Charitable Traveller Great Causes Advent Guide

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL DECEMBER 2020

50% travel, 50% charity, 100% meaningful

The gift of giving

Meet 24 charities looking for help in the season of goodwill...

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The countdown to Christmas is always a time to look forward to some much-needed down-time with family and friends, but thanks to the pandemic, people all over the world have been kept apart from their loved ones and for many this will continue a little longer.

People of all faiths and none have been tested this year but many significant religious dates have come and gone without the usual celebrations. This April, pews were empty for the Easter Sunday Service and Easter egg hunts were cancelled while Passover passed by with no Synagogue visits and extended families couldn’t share the usual meal symbolising Jewish freedom.

In May, Muslims went through Ramadan unable to visit their local mosque and the joyous festival which marks the end of this fasting period, Eid-el Fitr, wasn’t the same when families couldn’t meet to feast.

And this autumn, just as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains geared up to celebrate Diwali, the festival of light which celebrates the STILL GOT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING triumph of good over evil, the UK went TO DO? into a second lockdown. So, while Head to Charitable.Shopping candles were still lit, family gatherings and you’ll find lots of stocking fillers, all were put off once again. in one place. Simply register and choose If there’s one thing all of us can take your favourite charity – then you can start comfort in, it’s that our gratitude for browsing all the brands. If you click to buy each other is stronger than ever! This is you’ll ensure every purchase you our hopeful countdown to a Christmas make means a donation to that brings everyone back together your charity, at no extra cost but it’s also a reminder to think of those CHARITABLE to you. Happy shopping!

SHOPPING less fortunate than ourselves. Our advent calendar doesn’t reveal a sweet treat each day, but a worthy cause looking for your support at a time when it’s needed more than ever.

From all the team at Charitable Travel, we wish you a peaceful Christmas and a very happy New Year!

©CHARITABLE TRAVEL 2020. CHARITABLE TRAVELLER is part of CHARITABLE TRAVEL, Fundraising Futures Community Interest Company, Contingent Works, Broadway Buildings, Elmfield Road, Bromley, BR1 1LW, UK. Putting our profit to work supporting the work of charitable causes. T: 020 3092 1288 E: bookings@charitable.travel W: charitable.travel Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, CHARITABLE TRAVEL cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. FRONT COVER: Drz-Qvao/Unsplash.com. CEO: Melissa Tilling; MARKETING: Rosie Buddell; MAGAZINE EDITOR: Laura Gelder; MAGAZINE DESIGNER: Louisa Horton (louisacreative@outlook.com)

CHARITY CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

AGE UK HILLINGDON, HARROW & BRENT

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As an independent local charity, Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent relies on your support and donations to maintain and enhance 12 services within the local community during these uncertain times. We are supporting the most vulnerable during the festive season and helping them to stay independent, safe, healthy, active and to help with isolation as well as loneliness. We especially need funds to maintain and enhance these services as some of them have become remote services due to the current climate. Please give what you can to help the elderly community in our three boroughs. ageuk.org.uk/ hillingdonharrowandbrent

BERESFORD STREET KITCHEN

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Beresford Street Kitchen is a social enterprise providing training and employment for people with learning disabilities and autism. We currently have 45 adults on our programme and a further 50 on our waiting list who we are desperate to offer opportunities to. Charlotte is 23 and works Beresford Street Kitchen, she says: “I’ve been confined to a wheelchair since birth but since working at BSK it has opened a new life for me. I love my job very much and I hope to be employed full-time one day.” Your donation could help people like Charlotte find their place in society. beresfordstreetkitchen.je

BRAINWAVE Brainwave believes in a world where every child with disabilities reaches their potential. Our multidisciplinary team of qualified therapists take the time to assess each individual child and develop a bespoke therapy programme which fits in with family life. We’ve recently developed a virtual therapy service, Brainwave Online, to ensure children can be reassessed from home - helping them continue to make incredible progress. Children who couldn’t move, now walk; who couldn’t make a sound, now giggle and low attainment at school is now greatly improved.

With your support, we can continue transforming the lives of children with disabilities. brainwave.org.uk

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BRIGHTON HOUSING TRUST

This year has been tough for everyone. For people experiencing homelessness, poverty, mental health problems and addiction, the impact of Covid-19 has been devastating. Here at Brighton Housing Trust, we are having to work very differently and the demand for our support has increased dramatically.

Nevertheless, we are determined to be there for local people in need this Christmas and provide hope for the future. Last year, BHT Advice Services prevented 927 households from becoming homeless through specialist free-of-charge advice. By getting professional help as soon as possible, those at risk can protect their homes and avoid falling into homelessness. bht.org.uk

BUGLIFE Remember Buglife this Christmas time – we are saving the small things that run our planet. As Sir David Attenborough said: “If we and the rest of the back-boned animals were to disappear overnight, the rest of the world would get on pretty well. But if the invertebrates were to disappear, the world’s ecosystems would collapse.”

Our work would not be possible without your support.

Bees and other invertebrates need help to reverse the catastrophic declines in their numbers. Please donate for Christmas and together we can restore vital habitats and rebuild strong populations of invertebrates in the UK. buglife.org.uk

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BREAD AND WATER FOR AFRICA

At Bread and Water for Africa we believe that every child should not only have the ability to thrive and lead a live according to their best ability, but also to dream of a future not limited by the circumstances they were born in. As poverty is influenced by multiple underlying factors, we believe in a multi-faceted implementation approach, tackling more than one factor at once. The projects we support focus on improving children’s future by providing education, improving nutrition through the provision of school meals and community gardens as well as better access to health services. forafrica.org.uk

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CHARITABLE TRAVEL FUND We’ve all felt the positive impact that travel and tourism creates, whether that’s enjoying the restorative values of a holiday, broadening our experience of other cultures or landscapes, or providing employment. Our entire travel experience depends on global local communities. But what happens to the people in our favourite destinations when tourism slows or stops? When there’s no welfare state or handouts? We are here for the hotel worker, the server, the taxi driver, the gift shop assisant, the tour guide, the tourist attraction employee, and all the people who work in tourism, whenever they need us. charitabletravel.org

7 CHARITABLE TRAVEL FUND supporting tourism communities

THE CHILDREN’S TRUST

CRISIS Crisis is the national charity for homeless people. At Christmas and throughout the year, we help people out of homelessness and campaign for the social changes to solve it altogether. While 2020 has been a tough year it’s also reminded us how much we depend on each other for connection, hope and support in difficult times; and of the importance of a safe and secure home. Sadly, this Christmas thousands of people will be alone, with nowhere to call home and many will experience their first homeless Christmas. But we’re determined to be there for those who need us - to provide a safe place to stay, companionship, food and support – and hope for a future away from homelessness. crisis.org.uk

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The Children’s Trust helps children live the best life possible after a brain injury.

Many of the children we support are unable to go home for Christmas. Like every other day, we need to look after the children 24/7. At the same time, we’ll be doing our utmost to bring some festive cheer despite still being impacted by Covid-19.

Supporting our Christmas Appeal will help keep our work going, make Christmas special and allow us to continue with our plans for 2021 so more children can have access to the best opportunities possible. Please help us and donate. thechildrenstrust.org. uk/donate

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DIG DEEP

This year has been unprecedented for much of the globe but the community where we work has never known a world without a pandemic. From cholera to typhoid, in parts of Kenya people face deadly illness all the time coronavirus is just the latest addition. This situation is compounded by the fact that 80% of people have no access to clean water or soap, meaning no protection against viruses and diseases. Until we can wash our hands of deadly illnesses, let’s make sure more people can wash theirs. Support Dig Deep, help protect more lives. digdeep.org.uk

FOREVER ANGELS

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No matter how hard life gets, the support of friends in the same situation makes the day a whole lot better! Forever Angels would like to send a great big thank you from Tanzania to everyone reaching out to others in need through Charitable Travel, from all of the aunts and grandmothers that we support to care for orphaned infants and from all of the abandoned babies that our staff care for in the Baby Home until a forever home can be found for them. Merry Christmas from Forever Angels! foreverangels.org

GLOUCESTERSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Happy Christmas from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust! Our mission is simple: to value nature. We work hard to care for Gloucestershire’s wildlife, and to restore and reconnect Gloucestershire’s wild places – but we can’t do this alone. A Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust gift membership could be the perfect present for your loved one, and it will also help protect the natural world for generations to come. As a member you’ll receive a magazine three times a year, full of interesting facts, stories and inspiration about how you can make a difference for wildlife. Find more details here: gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/join/ join-gloucestershire-wildlife-trust

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HOW MANY ELEPHANTS

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How Many Elephants champions and supports female rangers making a difference on the front line of wildlife conservation in Africa.

These women are changing the attitudes towards the role of women in Africa and beyond. If poverty has a women’s face, so does the future of conservation.

With many rural women in Africa still denied education and employment, with limited opportunities in trade, industry and government, the female ranger movement is a monumental step forward for gender equality and female empowerment. These women are protectors, role models and beacons of hope.

Help us support these women today. Every penny counts. howmanyelephants.org

JUST A DROP

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This Christmas, you can give the simple gift of water and transform a life. At Just a Drop, we work hand-in-hand with communities across the world to bring safe water, sanitation and hygiene - ultimately transforming the lives of thousands. This year alone we helped 328,039 people gain access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene by providing practical, local and most importantly sustainable solutions.

So why not change a life with water this Christmas by supporting Just a Drop, where every drop counts! The gift of just £5 can help support a child in Uganda with safe water and sanitation throughout their school years.

Justadrop.org

MY AFK My AFK offers the warmest Season’s Greetings to Charitable Traveller’s readers this Christmas and thank you for your ongoing support throughout one of our toughest years.

Together, you have allowed us to continue delivering services that include, empower, and give autonomy to young disabled people throughout this pandemic and through to a brighter 2021. Your support means we can provide the opportunities for children just like Alfie (pictured) to live more independent lives. From all of us at My AFK, merry Christmas and a happy New Year! my-afk.org

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MY LIFE FILMS

At Christmas everyone wants to get together with their families, but this year the Covid-19 crisis is undermining the festivities. My Life Films improves the lives of people living with dementia by creating personalised films that capture their life stories, giving them a lasting form of reminiscence therapy and providing their families with a lasting memory of their loved ones for generations to come. With your donations to My Life Films you will enable us to keep making films and keep families close, even from a distance. If you are interested in having a life story film made please contact charlotte@mylifefilms.org mylifefilms.org

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RAFIKI THABO FOUNDATION

PACE This Christmas, Pace needs you. We provide firstclass education, life-changing therapy, and specialist support for children with neurodisabilties, giving them the best possible chance of reaching their potential. However, it is not possible to deliver the support children at Pace need from a two-metre distance. Most suffer from cerebral palsy and many have serious, underlying health issues, respiratory conditions and weakened immune systems meaning Covid-19 could be catastrophic. Your donation will enable Pace to secure essential PPE like gloves, visors and aprons, which will mean our children and their families can continue to access Pace for as long as possible. thepacecentre.org

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, for sharing joy, love and hope! For the underprivileged children in East Africa that Rafiki Thabo works tirelessly to empower through access to education, this hope is for a better future - one in which they can afford to feed their family, enjoy good jobs and encourage sustainable development and welfare in their country. It costs so little to transform lives, 35p pays for a school meal, often their only daily meal, and a full year at secondary school only costs £300! Help us make dreams come true this Christmas – empower a child with education! rafiki-foundation.org.uk

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REEF WORLD 2020 has been tough for the tourism industry. While the immediate future is unknown, the future of coral reefs hasn’t changed and the impacts of the climate change crisis are set to grow in coming years. Reducing our environmental risk will make our tourism businesses, the people we support and the ecosystems we rely on more resilient. We’re dedicated to this mission but we can’t do it without your support.

Together, we can and will find a way to make a better normal. Thank you. reef-world.org

SCOTTISH AUTISM

SEACHANGERS

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Your support is vital to help autistic individuals and their families in Scotland now more than ever. Our Advice Line calls have doubled during the Covid-19 pandemic and a listening ear from someone who understands can be a lifeline. Callers are often in crisis and our dedicated team of advisors offer information, advice and support. Your donations are crucial in helping us with our mission to enable autistic people to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. With the increase in demand for our support services this year our staff have never been more grateful for your generosity. scottishautism.org

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Sea-Changers is a unique marine conservation charity that raises money through bespoke relationships with individuals and businesses and then distributes funding to UK marine conservation projects via our grants programme. We aim to harness the commitment and passion of those who enjoy the UK’s coast to improve our seas, shores and wildlife.

Our grants enable local people to preserve, educate, clean up and raise awareness about the coastal environments they love. Even a small amount of funding at a community level provides huge impact. To find out more or to make a sea-changing donation please visit sea-changers.org.uk

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THE WILBERFORCE TRUST

This Christmas the Wilberforce Trust will be supporting families with visually impaired children and other sighted children to enjoy accessible and inclusive activities even if these have to be limited to the home. We will be sending Christmas activity packs so that lock-down and restriction on movement does not need to mean boredom. We will also hold Zoom meetings so that families can connect and support each other. If you donate on our Big Give site between December 1-8 your donation will be doubled! wilberforcetrust.org.uk

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WINSTON’S WISH The festive season is a time for family and friends to get together. For children it’s a time of fun, anticipation and excitement. Unfortunately, for many of the families that we support, who are struggling with the death of a parent, this can be a very sad time of year when they feel the loss of their loved ones even more. With your support this Christmas, we can give hope to more of the 100 children bereaved of a parent every day.

Thank you for your support. winstonswish.org

WOOD GREEN, THE ANIMALS CHARITY

At Wood Green, The Animals Charity, we care for and rehome thousands of homeless dogs, cats and small pets every year from two centres in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. This Christmas, our dedicated teams will continue to provide life-saving medical and behavioural care to vulnerable pets. And, due to this challenging year, Wood Green will be called upon more than ever to offer a lifeline to pet owners who have fallen upon hard times. Our work is only possible thanks to the generosity of the public. With your support, we can ensure there’s always a home for pets in need. Thank you. woodgreen.org.uk

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