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General => The Shed => Topic started by: daveyboi on September 29, 2012, 00:20:46

Title: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on September 29, 2012, 00:20:46: Hi Everyone

I just wondered if we are going to repeat A4A members charity gift for Christmas again this year?

Betula's original good idea along with Flighty raised money for Thrive three years ago in which we raised just over £200.

In 2010 we voted between 3 charities which were

Thrive http://www.thrive.org.uk/
Perennial http://www.perennial.org.uk/
Gardening Leave http://www.gardeningleave.org/

and Gardening Leave just won the poll by 3 votes and we managed to raise £630

Last Year we voted between

Greenfingers http://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk
Thrive
Perennial
Gardening Leave

And Greenfingers won by 12 votes and we raised a grand total of £669-50 which was an amazing total and a big thanks to everyone again.

Are we able to do another Christmas Gift this year?

Comments and suggestions for other gardening charities welcome.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Jeannine on September 29, 2012, 07:30:42: Does it have to have a gardening connection. I rather fancy donating money to Operation Smile. This is the charity whp raise money to send teams of surgeons and nurses to poor countries and do some fantastic surgery on children with hare lips for free. It is an exremely worthy cause and the difference in the children after surgery has to seen to be believed.

Just a thought to consider. Here is a link http://www.operationsmile.org.uk/

XX Jeannine
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: tomatoada on September 29, 2012, 08:46:54: I agree this is a worthy cause. I watched the program about the little boy who had a harelip which went right up to is forehead. The result after surgery was amazing.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: pumkinlover on September 29, 2012, 08:49:12: I think it would be a good choice.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on September 29, 2012, 08:51:28: Jeannine it is for the members to decide which charity somehow...

The reason in the past it has been gardening related is there are so many other worthy causes out there I do not think we would ever manage to decide on one otherwise.

However that is what this initial topic is for to discuss the options before short listing a few for a vote.

I must state I am biased towards Thrive for this year at present but I changed my mind the last two years by the end of this discussion.

Whilst typing this reply I see two replies in support so you may be on the winner already
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: manicscousers on September 29, 2012, 09:05:06: I'm in, I'll have a think, my mum in law used to donate quite big amounts to smile :happy7:
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Borlotti on September 29, 2012, 10:36:14: I'm in for Smile. Good idea.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Squash64 on September 29, 2012, 12:27:48: Count me in too please. I will go along with whatever the majority decide.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: rosebud on September 29, 2012, 12:38:22: Yes count me in. Jeannine, that is a very good idea its a very worthy cause.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: pumkinlover on September 29, 2012, 12:45:40: I fully agree that we should have a vote, never meant to suggest otherwise.
My problem is that there are so many good chariites that making a choice is difficult, like you Daveyboi I was up for Thrive then changed my mind.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Flighty on September 29, 2012, 18:52:50: I believe that the original intention was to choose a small national UK gardening charity which we have done admirably so far.
My own choice would be Thrive again, but as always I'm happy to go with the majority.
I'm also willing to set up a JustGiving page as I've done previously.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: goodlife on September 29, 2012, 19:00:10: How about Gardening for Disabled Trust... http://www.gardeningfordisabledtrust.org.uk/index.html ?
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: shirlton on September 29, 2012, 19:30:50: I would prefer to donate to a gardening charity
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Flighty on September 29, 2012, 19:39:53: Goodlife that's a good suggestion.

Shirlton I agree.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Poppy Mole on September 29, 2012, 21:07:22: Count me in if it's a gardening charity.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Georgie on September 29, 2012, 22:24:22: I'd prefer a gardening charity too - it's in keeping with the forum I reckon :)

G x
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: lottie lou on September 29, 2012, 23:48:02: When does the shortlist go up for us to decide?
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on September 30, 2012, 01:02:45: Quote from: lottie lou on September 29, 2012, 23:48:02
When does the shortlist go up for us to decide?

Roughly in a week's time then a week to vote so it allows plenty of time for the less frequent users to get involved.

Quote from: goodlife on September 29, 2012, 19:00:10
How about Gardening for Disabled Trust... http://www.gardeningfordisabledtrust.org.uk/index.html ?

That is a very interesting addition to think about ....thank you

Quote from: Flighty on September 29, 2012, 18:52:50
I'm also willing to set up a JustGiving page as I've done previously.

Thanks Flighty that is very kind of you yet again.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: manicscousers on September 30, 2012, 10:54:12: I lie the look of that charity, Goodlife :icon_cheers:
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on October 01, 2012, 20:09:07: Any more ideas?

Seems the shortlist for the vote so far is
Smile
Thrive
Gardening for Disabled Trust
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Georgie on October 01, 2012, 21:22:12: Quote from: daveyboi on October 01, 2012, 20:09:07
Any more ideas?

Seems the shortlist for the vote so far is
Smile
Thrive
Gardening for Disabled Trust

Is there a reason why we are not including the charity we supported last year in the vote? It was for children's hospice gardens wasn't it?

G x
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: betula on October 02, 2012, 03:42:19: Is it that time already?Feel I have only just finished my Easter Egg LOL

With thousands of wonderful charities around it is hard to choose.

I like gardening and animals but something I would like people to consider is Betty's Allotment cats.It may be a strange choice to some but I think Betty is an amazing lady and she deserves some support. :sunny:
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Squash64 on October 02, 2012, 06:24:08: Quote from: betula on October 02, 2012, 03:42:19
Is it that time already?Feel I have only just finished my Easter Egg LOL

With thousands of wonderful charities around it is hard to choose.

I like gardening and animals but something I would like people to consider is Betty's Allotment cats.It may be a strange choice to some but I think Betty is an amazing lady and she deserves some support. :sunny:

Betula, this is really very kind of you and I honestly do appreciate it............but there are so many worthwhile charities which deserve help much more than I do.

Our local Cats Protection often brings us food and bedding for the cats and we have raised money (mainly through Shirley) in case any of them need vet treatment.

Just knowing that you have thought of us has made my day - thank you so much! :happy7:
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on October 02, 2012, 06:45:41: Quote from: Georgie on October 01, 2012, 21:22:12

Is there a reason why we are not including the charity we supported last year in the vote? It was for children's hospice gardens wasn't it?

G x

No reason at all Georgie I just listed those that had been put forward and had also had some positive feeback so far to avoid the list getting too long .... ( and also to bump the topic up as well ) :headbang:
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: shirlton on October 02, 2012, 06:47:57: Well here I am tears running down me bleedin face.Oh Betula how lovely that you should think of our cats.Its so nice to know that the work Betty does is appreciated. She goes every morning whatever the weather to make sure that the cats are fed and watered and she is to be commended. but as she has already said.We are very well supported by Cats Potection and I do my little bit for Felix vet bills as he is not a true feral.
Your kindness is very much appreciated love.
Shirl and Tone
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on October 02, 2012, 07:10:05: ON A SIDE NOTE

As I hope all members of this forum are reading this topic especially for the newer members I would just like to repeat the request from Squash64 (Betty) from nearly a year ago......

If you have water butts on your plot or in your garden please could you make sure they have a cover on them or wire netting over them to prevent animals falling in and drowning.

Thank you
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Squash64 on October 02, 2012, 08:40:24: Quote from: daveyboi on October 02, 2012, 07:10:05
ON A SIDE NOTE

As I hope all members of this forum are reading this topic especially for the newer members I would just like to repeat the request from Squash64 (Betty) from nearly a year ago......

If you have water butts on your plot or in your garden please could you make sure they have a cover on them or wire netting over them to prevent animals falling in and drowning.

Thank you

Thank you Daveyboi, I appreciate that.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Unwashed on October 02, 2012, 08:42:09: Quote from: betula on October 02, 2012, 03:42:19
Is it that time already?Feel I have only just finished my Easter Egg LOL

With thousands of wonderful charities around it is hard to choose.

I like gardening and animals but something I would like people to consider is Betty's Allotment cats.It may be a strange choice to some but I think Betty is an amazing lady and she deserves some support. :sunny:
I'm with you there on all counts Betula, and in solidarity with Flighty would also be more thanhappy with Thrive.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Georgie on October 02, 2012, 12:15:26: Thanks Daveyboi. I agreee it makes sense to keep the list to a realistic number :happy7:

Betty, are you saying you don't want to be included in the vote? I think you'd be a very worthy cause (as would many other charities of course).

G x
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Squash64 on October 02, 2012, 13:37:31: Quote from: Georgie on October 02, 2012, 12:15:26
Thanks Daveyboi. I agreee it makes sense to keep the list to a realistic number :happy7:

Betty, are you saying you don't want to be included in the vote? I think you'd be a very worthy cause (as would many other charities of course).

G x

That's very kind of you Georgie but no, I don't want to be included in the vote.

(Just reading the remarks here makes me feel as though I've won anyway!)
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Borlotti on October 02, 2012, 15:25:41: First of all I thought Smile was a great idea, and it is a great charity, but as this is a gardening forum, may change my mind when we have to vote and stay with gardening. Much as I love cats, think the Cats Protection do get a lot of donations from cat mad people, like me. Decisions, decisions, so difficult. Whatever a vote is the best idea, better start saving my loose change. :icon_cat:
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: tomatoada on October 02, 2012, 16:08:47: I will go with the flow. Just tell me how I donate?
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Flighty on October 02, 2012, 16:25:30: Tomatoada once we've voted to see which charity we're supporting this year I'll set up a JustGiving page and start a new thread with all the details on it.
That'll be later this month, and donations will then be accepted until early in the new year.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: pumkinlover on October 02, 2012, 17:33:51: I've decided to go for a gardening choice, with us being a gardening forum it does sort of make sense. Thrive does look good to me too.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: betula on October 02, 2012, 20:02:33: So nice to see people are still keen on our annual appeal.

Betty I do hope you are sure you do not want to be included.You are fully entitled to be considered. :toothy10:

Away we go for another year :blob7:
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: grannyjanny on October 02, 2012, 20:59:08: I'd prefer a gardening one, we donate several times a year to Smile from our charity pot.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on October 03, 2012, 14:48:46: I hope some of our newer members will make some comments on this as well.

I am also thinking of those who were active on this last year and not around much now like Hector who made those wonderful slugs and Stopp who kept us entertained with various bump icons...

And of course I also will miss Grandma
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on October 04, 2012, 23:16:00: Just a bump .... in case any one has missed this
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: cornykev on October 05, 2012, 05:31:52: I'll go with the flow, great to see Betty and Shirl, ( sounds like an 80's pop group) getting a worthwhile mention. :angel11: :angel11:
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on October 05, 2012, 09:33:21: Any more suggestions?

Seems the list for the vote is

Thrive
Green Fingers
Smile
Gardening for Disabled Trust
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on October 07, 2012, 12:05:55: Seems the list for the vote is

Thrive
Green Fingers
Smile
Gardening for Disabled Trust

Everyone happy with the list above ???

If so will set up a poll tomorrow morning.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Squash64 on October 07, 2012, 13:40:49: Quote from: daveyboi on October 07, 2012, 12:05:55
Seems the list for the vote is

Thrive
Green Fingers
Smile
Gardening for Disabled Trust
Everyone happy with the list above ???
If so will set up a poll tomorrow morning.

I'm happy, thanks for doing it Daveyboi.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on October 07, 2012, 15:24:37: :blob7: :blob7: bump
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: manicscousers on October 07, 2012, 15:57:07: Fine by me, thanks :wave:
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Flighty on October 07, 2012, 18:14:45: Fine by me as well.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Georgie on October 07, 2012, 18:34:39: I'm happy. :wave:

Thanks

G x
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: grannyjanny on October 07, 2012, 18:41:59: Another happy person here too :icon_cheers:.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Borlotti on October 07, 2012, 19:18:07: I'm happy too, but will find it a difficult decision as all good charities. But a vote is the best thing, but which do I vote for. :BangHead:
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Poppy Mole on October 07, 2012, 19:34:25: Looks good
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on October 08, 2012, 08:59:20: The poll is now live I hope I got the right list

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,74097.0.html
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on October 18, 2012, 08:57:23: The results of the poll are in with Gardening for Disabled Trust being the winner.
( http://www.gardeningfordisabledtrust.org.uk )

Flighty is now going to contact them and let them know what we are doing.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: betula on October 19, 2012, 09:50:21: Thanks for all the votes. :blob7:
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on October 20, 2012, 10:44:16: Quote from: betula on October 19, 2012, 09:50:21
Thanks for all the votes. :blob7:

Yes indeed thanks everyone ....

In the process of contacting the charity now.

(Betula your inbox is full could you make a little space please)
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: betula on October 21, 2012, 19:46:33: Sorry have not had a message for ages and now I know why LOL

Just read a message from Gandma sent last Christmas when she won a prize.........made me feel a bit sad.Hope she is in Allotment heaven.
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: daveyboi on October 21, 2012, 19:54:52: Indeed I find that sort of message hard to delete so my box is nearly always near full ...
Title: Re: It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )
Post by: Hector on December 26, 2013, 13:35:58: Quote from: daveyboi on October 03, 2012, 14:48:46
I hope some of our newer members will make some comments on this as well.

I am also thinking of those who were active on this last year and not around much now like Hector who made those wonderful slugs and Stopp who kept us entertained with various bump icons...

And of course I also will miss Grandma

thanks for mention Davyboi. happy to make more slugs etc in future. Send me a message if you do as not online much.
happy gardening :)