend Vicky Jackson are raising money for breast cancer research by collecting unwanted bras. Some charity shops won’t accept underwear, however, this particular charity will upcycle the donated bras and send them to developing countries where the cost of bras can be prohibitive. What a brilliant idea! Kate and Vicky are hoping to collect 200 bras by Christmas. The collection bin will be located in the bus shelter opposite The Park Gate Inn on Stocks Lane in Over Peover. Free collection can also be arranged for quantities of bras by emailing Kate at kateacland1@hotmail.com.

Knutsford Mayor’s Chosen Charities

Knutsford’s Town Mayor hosts a number of fundraising events throughout the year in support of their chosen charities. This year’s mayor, Tony Dean has chosen to support the Scouts and the Salvation Army.   A number of fund-raising events have been organised, but this weekend is the Christmas weekend and the Mayor will be holding a raffle for his charities, so please come and visit the council stall at the market.

The Welcome Cafe

I couldn’t write a blog about charity in Knutsford without mentioning the Welcome Organisation. This perhaps one of the best known and best loved charities in Knutsford. Here’s some information from their website “The Welcome was started in 1995 and over the years The Welcome has grown into a fully functioning centre offering a wide range of activities, services and support to the people of Longridge and Shaw Heath.

The Welcome is a perfect example of what has become known as the Big Society, and has been awarded the Prime Minister’s Big Society Award. The community comes together at The Welcome, there’s a wonderful spirit, with most of the time and effort being put in by committed volunteers. Its funding currently comes from a mixture of supportive individuals, some business support for schemes, and a growing level of charitable funds applied for to continue the good works”.

You can donate to the Welcome any time, here’s the link to their website, just visit their website http://thewelcome.org.uk

If you’re fund-raising for any worthy cause this Christmas please add your event to the Knutsford Hub or comment below.

Happy Christmas from the Knutsford Hub team!

Author: Charlie Greenstein

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