CHARITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

So, here at totes we like to get involved when it comes to community and charity projects. As you can imagine, we're always on the list for local schools and organisations when a raffle prize (or ten!) is needed and, of course, we try to help as far as we can - there's a lot of lucky raffle winners sporting totes socks, slippers and umbrellas in the Essex area, that's for sure! Over the last year or so we've been approached by many groups, all of whom are working hard for very worthwhile causes and whilst we can't help everyone, here's just a taster of what we've been able to do:

Macmillan Cancer Support

Friday 28th September 2018 saw us once again throw open the doors of our Billericay showroom to hold our 7th Macmillan Coffee Morning with staff, friends and family baking and donating for this incredible cause - and one that is very close to our hearts. After far too much cake had been consumed and the raffle, supported by many generous local businesses, had been drawn we were absolutely delighted to send Macmillan a cheque for £651.20. Just take a look at some of the mouth watering treats that were on offer! We took a year off this year but were pleased to support others in their fundraising efforts instead, including the Pre-Assessment Department at Sunderland Royal Hospital, and a wonderful trio of ladies - Lynn, Jane and Vicki, (you know who you are!) who have taken it upon themselves to run various fundraising events in their local area of Rochdale.

Chickenshed

In March this year, the wonderful Chickenshed Theatre (https://www.chickenshed.org.uk/ put on their show "100% Chance of Rain" which tackled, to quote Chickenshed, one of the most urgent and pervasive issues of our time: mental health amongst young people. This thought-provoking and inspiring piece of theatre show-cased the amazing work that this theatre company does every day and we were proud to be involved with them again by donating lots of brollies for the stage set - you're very welcome Chickenshed.

Lennox Children's Cancer Fund

Our lovely staff always respond well to the appeals we receive from this Essex-based charity and at least a couple of times a year we raise money for them by running one of their 50:50 lucky number boards. Lennox is staffed by an amazing group of people doing some incredible work - take a look at what they're up to at the moment: http://www.lennoxccf.org.uk/

Easter Egg Appeals

We love a challenge! For the last two years in the run up to Easter, our Board Room has turned into chocolate heaven with staff donating Easter Eggs towards Quattro Recruitment's and Noble Recruitment's Easter Egg Appeals. All the deliciously tempting goodies collected are then distributed to local children's wards and hospices - putting smiles on lots of faces, that's for certain!

Only A Pavement Away

This brilliant charity initiative is the brainchild of Gill and Greg Mangham who describe Only A Pavement Away as "the charity for the employment of vulnerable people into careers in the hospitality industry". The initial focus was on helping homeless people and those sleeping rough or being forced to "sofa surf" and has now expanded to include vulnerable veterans, ex-offenders and those with learning difficulties. From October 2019 we'll be donating as many socks and gloves as we can in support of the charity's Winter Warmth campaign; our staff are also on board and busy sorting through their wardrobes for sleeping bags, duvets, coats and other warm clothing for donation and our merchandising team will be filling and handing out re-usable mugs to the vulnerable and homeless in their areas. https://onlyapavementaway.co.uk/

Chemotherapy Care Packs

A lovely lady called Sherine contacted us earlier this year from her home in Wakefield - despite having received a cancer diagnosis herself, she was inspired to give others who were also on a chemo journey a bit of a boost by putting together some thoughtful care packs containing various pampering goodies. We were delighted to despatch lots of cosy totes socks and, as you can see, Sherine was able to distribute fabulous care packages through her chemotherapy unit.