It is that time of year again (Betula's Good Idea time )

[daveyboi]

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.

[daveyboi]

[Jeannine]

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

[tomatoada]

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.

[pumkinlover]

I think it would be a good choice.

[daveyboi]

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

[manicscousers]

I'm in, I'll have a think, my mum in law used to donate quite big amounts to smile 

[Borlotti]

I'm in for Smile.  Good idea.

[Squash64]

Count me in too please.  I will go along with whatever the majority decide.

[rosebud]

 Yes count me in.  Jeannine, that is a very good idea its a very worthy cause.

[pumkinlover]

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.

[Flighty]

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.

[goodlife]

How about Gardening for Disabled Trust... http://www.gardeningfordisabledtrust.org.uk/index.html ?

[shirlton]

I would prefer to donate to a gardening charity

[Flighty]

Goodlife that's a good suggestion.

Shirlton I agree.

[Poppy Mole]

Count me in if it's a gardening charity.

[Georgie]

I'd prefer a gardening charity too - it's in keeping with the forum I reckon :)

G x

[lottie lou]

When does the shortlist go up for us to decide?

[daveyboi]

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.

How about Gardening for Disabled Trust... http://www.gardeningfordisabledtrust.org.uk/index.html ?

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

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.

[manicscousers]

I lie the look of that charity, Goodlife 

[daveyboi]

Any more ideas?

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