Make a sick child smile this xmas

vikki_louise

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?

hiya, who have you been assigned to?

bride_on_a_budget

vikki_louise wrote: »

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

i am being an elf volunteer to the siblings of a sick girl, they are very brave and do not complain when they have to spend all their time in the hospital with their poorly sister who has been in and out of hospital since she was a baby.

is everyone putting the gifts in a box to post off? (small postal box from post office)

vikki_louise

elastigirl wrote: »

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.

im here 7 days a week, i think lorna and maria are often online at weekends so hopefully you will get a name soon and can start the fun part!:j

Lizbeth

vikki_louise wrote: »

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

Yes I am, thank you!

Beki

i have just been given two children to 'elf' for one of them is madison's sister, lauren. it states that she likes music, but if possible i'd like some more details, interests etc, as i want to get it 'just right'

is there any way of finding out? i'm scared to email, incase lauren sees it! lol

i'm also a reindeer too (to a 2 year old little boy who's only about 4 months younger than my little boy), and i'm really looking forward to doing the postcards!

are we allowed to send a little token present from a reindeer (say rudolph) along with a postcard, as i'd really like the last one to be from rudolph, with a little gift from him

roosterbean

Hi Beki, thats what I want to do too. I'm leaving Rudolph til last and thought of maybe sending a personalised xmas storybook...

I was also thinking of sending xmas cards instead of postcards - is this ok?

I've just had an email from the little boy's mom who has given me an updated list of things he likes/interested in, so I'm off shopping tomorrow!!

foreign_correspondent

Hello,

I think you are all very kind and that the letter writing is a super idea, however, regarding the messages from a couple of people who have felt less comfortable with the idea of sending gifts - I have to agree. From past experience (working in a children's hospital, and co-ordinating donations) - we were generally a bit overwhelmed with 'stuff' at christmas, much of which sadly was not appropriate (hand knitted toys etc). We then had the job of re-distributing the less suitable stuff to charities for other kids who could use them.

Seriously ill children tend to get presents from so many people at christmas, because naturally their condition does tug at our heart strings. Sadly, in my experience children with conditions other than cancer - often equally serious, but less well known conditions, tend to be overlooked a little so I am glad to see that this charity helps those with other serious conditions too. Ongoing chronic illnesses often get overlooked too, but believe me it is very tough to be have juvenile rheumatiod arthritis and to be facing hip replacements as a teenager, and to have a lot of pain and very limited mobility. A lot of Auto-immune conditions can be life threatening or life limiting but again, tend to be overlooked, and kids with these seem to get little extra help. (lupus, wegener's etc) For all of these children I think the letter writing is a wonderful, thoughtful idea, and I am sure none of them will object to getting extra pressies too!

However, there are kids who really do go without at Christmas - children with parents who cannot cope, or who have substance misuse problems, children in emergency accomodation, or refuges. Sadly, these children tend to be overlooked, even though their circumstances are beyone their control. Please consider these kids too, becase for them a small gift really could mean a lot.

zulubabe

vikki_louise wrote: »

hiya, who have you been assigned to?

Hi Vikki

I've been assigned to Connor (Jack B sibling).

Beki

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Hello,
However, there are kids who really do go without at Christmas - children with parents who cannot cope, or who have substance misuse problems, children in emergency accomodation, or refuges. Sadly, these children tend to be overlooked, even though their circumstances are beyone their control. Please consider these kids too, becase for them a small gift really could mean a lot.

any idea how i could go about finding out more about these children though? i've not heard of any schemes out there like this one, to help children like you mention. would be more than happy to do some more! xx

maria_and_the_imps

me to beki