Following the runaway success of last years “Cracking Christmas Jumper Day”, the Orkney Charitable Trust are running it again this year.

2018 winners the Maternity Team at the Balfour

This year the prize is even better, a two course Sunday Roast Courtesy of Sheila Fleet’s Kirk Café.

Every Child Deserves a Christmas

Orkney Charitable Trust are fundraising for “Every Child Deserves a Christmas” where families in Orkney receive grants to ease the burden of the festive season.

Christmas can be stressful for many families but especially those who are finding money is tight. The festive season creates additional burdens with the added costs of heating and food bills. The grants from OCT have been used for everything from Christmas Dinner, heating costs to presents for children who may go without.

OCT are looking for local businesses, groups, services and schools to hold a day wearing their best, brightest and most crazy Christmas jumper or outfits and donate money to give children across our community some extra help at this special time of year.

They are targeting the week starting 9th December, but it is open for individuals to choose their date.

Craig Spence, Chairman of Orkney Charitable Trust explained

“Every Child Deserves a Christmas is now in its sixth year and we are proud to have provided grants which should enable a better Christmas for hundreds of children across Orkney, helping to bring a little bit of magic to their day.

“We were blown away with the support last year for “Cracking Christmas Jumper Day” and were delighted that the Maternity Team at the Balfour won the prize with their depiction of the nativity scene, goats and all! We can’t wait to see the creativity of the teams this year, and just to see everyone having fun!”

“We gave out almost £14000 in the grant programme last year, and this was only possible with the support of the community. We take the utmost care in dealing with the challenges faced by young people in Orkney and in using our resources to make a difference!”

Orkney Charitable Trust want to continue supporting families who are experiencing financial hardship.

Orkney has a low average income compared to the Scottish Average but it costs on average 20% more to live here. This is even more exasperated in the isles where the average income is 28% less than the Scottish average and costs can be as much has 30% higher.

Fuel poverty is particularly prevalent in Orkney with 57% of households spending 10% or more of their household income on fuel – the highest in Scotland. This hits families who are struggling hardest, meaning that Christmas can see families making real choices between heating and Christmas presents.

How to get involved

It’s easy to get involved, just get in contact with Orkney Charitable Trust to get a Fundraising Pack by emailing info@octrust.org.uk or going to the website www.octrust.org.uk .

Sheila Fleet’s Kirk Café have kindly donated a January Two course Sunday Roast for the team with the most liked photo from the “Cracking Christmas Jumper Day” on Orkney Charitable Trust Facebook page (up to 10 people, for a January Sunday lunch).

By having a fun filled day, Orkney Charitable Trust are hoping to focus the community on helping others this Christmas time. They firmly believe that “Every Child Deserves a Christmas”.