Make a sick child smile this xmas

sammy_kaye18

Ok

so is it jsut me who cant get on the site then??

If so can someone please pm me so i cna get an idea of what my child likes then ill give the childs name etc

many thanks

Sam

RustyFlange

ceebeeby wrote: »

IMHO only ....

... I think the posting part (reindeer) is absolutely brilliant!! It's a fabulous idea, and I know that this will bring a smile to many a child's face - especially if they are in hospital. It really is a lovely and thoughtful gift.

But

... I totally disagree with the advertising / encouraging of sending parcels to children with cancer or undergoing transplant. In my experience, this particular patient category will never ever go without at Christmas (friends, family and their hospital will make absolutely sure about that) - the children are often overwhelmed with gifts, and many well intended donated gifts never actually get to the child (for example you cannot give a cuddly toy from a stranger to a child undergoing a transplant - there are many more exclusions as well).

I'm sure it won't be a palatable opinion, but to me, by advertising that this gift is for children with cancer or undergoing transplant, is an unfair play on the publics heart-strings.

You're probably thinking, "Bah Humbug", I'm just trying to get over, that the child will benefit hugely from the cards etc. but I'm not so sure about the parcels - and I would be massively disappointed to think people with limited spare money were some how guilt tripped into doing something, that may not be as appreciated as it first seems.

I hope this post (which just to repeat is only my individual opinion) doesn't come across as totally negative. I have huge amounts of respect for this very reputable organisation - the cards and letter programme is brilliant ... but not parcels.

I'm sorry but I have watched this thread since it started when the OP first posted. I have also read all of the replys and not replied.

You have hit the nail on the head IMO.
Whilst I agree that the organisation is fantastic and when I first heard about them I went and had a look and found several links to other pages and sat in tears looking through some of them. I also agree the letter writing etc is fantastic. However as the poster above said these children are not forgotten at christmas, they are probably spoilt more at christmas and such times on the offchance (heaven forbid) that it may be their last christmas. There are children out there who get nothing for christmas and christmas really is for the children. Not only that but I personally can barely afford to buy presents for my own children/family at christmas let along a child who will already have everything he/she needs.

I probably haven't worded that correctly and that probably makes me sound like a really cold hearted cow however this isn't the case I understand how lucky I am to have 2 beautiful healthy children, I also understand that there are others who are a lot worse off. I don't mean to come across as it probably sounds but the advertising (which more than likely isn't allowed on MSE or if it is should be in the charity section) Some of us cannot afford to do this and simply struggle to get through the week. Myself being one of them.

zulubabe

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

Ok

so is it jsut me who cant get on the site then??

If so can someone please pm me so i cna get an idea of what my child likes then ill give the childs name etc

many thanks

Sam

I can't either!

roosterbean

Neither can I - Vikki Louise can you have a look at your website and let us know when its ok...

Ceebeeby - you ideas are brilliant - I'm printing your list off to refer to when I do my reindeering!!

zulubabe

if anyone would like to know more about the reindeer - you can find it here:

http://www.answers.com/topic/santa-claus-reindeer

Descriptions of the reindeer are:

* Dasher - The first reindeer and the right-hand leader of the sleigh before Rudolph was included. He is the speediest reindeer.
* Dancer - The second reindeer and the left leader before Rudolph was included. She is the graceful reindeer.
* Prancer - The third reindeer and on the right in the second row. He is the most powerful reindeer.
* Vixen - The fourth reindeer and on the left-hand side in the second row. She is beautiful, and also powerful like her companion Prancer.
* Comet - The fifth reindeer and on the right-hand side in the third row. He brings wonder and happiness to children when Santa flies over everyone's houses.
* Cupid - The sixth reindeer and on the left-hand side in the third row. She brings love and joy to children when Santa flies over everyone's houses.
* Donner - The seventh reindeer and on the right-hand side in the fourth row. His original name is Donder, meaning "thunder" in Dutch.
* Blitzen - The eighth reindeer and on the left-hand side in the fourth row. Though female, she is frequently portrayed as a male in American pop culture. Her original name is Blixem. She is known as the lightning reindeer because the word 'Blitz' is German for lightning, as is 'bliksem', her original name, in Dutch.
And of course Rudolph!

roosterbean

Blimey Zulubabe - you've really done your homework. Thanks xx:j

zulubabe

I didn't want to get it wrong - kids are so intelligent

vikki_louise

ceebeeby wrote: »

IMHO only ....

... I think the posting part (reindeer) is absolutely brilliant!! It's a fabulous idea, and I know that this will bring a smile to many a child's face - especially if they are in hospital. It really is a lovely and thoughtful gift.

But

... I totally disagree with the advertising / encouraging of sending parcels to children with cancer or undergoing transplant. In my experience, this particular patient category will never ever go without at Christmas (friends, family and their hospital will make absolutely sure about that) - the children are often overwhelmed with gifts, and many well intended donated gifts never actually get to the child (for example you cannot give a cuddly toy from a stranger to a child undergoing a transplant - there are many more exclusions as well).

I'm sure it won't be a palatable opinion, but to me, by advertising that this gift is for children with cancer or undergoing transplant, is an unfair play on the publics heart-strings.

You're probably thinking, "Bah Humbug", I'm just trying to get over, that the child will benefit hugely from the cards etc. but I'm not so sure about the parcels - and I would be massively disappointed to think people with limited spare money were some how guilt tripped into doing something, that may not be as appreciated as it first seems.

I hope this post (which just to repeat is only my individual opinion) doesn't come across as totally negative. I have huge amounts of respect for this very reputable organisation - the cards and letter programme is brilliant ... but not parcels.

Hello, all the gifts get to the kids as if we have a child in transplant a big note is added to the top of the page saying what is and isn't allowed and the elf would also be told.

I agree that little kids in the midst of chemo and in hospital at christmas don't go without but there are a lot of kids on post pals who don't have such "heart tugging" conditions or are dealing with the longer term effects of brain tumours etc and who have become quite isolated (the same goes for their parents) and it cheers them up no end. Also we include siblings who get missed out so often from others. of course no one has to do it, just if they want to etc

vikki_louise

im sorry, i didnt post this as an advertisment/mean to come across as that, i posted in this section as im on here daily and see the amazing things like snowmen soup and flannel reindeer etc that people do and thought some might like to do an extra one for a child or like me don't have children to do them for but would enjoy making them etc and as their are posts about shoeboxes in this forum i didnt think it would be a problem.

rustlyflange, i didnt post it to make people who can't afford the £15 feel bad, i completely understand that some people can't afford to send something and others would rather now. people don't have to do anything, or they can send a card or an email if they would like to help

vikki_louise

hi, ive come online this afternoon and the website seems to be working, is it working for you yet?