Page 7 - NEWSLETTER Dec 25 Jan 26 Helen

Bournemouth Quaker Meeting

Charity Giving 2025

Our weekly collections have assisted some great charities this year, with a total amount collected of
£2214.77 given to date. Thank you to everyone.
£707.34 has gone to our Meeting Funds, but the remaining £1507.43 was split between the other
Charities: Quaker, national, international or local. Every penny is greatly appreciated by them and I’d
like to share a few of the thankful replies that have accompanied their acknowledgments.

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In early March, Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF) sent their appreciation of £146.22 saying it ‘helps our
teams provide medical care to the people who need it most’ and they shared a story from a
physiotherapist in Amman, Jordan, about a 9 year-old boy who was given reconstructive surgery
after the amputation of both legs below his knees after being struck by an explosive device. The loss
had also changed his personality. Through the team support of physiotherapists, occupational
therapists and mental health professionals and the reconstructive surgery they were able to change his
life to the best outcome. After three and a half months Youssef was able to walk independently. Their
final sentence was ‘It is thanks to your generosity that we can make these journeys of recovery
possible’.

During May we collected £126.85 for ‘Scholarships for Street Kids’. This was used in Myanmar and
below is a meaningful paragraph lifted from their acknowledging email. ‘With the civil war continuing,
and the effects of the earthquake in the areas that have been hit, it is the poorest who suffer most. Our
strategy of providing support for families alongside education is the only way to give working or begging
children, who are usually breadwinners for their families, access to education.’ S4SK thank us for our
continued support and highlight the huge respect they have for ‘the leadership, commitment and
courage of our friends in Myanmar’.

Palestine has been close to our hearts over the last twelve months particularly, with financial support of
£102.90 going to the Red Cross ‘Gaza Crisis’ appeal in June, and then late in July £243.60 was raised
from our strawberry tea and Sunday collection for Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Our October collections supported Women for Women International. Laurence from the ‘Stand With
Her Team, UK’ stated ‘We’re so grateful for your kind gift, which will help women and girls rebuild their
lives after war.’ They received £143.54 from Bournemouth Quakers.

During November and December we are supporting Homestart Wessex and the BH1 Salvation Army
Project which are both local charities. Some may be aware that I used to volunteer for HomeStart
Wessex who offer support to families with young children who are having difficulties. For over 3 years I
was one of the trained volunteers who befriend and visit these families, and it was a very rewarding
experience. Boscombe Salvation Army appreciates our support of the BH1 project to which we often
give funds if there are 5 weeks in a month. In March and June cash donations totalling £129.50 were
taken to the project and receipted. They appreciate this support which allows them to provide a drop-in
service Mon-Fri giving practical support to the community and the homeless, providing drinks, food,
showers, clothing and the use of washing machines.

These are just a few examples of how our weekly giving is used and appreciated. I will bring the
acknowledging emails to each business meeting, but you are welcome to view them at any time, please
just ask.

Courtesy of Dorinda Fox