Latest Blog Posts

Bouncing With Health is an important initiative aimed at promoting the many health benefits of trampolining in particular relation to fighting the ongoing problem of child obesity.  Conceived by Trampled Underfoot Ltd, the UK’s leading supplier of family trampolines,  Bouncing With Health has the full backing of The British Heart Foundation, Britain’s foremost health charity.  Bouncing With Health has also enlisted the support of England cricket captain Andrew Strauss and England rugby captain Lewis Moody, two people who know a thing or two about fitness!

Not only is trampolining fun for children,  it is also a great way of keeping fit. As a heart and lung exercise it is 68% more efficient than jogging and its low impact nature means that it is great for building up bone and muscle in young children.

In 2010 it is estimated that 19% of boys and 22% of girls in England aged 2-15 are obese.

Over the coming months it is hoped that significant funds can be raised for The British Heart Foundation through the Bouncing With Health campaign.  Individuals,  groups and communities are being encouraged to arranged trampoline competitions, bounceathons and even attempt trampolining world records, with sponsorship proceeds all being donated to the British Heart Foundation to help fund their ongoing pioneering work into heart disease.

> > Click here to make a donation to British Heart Foundation

Christian Aid UK will be holding a supported day on Wednesday 20th October 2010, where they will we be handing a letter to David Cameron to remind him of his promise that this Conservative government will be the countries greenest ever. The gathering will be held at Westminster Central Hall and Parliament and will feature iconic civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson as guest speaker.

Reverend Jackson said -

We understand that times are hard, both in the US and the UK, but we are still better off than our neighbours in the developing world. We are reminded that Jesus teaches us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless. Jesus reminds us that when we feast, we should invite the poor and injured. So while we fight for jobs and peace and justice in the US and the UK, we must remember to keep hope alive for our brothers and sisters in Africa, in the Caribbean, in South Asia, and all those in need around the world.

Christian Aid will be asking the Prime Minister to demand that UN climate change talks are put back on track and back deliver a better system for the the world’s poor. Now is the time for change, as if actions are not made soon, it may be too late.

> > Click here to reserve a place at the Supporters Day

Help Christian Aid with a Present Aid Charity Gift

Present Aid gifts represent a donation to Christian Aid’s life changing work in areas of poverty and crisis. So not only will you put a smile on a loved ones face, but you will also be making a big difference to families who need your help.

A charity gift can start from as little as £8 with a huge range to choose from, including -

• A Goat
• Meal for 80 Children
• Can of Worms
• Disaster Kit

Each Present Aid gift comes with a beautiful card illustrating how their choice of present will work in the real world and help transform the lives of poor people worldwide.

It’s the gift that keeps on giving…

> > Click here to order a gift with Present Aid

View other top charity gifts

World Vision UK is asking for your help in demanding U.N leaders ‘Finish the Job’. As part of their global ‘Child Health Now’ campaign, the World Vision childrens charity are calling on world leaders to stand by their stance to halve global poverty by 2015 and fulfil their promises towards achieving their Millennium Development Goals. These eight plans of action were set in place a decade ago, yet many of these goals are way off track, and unless drastic action is taken, will not be achieved.

With the U.N. review in September just around the corner, now is the time for Deputy PM Nick Clegg to stand up and make a stand for the voices of the people of Britain. Now is the time to takes decisive action and ‘Finish the Job’, helping save the lives of up to 6 million children each year.

> > Click here to email your local MP and ‘Finish the Job’

Help World Vision by sponsoring a child

The World Vision Sponsor a Child programme is a great way to give a needy child a real chance of escaping poverty. As part of a long-term program, your continued support enables World Vision to use your donations to build sustainable communities in partnership with the people who live there.

You can provide a child with a better future for just 60p a day – giving them a real chance of escaping poverty. You get to see and feel the difference your support makes directly, through the eyes of your sponsored child and their regular letters and photographs.

> > Click here to sponsor a child with World Vision UK

WWF UK is asking the new Conservative government and the national water companies to ensure water metering is in place in the next 10 years to help the UK’s water crisis. Meters are a very important part of water regulating as levels continue to drop around the country. This summer’s dry weather has seen many water shortages in the south and east of England, and now is the time for the UK government to insist water companies install compulsory meters for customers who live in ‘water scarce’ areas.

Freshwater Policy Officer at WWF UK, Rose Timlett, said -

Not only is the current water charging system unfair and outdated, it is also piling huge pressure on our rivers and their wildlife. One third of our river catchments are facing damage because we are simply taking too much water out of them, a problem that is set to get worse with climate change and a rising population. With the current water shortages across the country, water companies and the Government should be doing all they can to help more households install a water meter.

After last year’s government review into metering and charging, it was strongly recommended that up to 80% of UK homes should be metering by 2020. Yet with only 37% of households currently metered, it is going to take a strong initiative to reach the proposed targets. The 5 year plan being bandied around shows that 50% will be ready by 2015, only half of what is required.

Rose Timlett continued -

The UK remains one of the only European countries where the majority of households do not pay for water on the basis of what they use. We pay for most things by what we use, as it seems the fairest way, so it is ludicrous that most households have no idea how much water they are using and how much water – and money- they could potentially be saving. Universal metering will lead to better awareness and understanding of water use by the householder, but also better understanding of water demand by the water companies and more innovative demand reduction schemes.

Help WWF UK with a Charity Gift

The WWF is a non profit organisation who can only sustain their tireless work in saving the planet and its inhabitants through donations. You can help raise funds through the WWF Adopt an Animal scheme.

From as little as £3 a month you receive a certificate, a print of your animal, a greetings card, and a soft toy that would make a fantastic charity gift for a loved one.

> > Click here to Adopt an Animal with WWF UK

View other top charity gifts

UNICEF UK‘s latest child initiative, Put it Right, is being launched alongside this hard hitting video. Accompanied by the haunting Radiohead track ‘Videotape’, taken from 2007 album ‘In Rainbows’, this emotional sequence of footage shows some of the hardships that children all over the world are facing on a day to day basis.

UNICEF is working in more than 190 countries across the globe to help protect the rights of children who are living on the streets and begging for survival. Children deserve to have the same rights across the globe, and thanks to UNICEF’s tireless work offering them long term support and life saving help, a change can be made…

but they need your support to make a lasting difference.

Help Support UNICEF UK with a Charity Gift

You can help raise funds with UNICEF Inspired Gifts. Presents start at just £8, and for a little as £16 you could buy a virtual charity gift like five footballs for children in refugee camps. There are so many to choose from, and these thoughtful gifts would make an ideal present for a loved one…

it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

> > click here to purchase a UNICEF UK Inspired Gift

Other top charity gifts

Fame Academy and Pop Idol vocal coach to the stars Carrie Grant recently visiting a new community development project in India with World Vision UK. Ms. Grant will be visiting the Vaishali project in the North Eastern state of Bihar, where Carrie will see how the childrens charity are working to help improve the health of the locals community who live in this impoverished area.

Whilst in India, Carrie will be talking to a local women’s self help group, who have created the opportunity to start small businesses in the area to provide for their children. Carrie will also be watching a local street theatre group who highlight the important health message that need to be conveyed to the locals. Many children in the area are facing severe health problems, with malnutrition causing at least one third of child deaths in the area. Ms. Grant will also be meeting with the staff and patients at the only community health centre in the area, which has to serve an unbelievable 78,000 people!

Carrie said -

I’m very excited to be visiting Vaishali. It’s a fairly new project for World Vision, so it’ll be interesting to see how things are taking off. I know World Vision grounds its work in grassroots cooperation and I’m a great believer in community – it’ll be good to meet the people and learn how the local experts are moving forward day to day.

Carrie, who is best known for her work on talent shows such as Fame Academy and Pop Idol, will be presenting a new World Vision event called ‘Girls Night Out’. These events, which start in the Autumn, are a new initiative to entertain whilst sharing stories about World Vision’s partnerships with women who live in developing countries.

The first Girls Night Out will take place at St Mary’s Church in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, on Friday 10th September 2010, with further dates around the country to follow.

Help World Vision by sponsoring a child

The World Vision Sponsor a Child programme is a great way to give a needy child a real chance of escaping poverty. As part of a long-term program, your continued support enables World Vision to use your donations to build sustainable communities in partnership with the people who live there.

You can provide a child with a better future for just 60p a day – giving them a real chance of escaping poverty. You get to see and feel the difference your support makes directly, through the eyes of your sponsored child and their regular letters and photographs.

> > Click here to sponsor a child with World Vision UK

The MicroLoan Foundation has just launched their Pennies for Life campaign, which is asking the general public to donate pennies and not pounds to extend their life changing work with women in some of poorest countries in the world. It’s really easy to get involved and help raise funds for people who need it the most, with just £25 helping women to start their own business and lift themselves out of poverty. There are 3 main ways you can donate -

• Donate 1p to Pennies for life every time you tweet on Twitter or update your status on Facebook
• Donate 1p for every item you purchase from a Pennies for Life partner
• Make a single cash donation

The MicroLoan Foundation is a UK based charity that provides small loans, business education and support to impoverished women in Africa. These loans help to provide the recipient with a chance to work their own way out of poverty and develop a sustainable livelihood for themselves and their families. 99% of all the loans are then repaid, with the money then being re-used to help even more women who are in desperate need of help.

CEO & Founder of the MicroLoan Foundation, Peter Ryan, said -

We’re really excited to have developed a new a way for people to give. By harnessing the power of social media, we want to create a culture in which giving becomes a part of everyday life. Even if only a tiny fraction of Twitter and Facebook users donate a penny each time they update their status, we can engage hundreds of thousands of people to make a massive difference for poor women and their families in Africa.

So if you think you could help raise funds for this worthwhile cause, why not sign up today and start helping those who need it the most.

> > More information on Pennies For Life

UNICEF UK think it’s time to tell Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to prioritise the world’s poorest children at the latest U.N. meeting in September 2010. With only 5 years to achieve the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were set by the U.N. 10 years ago, if real action is not taken soon it could have a catastrophic effect on billions of people across the globe.

UNICEF UK has devised an interesting and innovative animation, where you can hear David Cameron and Nick Clegg talking about children’s rights ahead of the meeting. Simply click on the link below to ‘Spin the Unfair Wheel’

> > Click here to Spin the Unfair Wheel

With millions of children across the globe still not having access to safe water and proper sanitation now is the time for the U.N to act. With up to 1.5  million children dying from diarrhoea related diseases every year, our British representatives must stand up for what they believe in and make sure the eight Millennium Development Goals are properly implemented before it’s too late.

Click on the link below to sign UNICEF petition to ask the UK government to ensure a fairer future for the world’s children.

> > Click here to sign the petition

Help Support UNICEF UK with a Charity Gift

You can help raise funds with UNICEF Inspired Gifts. Presents start at just £8, and for a little as £16 you could buy a virtual charity gift like five footballs for children in refugee camps. There are so many to choose from, and these thoughtful gifts would make an ideal present for a loved one…

it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

> > click here to purchase a UNICEF UK Inspired Gift

Other top charity gifts

All new RSPB membership orders now come with a copy of the excellent Nature Guide activity book absolutely free when ordering online before the end of Tuesday 31st August 2010. This great book is jam packed with interesting activities, facts, and great photos. When you order an RSPB membership online, not only will you get this free gift (or you can choose the RSPB Handbook of British Birds if you prefer), but you also receive -

• Free welcome pack with ‘Things to do’ and ‘Places to go’ booklets
• Free entry to over 100 beautiful nature reserves
• Free quarterly magazine full of wildlife articles and news

Plus a children’s membership also features -

• Colourful kids’ membership packs to suit each child’s age group
• Free magazines every two months
• Free gift for each child tailored to suit their age group

An RSPB membership is a great way for the young, and old, to learn more about the amazing and beautiful wildlife that inhabit the British Isles. Plus with over 100 nature reserves to choose from, you’ll never get bored of discovering new and exciting places to study and explore.

> > Click here to order an RSPB membership today

Kenco Coffee will be holding the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support on Friday 24th September 2010. Over two million people are expected to take part this year, with the event expected to raise £8.3million to help Macmillan’s ambition to improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer in the UK.

By registering for the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning not only will you be helping to provide funds for a worthwhile health charity, but also getting the chance to means win the opportunity of TV favourite Ben Fogle serving coffee and cakes at your soiree! Kenco will also be donating 5p directly to Macmillan for every special stickered 200g jar of Kenco Smooth, Rich or Decaff, as well as providing coffee in every registration pack.

Toby Smart, Brand Manager for Kenco, said -

At Kenco, our mission is to make a positive difference with every cup so we’re delighted to be able to partner with Macmillan for the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning 2010 as it’s a natural fit. By providing quality coffee to the thousands of people organising coffee mornings across the country, we’re hoping to make it easier for more people to get involved and to add a little bit more flavour to the experience.

Last year, coffee morning hosts helped raise an amazing £7.9 million for people living with cancer, and this year Macmillan are hoping to raise even more. Simply click on the link below to find out more information about how you can help and also some interesting ideas and tips to ensure you’re event goes with a swing.

Ben Fogle said -

It’s an honour to be working alongside Macmillan and Kenco to help raise valuable funds for those affected by cancer. The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is a great chance to have fun and get together with friends, family or colleagues in September. Whatever you do and however you do it, every coffee morning counts.

> > Click here for more info on the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning