Staff at a Shropshire company have volunteered to ensure that a charity’s festive gifts are delivered on time.
CJ Wildlife, based at Upton Magna, has supported Severn Hospice for the past eight years with the delivery of its seasonal cards and gifts.
Now they are helping with the distribution of the charity’s keepsake robins, which have certainly been causing a flutter and have been flying off the shelves.
Elodie Home, Severn Hospice’s legacy and in memoriam advisor approached CJ Wildlife to ask if they would, once again help with the mailing of the Christmas items.
And they didn’t hesitate in saying ‘yes’.
Michael Monaghan, from CJ Wildlife said: “CJs have been distributing items for Severn Hospice for the past eight years.
“We do this to support the hospice and help increase awareness of how people can still raise funds whilst its shops are closed.
“On average, in the two months run up to Christmas, our volunteers pack between 20 and 40 orders every single day.
“This year is even more gratifying with the launch of the new seasonal memorial robin which we are sure will be a hit.”
Severn Hospice hopes the hand-painted robins will prove as much of a success as the forget-me-not flowers which were a sell-out three years ago.
Elodie added: “Our robins are doing a great job supporting us! People have really liked them and it’s so nice to see how they’ve been taken to their hearts. They make the perfect gift and embody the saying ‘when robins appear, loved ones are near’.
“Our metal forget-me-nots were such a success and brought so much comfort and pleasure to people and we hoped that our little robins would do the same.
“Our Christmas cards are also selling extremely well and bring in much-appreciated funds, as well as festive cheer to recipients around the world.
“The support that CJ provides to us really does make the world of difference – we would not have been able to sell the robins and raise the vital funds we need without their help.”
Severn Hospice provides specialist care and support to thousands of people living with incurable illness in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales. It is an independent charity and has to raise around two-thirds of its running costs each year.
This year it has seen its funds slashed due to COVID-19 as events were cancelled, shops were closed, and supporters asked to stay at home.
The spring lockdown removed its ability to raise £100,000 a week and bosses were already predicting they would end the year with a £500,000 fundraising deficit.
If you would like to buy one of the robins, which are packaged in a presentation box which can be personalised before being given as a gift, go to bit.ly/Keepsakerobins
