This weekend we were fund raising and raising awareness at out local #Lush store.
It was an amazing two days, the members of staff were wonderful, full of enthusiasm, support and fun.
They donned their sashes with pride, and told all their customers about their charity pots.
The idea is that they have pots of a specific hand and body lotion that range from £1, to £4:50 to £16:50, once the VAT has been removed the charity receive the rest. Every time a charity pot is sold they ring a bell and cheer! There were lots of families with little children who of course ask why the bell is ringing and ask if they can buy a £1 pot to ring the bell, it is such an amazing idea and works brilliantly.
Whilst all of that is going on, we were there to talk to customers who wanted to know more about our charity and what we do.
Before work started I talked to the staff about BGSG and why I set it up.
Not one member of staff had ever heard of estrangement/alienation before, I can honestly say that it affected them greatly.
When you are involved in something like this, you get to meet some amazing people.
One young man had bought lots of Christmas presents and also bought a charity pot, he came to talk to me and asked for a hug, he said;
I have just lost my Nan and I miss her so much.
Another young lady came up and asked if she could I do any volunteering for us?
She then said,
I am an alienated child, it is terrible and I will never recover from it. I find it difficult to trust any adult, they have let me down.
Many young people came over to say that they couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be apart from their grandparents, they are such an important part of their lives.
Then a young lady said,
I lost my Mum when I was very young, and my Nan took me on, she is everything to me, I don’t think I would be the person I am now without her. She was always there whenever I needed her, and still is, I am part of her and she is part of me. Anyone who thinks it is ok to break up this special relationship are damaging their children forever.
Finally, I can’t thank the staff at Cribbs Causeway enough, their customer service is outstanding, thank you #Lush for your charity pots idea. Thank you also, to the grandparents that came to give us support.
