Make a sick child smile this xmas

sammy_kaye18

yes the site is working fine for me now - found my girl - oooo such a cutie and a real girly girl!!!!!!!!! Makes a change because i have a houseful of boys

x x x x

charlies_mum

Hi

I have signed up to be an elf and a reindeer to two children, and I can't wait to see who I get. I wish I could volunteer to be an elf for a teenage boy, but I have no idea what they like (apart from teenage girls)

ceebeeby

vikki_louise wrote: »

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

Vicky Louise, in your opening post you say "Post Pals brightens the lives of seriously ill children (most of whom are fighting cancer or going through transplants) and their siblings".

That statement absolutely does play on people's heart-strings! My post was simply to point out that children with cancer don't necessarily need money spent on them (however, the letter writing is a wonderful, beautiful thought).

If as above, you're now saying it's not mainly for children with cancer or undergoing transplant - then I legitimately object to why this was used in the main advertisement if it wasn't intended to increase the 'heart-string pulling' and to encourage more people to sign up.

I feel as if I'm doing the 'bad guy' act all over again. Well, I don't want to rain on the party anymore, it's honestly not making me feel very good!

As before, I cannot stress enough how wonderful, thoughtful and caring the letter writing element is. Secondly, I would not want my comments to be seen as in any way derogatory towards the plain and simple kindness behind the intentions of the charity. I just want a fair balance between the principal of MSE and a subject very close to my heart.

Ceebs xx

zulubabe

As a reindeer I have been assigned a little boy. Not sure yet who I have as an elf - I'm so excited I keep checking my inbox!

sammy_kaye18

So excited I have my reindeer name now.

I have supported the scheme for a few years now but have only been volunteering with it for the last two christmasses. I have sent postcards, cards, letters to the children and my young son has sent pictures to them too.

Last christmas I wrote to a little boy who had Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Kidney . I was a reindeer for him and he sent me a beautiful picture that is still hanging in my kitchen - he has since moved on as his condition has gone into remission but he spent most of his young life in and out of hospital.

I also was an elf for the younger sibling of a little girl who has Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA). Ok granted it wasnt to a terminally ill child but she spent her christmas in hospital so needless to say her sibling needed cheering up at his big sister not being there and an interuption to his Xmas - again i had a lovely card from his parents saying it had made his day and he sent me a picture of him and his sister playing with the toys id sent

This year I have my reindeer name and am hoping to make her christmas special and memorable. I have no idea if her condition is terminal - it doesnt particularly bother me, the knowing that ive made a difference and put a smile on her face does - and yes i have two children of my own (1 is 4 years old - and my biological child. The other is his 7 year old half brother) both know what i do and i hope they decide to contribute when they get a bit older by helping me chose gifts and write cards.

elastigirl

Come on give me my names! guess no one there at the weekend but i want to go shopping for all the lovely goodies! We do the normal shoe box appeals too but you don't get to know who they go to and what things they like so it will be nice to get them something they want. great cause.

zulubabe

I've woken up this morning to find the name I will be buying for as a Elf. I'm just really stuck on what to buy as a gift. It is a sibling so not much information on what he likes etc. However I have emailed requesting that they give me more idea of what the boy likes. In the meantime does anyone have an idea of what to buy a 12 year old boy who likes computers and music?

maria_and_the_imps

have joined up to be a reindeer, and i'm very excited lol

Lizbeth

zulubabe wrote: »

I've woken up this morning to find the name I will be buying for as a Elf. I'm just really stuck on what to buy as a gift. It is a sibling so not much information on what he likes etc. However I have emailed requesting that they give me more idea of what the boy likes. In the meantime does anyone have an idea of what to buy a 12 year old boy who likes computers and music?

I'm in the same position... what do you get a 15yr old lad who likes computers, xbox and making animations? I was thinking gadget type things? At that age will he have grown out of magic tricks, juggling balls etc? Maybe smellies?

vikki_louise

Lizbeth wrote: »

I'm in the same position... what do you get a 15yr old lad who likes computers, xbox and making animations? I was thinking gadget type things? At that age will he have grown out of magic tricks, juggling balls etc? Maybe smellies?

i take it from the list your assigned to samuel? I'll email his mum to ask for ideas although she doesnt have internet access at home until later this week so if you don't hear right now thats why