The 7 year old chugger in our midst

Righto, this post is going to be a bit odd (read hypocritical) bearing in mind the last one I just uploaded but I need to get it off my chest.
Since my kid started primary school there have been quite a few times where we as parents are asked to donate money - cake sales, spring/christmas/summer fairs, magicians coming in, kids going off to plays, kids going off to museums, kids reading aloud, kids dressing up, kids growing flowers. There are even sponsorship forms for her to get more people roped in which is hard as we do not have any close friends or relatives in the town. The requests are endless. This year seems to have been particularly bad as there has been one request after another for donations. The final straw was yesterday when we found a letter in her bag asking for £6 for a Roman day - a guy is going to come in dressed like a Roman and show the kids a lot about Romans.
I am so glad we only have one child as if we had more, there is no way we could afford all these constant requests for money. And when at the teacher evening last night, we asked kiddo's teacher what happens to the kids whose parents don't pay, the teacher had no response. Which implies that they expect all the parents to pay. I know for a fact that some of the parents are struggling financially and this is pressure that they will not need. I also know it's these parents who will try their hardest to find the money.
Whilst I don't want my daughter to miss out on any activities I'm not really sure that turning her into a chugger is teaching her anything about charitable giving. For e.g. kiddo now hates all Cancer charities except McMillan as that's the one the school supports. We have tried to make her understand that is a poor view but she's adamant that that charity is the best one.
Up until now the dosh has come out of our pockets. So we are now going to start telling her the donations should come partly from her pocket money - so the next time she brings home a letter asking for a donation she will also have to cough up (and yes, I know that's ultimately us paying as we are the ones supplying the dosh but there is a lesson to be learnt here dammit). Hopefully that will open up a discussion on when it's best to give, and when it's best to just say no.

[11th Feb '12] Interactive Jazz Concert

Hey all Greenwich residents, this hit my email box this week. I would love to go along with little one but it's a bit of a trek for us. Anyway, she would want to turn it into a ROCK concert as she loves ROCK (always shouted so hence the capitals). It's all for charity. Do make sure you check the website before going for any updates.

Saturday 11th Feb at 10:30 at St. Joseph's Church, 103 Pelton Road, Greenwich, SE10 9AN

Organised with the grateful support of Jools Holland all the profits from the first concert will be donated to Demelza's Children Hospice, a charity voted for by our Facebook followers! Henry, Tim and Anna from Boppin' Bunnies will be leading everyone in playing percussion and singing so come ready to participate!
More details on our website: www.boppinbunnies.co.uk.

Joy Neal from Blackheath Cooks & Munchkins Kids Cooking will also be coming on the 11th February to sell yummy treats/cakes at the end of our Interactive Concert for everyone who wants one!

The concerts are aimed at 4 - 9 year olds, and pre-school children & babies are also welcome. It is a family event for families with children of any age!

Cost £5 adults, £3 children on the door. Babies under 8 months free (the same as at our Boppin' Bunnies classes)

Anna and the Boppin' Bunnies team

Boppin' Bunnies

07855916496

info@boppinbunnies.co.uk

www.boppinbunnies.co.uk

EVent: 2nd April Nearly New Sale

The lovely ladies who help run the Trinity Toddler Group are holding a nearly new sale to raise funds for the group. It's a great cause so if you have time, pop on buy. They are still looking for donations too, or if you would like a stall, please contact them.
P.S. Hope you can read the poster....had to convert it from an Apple doc :S

Event: 5th March Swish for Oxfam

The Art of Swishing comes to Greenwich,

from the new Greenwich Oxfam Fundraising Group

Bring your unwanted frocks and too tight tuxes to The Pelton Arms on Saturday 5th March and join in the swishing trend. The swishing party, or clothes swap, will celebrate International Women's Day while raising dosh for Oxfam, and is organised by the Greenwich Oxfam Fundraising Group.

Visitors will have the chance to spend an afternoon in a lovely pub, sprucing up their wardrobe while raising money for an important charity. Refreshments will come in the form of a special "Oxfam Afternoon Tea and cake" from the lovely people at the Pelton Arms, with a portion of the price of every one sold donated to the charity.

Popular with fashionistas, the frugal and the eco-conscious, here’s how swishing works:

- Everyone brings at least 1 item of clothing in good condition that they no longer wear (you can bring as many as you like), which gets handed to our lovely helpers on arrival

- The clothes are then sorted ready for everyone to start shopping. In the meantime, grab a drink from the bar or visit the Oxfam info point to find out what your donations will be spent on, not forgetting to order your afternoon tea & cakes!

- Have a rummage, find something you like, try it on, and it’s yours for a small donation to Oxfam

Both ladies and gentlemen are welcome and there's no entry charge.

Venue: Pelton Arms, Pelton Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9PQ http://www.peltonarmspub.com

Date: Saturday 5th March 12.30pm - 4.30pm

Transport: Cutty Sark DLR or Maze Hill rail

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=SE10+9PQ&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=13.26154,28.256836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=London+SE10+9PQ,+United+Kingdom&z=16

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=142366659160648

Contacts:

Bhaswati Guha, Chair, tel: 07536 087464, email:bhaswatioxjam@gmail.com

Katy Ellsmore, Group Treasurer, tel: 07759 456749, email: katyellsmore@gmail.com

Notes

1. For more information on swishing visit swishing.org

The Art of Swishing involves getting your friends together to swap gorgeous clothes and party at the same time. Every lady must bring at least one good quality, clean item of clothing, or an accessory, that she'd feel proud to hand on.
"Save money, save the planet, have a party: swishing effortlessly touches all of these buttons. Swishing parties are for all those women who want to combine glamour, environmental protection and frugality."

2. Greenwich Oxfam Fundraising Group, http://greenwich-oxfam.webs.com/

We are a group of Oxfam supporters who have come together to give our spare time for Oxfam’s good causes. We established the Greenwich Oxfam Fundraising Group in the borough with an aim to raise funds for Oxfam’s work on eradicating global poverty and suffering.We enjoy and organise exciting and interesting fundraising events for Oxfam.

We believe in contributing to the community we live in and making an impact globally with the funds we raise. We meet once a month and our meetings are open to all. If you are interested to attend our monthly meetings to find out more about us and our plans feel free to contact us.

This group is fundraising in aid of Oxfam GB. Oxfam is a registered charity in England and Wales No 202918 and Scotland SC039042 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England No 612172. Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International.