Running, ahem, co-running a small charity is equally rewarding, challenging, frightening and exhilarating.
October to December is my busiest time as the hands-on Chair of this small charity where I, and my co-founders, wear many hats.
Who do you call when you have an issue with a colleague, an IT problem, need something for your tax return, have a pension query, require a budget, need some marketing or the printer is not working (and no, I don't mean when you are working from home!). At MK it's me or Kelly. And then we do our day jobs, or in my case my volunteer work - which I do full time.
And then at Christmas, we set up a whole new warehouse and run an adjacent project where we stock a temporary warehouse - the securing of which is a mammoth project in itself - with brand new Christmas presents, stocking fillers, stationery, selection boxes and toiletries for older children.
The majority of our beneficiaries would otherwise not receive anything on Christmas day. As a Christmas baby who loves the festivities, to think of Santa not turning up on Christmas day for a child makes me really sad (and we know of one little boy this happened to last year - yes, really). So no matter how tired we are, the Christmas campaign goes ahead, even though it's yet another thing that stretches our resources, and forces us into working exceptionally long hours and takes us away from our own families.
So far we have provided present bundles for over 170 families, we estimate by the time Santa is popping down chimneys that we will have supported over 200.
There is one way you could help too. We are currently running a fundraising campaign where donations are doubled by The Childhood Trust. So if you donate £20 we receive £40 and more if your donation is eligible for gift aid. It ends tomorrow (Tuesday 10 Dec at noon) and having raised over £15,000 in just six days (whoop, whoop!), we need to raise another £2,444 - this will then be match-funded, ensuring we reach our target of £20,000.
I've shared the fundraiser below. I'd really appreciate any help with sharing and gathering donations.
https://lnkd.in/eyWJu4eJ
We have curated Christmas brand new present bundles for 170 families. By the time Christmas Day comes we estimate we will have distributed gifts to over 200 families.
Come Christmas Day, the MammaKind team are shattered!
In addition to being one of Santa Claus trusted distributors, we are running a crowdfunder to help us to continue to support families throughout 2025.
We would love any help raising donations and awareness.
Will you help us? We need to raise just £2,444 (which will be doubled by the Childhood Trust) to reach our goal of £20,000. Every £1 will be doubled, and we receive even more if you’re eligible for gift aid.
https://lnkd.in/euxCwh26