Hello readers!
Welcome to the first of your daily blog posts. Since the launch of our christmas appeal on Friday, there is plenty to tell you.
The money is already coming in
Our readers were quick off the mark - you have already donated £12,815, which with estimated gift aid brings the total up to £15,694. We hope we can inspire you to keep it coming.
You can donate to the christmas appeal here.
We introduced you to the first two of the nine charities
Hundreds of you commented on the work of Gardening Leave, who use “gardens of peace” to help veterans heal the mental scars of war
Many others were inspired by the innovation at Star Wards, the charity improving mental health wards, one pet at a time
Star Wards plan to launch a campaign to get pets onto mental health wards
After the appeal prompted twitter messages and an offer of support from the CEO of a mental health trust, Marion Janner, founder of charity Star Wards, is planning to launch a campaign to introduce animals onto mental health wards.
Yes @starwards @cityalan hastag #animalmagic would b gr8 way 2 collate feedback/support 4 mini Buddy's, wardipedia & @guardian MH appeal
— catherine gamble (@minifeet2) November 30, 2014
Janner said: “ Mental health wards are very, very different from general wards. The evidence base is unequivocal – we list a fraction of it on Wardipedia, our online compendium of great mental health inpatient care. I’m so excited that as well as being highly engaging and heart-warming for your readers, a campaign could really result in a massive improvement to the experiences of thousands of patients, staff and visitors on mental health wards.”
Readers have sent in their support
Shortly after launch, we received one message from Peter Darbyshire:
“I am bipolar and I have just read your article on the Guardian’s Christmas Appeal. Just two words: Thank you”
Others expressed their support on twitter
@EmmaEHoward @SocietyGuardian #GuardianChristmas I'm thrilled you are supporting mental illness charities,challenging stigma and educating
— Michael Brown (@brownie1983) November 29, 2014
Some are even making cake!
Look out for me selling cakes around Glenside this week for the excellent Guardian/Observer Christmas mental health appeal Mandy (Reed)
— Mental Health UWE (@MHNUWE) December 1, 2014
Guardian journalist Stuart Heritage is already looking forward to our appeal telethon on December 13th
Incidentally, if you want to hear more about @Starwards, call the #GuardianChristmas telethon in a couple of weeks and I'll gab your ear off
— Stuart Heritage (@stuheritage) November 28, 2014
More readers’ stories and pictures to come, but until then tell us what do you think of the appeal so far? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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