Courtney Hughes BCAv
Charity Secret Santa Oxfordshire
January 2017
RE: 2016 Secret Santa Appeal
5000 Gifts Delivered Thank You!!
Dear Nancy and MEPC
I wanted to take the time to send you all individual thank you letters for your support for my recent
Secret Santa Appeal.
As you know 2016 was my 5th year collecting gifts to distribute throughout Oxfordshire for those less
fortunate or suffering ill health. With your help I have just finished my deliveries for the year, and I
am overwhelmed to announce that we delivered over 5000 gifts locally. Recipients this year were:
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Helen and Douglas House Hospice Oxford (including siblings and families staying with
children receiving treatment)
SSNAP and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the John Radcliffe (including staff and
siblings and parents of babies in care)
Sobell House Hospice Churchill Hospital
Ronald McDonald House – John Radcliffe Oxford ( also 20 food hampers were made for
every flat)
Wallingford Community Hospital
Abingdon Community Hospital
The Meadows Care Home Didcot
Didcot Community Hospital
Oxfordshire Homeless Pathways
Life Charity (supporting young adults who are expecting or had babies in crisis)
Crisis Homeless Charity (awaiting delivery)
Oxfordshire Food Banks
Emergency Family Refuge
Hanover Court Sheltered Housing Didcot
Charity Secret Santa Oxfordshire
4c Great Western Drive
Didcot. Oxon. OX11 7PB
07969363012
[email protected]
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We have also given emergency care packages to 3 families in south Oxfordshire who have
experienced crisis over the festive period. Bags of clothes, toys and gift essentials were
given.
We also had a giant elderly tea party which included entertainment and gifts.
All of this is only possible with the support from the community, the difference a small gift makes to
people who are away from loved ones, lonely, unable to fund Christmas or sick really does impact on
their wellbeing, which in turn improves their quality of life.
In particular when giving gifts to the elderly, the time spent with them to talk is something they
always treasure. Offering a gift to parents and siblings of very sick or end of life children is especially
important, we have been told it eases the burden immensely knowing that there will be something
to offer and open on Christmas day.
I wanted to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you for supporting me this year. MEPC and
yourself responded so positively to my appeal this made such a difference to the lives of others,
and to my life. I want to say a special thank you for supporting my appeal through your website and
allowing the innovation centre to be a collection point. Your gifts were given to a wide range of
people across Oxfordshire. As you know I started my charity after my beloved Great Grandmother
was away from us at Christmas. Knowing I have been able to give in her memory is a gift I will
always cherish. “The Gift of Giving”
I will always be thankful for your help which allowed me give to all the amazing charities. You went
above and beyond .
You may have seen in the local press that Secret Santa HQ was getting a little cramped !! I am now a
proud owner of a storage container, this means that not only can I store gifts safely, but I can receive
gifts all year round and potentially help hundreds more people this Christmas 2017.
I know it’s the last thing on people’s minds, but it would be wonderful if you would like to get
involved with Secret Santa on a regular basis and hopefully support me each year?
The feedback and thanks received from charities, and individuals who benefited from a gift have
been so very humbling, and I wanted to extend these messages of thanks to you!
If you would like to be involved with Charity Secret Santa this Dec 2017 please do let me know
[email protected] The appeal will be officially launched in September but I can always
accept help and gifts through the year.
I have attached a small selection of Photographs for you to see just how you have made a difference
to many people in Oxfordshire.
Charity Secret Santa Oxfordshire
4c Great Western Drive
Didcot. Oxon. OX11 7PB
07969363012
[email protected]
Thank you so much
With much Love and Thanks
Courtney Hughes BCAv
Charity Secret Santa Oxfordshire
4c Great Western Drive
Didcot. Oxon. OX11 7PB
07969363012
[email protected]
Charity Secret Santa Oxfordshire
4c Great Western Drive
Didcot. Oxon. OX11 7PB
07969363012
[email protected]