Christmas fundraiser with charity designed cards becomes increasingly popular

A Christmas fundraiser that began eight years ago continues to grow in popularity as a choice for sending festive greetings.

DontSendMeACard.com launched a pilot of its system in November 2015 with a handful of charities on board, to test their idea of a platform for donations in lieu of Christmas cards.

Since then over 1900 organisations have joined up and have uploaded a huge library of e-card designs to choose from. These designs are then offered to supporters by charities as an alternative to sending printed cards. Both static and animated cards are supported.

The charities participating in the fundraiser range from small to large, with well-known names such as The Salvation Army, Dogs Trust, and Stroke Association investing the time to generate designs that can be sent electronically, saving paper as a result.

DontSendMeACard Co-founder Alex Furness said, “The range of designs on offer now is superb. When we started off our content was minimal, as we only had a few dozen charities on board who agreed to the pilot. However we saw the potential for our model with people still using our initial offering.

For our platform and brand to have grown in popularity the way it has really is in part down to how brilliantly creative the designs that charities have come up with. You wouldn’t typically think of charitable organisations as inherently creative, but they really do have it in them. You can clearly see this by looking at the designs on offer."

In addition to designing e-cards, charities are engaging with artists, illustrators, and running Christmas e-card design competitions to add to their e-card collections.

Patrons that have offered artwork to fundraise with include Sir Quentin Blake, Harry Hill, and Nick Park creator of Wallace and Gromit.

You can browse the designs on offer on DontSendMeACard by occasion e.g. Christmas, and by searching through the listed charities and viewing their designs on offer from their landing pages.

With first-class UK stamps increasing by 15p in October to £1.25, the third increase in 18 months, more consumers and businesses who typically send physical Christmas cards may well be looking at alternatives such as DontSendMeACard for Christmas 2023.

That's Food and Drink: Sharpham Dairy's Happy Accident Cheese is Crowned ...

That's Food and Drink: Sharpham Dairy's Happy Accident Cheese is Crowned ...: A velvety cheese created by a mistake has been crowned the South West's best cheese. Sharpham Cheese's Rushmore, made near Totnes wa...

Delicious Gluten Free Christmas Hampers from Flapjackery

Flapjackery's Ultimate Christmas Treats Hamper (www.flapjackery.co.uk from £80)

This fabulous Ultimate Christmas Treats Hamper is jam-packed full of delicious gluten-free treats, with its gluten free flapjacks taking centre stage. 

These include Christmas Tiffin, Christmas Millionaires, Peanut Butter Fudge, and Orange and Cranberry flapjack.

It's all lovingly made in Devon, near Dartmoor, using the finest of British oats, locally sourced West Country ingredients, Fairtrade brown sugar, and real butter.

This classic hamper is also brimming with other Flapjackery goodies such as clusters which are dollops of chocolate infused with either granola, fruit and nut or honeycomb; its decadent creamy fudge; its Chocolate Dipped Oranges - slices of zesty orange dipped in decadent chocolate, and to add a touch of festive charm, there are three mini Christmas trees. The hamper also includes a Flapjackery mug and coaster set, a beautiful branded tea towel and a Flapjackery jigsaw.

Flapjackery's Medium Christmas Gift Hamper (www.flapjackery.co.uk from £55)

There's a treasure trove of mouth-watering gluten-free delights in Flapjackery's Christmas Indulgence Hamper. 

Everything is hand made in Tavistock near Dartmoor in Devon and the flavours are simply irresistible. The stars of the show are four huge slices of Christmas Tiffin, Christmas Millionaires, Peanut Butter Fudge, and Orange and Cranberry flapjack, made with British oats and with flavourings all sourced from the West Country.

Nestled among the chunks are bite sized flapjack bags of Clotted Cream flapjack; Chocolate Dipped Oranges - slices of zesty orange dipped in decadent chocolate and to add a touch of festive charm;  a chocolate Christmas tree - perfect for adding a sprinkle of holiday cheer to your surroundings; Mixed Honeycomb and Fruit and Nut Clusters, a mixed fudge bag and a hot chocolate spoon for a sublime mug of hot chocolate.

Santa's Christmas Treats Hamper (from www.flapjackery.co.uk from £30.00)

Flapjackery's Christmas Treats Hamper is a true delight. Inside, you'll find giant slabs of Raspberry Millionaires Flapjack, Rudolph Flapjack, and Chocolate Tiffin Fudge Flapjack, each bursting with incredible flavours. Accompanying these indulgent treats are bags of Chocolate Honeycomb Clusters, Mixed Fudge, and a pyramid chocolate bar. 

‘Say No to Socks, Get a Gift You'll Remember’ - Age UK Lambeth Launches Christmas Fundraising Campaign

‘Older Londoners are 50% more likely to experience food insecurity than the rest of England'

As the festive season approaches, Age UK Lambeth is pleased to announce the launch of its Christmas fundraising campaign ‘Say No to Socks, Get a Gift You'll Remember.’ 

Are you tired of receiving unwanted, dust-collecting presents year after year? This festive season, why not make a meaningful change by receiving gifts that truly make a difference? 

Ask family and friends for donations instead of naff gifts and make it a year to remember!

‘24% of older Londoners (over the age of 50) live in poverty’ (Age UK London - Poverty amongst older Londoners October 2023)

The cost of living crisis has hit our older population particularly hard. Rising energy bills and soaring food prices have placed a heavy burden on older individuals, many of whom live on fixed incomes. Age UK Lambeth is committed to ensuring no older person in our community is left behind during the holiday season.

‘Older Londoners are 50% more likely to experience food insecurity than the rest of England. Additionally, 58% of people in fuel poverty in London are over 60 (Age UK London, 2022).

This year's campaign is dedicated to addressing the profound challenges faced by older adults in our community due to the ever-increasing cost of living by asking people to replace those unwanted and forgettable presents with something that matters most: support for older adults in our community who need it. The funds collected will go towards essential services, including:

Winter Warm Hubs: With winter approaching, many older people will struggle to stay warm in their homes. Age UK Lambeth will provide a winter warm hub where they can come and stay warm, get a meal, and make friends

Energy & Money Support: Age UK Lambeth will offer advice and support to help people with their energy bills, benefits, and other essential issues that older people often face during the winter months.

Friendship Services: Loneliness and isolation are significant issues for older individuals, especially during the holidays. The campaign will fund our MYneighbour and MYsocial services to ensure the most isolated older people have someone to talk to and share the joy of the season with.

"Christmas is a time for joy and togetherness, but for many older adults in Lambeth, it can be a time of great hardship. The cost of living crisis has left them struggling to make ends meet, and we believe that no one should have to face these challenges alone," said Paul Coles, CEO of Age UK Lambeth

How it works:

Set up your Just Giving page which will connect directly to their Christmas campaign

Share the link with family and friends and ask that they donate there instead of buying you a Christmas present this year

Watch as you raise life-changing money for older people in Lambeth

Direct donations can also be made to our Christmas campaign through our website www.justgiving.com/campaign/auklchristmas2023, by calling 07749 850058 or by emailing fundraising@ageuklambeth.org.

They are also looking for volunteers to participate in their MY ho ho ho campaign. They are asking local volunteers to cook and deliver an extra Christmas meal for an older person in Lambeth. For more information please visit our website https://www.ageuk.org.uk/lambeth/get-involved/christmas.

For more information about Age UK Lambeth's Christmas fundraising campaign and how you can get involved, please visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/lambeth/get-involved/christmas or contact James on 07749 850058 or email fundraising@ageuklambeth.org.

That's Food and Drink: From Birmingham to The Food WorksSW via BBC1's Dra...

That's Food and Drink: From Birmingham to The Food WorksSW via BBC1's Dra...: Russell & Atwell, a Birmingham-based chocolate company who secured investment from entrepreneurs Steven Bartlett and Peter Jones on BBC1...

Delicious Christmas Stocking Fillers from Bonne Maman

Bonne Maman Delicious Spreads make a lovely Christmas stocking filler. Made with simple ingredients and containing no palm oil, these jars are perfect for foodies this Christmas.

Pop a prettily wrapped jar of the new Bonne Maman Chocolate & Orange Spread into a Christmas stocking to give a gift of joy and indulgence. Rich and smooth, Chocolate & Orange Spread is made with 39% crushed oranges and orange zest stirred into melted dark chocolate. 

A zesty and cocoa flavour combination to add to the Christmas spirit… especially when topped on a buttery shortbread biscuit!

For the Chocolate Spread lovers, Bonne Maman award-winning Hazelnut Chocolate Spread is a deliciously festive treat to add to a stocking. It also makes a lovely Christmas gift when presented with a box of homemade Thumbprint Shortcakes, just neatly stack them up and tie with a ribbon.

New Caramelised Apple Spread also makes a delightful stocking addition with the flavours and aromas that fit perfectly during the cosy Christmas season. Made with 80% apple plus butter, giving a rich and buttery texture - delicious spread on a toasted brioche on Christmas morning.

Vegan Society has launched first Vegan Trademarked Christmas Hamper

The Vegan Society has announced the launch of their first Vegan Trademarked hamper, full of festive vegan treats. 

In partnership with The Goodness Project, The Vegan Society has launched a Christmas Hamper featuring a selection of festive treats, all registered with the society’s Vegan Trademark. 

The hamper showcases a thoughtfully abd carefully curated selection of vegan goodies, including Italian sparkling wine, vegan fudge, cookies, and more. This exciting collaboration brings together two organizations committed to ethical living and quality products. 

A sustainable and ethical Christmas treat 

With each product in the hamper proudly bearing The Vegan Society’s internationally recognised Vegan Trademark, consumers can purchase with absolute confidence, knowing the entire hamper includes no animal ingredients and that there was no animal testing.  

Also committed to high ethical standards and preserving the planet, The Goodness Project’s values align with The Vegan Society’s. Not only have The Goodness Project packaged the festive hamper in recyclable materials, but they have also committed to planting a tree for every Vegan Society Christmas Hamper that you purchase, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for our planet. 

A brilliant gift for all 

Expressing the society’s excitement about the launch of their hamper, Client Relations Manager at The Vegan Society, Gabriela Chalkia, commented: “We’re absolutely thrilled and really excited to be launching our first hamper, which is chock full of fabulous Vegan Trademarked treats. This hamper absolutely perfect for the festive season; featuring a wide selection of goodies, there's literally something for everyone and we believe this will make a brilliant gift for vegans and also non-vegans alike!  

"It’s been really fantastic to work with The Goodness Project and a joy to see so many of our Trademarked clients featured in this beautiful Christmas Hamper. There will be some familiar brands, but also some perhaps lesser-known brands which is a great opportunity for people to try something new and different and it really showcases the variety in vegan options we now have." 

What’s inside? 

The hamper includes a delightful assortment of vegan treats and goodies that have been carefully chosen for their taste and quality. Featuring:  

Prodolce Italian Sparkling Wine 750ml: A delightful and elegant choice for your holiday celebrations. 

Whitakers Orange Cream 150g: Indulge in the creamy goodness of this exquisite vegan treat. 

Mrs Tilly’s Vegan Fudge 150g: Satisfy your sweet tooth with this delectable vegan fudge. 

Brown Bag Crisp Lightly Salted 40g: Enjoy the perfect balance of crispiness and flavour in every bite. 

Nibble Cheeky Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough 36g: Experience the joy of cookie dough in a convenient, vegan-friendly package. 

LoveRaw Nutty Choc Balls 28g: A burst of nutty and chocolatey goodness that's perfect for snacking. 

Brave Cookies and Cream Chickpeas 35g: An innovative sweet and savoury treat that will tantalize your taste buds. 

Mr Organic Grissini Breadsticks 150g: A crunchy and flavourful accompaniment to your holiday meals. 

The Vegan Society Christmas Hamper is available to purchase now through The Goodness Project.

And there's good news for members of The Vegan Society, because you will receive a 10% discount on your first order from The Goodness Project as part of your membership benefits. If you are a vegan and you aren't already a member, join up today! Or who not gift a membership to a vegan family member or friend?

vegansociety.com

thegoodnessproject.co.uk  

 FACTFILE:

The Vegan Society is the world’s oldest vegan society whose co-founder Donald Watson defined the term ‘vegan’ in 1944. They are a registered educational charity that provides information and guidance on various aspects of veganism, including to existing and potential vegans, caterers, healthcare professionals, educators and the media. Their product registration scheme, the Vegan Trademark, is widely recognised as the global standard for vegan products, ensuring that products are free from animal ingredients and animal testing. 

The Goodness Project is dedicated to offering a curated selection of ethical, sustainable and vegan products. With a commitment to quality and compassion, The Goodness Project is a trusted partner in bringing you The Vegan Society Christmas Hamper.