Big occasions like Christmas and weddings are times that makes you think of the less fortunate in our society. There are so many amazing charities working day in day out to make a difference in so many areas in our society and the trend of incorporating a donation to charity instead of favours or gifts has become more and more popular over the years with couples who feel they would like someone else to benefit from their Big Day also. If you’re struggling to come up with a favour idea and would like to do something meaningful for your guests, there are many charities you can donate to.
Make a Wish Ireland
Make-A-Wish Ireland makes dreams come true for children with life threatening conditions and a donation could give a child a much needed break from the mundane routine of hospital visits and treatments. Make-A-Wish Ireland is a children’s charity with one simple mission, to grant wishes – to give sick children aged between 3 and 17 a magical day they will remember. If you would like to donate to Make-A-Wish Ireland, they can provide wedding favour cards that states that you have donated to to their cause. For more information click here.
ISPCA
The ISPCA mind thousands of animals that have been hurt, abused or neglected. They do this by rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing animals that have been the subject of cruelty and neglect and by donating to this cause you can ensure that some of these precious pooches, cats, or horses have a safer home. If you’re an animal lover that wants to make a difference on your Big Day, there are several ways you can donate to the ISPCA. You can ask guests to donate directly to the charity in lieu of wedding gifts, donate instead of favours or if you’re a wedding guest that would love to give a memorable wedding gift, you can sponsor a kennel, cat pod or stable for the couple – and the ISPCA will arrange for a plague to be hung in their honour as an extra special memento. For more information click here.
Marie Keating Foundation
The Marie Keating Foundation raise funds for cancer education and support across Ireland – everything from promoting early detection to supporting families affected by cancer through a ‘Comfort Fund’, which gives financial assistance to those in need to working with hospitals to ensure waiting room facilities are as comfortable as possible for the patients that use them on a frequent basis. If this cause is close to your heart and you would like to make a donation, you will receive thank you cards for your tables so guests are aware of your gesture. Or if you’d like your guests to walk away with a memento, you can also arrange to have favours for your guests such as keyrings, pens or pins. For more information click here.
Self Help Africa
Self Help Africa uses your donations to invest in and support projects that can help improve the lives of some of Africa’s poorest people – if you decide to donate to Self Help Africa you can have some input on the chosen project so that it’s going to a cause that you value, and you will get updates on any developments down the line. In return for a wedding donation, you get souvenir place settings that can be used on your special day. For more information click here.
Childhood Cancer Foundation
Set up by family members of children affected by cancer who have experienced first-hand the turmoil a diagnosis can have on a family, Childhood Cancer Foundation aims to reduce some of the fear surrounding diagnosis by offering information and bringing even more improvements in many areas of cancer treatment and care. They are also working to fund the Beads of Courage Programme, an inspiring project that uses beads to tell each child’s story and help them commemorate milestones on their treatment path. If you choose to donate to this charity, you will receive cards for your tables so that your guests are aware of your donation. For more information click here.
World Vision Ireland
If you feel you have all the home appliances you need, and are looking for wedding gifts with a difference, you can donate to World Vision Ireland – they have a catalogue with 29 life-changing gifts to suit every budget from a Family Emergency Survival Kit with everything from blankets to cooking supplies for families that have survived disasters to a sewing machine for women’s group so new skills and incomes can be made or school supplies like pens and paper for children after a better future. All gifts are also sourced locally so the region’s economy benefits too. For more information click here.
St Michael’s House
Set up in 1955 by parents, St. Michael’s House provides community-based services for both adults and children with an intellectual disability. They have 170 units across Ireland assisting with everything from early learning and employment to Alzheimer’s support and respite and depend on funding to continue to help people with intellectual disabilities. If you choose to donate to St. Michael’s house for your wedding celebration, you will receive a wedding pack with a handy bridal checklist, thank you cards for your reception tables so your guests will know of your kind deed and a fun speeches sweepstake kit for each of your tables so guests can indulge in a bit of friendly competition. For more information click here.
ISPCC
The ISPCC is a children’s charity that works to advocate on behalf of children, ensuring they’re protected and supported as well as valued and heard. Their Childline hotline is a 24 hour support service for children and young people that receives 2,300 messages per day and is run by a team of volunteers that relies on donations and funding. If you choose to donate to this charity for your wedding day, they will send you out personalised tents for your tables and/or business sized cards for your tables (suggested donation from €150). Or if you’d like your guests to leave your celebration with a keepsake, they can supply ISPCC phone charms or a red Childline pin badge (additional cost of €2 each). For more information click here.
