The Final Days Of My Women’s Aid Reverse Advent

When I decided to start the advent back in October I honestly had no idea how it would pan out. 

I hoped it would make a difference and now I know that it has done more than help just the women in the refuge.

It has helped me personally beyond words. Processing the past has not been an easy job, in fact it is a job I never knew needed processing. I thought I was past it. 16 years is a long time for something to still affect you but being honest I think some aspects of the trauma will always remain.

Over the last couple of months while organising, collecting, writing and sharing my journey I have been honoured to help and spread the word about changes in funding that will affect Women’s Aid refuges in 2018. 

By the way .. it’s not too late to sign the petition to help save refugees by clicking on the image here:

For my final few days of my advent I have added in some super products myself after speaking with the refuge and finding out what might be needed. So although they might sound random they are going to be well received. 

Day 21: 
Mega Bloks – Jacob is not progressing to Duplo but we had a brand new set of Mega Bloks hanging around so sent those in for some small on this Christmas. 

Day 22: 
A secondhand good quality single bed and mattress.

See told you it was random. However there is a family getting ready to move soon into their own home but they are now in the process of trying to secure some furniture to do that as easily and cheaply as possible. This is great news for me as I decided a month back that the spare bed in my office was no longer needed and so I gifted this to the family.

Day 23: 
Both Joshua and Jacob loved their Dinotrux Power Revvitt toy and so we bought and gifted one to refuge for any child in there that would like one too. 
Day 24: 
I think I am probably going to come across as even more odd with my next gift. 
When I met with the Women’s Aid ladies from the refuge I am donating too they told me they were struggling for children’s chairs and needed some new ones but their budget was too over stretched to buy them. 

So on my final day of this reverse advent I have donated 6 children’s chairs to make sure the children are comfortable this festive period and beyond. 

A Big Brand Thanks
Even in the last few days of this Women’s Aid Reverse Advent some of my much loved brands didn’t let me down. In fact they have blown me away with their generosity. 

The first big thanks goes to the folks at UPPAbaby who have some amazing pushchairs on offer including their iconic Vista and Cruz pushchairs and their lightweight G-Luxe stroller. They have been so very very kind and have sent over a G-Luxe stroller for a mum that might be in need having left everything behind after escaping or for a mum that is struggling without one due to funds. 

I know it will be very gratefully received. 

Next on the list for a round of thanks is the Bumbo team who very kindly donated not 1 but 2 of my favourite booster seats.

The Bumbo Multi seat has been our go to seat for Jacob and we fell in love with it when we reviewed it a while back. This multi adjustable seat can be used for sitting, eating and even as a booster at the table. 

Our next brand that we need to throw some thanks to is the wonderful Aqua Wipes team. Aqua Wipes are an ideal alternative to using cotton wool and water and have been carefully developed here in the UK to not only be as pure as possible but to care for the environment too. 

Aqua Wipes contain more than 99% purified water and a touch of Aloe Vera in their biodegradable fabric to ensure that both baby and the environment are taken care of.

My Final thank you goes directly to Ross at Secret Pie. 

Secret Pie is a digital marketing and online PR consultancy that works in the baby products, gifts and home brands and retailers and I have had the pleasure of working with Secret Pie on many occasions over the last couple of years. 

Ross has been my go to guy in the nursery sector to answer questions or generally chat about all things blogger, PR related and we love nothing more than a gossip on pushchairs! 

Last week my final delivery arrived and I was blown away by a special delivery from Ross and Secret Pie… A range of fantastic quality games and puzzles for the little tots in the Women’s Aid Refuge this Christmas… it made me cry. 

I have honestly never ever felt so grateful to such an amazing bunch of brands in my life. 

Although my #WomensAidReverseAdvent is on its way soon the refuge feel honoured, humbled and excited at just how much we as a collective will have made a difference. 

Thank you all.