£10,229 in 72 hours!

Please note: this post is 96 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

Last week, we asked you to come together in support of our Winter Wellbeing project - and we were overwhelmed by the response.

As the weather turns colder and the nights continue to get darker, what can often be the most social time of the year for younger neighbours, can be the most isolating for older neighbours. This is why we have our Winter Wellbeing project - to help neigbours that are isolated to stay warm, well and connected during the winter months. As one neighbour we recently met said: “It’s good what you’re doing, very helpful to a lot of lonely people."

On Tuesday 29th November we launched our Big Give Christmas Challenge, where any donation made to North London Cares via the Big Give website would be doubled. Within 24 hours, thanks to your generosity and support, the matched funding pot had been exhausted. And, despite this, you kept donating, every extra penny helping as many older neighbours as possible.

In just 72 hours an amazing £10,229 was raised for our Winter Wellbeing project. 160 of you joined together to support our older neighbours during the harsh and challenging months. We were so chuffed to have your support.

We also want to say thank you to those who gave the match funding; the Postcode Support Trust, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Octopus Investments and the individual donors who made the Big Give Christmas Challenge possible. You made a huge difference.

During the week we also held our sell-out Winter Pub Quiz at Canal 125, where 70 of our North London Cares family came together for a night of knowledge, fun and a drink or two. We answered questions about Lil’s school days, opening lines of literature, and what is the deepest Underground station (it’s Hampstead, not Angel, as you may suspect!). All the money raised from the night helped to make our Winter Wellbeing project possible – a huge thank you to everyone who attended.

£10,229 will help your older neighbours keep warm, well and connected this winter, by buying hats, gloves, blankets, paying for fuel grants and of course, company, laughter and friendship at one of our winter social clubs. Even now, you’re helping neighbours like Tom*, who we met last week. He responded to one of our leaflets asking for help, as he was having to make the choice between “eating and heating” each day. Thanks to your support, we were able to help him with a grant, ensuring he keeps both warm and healthy over the winter months. Your support will help make sure more neighbours like Tom aren’t left in the cold this winter.

And we can't wait to share more stories about the difference your donations have made!

*Name changed