insideKENT Magazine Issue 46 - January 2016 | Page 134

CHARITY
a charitable new year’s resolution cont.

Visit an Older Person,
or Help Out a Younger One
Do you have an elderly neighbour, friend, or
relative who could do with a helping hand?
Whether it’s a bit of gardening, some housework,
picking up the weekly shop, or just popping in
for a cup of tea and a chat, it’s good to know
someone is out there willing to spend some time
with those who are on their own. You can even
join local organisations (or regional ones, if that
suits, such as Age UK) who will pair you up with
an elderly person who you can visit and give
them something to smile about.
At the other end of the spectrum, young adults
and teenagers can often do with a helping hand
too. If there is a local youth club or after school
club, or Scouts or Guides locally, why not
volunteer to help out? And if there isn’t, how
about getting a group together to start one? It’ll
do wonders for the kids’ self-esteem knowing
there are people out there who want to see them
succeed.

Donate To A Food Bank
We’ve all over indulged at Christmas. We all
spent too much. We all feel a bit guilty… probably.
So why not start the new year in the right way
and donate any food you’re not going to be able
to eat to your local food bank? There will be one,
they are opening up all the time as the need is
so great.
Get Sponsored
Doing something out of the ordinary and getting
sponsored for it is a great way of helping out a
charity or local cause. It could be a fun (or not
so fun) run, a sponsored silence, waxing, a head
shave, sky-diving, the old favourite of sitting in
a bath of beans… It doesn’t matter what, you
can do whatever makes you feel good, as you’ll
be making money to help those who need it
most whilst indulging in a bit of fun.
Make Money
Speaking of making money, if your house is
heaving with bits and bobs after Christmas that
you just don’t need (even unwanted gifts), have
you considered setting up a charity auction on
eBay? It works in the same way as when you
sell something for yourself, but you can specify
which charity the money is to go to. You’ll be

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doing something good and clearing your house
of clutter at the same time. If not eBay, what
about a garage sale or table-top market? Get
friends together, hire a hall, advertise, sell teas
and coffees and cakes, and raise money for
charity. Another option is a charity fundraiser –
a ball, disco, a fancy dinner… whatever works,
and whatever makes people buy tickets, that’s
what you need to do. It may take a bit of
organising, but the payoff is huge.
Be Kind
This one is less about charity and more about
the world in general. Be kind. It’s a simple phrase,
but it’s not practised enough. If you see someone
– anyone – struggling, help them. Help someone
cross the road, help them carry something heavy,
let someone out in traffic, hold a door open,
smile… It makes all the difference. Take it further
and check out www.payitforwarduk.net. This
worldwide movement is all about doing nice
things for strangers, and simple asking them to
‘pay it forward’ (ie do the same for someone
else) in return. It’s a beautiful and inspiring
message and we can always do with more beauty
and inspiration in the world.