14/11/2025
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/saltshakerbinfield?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=CL
This Christmas Saltshaker - Binfield is supporting The Cowshed again by providing hampers to families going through hardship in our local area. If you have the means, please consider supporting us as we try to raise the funds to create 1,500 hampers. They cost £10 each so our fundraising goal is £15,000.
Thank you to the people of Binfield and surrounding area for all the support and to all the volunteers who have signed up to help pack the hampers. You make it possible!
✨ This Christmas, you can make a difference for a child like Holly. 🎄
Last year, thanks to your generosity, The Cowshed supported over 2,500 children like Holly, making Christmas magical for families across Berkshire who were facing hardship.
Holly’s family had spent most of her young life in hospital, trying to save her liver from recurring infections that could have led to liver failure and the need for a transplant.
When Holly was fitted with an NG tube to help her feed, she often pulled it out in her sleep, causing nosebleeds and soreness on her cheek. Her parents were exhausted and worried, and after months in hospital, they could not afford a new wardrobe of clothes to help keep her tube safely in place.
That was when The Cowshed stepped in. Our team phoned to find out exactly what Holly might need, taking great care when choosing soft, comfortable onesies with cuffs to keep her tube secure. The kindness and thought that went into choosing and delivering those clothes brought her parents to tears of joy and relief. At last, Holly could sleep safely, and they could rest a little easier knowing she was comfortable.
Then, just before Christmas, Holly was back in hospital. Her parents did not know if they would be home in time to celebrate her very first Christmas together. When one of our volunteers called to check if she needed anything, her mum was deeply moved by the compassion and kindness shown on the phone. In the midst of hospital stays and treatment, she had not even had time to think about Christmas presents.
Thankfully, Holly was able to come home a little over a week before Christmas. When our kind delivery volunteer arrived with her handmade Santa sack, her mum broke down in tears. The beautifully crafted sack, complete with a holly leaf stitched onto the front, was filled with handpicked and lovingly wrapped gifts that Holly absolutely adored and still plays with today. Opening those presents together brought so much joy and made their first Christmas at home truly special.
💚 “From the bottom of both our hearts, we cannot thank your whole team enough for everything you have done for us. In our darkest times with Holly, you were there for us in a way we never knew we might need help. You were our special Christmas angels.”
Today, Holly is thriving, happy, cheeky, and loving life at nursery. 💖
This year, we want to bring that same joy and hope to 3,000 children across Berkshire, with over 20,000 gifts wrapped and delivered to families facing hardship. But we cannot do it without you.
Here is how you can help make Christmas magical this year:
🎁 Buy a gift from our Amazon Wish List:
https://amzn.eu/eJHRaPj
🎅 Sponsor a sack of gifts for a child in need:
https://www.thecowshed.org/pro.../christmas-sack-buy-a-gift/
💸 Donate to our Christmas Appeal:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/cowshedchristmasappeal
Together, we can make sure every child wakes up to love, warmth, and the magic of Christmas morning. Please help if you can. 🤍✨
