UK Charity Event 2013 will be our last...

[Stitch2814]

This is quite sad for me to post this as this year would be our 3rd event and so far its not looking good as due to the postal increase in the US I have had a few people say they can not send any donation because of the increase in prices and are backing out one by one. Which is quite a shame to be honest with you when we rely on the donations of the pin community and vinylmation community.

And with the prices going up would mean the prices would most likely run into next year and either stay the same or go up again which would make it near impossible to get donations so I think we are going to call it a day with the event this year in October as me and Elaine can not do this by ourselves and it quite sad when people say they will send something and then nothing turns up and says next year I will.. well from the looks of it this year will be the last as people don't seem to be in a giving spirit anymore.

We have received a handle of VERY generous donations which is only 5 donations and 1 cash donation and that is all so me and Elaine are looking at the facts and will most likely stop the charity event which brings in over £500 each time but when there is no support for donations and people are not willing to send due to postage costs then it is not worth to hold it when we would lose money from venue, food, drinks etc

This charity really does make a difference and we are hoping to make this one the best and most likely the last one. :cry:

So for those few who have backed out and other reasons why 2014 won't be happening, please just google epidermolysis bullosa and look at the images of this horrid dreadful disease and see how this charity helps those who suffer to have some memories of a happier time.

 

[Poohlady5]

Hi there, perhaps you and Elaine can request cash donations instead of pins etc. next year. It would be a shame for you to give up on your wonderful charity event. It is sad that postal rates have and will prevent a lot of USA donations. In truth, I will probably not be able to donate items next year as well for that reason. Last week I mailed two parcels to the UK. One for your charity, one a Valentine gift. They both weighed about a pound each and cost me $18.00 USD and $22.00 USD = $40.00 for them. I was shocked! I remember a few years ago parcels to the UK were about $7-$10 dollars!! I would rather just Paypal the $18.00 to you next year instead of giving it to the post office! At least then you and Elaine could make a cash contribution to the charity. Or use it to buy gifts locally for your raffles, etc.

 

[Damiens pins]

I'm afraid that's what is happening at minute people are cutting back on donations to charity's as they don't have as much money as they used to and all bills are going up and wages are not its just the way things are going its very sad but that is the way it is

 

[Jrdnsmom]

OMG I totally did not mean to forget about you, I have 1 vynalmation a lion king one, when I told you I had it of course I couldn't find it, well I just found it yesterday so I can ship it, can you send me your address please. and does it just have to be pins or Vynals?

 

[starry_solo]

I don't know how the UK laws are about charities and charitable donations (whether tax deductible or not), but here are a few suggestions/questions:

1. Is your charity a company that a donation to it is tax deductible (under UK laws)?
2. Have you looked into getting local sponsors (UK based) to cover the costs of the food, venue, auction prizes, etc.?
3. Have you looked into getting grants for the charity?

 

[Stitch2814]

well we try to get a venue thats big enough, we are trying to get one this year as a good gesture like we did last year, but then food and drinks had to be bought at said venue. Also local business don't like to donate stuff, Elaine tried and asked around but did not get much off any business's that would appeal to our charity.

I only help out with the donations and on the day side of things but Elaine is more to the charity than I am. I just wish people would see the kindness of the charity and send some pins, cash donations would not mean much when that money would have to buy pins or vinyls and would be from the US so negates the effect on the postage side of it. I don't know about a general cash donation to the charity as thats something else as we have a day packed out and have fun and it is a shame to see it stop but its not worth it when no one is willing to donate due to a small increase in postage.

I travel from Ireland to UK just for the event to help out and thats about 90 euro for my travel expenses to go over to lend my support so personally the postal cost excuse seems a bit of a cop out in my opinion when people can Zap and send pins for nothing but to make someone smile so I don't see how this charity event is any bit different when it makes those Families who they send on holidays have a memorable time to last them forever.

 

[mickeymousje]

You know I have a package to donate but waiting to get your pins from Paris to sene itto you I know shipping prices are i sane, I went to the PO Saturday to send my secret valentine gift and it cost me nearly $30 So I can't join with SS and the other gift exchanges a ymore

 

[starry_solo]

Okay, more questions (FYI: I am involved in a local charity in the US and sponsors are usually lined up many months before the event. The cost to attend goes towards the fundraising goals of the charity to further its goals.)

I am also helping fundraise for another local organization and our event is either in 3 months (eek) or 6 months (a little less eek!)

Based upon your response, it looks like you have a free venue but then food & drinks are purchased by those who attend the event at the venue? The purpose of your charity is to raise funds for your charity to do what?! Donate it to another organization for medical research. One good way to get donations is if you are an organization in which any donations to it is automatically tax deductible (not as a business expense but as a charitable donation). When this charity was set up, did you have the assistance of a solicitor or a barrister to make sure that the charity qualifies?

For those in the US: Perhaps there is one person in the US that can gather all the donations and send it via parcel post/airmail? For flat rate priority to be worth it (large = $78; medium = 60), the package must weigh over 11 pounds. Otherwise, it would be cheaper to send regular priority (non-flat rate) or first class international (max weight = 4 pounds = $40).

 

[Stitch2814]

No the money that is raised for the charity is used to send families who have someone who suffers from EB on holiday or day trips, this is not just for UK sufferers, they send people from around the world on holidays and these holidays would create lasting memories for those families.

Like I said I have no idea about that side of the charity as the it is run by scott's mum who lost Scott to EB a few years ago and he was an avid pin trader and loved to trade and Elaine set up the say to help raise money as well as to remember Scott.

 

[creativextremeties]

I'm still going to be sending a box your way too <3 <3 <3

 

[Chilikitty]

I am still sending a box regardless of cost. I just write it off on my taxes.

 

[Dalamara]

Actually I wanted to ask you something about your charity... Does it HAVE to be just pins or vinylmations? I ask because I have some other Disney things (Plush toys and whatnot) that I hoped to donate... Will those help at all?

 

[vickichip7]

This is a real shame to hear that you may have to give up hosting these events! It sounds like such a good way to raise money for charity but also to bring together many people in a love of pin trading/Disney in general in Scott's memory!

Can you remind me of the date of this year's event or link to the thread if you have one set up already. Also can I get a PM of the address to send donations to?

 

[Stitch2814]

Actually I wanted to ask you something about your charity... Does it HAVE to be just pins or vinylmations? I ask because I have some other Disney things (Plush toys and whatnot) that I hoped to donate... Will those help at all?

We accept any disney related items for the charity day so does not specifically need to be pins or vinyls.

Thanks Chilikitty

I will PM you vickichip7