Introducing Sockies 4 Barnardo's!

For 2015 we are trying to raise awareness for Barnardo's children's charity and raise some money for them too. 

My family and I will be visiting local family friendly tourist attractions with our Sockies and snapping a few pics to share on social media and raise awareness. We're hoping that the owners of these attractions will appreciate the publicity and will contribute a donation, and that we will attract followers and donations from the general public too.

PLEASE DONATE WHAT YOU CAN: https://www.justgiving.com/Sockies4Barnardos

Keep an eye out for our hashtags #Sockies and #Sockies4Barnardos

What are Sockies?

I had thought about making some toys as gifts or to sell and raise money but the fact of it is my sewing skills are somewhat lacking! Here are my pitiful efforts at Sock Animals:

Sad, yes? And frankly they are not safe for children either. The buttons have a habit of coming off if tugged, and the stitches pull, and the stuffing escapes.... Not a great kids toy! But I am not one to be defeated! I thought "Why not have these little Sock Critters help me raise some money anyway?" So they are going to take up residence in my bag and travel with us everywhere for the rest of the year. They will visit the places we visit, meet the people we meet, have their photos plastered all over social media, and hopefully inspire a little cash to be paid into our JustGiving account for Barnardo's.

Why Barnardo's?

I had to raise money for a Children's charity. With 4 kids of my own I know how much love, care, attention, and general maintenance (clothes and food etc) kids actually need. Basically.... it's a lot! 

Barnardo’s believes in children regardless of their circumstances, gender, race, disability or behaviour. Our purpose as a charity today is to transform the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children 

We believe in the abused, the most vulnerable, the forgotten and the neglected. We will support them, stand up for them and bring out the best in each and every child. 

We do this because we believe that every child deserves the best start in life and the chance to fulfil their potential. 

We use the knowledge gained from our direct work with children to campaign for better childcare policy and to champion the rights of every child. 

With the right help, committed support and a little belief, even the most vulnerable children can turn their lives around. Barnardo’s is regulated by the Charity Commission. Being a registered charity means that we must always be accountable and transparent. 

Find out more at Barnardos.org.uk

So here's the deal.... Me, the kids, and these little Sockies are going to head out and about in Lancashire (to start with) and we're going to get some photos up on this blog and on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and all those lovely social media (click and follow over on the right there). We're going to ask some lovely local attractions to put their hands in their pockets and donate a little to our fund raiser. And if you like what you see we'd like you to do the same!

Please follow us, please like us, please share us! And please, please, PLEASE donate what you can!