What am I doing?

Bonjour and Hello Lovely Readers,

How have you been? Hope you've been well. You may have seen on Social Media (under the Links section in the menu bar) that I have been fundraising for a charity called Post Pals. I just thought I'd let you know a bit more about this charity and why I am Climbing the London O2!? I've decided the best way to this is in a Q&A format (based on questions people have been asking).
This is really important to me so I do hope you read till the end. Thankssssssss.

What is Post Pals?

Post Pals is a small non profit charity run solely by volunteers. Vikki George had the idea of setting up the charity in 2002 after realising; receiving cards in the post was one of the only things made her smile with happiness, whilst bed bound and Isolated due to severe ME. The charity is still very much run from hospital beds today.

Post Pals aim is to bring a smile to seriously ill children and their siblings (aged 3 to 17 in the UK) by sending cards, letters, little gifts, support and friendship.
However Post Pals also do so much more than sending cards and gifts in post they also arrange the occasional days out or grant children's wishes known as 'Extra Smiles'. In 2016 they sent families to Chessington World of Adventures for a Weekend, and they are currently fundraising to do the same in 2018!

What are you doing for Post Pals?

Post Pals have been recruiting for people to volunteer and climb the London O2, to raise money, for the children they support, to have time away from hospital with their families at Chessington World of Adventures. When I first saw the appeal on their website I initially thought to myself: 'If I didn't have such anxiety around strangers and fear towards heights I would absolutely put myself forward'. The O2 roof walkway is 52 m above ground level and 380 m long, has an incline of 30° and there's only one way down. However I have already started tackling my anxiety with my 100 challenges and have decided to kick anxiety's butt one more time and help these poorly children in the process. So, I'm going to put my fears aside, Climb the London O2 and fundraise money for the severely ill children and families who need a break from hospital.

(Donate Here)

                                       Why have you Chosen to Help Post Pals?

I believe Post Pals is a beautiful and simple charity set up with a clear focus and they are trying to help support children and bring a smile to their faces and happiness into their lives. They are giving something back to those who need it, something the rest of us take for granted on a daily basis.
I have spent time in hospital in intensive care and in isolation, I know how horrible being in hospital can make you feel and just how lonely it can be. Going through struggles with mental health has also put me in a state of isolation, and the small words of encouragement from family/friends/strangers means the absolute world and has kept me going.

This is how Post Pals Chessington World of Adventure Trip (2016) helped just a few families:

• Sophie’s family Spent their first night away from home that wasn't hospital (Sophie spent 18 months inpatient without going home once) .
• William’s family got a chance to celebrate his 10th birthday together, shortly after they had found out he was now too ill for a heart transplant
• Faith went on her first ever ride at the age of 15, the carousel was stopped so Faith and her equipment could be lifted into the princess carriage.
• Jakub’s family spent their first weekend away in years, it turned out to be Jakub’s last ever weekend out of hospital before passing away

 This charity does such an important job, it may seem small but it's so significant, and they want to help even more, I honestly don't see how I could have said no?

(Donate Here)

How can I help?

Well my lovely, I'm so glad you asked, because there are so many simple little things that can be done to help make to difference to these children's lives. If you go to the Post Pals Website you can find out more about the children and their illness, you can then choose to send a letter, card or gift (t&cs apply) or donate money, stamps, cards and stationary to the charity itself.

How can I donate to the O2 climb? Where will my money go?

This has been a rather popular question, it's very easy to donate simply CLICK HERE and get transported to the Just Giving page. I have paid for my climb and donated money to the Charity myself. All donations big or small (even if its just 50p or £1) are welcome and will be going straight onto the Post Pals Chessington World of Adventure fund. It costs £415 to send a child and their family away; an over night stay in the themed Azteca Hotel, 2 days in Chessington World of Adventures (theme park, zoo and Sea-life Centre), all meals included and the chance to feed giraffes! By donating you are helping to give children and families time together away from hospital. Not able to donate online? you can text 'PALS56 £1' to 70700  (the amount can be adjusted e.g. 'PALS56 £5' to 70700 to donate £5 ect.).  (Please remember to ask bill payers permission before you donate)

(Donate Here)

Thank you so much if you've read this far and I cannot thank you enough if you have donated!!
Please Spread the word and share this Blog Post or the fundraising page, as much as possible, let's get as much support going for these little ones as we can, and help them on their way to creating happy memories with their family, something so many of us take for granted.

Thank you so much for reading and even more so if you have donated, you will have helped to put a smile on not just a child but their whole families faces.

Thank You
xo

(Donate Here)