Show some love this Christmas – buy a sack of cement
As preparations get underway for the big Christmas Lights Switch On Party, local TV presenter Kaddy Lee Preston is encouraging residents of Tunbridge Wells to dig deep this Christmas and consider buying an Alternative Gift from international development charity Habitat for Humanity.
Recent research from HSBC revealed that Brits plan to spend on average £347 on gifts for their immediate family this Christmas. Spending just a fraction of this amount on an alternative gift would not only put a smile on the face of a family in a country such as Mozambique or Cambodia who currently live in some of the world’s worst housing conditions, but also on the face of a family member or friend who realise that a life-changing gift has been bought on their behalf.
Kaddy said, “It was only a few months ago that I took part in Shack Attack, a mock shantytown which brought the harsh reality to light of how millions of people live in desperate conditions around the world and the work that Habitat for Humanity does. It’s great to have options of what to buy for family or friends who are maybe difficult to shop for but at the same time know that the money that you‘re spending will have a real and lasting impact – they’re not asking you to sleep in a shack this time – just to do some shopping!”
Christmas shoppers can choose from gifts ranging in price from £3 to hundreds of pounds. They include a water harvesting gutter for £32, 200 bricks at only £8, a sack of cement for £5 or a course in construction training for £26. Or you could build a whole home for the small price of £1,235.
The list provides the opportunity to not only help someone in developing countries to have a safe, clean home to live in but also is a chance to buy a different present for the friend, colleague or family member who already has everything or is hard to buy for. Once the gift has been chosen the shopper has the opportunity to personalise a Christmas card to give to their loved one on Christmas day.
Miranda Taylor, Habitat for Humanity’s Supporter Services Manager says, “We’re always overwhelmed with people’s generosity at this time of year. It’s fantastic to see people commit a little bit of their Christmas budget to help some of the people living in horrific conditions, giving them the chance of a better Christmas and a better future.”
Habitat for Humanity works in 80 countries worldwide helping people who currently live in appalling housing conditions to build a safe, decent home.
To find out more on the alternative gifts go to: www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/gifts
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