Crafty Goings-on!

Anyone who knows me personally, knows that I just love crafts of all kinds; I knit, crochet, sew, embroider, decoupage, you name it I’ve usually had a go!

CID looks after and supports many, many children in Romania, not only in our hospices but in the wider community; children who, without our help, would be cold in the ferocious winters (typically -20C). I run a Handcrafters’ Guild for the charity and the ladies (and one man!) spend their time knitting/crocheting blankets, jumpers, cardigans, hats, scarves, gloves/mittens, socks and toys for the children. Can you begin to imagine the joy of receiving a beautifully crafted warm blanket or a brand new jumper or cardigan?  “My” ladies (and Rod) don’t stop there though; they also make items to sell at events here in the UK to raise the money to keep our projects going in Romania and also the money to ship the handcrafted items over there. 

Last year, on behalf of the Handcrafters’ Guild, I shipped over 19,000 items to help clothe the children and this year it is already looking as if we will exceed that amount!  Add that to the financial donations and other donations in kind and it makes you realise that there are some wonderfully generous folk out there just willing to help others less fortunate than themselves.

Easter found us knitting chickens (stuffed with a Cadbury’s Crème Egg) to raise money (over £600) and now we are busy knitting Christmas Puddings (to be stuffed with a Ferrero Rocher chocolate), crocheting bunting (very “in” at the moment!), making rag wreaths to sell at Christmas events and much, much more.  I thought I would treat you to a preview of some of these items……………hopefully it may inspire you to join in and make either something to be sent to Romania or something to sell at one of our events. 

Pat with a blanket made to go to Romania

Blue & White Rag Wreath for sale

 

 

 

Mutlicoloured Rag Wreath for sale

For the last two years we have had a stall at Ely Cathedral Gift & Food Fair and raised over £4,000 each year – all thanks to our “crafty” supporters.  When I took the position of Funding Development Manager with the charity, little did I realise that I could combine two of the loves of my life (the children and my crafts); it has become a real money spinner for the charity and also helps folk here too in that they can knit until their heart’s content knowing that they are helping others.

 

Jane x

Rules & Regulations

Life these days is full of rules and regulations which the majority of us try to adhere to.  Each year to keep the doors of our hospices in Romania open, the buildings must pass a series of rigorous fire prevention, health & safety, environmental health and hygiene inspections to gain the certification they need to operate.
St Margaret’s Hospice in Bucharest is a beacon of excellence in the delivery of end of life, palliative and respite care for infants and children living with incurable or terminal illness. With the normal wear and tear of sizzling summers  and bitterly cold winters  the building needs constant attention simply to ensure  the children are safe and secure and the building is  wind and watertight.. This year changes  introducing new European health and safety regulations  and fire safety standards  means that we must immediately relocate  the main and auxiliary gas central heating units,   renew  the  electric wiring and  sockets and to prevent the prospect  of scalds injury change the existing  hot water cylinders and systems for the hospice’s  kitchen  and  children and infant’s wards  bath and showers.

Some of this work would normally be carried out under the annual maintenance budget however most of the changes required as a result of our recent proactive inspections are urgent and immediate to ensure that work is complete before the official annual inspections are carried out. Paul Kubaszky CID’s in Country Director has asked for help and has offered a “shopping" list of urgent actions and their costs which total £18,000.

For that, we will get a zinc roof for the infants ward that should not leak, a more efficient central heating system with fumes vented to air, safe and compliant electrical wiring and sockets, constant scald risk free hot water in the kitchen and children’s bathroom and shower areas and a slip and trip accident free entrance, walkway and access between the wards, therapy units, and offices. By dipping into the hospice’s limited maintenance budget and by tapping local sponsors Paul can find approximately 45% of the costs from local funds, however  he would welcome help and support to fund the remaining £10,000.

Any help that the readers of this blog can offer to secure the registration licences and the future of St Margaret’s Complex of Children Services as a home for the children in its care will more than gratefully appreciated.  If you would like to make a donation, no matter how small, (remember every large ocean is made up of small drops of water) you can do so, online at www.childrenindistress.org  or call +44 (0)141 5595690 to make a card donation.  Every penny really will count to save this hospice which is the only home these children have known -

Jane x

Some of the children at St Margaret's celebrating Andreea's birthday