10 things on the 10th

As I sat looking around my desk for inspiration for 10 things on the 10th I realised I had a number of commitments to charity and voluntary work around me and this got me thinking about all the good things I do over the year. Plus I've had a bit of a nightmare week at work and this post reminds me about the balance in life and how it's good to put something back :)

So here are the 10 charities I am actively involved with...

1. The school PTA - recently registered as a charity although I have been involved since Alex started there in 2003. Here are some of the lovely mum's after our "Coffee, cakes and carols" event for the senior citizens in the village last December.

2. World Vision - I have been sponsoring Stephen since Josh was born in 2001. He lives in Kenya and I hear from him a few times a year. A simple thing to do for the price of a small direct debit each month.
3. Scouting - Josh has recently moved up to scouts and although I am not involved heavily I ahve always been ready to be a parent helper and volunteer at cub camp. Scouting is such a brilliant organisation for giving boys and girls an active life and new experiences.

4. Sport relief - I always end up buying bits for Comic Relief and Sport Relief in the supermarket but this year, inspired by The Great Sport Relief Bake Off on TV, myself and a colleague are organising a bake sale on the 23rd March at work. Hopefully we will raise a good amount for this fantastic cause.

5. Pink Booby Crop - This is a fantastic event organised by some lovely scrappers and happens only a few miles from me. We shop, scrap, eat and chat and makes lots of money for Breast Cancer Care whilst doing so! Pink Booby 7 is scheduled for the 13th October this year so get on over to UKS and join Golborne Scrappers if you live in the North West and want to go!

6. Breast Cancer Care - Ok I know I have this on twice now really but I also help every year at Josh's school with Strawberry Tea in June. The choir sing and the orchestra play, we bake loads of yummy strawberry cakes and pavlovas and it is always well attended by the school mum's, friends and senior citizens. This summer will be my last one as Josh moves up to high school in the Autumn and once again I will be doing it in memory of my friend, Gill.
7. British Sjogrens Syndrome Association - I have just started selling cards at work for the BSSA using my scraps and older stash. I decided all money I received would go to this charity as my Mum was diagnosed with it in 2010. You can read more about it here. It's work in progress but the fund raising is going well so far!
8. Girlguiding UK - This is one that I am very involved with as a guider for a Brownie unit in the village. I guess this is the one that makes me feel like I am really making a difference as I am not giving money but my time. It's so sad when I hear stories from friends around the UK saying they have no units where they live or the wait list is so long. All it takes is an hour a week and you could make a difference to girls in your area. Read all about how to volunteer here.

9. Mwanjati Village School Trust - Once a month we have a cake stall at Josh's primary school to raise funds for this fabulous project. It came about several years ago when one of the students asked the school to help build a school in Malawi where her grandad was the village elder. Since then we have built the school, added a second classroom and supplied football kits and equipment. The Trust pays for two teachers and the school now means that many children do not have to face a walk of several miles each day to get to school. All I do to help is bake some cakes!

10. Anthony Nolan - This is the last, but my no means the least, of my 10 charities. I don't do anything for this one except be on the register. I've done that for the last 14 years. I was called up a few years back to have further tests to be a match but sadly the donation never went ahead. I hope one day I may be able save someone's life. Could you be a match for someone out there? Find out how to get on the donor register at the Anthony Nolan website.

So that's my round up this month. I hope you forgive my for my self indulgence in sharing these this month and maybe there is something in the list that inspires you to go out and make a difference or maybe you already are :)

You can see more 10 things on the 10th and play along at Shimelle's blog

Take care and thanks for stopping by.