We have all heard of the saying “Charity begins at home, but for many of us, it doesn’t mean that. The saying comes from The phrase Thomas Fuller,” a British clergyman and historian from the 17th century and has often been misinterpreted. He didn’t mean that we should only help those near us, but we should extend charity.
Thankfully, for many of us, this is not the case. Over the years I have given up my time or expertise to help others in need, whether to raise money for charity or volunteering my time. I have helped Children in Need, Barnardos, The Elizabeth Refuge Trust, Birmingham Hospice, Cancer Research and most recently running our community Christmas Carol walk.
Christmas is a particularly hard time for charities as many households’ finances are stretched. Many people will be sleeping rough and in the bitter cold this Christmas with no food, including families. Having experienced this as a boy when my mother and sister were made homeless I would not wish it on anyone.
There are many ways you can give this year.
- Donate to charity
- Invite someone who is on their own for Christmas dinner
- Share someone’s social media story on an event they are doing for charity
There are many things you can do which does not cost money or take up too much time and remember charity is all year round not just at Christmas.
I would like to highlight Nick Bracey who will be sleeping rough this January to help the homeless CLICK HERE and say thank you to Geoff Smith, who raised hundreds of pounds with his Charity Quiz and jumping out of an aeroplane this year. These are just some of the things members are doing for charity.