Luen’s blog: What Christmas means to Forget Me Not

Christmas is a busy, rewarding and crucial time for us. Lots and lots of very generous local people find the festive season gives them the boost they need to do something extra to support our work. Whether it’s volunteering to bag pack, or collect money, throwing office parties, buying raffle tickets or perhaps you came along to our first ever Little Lights event on Sunday – thank you to every one of you who does just that, it all makes a huge difference.

Our shops are very busy too, having a bumper month in the run up to Christmas. They’re full of seasonal goodies including cards, gifts, decorations and, for those of you who love the silliness (as I do!), Christmas jumpers! And if you are having a sort out before Christmas, please consider donating your unwanted stuff to us – we will find a new home for clothes, bric-a-brac, books, toys and furniture! Don’t forget to Gift Aid your donation – we raised £88,000 last year from Gift Aid, that’s enough to employ two nurses!

There is, of course, a reason why all this activity and fundraising is so vital. It’s because for our families Christmas can be a very hard time. Just because it’s the season to be jolly doesn’t change the life-shortening conditions the children suffer from, it doesn’t change the fact that a family may have lost their child, it doesn’t change how tired families are, it doesn’t change how few breaks they get, it doesn’t change how difficult it can be for brothers and sisters.

But none of that stops our families wanting to make Christmas special, just like everyone else. They want to be able to spend time together, having fun, making the most of every festive moment, whatever their circumstances. 

That’s why it was so lovely to see many of our children and families at our Little Lights event, sharing the magic, the music and the lights. It’s why we’re here for them throughout Christmas, helping to lighten their load a little so they can enjoy all the things that make Christmas, Christmas.

And that’s why we need your support – in whatever way you can support us. You can volunteer, you can give money, you can open doors to connections you have, you can raise awareness of our work. Whatever you can do this Christmas and beyond, please help us make every day just that little bit better, a little easier for the families we support.

Thank you and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Forget Me Not.