Post pals - brighten up a childs day

[Schmushe]

I was recently sent the link to this website, which my friends daughter is actually a member of, and it has touched my heart and wanted to share it with others in the hope that more people would be interested too.

Basically Post pals is a website for children in the UK who are ill, for whatever reason, Cancer, Cysic Fibrosis - etc.. (to name a small few). And the idea is, each child has their own profile page, telling you about them and what they like, what illness they have etc..
and what you do is you send a card, a post card or a little gift to them (and their siblings if you want) (it is all done through another address to protect confidentiality), to help brighten up their day.

Many of the children get little / no visitors due to their condition, and it helps families to realise there are people that care about them and help them through the tough times.

Gifts dont need to be anything huge, one child was sent some stars which cost 3p from a shop, and they were going through chemo at the time and the stars helped take their mind off the pain! Another was sent a 10p bouncy ball, and they decided a fairy lived in it. You can send your name and address but dont expect a reply for obvious reasons but some do reply.

All the info is on the website, and like I said it doesnt have to be anything huge, maybe a postcard from when you go on your holidays (there are tips on the site on what not to write and tips on how to word things), or a few photos of your crazy cat jumping over something......it all helps a child take their mind off being ill for a while.

So please show your support for this worthwhile cause......http://www.postpals.co.uk/find.php

Alternativley, if your child could benefit from a website like this, there are options to join.

[weezypops]

Great idea!

[Jenn]

This is a lovely idea!

I will forward this round to all the Scout Groups in the area.

It's something that I am going to take down to our Scouts and encourage them to participate!

[Schmushe]

Excellent - the more people we can get involved in this the better.

Obviously the older age groups would prefer letters and the younger tend to like presents lol - but even if the scouts wrote about something to a 7 year old for example, it would make them feel part of it all and let them share in the experiences.

[Fundraiser]

Wow, what a fantastic idea and website, thanks for making me aware of it Schmushe.

I have just placed a contact request to them to see if I can set up a fundraising group for them with www.simplyfundraising.co.ukI can think of nothing better to use the free donations I make when out shopping to making the lives of these children more bareable.

If anyone else wants to get involved, please post details here, or take a look at the website. It works the same as school vouchers for shopping, but in so many more places and raises a lot more money!
I have raised over £60 in 3 months so far for the Essex Air Ambulance, by doing nothing more than shooping at the supermarket and putting fuel in the car.