Today Christmas began for la famille Beaufoix as we attended the Fountaindale Christmas Fayre. Fountaindale is a Specialist SEN school in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire and my sister-in-law, Helen, works there. It provides education for pupils aged 3 to 19 who have severe learning difficulties, disabilities and multiple needs. It’s always a very humbling experience as there are children there who can move no more than a finger, or who will not live past their teenage years, but the atmosphere in that place is always one of welcome and fun and life.
This is where Miss E and M see Santa each year and have their photo taken. Today Miss E clambered onto Santa’s knee and reeled off a list of ‘wants’ (not too long a list thank Bob), but Miss M peered from behind me but chose to hold her sister’s hand in the photo rather than going near the funny man in red. She was really quite worried but I think she’ll be ok with him bringing her prezzies.
Whenever I visit this place it always gets me thinking. I mean, these kids are just like my kids. They were wanted, they were born, their parents are no different to me and Mr B, but for some reason they and their families were given this load to bear, this pain, this fear, this loss, and it always gets me thinking about all the people out there who are having, well frankly a bit of a shit time. I know I don’t normally swear here but I think that’s the right word.
I got an email this week from a lady called Tessa Cuniffe asking me to remind parents out there about this;
1 UNICEF Tetanus Vac..She says:
I’m working on behalf of Pampers who have teamed up with UNICEF in a bid to eliminate maternal and newborn tetanus by 2012. This may be something your readers might be interested in…
It’s a great campaign and has a really worthwhile and achievable goal. It encourages mums, dads and families or anyone who can to host small events in support of the campaign.
Earlier this month Salma Hayek officially launched the ‘1 pack = I vaccine’ campaign, whereby every pack of Pampers nappies bought in the UK means that the funding for a vaccine against tetanus is donated to UNICEF.
The campaign involves a regional fundraising drive and encouraging people to host events all across the UK like bring and buy sales, fun runs or coffee mornings, with proceeds going towards tetanus vaccines. BIG or small, it all helps make a difference! Pampers will also visit eight regional events and match the amounts raised by the top event.
Perhaps you could help us by encouraging others to get involved or providing a link to the website. Even talking about it will help the cause. Pampers has produced special fundraising packs for people to order to be posted to them, people can call 0207 395 7133 to request a pack. The idea is to encourage bake sales or non uniform days…in short anything that could raise money for the cause and help eliminate tetanus faster.
For more information or fundraising ideas please or get in touch or visit www.pampers.co.uk and click on the banner to learn more and take part.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Wonderful post .. Jo, I am going to see if Protor & Gamble have a similar set up for Pampers here in the US …
That’s a great cause!
We are taking the grandchildren on the Santa Express Steam Train on the East Lancs Railway next week. When I told Gracie she looked very pensive and said
“I don’t want Sant to look at me Nanna, will you tell him not to look at me please?”
What goes through their minds?
It does make you think. Thanks for reminding us.
Daryl I think they do. And you can always just donate to UNICEF. It breaks your heart doesn’t it?
Akela I know. I suppose it’s a big red stranger in funny clothes, so they’re just wary. It’s probably a good thing in a away.
Susanna, I always come away from there very thoughtful and I have to squeeze my kids.
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