Blog. Ho ho ho for HA H'October
October 2, 2019 | Author: Jeremy Gibson
Okay…. I know…. It’s only the start of October and it’s far too early to start thinking about Christmas. Only it isn’t – for families on low incomes, or those living with a life changing illness, worrying about Christmas is very much on the horizon.
We’re already planning our winter programme of support too. Soon, we’ll opening up applications for our Winter Fuel Grants Programme which helps both industry retirees and those in work but on a low income with their heating costs. We’re also starting work on our annual Golden Friends Christmas gift campaign which makes sure every single member receives a little something in the post from HA this Christmas.
This year we’re leading our campaign with April’s story. We met April in Manchester back in the summer and the story of how she’s coming to terms with a secondary cancer diagnosis inspired us. While April’s health continues to slowly deteriorate she hasn’t lost her sparkle, her warmth and zest for life even in the most difficult circumstances just can’t be extinguished and we’re privileged she’s allowing us to share her story.
There are loads of ways to get involved over the festive season. The ones we’d like to draw your attention to the most are our guest fundraising ideas. Simply adding £1 to a restaurant or hotel bill, putting on a special menu, dish or even a cocktail with a small donation to HA is a great way to get the money rolling in with minimal effort, it’s also a great way to raise awareness of HA too. Back for its second year is our Hats Off campaign where hotels or bars with a lot of Christmas party trade are introducing a cloakroom fee (in addition to staff tips) in aid of HA some chains even use it is a bit of inter-outlet competition. We’ve even produced a poster you can use too.
Of course, we also have our annual Christmas extravaganza which returns to London’s Chino Latino on November 25th our chef line-up boasts Tom Brown, James Cochran and Paul Foster who will cook up a storm for our lucky guests. We’re also joining forces with our friends at The Clink charity to host our first Christmas carol concert which takes place on Monday December 16th at St Luke’s Church in London.
The last thing I’d like to draw your attention to is from our partner Vivid Hospitality Solutions who are keen to secure a place for HA in the record books by orchestrating the biggest simultaneous switch on of Christmas tree lights in the world – imagine that!
Check out these and more fundraising tips on our Christmas campaign page.