Christmas might be the most wonderful time of the year, but for many women around the UK, it's also the hardest. Whilst you're trying to decide what size turkey you're going to get or how to get that sold-out gift for your child, there are people out there who will spend this celebratory time in a women's refuge.
Women's Aid
Many of them will have children with them; they'll have escaped situations of domestic violence, homelessness and other major traumas. It's at Christmas more than any other time of the year that women and children in shelters are reminded of just how dire their circumstances are.
Women's Aid are a federation made up of more than 180 organisations working to provide women all over the country with refuge, food and basic necessities, as well as mental health support and help getting back into work among hundreds of other services. But in order to keep that going, they need you to to help them.
So what can you do to help?
You can do your bit for these women during this festive time by organising your very own fundraiser and donation drive for Women's Aid. Band together with your family and work colleagues to set up a charity event; it doesn't have to be huge, but the more people that can get involved, the more others will be inspired to help.
The Women's Aid website has tons of advice on setting up fundraisers in the Get Involved section. You can do anything from bake sales to fun runs, sponsored skydives to the 3 Peaks Challenge - and the charity will even help you collate some resources to set you on your way.
What can I donate?
If you want to organise a donation drive, all you have to do is contact your local refuge centre which can be found on the website. They'll be able to give you a breakdown of the products they most need such as: Towels, sanitary napkins, intimate wipes, bedding, jumpers and socks (adults and children), soft toys and children's books.
Some of the most important items that are needed within women's refuges that are far too under-donated are intimate hygiene products. Sanitary pads and tampons are the most obvious, but the need for intimate wipes and/or baby wipes cannot be overstated enough.
As we've entered the coldest months of the year, other welcome contributions are warm socks and jumpers for both adults and children, not to mention warm bedding. And, because it's Christmas, children's toys and books are also massively welcome. Remember, these are women who want nothing more than to give their children the same Christmas as kids all over the country, regardless of how little they have.
Meanwhile, including bonus luxury pamper products with the essentials will add that festive touch and brighten any women's Christmas. Every woman deserves a treat, especially when they've spent weeks and maybe months trying to get their life back on track.
Of course, we appreciate that not everyone has the time to put their energy into organising their own fundraiser or donation drive, but that doesn't mean you can't do anything to help. By donating a few quid to Women's Aid, you can help them haul together some much needed essential items.
Our own workplace has set up a donation drive for the local women's refuge centre in Leeds, as well as a crowdfunding campaign on JustGiving which you can help us with today.
Contact Women's Aid for more information on fundraising at [email protected], or call them on 0117 983 7132.