Actus Advent

The charities range from community hubs to animal charities and those nominated are as follows:

Our Actus Advent charities 2023

The Redbourn Community Group
Safe in Sussex
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
Happy Claws and Paws
Future Hope
The Courtney Foundation – Luton Kind
Wycombe Multicultural Organisation
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – Watford General Hospital

The Wild Life  Hospital in Trent Park / WRAS

Actus Advent was first launched on 1st December 2023, and introduced by our CEO Lucinda. Throughout the month of December we have posted on our social media the charities chosen above and why. The following gives more insight into why they were chosen:

Redbourn Community Group

‘Actus is based in a small Hertfordshire village called Redbourn and I find it a privilege to live and work in this community. Redbourn Community Group is a registered charity, without any statutory funding that supports those in need within the village and surrounding areas. As a relatively, rural community, we are poorly served by public transport which can mean that people feel isolated or cannot access key services. The Community Bus is staffed by volunteers and is a vital lifeline for those in need.’ Lucinda

Safe in Sussex

‘My Chosen charity is Safe in Sussex. A registered charity providing help and support for people affected by domestic abuse in West Sussex. Through refuge accommodation and outreach programmes, they work hard to support victims of abuse in their recovery and empowerment once free from an abusive relationship.

Not only do they offer support but also they are committed to preventing domestic abuse. By providing education In-person, interactive and informative training courses for professionals, businesses, and the wider community to help develop awareness and understanding of domestic abuse and the impact it has.’ Katie

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

‘My Actus Advent Charity is ‘Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’. Hearing Dogs selects and trains assistance dogs to alert their partner to sounds. Something we often take for granted – changing lives and even saving lives. Such good dogs! With lots of inspirational stories and photos on their website, this charity has helped thousands of deaf people so far in lots of ways.’ Adrian

Happy Claws and Paws

‘My Actus Advent Charity is ‘Happy Claws and Paws’, who are very dear to my heart because without them I would not have my very special rescue dog Barney! Local to me, the small charity is ran by volunteers who work very closely with a team in Bosnia, who rescue stray dogs that may otherwise end up in kill shelters. As well as rescuing the dogs they are also working to spay/neuter as many dogs as possible. Thus reducing the number of abandoned dogs.’ Laura

Future Hope

‘As a child, my parents would take us to Kolkata, India whenever they could to see all our family, especially our grandparents.  I have vivid memories of travelling between family houses mainly by rickshaws, taxis, and trains. On every trip, I experienced people particularly young children begging on the streets, at the market stalls, at Howrah train station, and on the trains themselves.  Some were blind, some handicapped, and some just couldn’t afford to feed themselves. It really broke my heart to experience this and therefore the charity I am choosing to support ‘Future Hope.’ Swagata

The Courtney Foundation – The Luton Kind

‘My Actus Advent Charity is ‘Luton Kind – The Courtney Foundation’. Christmas is tough for those who are in poverty and this charity helps bring joy to children through fundraising, providing support to the vulnerable children and community fun days. The charity is part of my community which I cherish and supporting young children to have a better life is something I love doing.’ Noorjjy

Wycombe Multicultural Organisation

‘The Charity I chose is Wycombe Multicultural Organisation. They support the Afro Caribbean members of High Wycombe and the general populace. They host various activities such as an annual Senior Citizens Christmas dinner, bingo nights, a Saturday school for children that may be struggling in school as well as various trips that include trips to the seaside. WMO encourage community spirit with their various activities.’ Fatscema

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Watford General Hospital

‘My Actus Advent charity is for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Watford General Hospital, helping towards their Wish list. Our son Daniel was born 7 weeks premature in 2013. The Neonatal staff have been amazing looking after our son and provided invaluable support to us and all the parents in a very worrying time. From personal experience, the items on the wish list like feeding chairs, microwaves and kettles will make a big difference to parents staying at the hospital and the bedrooms help with the transition from hospital to home.’ Maria

The Wild Life Hospital in Trent Park / WRAS

‘My chosen charity is ‘The Wild Life Hospital in Trent Park / WRAS – Wildlife recue and Ambulance Service’. A small animal charity with limited resources who rescue and rehabilitate wildlife. They provide a safe home for rescued sick, injured or orphaned animals. Their rehabilitation programme aims to release animals and birds back into the wild. Where this is not possible they take up residence in Trent Park. They are 100% funded by kindness. All of the animals at Trent Park Animal Centre are either recovering from injuries and will be released when well enough to survive in the wild. If they cannot be released the centre will provide a safe sanctuary for life. Some have been orphaned, abandoned, or saved from neglectful owners. All of them have been helped in some way by WRAS and they all have a story to tell.’ Jane

Please visit these wonderful charities on their websites or Social Media channels to find out more.