Bob’s Blog Part 7 – Appears first in Congleton Chronicle 
It’s been a difficult week – we have had a death in our family – it’s never a good time I know, but when it’s coming up to Christmas it somehow feels worse! Christmas is a tough time for a lot of folk, for those who are remembering times gone by, missing those who have passed away, or just thinking about time flying by and somehow wanting to put a marker in the sand, to do something that makes a difference! Well that’s how I feel! And it’s my birthday this week, another year under my belt! It put me in mind of a local charity that’s also celebrating a birthday. CVS Cheshire East (Community Voluntary Services Cheshire East) is celebrating its 5th birthday, and inspired by this, have just released a new campaign to encourage people to Give5 back to their communities.
Give5 is a really good way to give something back, to feel you can make a difference. So what can I do? I’m not as young as I was but I’m still useful? I could cook 5 meals for some of my older neighbours – there’s an old guy up the road who doesn’t get out of the house – I could make some of my famous lobby, take tea round and stay for a chat – It might not change the world but it would change his world just for a day! Or I could give £5 to a local good cause; volunteer at the charity shop for 5 hours; help at the luncheon club for 5 sessions. I wonder if I could offer to help with reading at the school just out of town – not all children have granddads and grandmas and I reckon it might just fill a gap in a child’s life! I do think I have a lot to give out of my life’s experiences and now I live life in the slow lane I have time to notice the important things in life – I bet you do too, so come on, Give5
Want to know more? Just email give5@cvsce.org.uk or call the CVS Cheshire East team on 01270 763100 Nikki will give you some good ideas of other things you can do.
There’s another lovely way you can Give5. You could help to make a child’s Christmas! Over the last 4 years, CVS Cheshire East has been working with Storage Boost in Crewe and staff from AstraZeneca’s Alderley Park site to provide Christmas presents for families in real need across Cheshire East. This year they want to give 3000 toys and gifts to local charities and organisations that work with families who are facing a hard time this Christmas. You could donate £5 to the appeal or you could buy a toy for £5 or you could buy 5 toys, or 5×5 toys if you are feeling generous!!. If you don’t have children to buy for in your own family, send your love and a gift to a child who might have a Christmas without any presents at all.
Sally at CVS Cheshire East says that all toys donated need to be in excellent condition, suitable for babies and children up to 18 years. She asks that you please don’t buy violent types of toys like swords, guns or toy soldiers.
Please take your donations by Monday 14th December at the latest, to the Congleton toy collection point at the Disability Information Bureau, Municipal Offices, Market Square, Congleton, CW12 1EX. Tel 01260 295725. They are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays between 9.30am and 4.00 pm (closed on Wednesdays)
