CHARITY
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© Nico Smit / Unsplash
Donate Food to Kent ’ s FareShare
Accepting all kinds of fresh , frozen , ambient and chilled food and drink , including retailer branded foods in all forms , from bulk ingredients and unfinished products to labelling errors and damages , FareShare redistributes surplus food to charities that turn it into meals . FareShare collects it from you then diverts it to their UK-wide network of 8,500 frontline charities and community groups . Visit : www . fareshare . org . uk .
Santa ’ s Lodge at Ashford Designer Outlet , 2 - 24 December
Santa will be returning to Ashford Designer Outlet this Christmas offering children and their families the chance to meet Santa and his elves , learning the many magical secrets they have from how reindeer fly to how they fly around the world in just one night . What ’ s more , as all proceeds from the tickets will be going to the British Heart Foundation , this is a great way for little ones to learn about giving back .
Medway ' s Santa Fun Run , The Historic Dockyard Chatham , 3 December
Whether you fancy taking on the 5K or the challenge of the 10K , there ' s going to be all the fun of the festive season at the Santa Fun Run at the The Historic Dockyard Chatham this year . Dress up in your Santa suit and enjoy racing or jogging around the dockyard at this fantastically fun event . All proceeds will be going straight to Rotary Club charities so you can hold your head high when you receive that well-earned medal !
Little Urchins Hedgehog Rescue Christmas Fair , Temple Ewell , 3 December
From 10am to 2pm , Little Urchins Hedgehog Rescue will be hosting their lovely Christmas Fair at Temple Ewell Village Hall near Dover . Entry is £ 4 per adult and £ 2 per child . There will be tea , coffee and hot chocolate for all plus cakes and mince pies ! There will also be handmade hedgehog-themed gifts , brica-brac and tombola prizes – please feel free to contribute baked goods , bric-a-brac and crafted items . All money raised will go towards Little Urchins Hedgehog Rescue Dover who look after sick and injured hedgehogs in need , nursing them back to health and putting them back safely in the wild . Their aim is to help stop the devastating decline in the UK ’ s number of hedgehogs .
Pilgrims Hospices Santas on the Run !, 10 December
Whether you run 3K , 5K , or choose to stretch your legs with the new 10K challenge , Herne Bay ’ s scenic seafront will play host to hundreds of Santas as they dash along the coast in aid of Pilgrims Hospices . Listen to festive music and be jingled all the way with Kent ’ s biggest Santa run . Raise money for your run from friends and family ( after all , you will be taking it on dressed in a full Santa suit , beard and all ) and give back to the hospice .
Merry Little Christmas Party , The Village Hotel , Maidstone , 16 December
Fun-filled and festive , this brand new event from the Heart of Kent Hospice is perfect for the whole family . Proceeds go to the Heart of Kent Hospice with each child ’ s ticket including food , unlimited juice and squash , gingerbread decorating , an elf show , a visit from Father Christmas and a festive disco . Adults will be treated to food , tea and coffee , and even a welcome mulled wine and mince pie .
Demelza ’ s Celebration of Christmas at Canterbury Cathedral , 19 December
Celebrating their 25th anniversary , this annual event is not one to be missed featuring festive readings and timeless carols from special guests including Cheryl Baker , Robin Cousins and Sir Martyn Lewis CBE . Begin your festive celebrations at this iconic venue on Tuesday 19 December ; doors open at 7pm for a prompt 7.30pm start . Tickets can be purchased at www . demelza . org . uk .
Do the Deal Dip on Christmas Day
The Deal Rotary Ice Breakers Boxing Day Dip may not actually require you to break through any ice ( we hope ), but we can guarantee it will certainly give you a warm feeling inside ! With all money raised going straight to local charities , it ’ s certainly worth taking the plunge with this one . So sign up , blow away the Christmas Day cobwebs and dive straight into giving back to the local community .
Folkestone ’ s Boxing Day Dip
Folkestone Lions will be hosting their annual sea dip , inviting intrepid dippers to shake off the Christmas excesses and raise funds for the Lions Club or local charities of their choice . Dippers are encouraged to gain sponsorship and use this icy blast from Sunny Sands Beach as a chance to make a difference . Don fancy dress , get some sponsors and get your feet wet !
Finally , another great and amazingly simple way to support your favourite charities this Christmas is by doing your gift shopping on one of their online Christmas shops or from their special Christmas catalogues . Unlike the traditional highstreet charity shops , these collections are brand new and include everything from ‘ Gifts for Gardeners ’ to pet-themed Coco Loco chocolates . These ranges will also include Christmas cards that support the charity , so you can help raise awareness to friends and family by simply sending these . All major UK based charities have these Christmas gift ranges including : Blue Cross , RSPCA , Dogs Trust , Cats Protection , Battersea , PDSA , NSPCC , Cancer Research , Marie Curie , Barnardos , Red Cross , Save the Children , RNLI Lifeboats , Mind , Alzheimers Society , Scope and many many more . Kent ’ s local Demelza has its own online shop , on which you can browse all their vintage items , collectables , clothes and more .
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