As the dreaded ‘C’ word rears its festive head, Loraine Gostling reminds us that C also stands for Charity

The ‘C’ word is just around the corner and, for the past couple of weeks on Javea Connect, the annual appeals have started to help those whose lives do not have the same twinkly, fairy-lit, jingly-bell excitement as ours when dreaming of December 25.

The group has been full of posts asking for everything from toothbrushes to mobile phones.

The problem is: how does everyone get their share of support? 

I must admit, I don’t have the answer to this, but what I do know is one particular group of hard working volunteers have not had any social media presence at all. 

I am talking about the Cruz Roja or, as we Brits know them, the Red Cross.

This year, they lost their only real British fundraiser, a lovely lady called Sandy Tsalikidis. 

Sandy would work day and night, making sure every local child whose family is on the poverty line received at least one present of their choosing (up to a value of €25,00).

Unfortunately, Sandy had to return to the UK and the Red Cross appeal has disappeared. So, after a request from Sandy, we have pulled something out of the Christmas Sack and organised a fundraising night at SeeMontgo, Javea, on December 19th.

We will have a fun quiz, perhaps a few games of Bingo and a raffle. If you can make it, please do, or if you wish, please consider a donation via Santander Bank, Account No. 0049 3894 95 2814217469, quoting Sandy’s Christmas 2019 Appeal.

I cannot end this week’s column without mentioning all the other appeals going on right now, as there are so many people working their stockings off to make Christmas sparkle for others. .

If you wish to give a little, or a lot, please look on the Javea Connect group where, you will find how to help several charitable associations such as Make a Smile, It’s All About the Children, The Fransican Shelter for Men in Gandia, and the Women’s Refuge in Pedreguer. If you need more information, please email me at [email protected].

Thanks for reading the rather more serious column this week, and rest assured I will be back in a fortnight with something a little punnier!