Three sisters got into the festive spirit by taking part in Christmas fundraisers for charity!
Leah, Charlotte, and Lydia Williams from Ashton decided to help out Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind by holding a Christmas stall at the recent Mossley Town Team Christmas Market in the George Lawton Hall. They also braved the snow by hold a fund-raising stall on the market ground at the Mossley Christmas light switch-on and parade.
The girls, who all attend the Blue Coat School in Oldham, raised a magnificent £228.40 by holding Christmas present tombolas and also selling raffle tickets for the charity which is based on Katherine Street in Ashton.
The money raised will go directly into funding the mental health support offered at TOG Mind, who work across the Tameside, Oldham, and Glossop areas.
Every year, more people are facing problems with their mental health. TOG Mind works to ensure that they can offer help to anyone that needs it, through guided self-help, mental health advocacy, drop-ins and more. Their other work involves teaching the community about mental health problems, how to recognise mental health symptoms and ways to reduce the negative stigma which, sadly, is still a barrier to people asking for help.
Leah, 17, who is studying for her A Levels at the Blue Coat Sixth Form, said she decided to raise money for mental health charity Mind as part of her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. She added:
“In the Duke of Edinburgh scheme you have to undertake voluntary work so we thought we would help a local charity. With so many young people these days suffering with stress through the pressures of exams and outside influences, we wanted to improve teenage mental health and well-being, so we decided to approach Mind.”
Charlotte, 14, also worked with Mind as part of her Silver DoE, while her younger sister Lydia, 11, is taking part in the Blue Coat School’s Leadership Award which also encourages youngsters to go out and help in the community. Lydia added:
“I chose Mind because lots of young people are dealing with mental health issues every day.”
The sisters are now planning on more fundraisers for TOG Mind in the New Year.
Jenny Robinson, CEO at TOG Mind, had this to say:
“We are so grateful for the support from the girls and I can’t wait to see what else they get up to in 2018. I am really impressed with their determination to withstand the cold and for choosing to fundraise for Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind. Not only have they raised vital funds, but they have been able to do so whilst raising awareness of mental health problems in young people. Thank you.”
For more information about TOG Mind and the services we offer; you can visit our website or you can call 0161 330 9223 where they will be happy to help. If you’ve been inspired by this story and are interested in running your own event, or if you just want to donate, contact fundraising [at] togmind.org.
