Marmalade Trust reaches out to elderly people who don't have anyone to spend Christmas Day with. Volunteers pick them up and take them to a restaurant to enjoy a big Christmas party. They will be able to chat to others, have a proper roast dinner and get a present to take home. 

The Marmalade Trust is an offshoot of Contact the Elderly, a great charity that takes lonely and isolated older people out for a tea party every month. I'm a driver for the South Bristol group and we have a great time.

One of the ladies in my CTE group asked me in September if Marmalade was running again this year. I doubt many people are planning their Christmas lunch that early but when you don't have anyone to share it with, it must be a worry that sets in as soon as the shops put out their early festive displays. Last year this lady was let down by some friends at the very last minute and, as many people would be, she was too embarrassed to call me on Christmas Day so I don't think she saw anyone. I really don't want this to happen to her again, or to anyone else. So it is important to get the Marmalade Trust profile raised and to make sure they have the funds to pay for the parties. 

I've been thinking of what I could do to raise some money this year, and then I thought of the people who have been asking me what I'd like for Christmas and birthday presents. I honestly don't need anything, I've just done a massive declutter and don't want people buying me things just for the sake of 'having something to open'. So if anyone was planning to buy me a gift, I would much prefer they gave a donation to Marmalade instead. 

If you feel the same, please feel free to share a link to this page and ask you're family and friends not to buy you another toiletry set or novelty socks and donate to this worthy cause instead! 

I'll still try to do a cake baking fundraising event too so watch this space! 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.