Each year we donate our Christmas card budget to a local charity instead of sending out cards in the post. For the last two years we have run an enterprise project at a local primary school, providing each child with £5 to put to use in a mini business. The project has been a great success and last year it generated over £1,200 for school funds as well as providing valuable learning experiences for the children. From personalised tea towels to log reindeer and tree decorations to dog treats, the children’s ideas are fantastic.
Although we will be running the project again this academic year, it has been deferred until the summer term so that the children’s efforts can be showcased at their annual summer fair.
With summer still a way off we wanted to make a Christmas donation to another charity project and we have chosen to support the refurbishment of Muddy Lane Community Playground in Meare.
The playground is much loved and well used but is in desperate need of refurbishment. Many of the timbers are rotting and a recent survey of the site suggests that within 12 months a number of items of equipment will become unsafe and need to be disposed of which would be a disaster.
Play is an essential part of every child’s life and is vital for the enjoyment of childhood as well as social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. More than just a place for the children, the playground provides a community space where members of the public can interact and meet new people.
Find Peace of Mind asked for your support in voting for the playground refurbishment as part of the Aviva Community Fund earlier in the year. Here is a link to the project video in case you didn’t see it at the time. Unfortunately the project didn’t make it through to the final round of judging so it still needs support. We hope that our Christmas donation will give the project a boost so that essential renovation works can be carried out in 2017.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish you a joyful holiday season and a healthy and prosperous 2017.