If you're able to give back to those less fortunate, there are plenty of ways to make a difference to someone's Christmas in Gloucestershire this year.
From stuffing shoeboxes for animals in need; recycling your Christmas tree; to buying Christmas gifts that give something back, SoGlos shares 10 Christmas charity appeals to get involved with this festive season.
Become a Friend of Westonbirt Arboretum
A thoughtful present for the nature lover in your life, a Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum membership gives the gift of free entry to Forestry England Westonbirt, The National Arboretum near Tetbury for a whole year — along with other benefits — from as little as £30.
The money raised from memberships supports the conservation of Westonbirt's world-leading botanical collection, not only keeping Gloucestershire's magical tree garden thriving but protecting the future of trees across the globe for generations to come, too.
See Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum unveils Christmas gift guide for nature lovers for more ways to give this Christmas.
Recycle your Christmas tree with Sue Ryder
When it's time to take the decorations down, Sue Ryder is collecting and recycling Christmas trees in selected GL postcodes, in exchange for charitable donations to support Gloucestershire's only in-patient palliative care unit, Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.
Book a hassle-free Christmas tree collection by Wednesday 8 January 2025 to not only look after the environment by disposing of your tree in an environmentally way, but help Sue Ryder to continue providing free palliative and bereavement care for local people and their families.
Help The Roses Theatre support mental health through creativity
Tewkesbury's hub for entertainment and culture, The Roses Theatre, is taking on a HUGE challenge to mark its forthcoming 50th anniversary celebrations — through the Big Give, it's aiming to raise £50,000 in just one week, from Tuesday 3 to Tuesday 10 December 2024.
More than just a fundraising goal, the campaign aims to close the gap in mental health services in Gloucestershire, with all the money raised being put towards The Roses' creative wellbeing programme, which will collaborate with the NHS, local schools and arts partners to provide alternative mental and physical health resources. Donations can be made via The Roses Theatre's website.
Enter the Pied Piper Appeal Christmas raffle
Well worth getting tickets for, there's a host of incredible prizes to be won in the Pied Piper Appeal's annual Christmas raffle. Featuring hotel stays, £500 in cash and vouchers to the county's best restaurants, tickets cost just £2 each — with the live draw taking place before Christmas, on Tuesday 17 December 2024.
The Pied Piper Appeal supports sick and disabled children in Gloucestershire in many ways, including funding the children's centre at Gloucestershire Royal. This Christmas, it's also running a Toy Appeal to collect play equipment for the hospital's play specialists to use at the centre, with wish lists on its website.
Donate toys and books to Gloucestershire Bundles
All year round, Gloucestershire Bundles provides emergency packs to pregnant women and families in crisis situations — and at Christmas time, it relies on donations to make sure these children receive a gift to make their Christmas magical.
Help by donating new toys and books suitable for babies up to 16-year-olds, including board games, sensory toys, puzzles and electronics, as well as new pyjamas and underwear. Or get some last-minute Christmas shopping done at the charity's very own festive craft fair, bringing artisan stalls and family entertainment to Tithe Barn in Bishop's Cleeve on Saturday 23 November 2024.
Create a shoebox for Gloucestershire's homeless dogs and cats
Gloucestershire animal shelters like Teckels Animal Sanctuary and the Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home run annual Christmas shoebox appeals, encouraging people to donate items for the dogs and cats in kennels, while they wait for their fur-ever homes.
Doggy peanut butter, natural treats and interactive toys make great gifts for pooches in need, while cats love to receive catnip toys and soft, fleecy blankets. Essential items are listed on each charity's website.
Get crafting for Allsorts Gloucestershire
To mark its 15th anniverary this year, Stroud-based children’s charity Allsorts has launched a brand-new Craft-15 Challenge — inviting Gloucestershire residents to flex their creative muscles and make 15 Christmas-themed items to donate for sale at local goodwill events.
From crochet Christmas decorations to handmade gift items, all festive crafts are welcome. Just make sure you have your contribution ready by Friday 15 November 2024, with further information about donation drop-off times and upcoming craft markets on the Allsorts website.
Sponsor a pet pen at Cheltenham Animal Shelter
Another way to help pets in need this Christmas — and the paw-fect gift idea, if you've got an animal-loving little one to buy for! — is to sponsor a kennel, cat pod or small animal pen at Cheltenham Animal Shelter. Sponsors receive regular updates about the animals in their pen, as well as a welcome pack and personalised thank you certificate.
Money from sponsorships helps the rescue centre to provide for animals in residence, covering everything they could need from cosy bedding, food and toys to veterinary care — helping to make their stay comfortable and set them up for a happier future.
Fill a gift bag for Cheltenham Open Door
Cheltenham Open Door provides free services for vulnerable, disadvantaged and lonely people, including those who are homeless. As well as providing guests with a place to go, where they can shower and enjoy a warm meal over Christmas, it also hands out festive gift bags for everyone who visits on the big day.
The charity is accepting festive donations to pack its gift bags up until Monday 23 December 2024. Most guests are men and items on this year's wish list include nice toiletries, edible treats, brand-new clothes and small, practical gifts like rucksacks, charging cables, hot water bottles and tool sets.
Play the Christmas raffle for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
Help Midlands Air Ambluance Charity spread a little joy this Christmas by entering its raffle, with plenty of cash prizes to be won — including the £3,000 jackpot! — on a £1 ticket.
This is one of the busiest times of year for the charity's pre-hospital service, which is called out to severely injured and critically unwell patients. Buying a raffle ticket helps to support the service during the autumn and winter months — and with the prize draw taking place on Thursday 19 December 2024, you could be in for a very merry Christmas indeed!
