This year’s charities and causes

‘Tis the season to be merry: wishing you a joyous but restful festive season, and a happy and fulfilling 2017.

A huge thank-you to all of the businesses, social enterprises and organisations which have chosen to work with me this year. It’s been a great privilege to work with such a superb mixture of people, with a great commitment to doing what you do, really well.

It’s also the season of giving and of appreciation, and this December, the charities and causes that I have supported are:

• Burton Street Foundation – working with people of all ages with learning and physical disabilities; providing facilities and services to 3000 people
• MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières)  – an independent international medical humanitarian organisation working in over 60 countries providing medical care where the need is greatest
• Roundabout Homeless Charity and The Cathedral Archer Project – supporting homeless and vulnerable people in Sheffield
• Save the Elephants – helping to defend elephants against ivory poachers and traffickers
• WaterAid – bringing clean, safe water and sanitation to people around the world, transforming lives

If you’re interested in why I’ve chosen the above (do check out their websites) it’s because of the profound impact of the work they do. Some of the other organisations I have supported in 2016 include:

• NSPCC (monthly donation)
• Greenpeace (annual donation)
• KMEGA – support for micro entrepreneurs in Kenya via a one-off donation
• Maggie’s Story (Malawi), via a one-off donation
• Oxfam GB
• The Really NEET Project, via my sponsorship for Johnny Pawlik’s fundraising
• Rotherham Hospice (a client), via my sponsorship for Chris Duff’s fundraising
• Roundabout, via my sponsorship for Sarah Steel’s fundraising
• Sense, via my sponsorship for Team Happy Feet’s fundraising
• Supporting entrepreneurs in Gaza, via a donation to Elizabeth Shassere and Laura Bennett
• Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, via my sponsorship for Anne Wilson’s participation in Funny Business

Whatever your plans for Christmas and the Festive season, I hope you enjoy yourself – and wish you a wonderful 2017.