Seasonal Charity.. how we can do our part

We as a family have had a hard year, mainly due to my illness rendering me unfit for work. It means that this years Christmas is going to be on a budget. Like so many in the country this year times are tight and there is little left to throw away on trivial gifts.

That said we are already planning and scheming as to how to make the time special for us all, family and close friends who have been so generous over the year. Gifts will be more thoughtful rather than excessive luxuries. That said my heart is always drawn to those even less fortunate that ourselves. The reason I start now is due to the fact that it is Remembrance Sunday this week, that always symbolises the start of the festive to myself. For me the whole festive season is about not personal gain but we can do for others.

So the little change I had the other day went straight in to the poppy tin, even if like me you are predominately a pacifist, it doesn't mean you can't support our armed forces. I personally believe every one in the western world owes our freedom to the constant vigilance of these forces and owe them all you can spare.

From there on in right through to the new year, I will be as generous as finances allow to the charities I support, as they do so much unseen and unrecognised work for all those in need. After all in this day and age you never know when you may need the support of one them. I am less able than I was to give and do as much as I once could and in a way I feel really bad for this. But any thing I can do I would whether it be help a friend or a tin of veg to harvest festival, it all helps.

You may ask why am I on about this now, so early to the festive season, well there are two reasons. The first is this weekend, Remembrance day, we all need to do our bit as it is this countries young men and women who are out in the world risking and unfortunately in some cases losing their lives defending our freedom. So there is no reason why any one of can't spend those very minutes in silence acknowledging this fact. The other is think when you buy your presents, think, can you get anything via charity websites even if it is only the Christmas cards. This gesture alone would help raise much needed funds.

That's a big ask I know, but an email today which I won't go into reminded me just how kind the human spirit can be over this time of year. To the person who sent the offer I can not find the words to thank them, but what I can do is pass on the spirit of giving and generosity.