Londoner

Great Ormond Street Party Time

londoner — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:18:15 +0000

Great Ormond Street Hospital’s latest appeal came in a lilac-coloured envelope. It was unaddressed and probably went to every house in the area. It carries the words ‘Party Time!’ on the outside, as well as a picture of two balloons. Because of the design, I thought this was probably an invitation to a ‘party’ at which direct selling would take place. It was on its way to the bin unopened, when I thought I would take a look at it after all!

In fact, it is an appeal for funds for the Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity and is in the format of an invitation to the 2nd birthday of a little girl who ‘wouldn’t be here to celebrate her second birthday’ were it not for Great Ormond Street. It’s a good message and the appeal itself is commendably brief and direct. A shame about the envelope and the first impression: I hope I wasn’t the only person who got the wrong idea about its contents.

Macmillan Christmas Appeal 2007

londoner — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 10:57:50 +0000

The appeal consists of a letter, a booklet explaining how Macmillan help children to deal with cancers, and a set of 6 adhesive Christmas gift labels (as a thank you for support). The letter and the accompanying booklet are based on the experience of one little boy – diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of three – and the support he and his family received from Macmillan.

Among other things, the booklet explains the words children are encouraged to use instead of potentially scary medical terms. For instance: magic sleep = anaesthetic; baddies = cancerous blood cells. But here I have a confession to make. A Hickman Line is known as ‘Mr Wiggly’ and although I could guess from the context what a Hickman Line is, my dictionary was unable to help. So, a message to medical charities – we’re not all as well informed as they are on medical terminology.

The book contains the frightening statistic that 739 people around the UK receive a cancer diagnosis every day. Of these, Macmillan supported some 300,000 last year. Obviously they want to be able to help more and their appeal is written in the straightforward way that I believe will encourage people to donate.

Crisis Christmas appeal

londoner — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:41:58 +0000

I have just received the annual Christmas appeal from Crisis. No envelope, no plastic outer – for which full marks. The appeal is in the form of a paper plate containing a Christmas dinner, which is very eye-catching. The ‘plate’ opens up to reveal the appeal letter, statistical information and a description of the services provided to homeless people in addition to their Christmas meal. Hot showers, hair cuts, warm clothing are available. The medical, dental and optical care available for homeless people is impressive – as is the fact that these professionals give up their time at Christmas. Last year, the dentists did 169 fillings during the Christmas period!

The information in this appeal is more than enough to convince me that I should increase my donation.