Help Charities for Christmas 2011 xxx

I know a lot of us are struggling with money and finding work, but taking time out to help charities and even give as little as 99c for a charity single makes a whole lot of difference to the volunteers and people/animals that benefit from your generosity, and makes you feel good inside too.

A Christmas Tree in middle of snow and star covered light

Have a look at the charities I have given a little to this Christmas:

• I sent a few euro to Cancer Care West ( http://www.cancercarewest.ie/ ) and to the Galway Simon Community ( http://www.galwaysimon.ie ). Both sites take Laser Debit cards as well as Credit cards, so I didn't have a problem with that.

• Niamh is raising money for Outreach Moldova, which helps with the orphanage out there for disabled women and girls. She has organised a "12 Swims for Christmas", which she encourages others to join her in swims, and to donate as little or as much as you can for this brilliant charity ♥ More info at  http://www.outreachmoldova.org and Donations to http://www.mycharity.ie/event/niamh_ni_argains/

• 100-140 Irish Twitter people got together and recorded "Wintersong", to raise money in aid of the Neonatal Unit at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles St., Dublin. @BrendaDrumm started this idea. The single is available on iTunes for 99c. http://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/winter-song-single/id485227782 

• Foireann iomlán Ros na Rún tagtha le chéile lena gcéad shingil charthanachta Nollag "Cuireadh Do Mhuire" a thaifead don charthanachta ainm2hithe, MADRA! *** The entire cast of Ros na Rún come together to record their first Christmas charity single "Cuireadh Do Mhuire"  in aid of animal charity MADRA! .. Ceannaigh an singil, 99c. Déan é anois! :D ♥ ♥ ♥ Buy the single for 99c. Do it now! http://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/cuireadh-do-mhuire-single/id485788038

• Storyfold brought out their single "Another Year" to raise money for St. Vincent de Paul. A lovely song, costs 99c. http://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/another-year/id483061075?i=483061076

• Ryan Sheridan is raising money for the Make-A-Wish foundation. Buy this lovely song "Walking in the Air" from his EP on iTunes for 99C ♥ ♥ ♥ http://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/walking-in-the-air-ep/id477272660

I'll post up more if I remember. A brilliant site you should sign up to is http://www.mycharity.ie/ where you have a wide choice of charities to help fundraising and donate as little or as much as you can to them. Check it out!

Hugs, M x

*EDIT POST: 11/12/11 18:30
Please donate to the GalwaySPCA ( http://www.galway-spca.com/home.htm ) if you can.
Their Heathlawn Animal Sanctuary was broken into last night. 5 dogs were stolen, and these were animals that had recently had surgery and were needing medical attention. The Sanctuary was also ransacked, they took anything they could, with windows broken into. The GalwaySPCA need all the help we can give right now, coming up so close to Christmas.
This is really upsetting news. These animals had already endured so much, and then this had to happen. There are photos of the dogs on this website, so if you hear or see anything suspicious.

Don't ignore any signs or gut feelings you have if you see an animal that is neglected or tied up all day by their owner. Don't leave them there to suffer any longer.

** EDIT POST: 20/12/11 20:00
I raised over €100 for Arthritis Ireland this year ( http://www.arthritisireland.ie/ )
More information on this at Arthritis Ireland's Get Your Joints in Motion 2011