how good gives
Gaby Morgan – Senior Planner
With winter drawing in and the winter fuel payment being scrapped, isolated older people have never been in more need of warmth in their home. That’s why I volunteer with Small Acts Of Kindness. A small but mighty charity – they source, pack and distribute ‘Warm in Winter Gift Bags’ to 12,000 lonely and socially isolated older people every winter. Going behind the scenes of the operation of the charity gave me a real insight to the need, but also to how much difference a small donation or my volunteer time could tangibly make to an older person keeping warm. You can donate to their winter crowdfunder here.
Abi Gahnstrom (and Attenborough!) – Senior Integrated Designer
I feel it’s important to give back to charities as much as possible and raise awareness about important issues, so when the chance comes around to include my dog Attenborough, we always enjoy getting involved! We’re always signing up to fundraising challenges, regularly donating and getting involved with local businesses to support charities. I like to use Attenborough’s social accounts to promote charity days and events as much as possible too.
This November we have completed the Macmillan Cancer Support 100KM Dog Walk challenge and collaborated with our local coffee shop for Breast Cancer Awareness’ Wear It Pink Day. So far for December, Attenborough is going to be the cover star for the ‘Dogs of Hart’ calendar with proceeds going to Raystede Animal Shelter along with joining in all the festive charity days.
Louis Cochrane – Senior Designer
Over the past year, I’ve joined thousands marching on the streets of London, to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the UK governments sales of arms to Israel. In the summer, I twice took part in the Big Ride for Palestine, in Yorkshire and London. Thousands of cyclists took to the streets, across the UK, to protest the UK government’s complicity in war crimes.
I managed to raise over £700 for Medical Aid for Palestinians, a UK based charity, providing vital services on the ground in Gaza, to provide immediate medical aid to those in great need, while also developing local capacity and skills to ensure the long-term development of the Palestinian healthcare system.
Katie Daley – Marketing & New Business Manager
I have been consistently giving blood through NHS Blood Donation for the past 2 years. It’s something I am really passionate about and encourage others to look into and donate themselves if they can. It is estimated that to meet the needs of hospitals and patients, nearly 5,000 donations a day are needed, so every donation really matters.
I remember going to my first appointment, being apprehensive about the entire experience. However, 45 minutes and an orange club bar later, I left knowing that blood would potentially give someone a chance to live. For me, that is what continues to drive me to donate, and in the hopes that if I were ever in the position of needing blood, someone else would be doing the same for me. If you have ever wondered about donating, I hope this can act as the sign you needed to find your local centre and give it a go!
