Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, has launched a range of fundraising activities to bring festive cheer, including the return of its popular Christmas Treecycling service, sponsored by Maidmans Removals, Waste Management Facilities, and Keyfort Limited.
Bookings are now open to have your tree collected between Saturday 9 and Monday 11 January 2021, across postcodes within the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation. The service has been revamped to ensure operations are COVID-friendly for the volunteers collecting the trees, and the collections will remain contactless.
Naomi Richards, fundraising officer, commented: “If there are any family or work bubbles out there with access to a van, then it would be great to hear from you, as we’d love for you to get involved with the collection weekend. Every precaution is being taken to ensure the safety of our volunteers over the weekend, and we are regularly reviewing plans as the situation develops.”
Following on from the #GrowTogether campaign in the spring, the charity has also launched a range of baubles which can be sent as a kind gesture to close family and friends, the people that Diverse Abilities support, and local care home residents. For £6, plus postage, your recipient will be sent a pair of baubles, one designed by an adult supported by Diverse Abilities, and another by a volunteer. There are two sets available, with two different designs in each set. All proceeds will go towards supporting those with disabilities in Dorset this Christmas.
Naomi continued: “Our #GrowTogether campaign was a great opportunity to send seeds of hope at the beginning of lockdown, and it was lovely to see everyone sharing their pictures of sunflower and sweet peas as they bloomed.
“We wanted to do something similar to this for Christmas, as it’s the time of year to let people know that they are in your thoughts, especially when you may be unable to see them. We also have the opportunity again for people to choose to send a pair of baubles to someone they don’t know, as we loved being able to send some hope to local care homes and to the people we support with our last campaign.”
The baubles are handmade by a local business, Life in Layers, with designs etched into wood and hung on white, festive ribbon.
Diverse Abilities has also launched a range of Christmas jumpers as part of its fundraising efforts for the season. Four designs are available for children and adults retailing from £20 to £25, plus postage, inspired by traditional knitted jumpers, wreaths, and the charity’s services.
Visit diverseabilities.org.uk/trees to book your Christmas tree collection, or diverseabilities.org.uk/the-christmas-store to see the products available.