Support the stork in 2020

Happy New Year from all at Stripey Stork! So, what’s in store for us this year and how can you help us reach all the local families who need our support?

2019 on reflection

No post about looking forward would be complete without looking at where we’re starting from. 2019 was a big year for Stripey Stork, two major highlights being that we moved premises to our bigger and more suitable warehouse in Reigate, and we were awarded with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest recognition for a UK voluntary group. Our foundation is stronger than ever, with solid partnerships and the most amazing team of volunteers.

We’ve gone from strength to strength and our ambitious 2019 target of responding to 2500 requests for help was exceeded. We were able to respond to a 2678 requests made by our referral partners, on behalf of the families they support.

2020 target

We know that the demand for our service has been rising since we started in 2013. Contrary to popular belief, this is happening right on our doorstep, with 10% (22640) of children in Surrey living in poverty and two thirds of these being from working households (source: www.cfsurrey.org.uk).

The goal we have set ourselves this year is to respond to 3000 referrals and we are busy gearing up for the challenge.

How to get involved

As well as the obvious, but crucial, volunteering and donating items from our monthly wish list, we also have a list of many, sometimes less obvious, other ways you can help.

We have a calendar of events planned for this year, here’s our quarterly campaign dates for your diary:

#Mum2Mum2020 – 22nd March is Mother’s Day

We want to let all the Mums we are supporting know what a fantastic job they are doing, under what is sometimes the most difficult of circumstances. We are aiming to provide gift packs and cards for 600 Mums who would otherwise go unrecognised on what should be a celebratory day.

There are numerous ways to get involved, from buying a new/donating an unwanted toiletry gift, pledging to our online appeal, or purchasing one of our exclusive Mother’s Day cards. The campaign will be launched towards the end of January, so watch this space! See blog to find out about last year’s success.

#Stripes4Stripey2020 – Thursday 18th June

This is the day of the stripes, where we ask everyone far and wide, big or small, to make a statement and dress in their favourite stripey attire in return for a donation to our ‘new socks, underwear and nightwear’ fund. Stripey people are encouraged to share their photos on social media using #Stripes4Stripey2020 to help spread the fun and create awareness. Inspire your friends, work colleagues or children’s school to get involved. The more the stripier, the more the merrier is what we say!

#RunReigate2020 – Sunday 20th September

If you’re setting your personal goals for the new year, then why not go for the ultimate and start with taking part in Run Reigate this year? You’ve probably heard all the fuss so now it’s time to find out for yourself. There’s plenty of races to choose from – the award winning 1/2 marathon, 10km, 5km, or even the kid’s race, there’s something for everyone.

Whatever your ability, we’d love to have you on #TeamStork. You can run as an individual, team or family. Either way you won’t be on your own, we’ll be with you every step of the way – providing lots of moral support, working with you on fundraising and dressing you in orange. It’s a great community event and our biggest fundraiser of the year, so pencil us in! Please email events@stripeystork.org.uk to express your interest.

#SantaStork2020

Our popular Christmas campaign provides brand new (and wherever possible specially requested) presents for those most in need in our local area. In 2019, 2276 children and 1047 parent/carer presents were distributed in the run up to Christmas, estimated to be a huge £65k in value. There are lots of ways to help with our biggest seasonal campaign – donate online, buy from our special Amazon wish list or take your children shopping for an item from our suggested gift list. There’ll be lots of information when the campaign is launched in mid-October. All presents are wrapped and distributed on our Giving Day in December, a very special festive event where our volunteers roll up their Christmas jumper sleeves.

If you think your work or community organisation may like to get involved, then we can arrange for a bespoke Amazon wish list or gift list. We will support you with posters, graphics and any other marketing materials which you may need, and there’ll be plenty of social media thank yous for our partners.

Other projects

The 2020 Virtual Challenge

If organised challenge events aren’t your thing, then why not take on Stripey’s virtual challenge. This is ideal for those who prefer to challenge themselves at their own pace and in their own time – your race, you way! Your chosen challenge can be as wacky as you like, it’s even one to get the children involved in, find out more here. Once you #EarnYourStripes you’ll be awarded a bespoke Stripey Stork medal, all for a small donation (£20.20) or fundraising (£50) for your favourite local charity. All money raised will be used to support the work we do in helping vulnerable families get back on their feet, by getting those essential items to them.

We’ll be updating this blog with more projects and events over the coming months, as Stripey’s calendar starts filling up so keep checking in with us.

A dream charity partnership

Is you company looking for a mutually beneficial charity partnership? Is your charity of the year nominations coming soon? With Stripey Stork as your charity partner, it’s about so much more than fundraising, but also about using your knowledge, volunteering and team building. This video explains why you should consider involving Stripey Stork in your CSR strategy – it’s a win-win!

Have an Idea?

Keep your ears to the ground and eyes peeled for any potential opportunities or partnerships for us to be involved with. It doesn’t always have to be about parting with your own hard-earned cash, but more about thinking ‘outside the box’ and seizing opportunities as they arise. If you have an idea, or any questions about the above, then our door is always open – please email partnerships@stripeystork.org.uk.

And finally, all that’s left to say is a huge thank you for your continued support. We couldn’t do what we do without our supporters, volunteers and partners. It’s because of you that we are entering into 2020 with the wind beneath our wing – keep up the great work #TeamStork and let’s do this!