Half way to the operation costs

We're nearly a quarter of the way to our fundraising total after only 8 weeks of campaigning, which means half way to the cost of the actual operation itself (the other costs are physio costs). This is totally amazing and all thanks to the hard work and dedication of so many friends and family.  

We originally thought that we'd be able to write a post about each event but there is so much going on that we just can't keep up!  Here is a list of things we haven't posted about yet - do let us know if there's an event we have missed at operationelliot@gmail.com as we want to capture as much as we can through this blog so we can remember everyone's generosity and commitment, which we are so grateful for.

In addition to events there have of course been many, many generous donations.  

Here's a flavour of the creative ways through which people have been fundraising:

The St Nicholas Preschool nativity play collection organised by Lorna Skipworth

St Katherines School nativity performance collection

St Katherines School staff collection, an additional collection in lieu of cards and presents for each other and Mrs Sweetland donated her pub quiz winnings at the Ludo Lounge in Southbourne 

Hannah Butler has traipsed the streets of Southbourne Grove and had some fantastic donations from retailers there.

Birmingham Carboot selling items donated by well-wishers

Helena Taylor's sponsored swim

Pub Quiz at The Canonbury in Islington organisated by Amy Rodway

A raffle/auction and toddler group event organised by Amanda Snow

Bill and Jackie Howlett's Christmas party and raffle.

The 10th Bournemouth Brownies raised funds by carol singing.

Julie Sampson organised a cake sale.

Collection by Staff at Boscombe Sainsbury's.

Lisa Clark organised a coffee morning at her work.

Great Uncle Charle's party in Devon.

The Crafty Muthas in Birmingham donated half the proceeds of their charity raffle.

As we watch the total raised so far continue to rise, we see that every single penny really does count.  Thank you for your generosity and creativity.  Operation Elliot is a happy operation this Christmas.

We wish you a merry one and will be in touch in the New Year ready to ramp up the next lot of fundraising!

xxx

Fundraising Festivities in Islington

If you live near Islington, London, you'd better note 17th December in your diary.  For that's when The Canonbury Pub in Islington will be holding a Festive Pub Night with a quiz, gospel choir, raffle and more - all for Operation Elliot. What better way to celebrate the £10,000 milestone we've reached this week!

Amy Rodway, who runs The Canonbury, is an old school friend of Elliot's mum Morwenna.  We think she's a gem!
Check out these great posters to spread the word. 

If you know anyone who lives in London, why not tell them where they need to be on 17th December at 7pm?  The more who turn up, the more Amy will be able to raise for Elliot.

If you go to the party, please send us pictures of the night - some selfies! - to operationelliot@gmail.com so that we can write all about it here. 

Keep up with the latest on the quiz night @thecanonbury and with our fundraising @SDRforElliot

   

Sweetening the working week

A friend of Elliot's Aunty Verity, Caroline Earth, got in touch with us to tell us about a cake and craft sale she's organised that is lasting a whole week long - a week! - for staff at Bournemouth University. 

We asked Caroline to tell us all about her venture:

Can you tell us how you know Elliot?

I went to school with Elliot’s Aunty Verity, and also Morwenna, Elliot’s Mum. We are still good friends and so I really wanted to get involved with Operation Elliot. I’ve known Elliot since he was a baby and seen him grow up to be an amazing and cheeky little boy. 

Why did you decide to help?

Although Elliot is very determined and in many ways his disabilities don’t seem to stop him, I can imagine how much more easily he would be able to play and get involved with things if he was more mobile and looking to the future I think this operation could really help him to be more independent as he gets older. That’s why I want to do what I can to help raise some money.

So what's the plan?

I work in Student Support Services at Bournemouth University. I know that cakes are always popular and there would definitely be appetite for a cake sale. I’ve been making some Christmas tree decorations too which I thought I could sell. My manager agreed to let us have a table for the week in our staff common room area and we’ve put an honesty box on the table for donations. We hope that by keeping the table topped up with cakes for the whole week, we’ll raise more money than if we just did it for one day. 

How have you managed to make enough stuff?

When I mentioned the idea to colleagues, it quickly snowballed and I was amazed at how keen people were to bake cakes and contribute their own handmade crafts for sale. My friend Barbie and I spent our day off making Christmas cards and decorations and we’re really pleased that although simple, they’ve turned out really nicely.

Are you selling your wares anywhere else? We also asked the staff in our coffee shop on campus to have a small basket of cards and decorations for sale and they’ve got an honesty box and some Operation Elliot flyers. That way, we can try to sell to students too… they are always hungry!

Thank you Caroline!

If you'd like to do something similar, perhaps you could visit local Southbourne craft store Create It All.  This new business is also planning to help Operation Elliot with a craft event.  Perhaps you could get involved or take advantage of one of their craft workshops....

Keep your ideas and stories coming, we love hearing from you.