THIS YEAR’S campaign to ‘raise 25 smiles’ among Coventry’s most vulnerable people by providing them with advent calendars has exceeded all expectations with double the amount of donations.
Thanks to the generosity of kind-hearted people and organisations across the city, 4,000 calendars were collected and distributed to those who are destitute, terminally ill children and adults.
Biscuits, relaxation colouring books and pens were also delivered, along with sweet treats for the staff who have battled for 18 months to keep the terminally ill and disabled children safe.
With mental health issues on the increase among staff in social care and children’s care services, the small gesture to them means a lot.
The appeal was featured in the Coventry Observer last month.
AJ Evans, co-founder of Coventry Comfort Carers, said: “We had a few tears because the recipients were overwhelmed by the fact people were thinking of them.
“‘I found it inspirational on the support we received from the Observer – a simple email asking for support was met with kindness and a proactive response.
“The immediate highlighting of the cause helped all those children in need and adults and children who will only have this last Christmas.
“Some unfortunately may not make it until then in some situations so the kindness the Observer, its readers and our supporters have given over the Advent period has made at least one happy moment in their short lives.”
The Advent calendars were distributed after referrals from a number of organisations, including Coventry City homeless family placements, the Salvation Army, the Birches Children’s Respite for the life-limited and disabled, Bradbury House for children with behavioural issues and the Valley House domestic violence and teenage parent support.
Other beneficiaries include Coventry Haven women’s aid, Kairos WWT, UHCW children’s wards, Rainbows at Myton hospice (for children losing their parents), Myton Hospice, Caludon Mental Health Centre, elderly care facilities and nursing homes, children’s hubs and supportive nurseries, adult special needs support centres, destitute families, children in residential council care and many more.
Next up for the organisers is the Christmas appeal for selection boxes and stocking fillers to children and families in need this Yuletide.
The organisers are particularly short of selection boxes as 1,400 are needed to cover everywhere and small sensory toys and toys under £5 for two to 18-year-olds in respite, community care and local authority social care systems.
Call Amy on 07545 768639 for more information and donate via PayPal – [email protected] (Ref:XMAS21) or via bank transfer – TSB – Mr A Evans (C/O), Sort-Code 77-68-29, Account number – 00057396 – REF: XMAS21.
Donations can also be sent by post to CCC Crisis Support Projects, C/O 70/72 The Moorfield, Coventry. CV3 1DF.
