Shelves in stores are slowly filling with gifts, cards and wrapping paper as the nation heads full steam towards the season of giving and receiving.
But here at The Myton Hospices, Christmas takes on a much more poignant meaning.
Many patients and their families will be facing what will most likely be their last Christmas together – doing all they can to make sure every moment of every day is as special as it can be – and rightfully trying to embrace the yuletide magic to help them create special, everlasting memories.
Which is why the season of goodwill is even more important to us.
We rely almost entirely on the support of the local community across Coventry and Warwickshire to fund the amazing work we do, having to raise a staggering £9.6million each year to run our three hospices in Coventry, Rugby and Warwick, our patient and family support services and our community services through Myton at Home.
This Christmas we are appealing to all our fellow Chamber members to help us continue this work, to dig deep and support us in any way you can.
And there are many ways you can do this.
Our seasonal fundraising drive beings with #GivingTuesday on November 27 where we join charities across the world in trying to raise as much money as is humanly possible in just 24 hours.
Last year we raised an amazing £6,140 – almost enough to fund an inpatient bed for two weeks.
This year, with your help, we are hoping to raise even more.
Hot on the heels of #GivingTuesday is our Festive Fridays campaign – a fun and easy way for every business and every office to help Myton.
We are looking for people to get into the Christmas spirit by wearing a festive jumper, flashing tie, sparkly earrings (or anything else suitably festive) on a day of your choosing in the run up to Christmas - it doesn’t even have to be a Friday.
To help you make the most of your day we have created a Festive Friday pack, which you can download from our website (hard copies on request) and which contain a festive quiz, decorations, baking recipes and much more.
This December, we are aiming to raise £11,000 through people celebrating Festive Fridays, which could fund the cost of running our Inpatient Units in Coventry and Warwick for one day.
You could also remember a loved one through our Light up a Life services at all of our hospices; dedicate a light on one of the magnificent trees at our hospices and take part in the remembrance services.
Last, but most definitely not least, is our annual Santa Dash – the perfect excuse to dress up like Father Christmas and run, jog or walk 5k for the cause.
This year’s fun-for-all-the-family event takes place on Saturday 9th December at Victoria Park in Leamington Spa.
So why not join the hundreds of fellow Santas and help us raise £38,000 for our hospices?!
Finally, if taking part in any of the above events is not for you, but you would still like to support The Myton Hospices this Christmas, you can make a straight-forward donation via our website or by calling us on 01926 358387.
Details of all the above events and how you can sign up can be found on the website – www.mytonhospice.org
Thank you in advance – and wishing you a very merry Christmas from everyone at The Myton Hospices.
