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Advent countdown to Christmas, celebrating 25 years of Hope and Aid Direct | |
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The countdown to Christmas has officially begun! However, this year we’re celebrating more than just the festive season – we’re honouring the incredible humanitarian aid support achieved and the number of lives impacted over the last 25 years! | |
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Between now and Christmas Day, we’ll be sharing a new photo every day celebrating a quarter of a century of Hope and Aid Direct’s existence, showcasing our incredible history in pictures.
We invite you to join us daily on our social media for some truly inspiring images from our archives. | | | |
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Please share our posts and repost them, to help us grow our following. For those of you not on social media, we will be posting a brief compilation on the website and sending the same by newsletter so you don't miss out but that is likely to be in the New Year. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. | |
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We wish to restore dignity in crisis zones and are calling on all our supporters to donate new underwear. Our NGO partners repeatedly ask for underwear for men, women and children, so much so that this has become the number one relief item! Join our initiative here to show those in need that their voices are heard. | | | |
Our campaign has been supported by ITN Business: Good News of the Week - ITN Business
Also, we are delighted with the recent interview at BBC Essex on Thursday 28th November. You can listen on BBC Sounds to the discussion between Chas, our founder and the breakfast presenter Sonia Watson - visit BBC Sounds and listen from 3:11. | |
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You can be part of the next 25 years of 'Taking Aid, Not Sides!'
If you’d like to be part of our success story and support our vision of taking aid to crisis zones around the world, you can join us in several different ways:
Support Our Campaigns: Join us in spreading hope in crisis zones by contributing to our ongoing efforts, either financially or with relief items. | | | |
Follow The Journey: Like and share our posts on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn - share your memories with us.
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It all started in 1999! Our charity was born out of the need to respond to the unimaginable suffering caused by the Balkans War over 25 years ago. During this devastating conflict, the most vulnerable people in Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Kosovo faced hardships and we felt compelled to help as much as possible. | | | |
In June 1999, driving to Kosovo from the UK, Hope and Aid Direct was one of the first charities to provide essential items and humanitarian aid to those returning to their homes after months of displacement in the mountains. During our first trip as a registered charity, we supported over 3,000 people displaced by the war, helping them take their first steps towards rebuilding their lives. Working alongside Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA), we focused on reaching those most in need. Some of our work included house repairs ensuring the most vulnerable people had somewhere safe to live. | |
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Returning in October 1999, we brought further supplies of critical items such as food, clothes and hygiene items.
Over the past 25 years, we’ve continued with our mission to take aid, not sides to countless individuals and families in need. | | | |
We started as volunteers and we remain volunteers. Nobody who makes this charity what it is is paid a salary, which means that far more of the money that you donate can go to procure and transport much needed aid. This is the model we have run consistently for the past 25 years.
As we celebrate this milestone of a quarter of a century helping others, we invite you to join us on this journey of reflection and inspiration, in the run up to Christmas.
For the next 25 days, we will share a post each day representing a year in the life of our charity.
Over the Christmas period, we will share a special recorded message by our founder, wishing peace to those living in war zones around the world and as we look towards 2025 some thoughts as to where this may take us and, hopefully, you. | |
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Help us shape the next 25 years!
Here’s how you can get involved and become part of our journey in 2025 and beyond:
1) Be a festive hero and volunteer | | | |
2) Donate your quality, pre-loved or unwanted Christmas gifts 3) Make a financial contribution to our efforts | |
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Are you a corporate donor?
We are incredibly fortunate to be working with some amazing donors that share our vision and commitment to humanitarian aid. This newsletter is dedicated to celebrating their unwavering support and generosity over the last 25 years:
We have had such great support from corporates over the years, we genuinely could not do what we do without the support you have given us from vehicle donations and maintenance to pallet or truck quantities of aid. Of course, there are far too many companies to mention here, so apologies to the many that are not noted below, but here are some of the great organisations that we have or currently work with to show the breadth of what we need. Don't think your support is not needed, or you are too niche, please contact us and lets chat so we can see how rather than if we can make something work:
Premier Foods, Whitbread, Premier Inn, Delivered Ltd, Maritime Transport, Samworths, Ford, Boots, Boden, Amazon, Titusfield, Surfanic, IS Enterprises, Lyle & Scott, J & SC Quality Branded Foods Ltd, Kabuto Noodles, Kanes Foods, Mars, Vital Pet Group, Argo Clothing, Shackleton, Henry Schein, Kentish Match Company, Blackstone Stripout, DBS Commercials
By partnering with us, our corporate donors make a tangible impact on communities in crisis, enabling us to deliver essential supplies, rebuild homes and provide hope to those who need it most.
Whether you’re looking to fulfil your corporate social responsibility goals or simply want to make a meaningful difference, we’d love to work with you!
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Let’s make this Christmas not just about counting down the days, but about celebrating the lives touched by 25 years of compassion.
Merry Christmas! From Chas, Roger and Mark
Hope and Aid Direct Trustees
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