List, and brief description, of the participating charities:

Macmillan Cancer Relief

July sees the successful conclusion to the Macmillan Macclesfield Appeal with the last £20,000 of the appeal having been raised thanks to all the magnificent support they a have received in the local area.
In Manchester the news is just as bright – in 2004 Macmillan spent over £2.32M improving cancer services in the area and paid out £350,607 in Macmillan grants helping 878 who faced immediate financial need as a result of a cancer diagnosis – next year the figure will be even more. In greater Manchester there are now over 150 Macmillan funded & supported nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, information workers and benefits advisors.
November 2004 saw the launch of Macmillan's “Better Deal Campaign” to help highlight the financial problems that people diagnosed with cancer, and their families face. In 2005 Macmillan will be investing over £0.5M in Manchester to provide 24 cancer information points in Manchester libraries and 4 new benefits advisors who will be based in Manchester Hospitals.
The Greater Manchester Appeal (South) has recently secured some very prestigious support from British Cycling & Sale Sharks. In addition, Stockport County have named Macmillan as their charity of the season for 2005-2006 so it's all looking good, but we still have a lot of money to raise to keep up with demand so any help you can give will be very welcome indeed!
Cards available at Wilmslow and Macclesfield
Visit the Macmillan Cancer Relief web site

Manchester Adoption Society

Cards available at Wilmslow and Sale

Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK

Make-A-Wish Foundation UK has a very simple objective - to grant magical wishes to children and young people fighting life threatening illnesses. The charity was founded in the UK in 1986 and since then we have granted over 6000 wishes.
Our wishes are truly magical. A small and dedicated team of professional wishgranters work alongside hundreds of volunteers to turn our children's wishes into reality. Whether a wish is to be a princess or a train driver for a day, own the latest TV or computer equipment, meet a favourity celebrity or just enjoy some special time away from home with their family, a wish come true is truly magical and brings so much to a child's life and provides memories that last a lifetime.
Cards available online only
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Visit the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK web site

Marie Curie Cancer Care

Marie Curie Cancer Care Nurses provide high quality nursing, totally free, to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home supported by their families.
 For more than 50 years, across the UK, Marie Curie Cancer Care has been caring for people affected by cancer and their families. Research has shown that most people dying of cancer would like to be cared for in the comfortable surroundings of their own home.  So for those patients who would like to be cared for at home, the Marie Curie Nursing Service plays a vital role.  Our nurses work through the day or night, usually for 8 to 9 hours at a time, to care for the patient and allow the family to get some well-earned rest. Referrals for a Marie Curie Nurse are made through the District Nurse or GP and they work in partnership with the primary care team which also includes a Macmillan Nurse.
We are often asked about the difference between Marie Curie Nurses and Macmillan Nurses.  Marie Curie Nurses give direct nursing care to terminally ill cancer patients at home.  They spend a whole shift (usually 8/10 hours, usually at night) with one patient and their family.  They provide expert nursing care for the patient as well as emotional support for the patient and their family and have contact with the patient in the last few months, weeks or days of life. Marie Curie Nurses are funded 50/50 by Marie Curie and the NHS. In contrast, Macmillan nurses give direct advice and support to patients in the community, working with a caseload, in a similar way to District Nurses.  Having a "caseload" means spending time with their different patients in an advice and support role usually for around an hour at a time and usually between 9am and 5pm.  They have contact with the patient from the point of diagnosis, and do not provide physical care unless a specific need arises.
Last year, 29,000 hours of one-to-one patient care were given to 505 cancer patients in Cheshire and Greater Manchester by Marie Curie Nurses. It costs £20 an hour to put a Marie Curie Nurse in a patient's home and our priceless care costs millions to provide nationally. All our fundraising is vital to support this service and the sale of our Christmas cards at the Combined Charities Christmas Card Shops makes a substantial contribution. 
 For an information pack on the work of Marie Curie Cancer Care, events or volunteering opportunities, please call Jane Wilkinson (Cheshire & North Staffs) on 0161 255 2800 or Jemma Halman (Greater Manchester) on 0161 255 2809
Cards available at Wilmslow, Macclesfield, Altrincham, Hale, Sale and online
Order cards
Visit the Marie Curie Cancer Care web site

Martyn Donaldson Music Trust

Cards available at Macclesfield

MAST Macclesfield Hospital Appeal

MAST is the hospital charity at Macclesfield District General Hospital. It has recently announced its latest target for fund raising: £300,000, to purchase three ultrasound scanners and associated equipment.
The first scanner to be purchased will be for the new ante-natal clinic. For young parents, possibly expecting their first baby, there is no more an exciting moment than to see the first image of their baby on a scanner screen.
The other two scanners will be in the Radiology Department .They are needed to update and broaden the service there.
Mast appeals office 01625 661988
Cards available at Wilmslow and Macclesfield

Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships is an international charity that provides free medical and humanitarian services to the people of Africa using its hospital ship, the Africa Mercy.
The Africa Mercy is the world’s largest charity hospital ship – staffed with volunteer doctors, nurses, engineers and agriculturists – that visits ports in some of the world’s poorest countries.
Doctors, surgeons and nurses onboard provide free medical and surgical services, while off ship teams help local communities develop sustainable water, sanitation and education programmes.
Cards available online only
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Visit the Mercy Ships web site

The Mission To Seafarers

The Mission to Seafarers Northern region stretches from Cheshire across to Yorkshire and up to the Scottish borders.
The Mission, founded in 1856, will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year. The Mission to Seafarers is represented by its Chaplains and Flying Angel clubs in 230 ports worldwide. It cares for seafarers of all nationalities and faiths; and understands the difficulties, dangers and isolation they face, separated as they are from their homes and families. In over 100 ports it runs centres where crews can relax away from their ships, telephone or email home, and get help and advice.
Pressures on the seafarers are growing with faster cargo handling there is less time ashore; tighter security measures since 9/11 means that in some ports, shore leave is restricted, and in some cases, crews are barred from leaving their vessels.
The recent tsunami on Boxing Day 2004, left many sailors frantic for news of their families; two-thirds of seafarers come from the developing world. Chaplains and volunteers around the world, were busy trying to get information, make contacts and send messages via the internet on the sailors behalf. Sometimes crews find themselves without funds and stranded.. The Mission to Seafarers will be there giving practical support and help when crews have nowhere else to turn.
Cards available online only
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Visit the Mission To Seafarers web site

Mothers' Union

In over 83 countries of the world, more than 4 million Mothers’ Union members do all they can – through volunteering, giving and prayer – to support families, to promote marriage and family life, and to reach out within their communities to people who are isolated, in trouble or in need of help. Mothers’ Union is a grassroots focused charity with a global impact, which has a desire to eradicate the inequalities brought about by poverty, ignorance of rights and lack of opportunities.

We strongly believe that only when people are given the skills they need to become self-sufficient, can we have global prosperity, equality and dignity. Many of our programmes, therefore, are designed to train communities in skills. Mothers’ Union help nearly 400,000 beneficiaries every year through financial and literacy education and the provision of poverty-busting solutions. We also train facilitators to support parents through running parenting groups in 18 countries worldwide, and our campaigns commit to advocating for a better, safer world for children.
Cards available online only
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Visit the Mothers' Union web site

Motor Neurone Disease Association

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a fatal condition that leaves people unable to walk, talk or feed themselves, but their intellect and their senses remain unaffected. The Association works to ensure that people with MND secure the care and support they need. It promotes and funds research into a cause and cure for the disease.
It provides Information, Advice and support through a National Helpline, Information leaflets, Regional Care Advisors, a local Branch network, equipment loan and financial support-In Greater Manchester the Regional Care Advisor provides information and support for:
• people with MND and their carers
• professionals including the MND Special Interest Group
• and works with the MND Care Centre at Hope Hospital
The Manchester & District Branch one of eighty in the country run by volunteers covers the whole of the Greater Manchester area-It holds monthly support meetings in Salford, Stockport and Oldham. It has ten trained Visitors who provide support for the whole family. Helps with the loan and purchase of special equipment. Raises funds for the Association. Has its own local web site at www.mndmanchester.co.uk. A number of the visitors also provide support at the MND clinic at Hope Hospital, the only Centre in the country to use volunteers in this way at the moment.
Cards available at Wilmslow, Sale and online
Order cards
Visit the MND web site

Multiple Sclerosis Society

Stockport Multiple Sclerosis Society is a branch of the national MS society. It exists to support the welfare needs of members throughout its catchment area. It also offers medical advice, counselling for sufferers and carers and provides equipment and financial assistance when needed.
One of the MS Society's main objectives is to promote and fund MS research. We fund scientific and applied research in order to make the maximum impact on MS, and the quality of life of people affected by MS.
Fundraisers work hard to pump around £2M into research each year, and we encourage others to fund MS research, for example, other funding bodies and relevant industries.
There have been a number of encouraging breakthroughs in recent years, and new treatments and drugs are constantly being tested, current research being carried out in Israel is particularly encouraging, and there are optimistic signs of potential success. Support is given to professionals who specialise in MS, through training programmes and exchange of ideas and innovative developments.
The Stockport branch, which will directly benefit from Christmas card sales in the Combined Charity Card Shops, aims to be a supportive and caring friend to those who suffer from this debilitating and physically threatening disease. The support received through the card shops which the MS Society has participated in since they first started 34 years ago is very much valued and appreciated.
Cards available at Wilmslow

Multiple Sclerosis Trust

The MS Trust is a charity which works with and for the 85,000 people in the UK with MS. Our vision is to enable people with MS to live their lives to the full. We provide:

information that is tailored to what people want to know

education for health professionals about what people with MS need

research into better management of MS

support for anyone affected by MS

Cards available online only
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Visit the Multiple Sclerosis Trust web site

Muscular Dystrophy Campaign

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the only national UK charity focusing on all forms of muscle disease. We have pioneered the search for treatments and cures since 1959, and are dedicated to improving the lives of all people affected by muscle disease.
Muscle disease is the cruel, gradual and relentless wasting and weakening of muscles. It affects babies, children, and adults of any race and background. There is no cure.
What does the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign do?

We provide free practical and emotional support.

We fund world-class research to find effective treatments and cures.

We campaign to raise awareness for improvements to statutory services and further investment in research, while acting as the collective voice of people living with muscle disease.
Cards available at online only
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Visit the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign web site

National Animal Welfare Trust

The National Animal Welfare Trust was established in 1971 to rescue and re-home unwanted and abandoned animals. Each year we look after some 5000 animals at our various centres and, no matter how long it takes to find a new home, no healthy animal is ever put to sleep.
We have rescue centres in Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Somerset and Cornwall.
Cards available online only
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Visit the National Animal Welfare Trust web site

National Association for the Relief of Paget's Disease

Paget's Disease of Bone is the second most common metabolic bone disease in the UK, affecting over 750,000 people. The symptoms can include pain, bone deformity, deafness and fractures.
The Association was founded in 1973 and is the only national organisation solely dedicated to the needs of Paget's Disease sufferers, their families and carers. The Association does not receive any government or statutory funding and is reliant on voluntary donations for its income.
The aims of the NARPD include providing information and support for sufferers, raising awareness about the condition and funding research into all aspects of the disease.
Cards available online only
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Visit the National Association for Research in Pagets Disease web site

National Maternity Support Foundation

Following the tragic stillbirth of our son Jake Canter in 2005 due to the nearest hospital maternity unit being closed we set up the NMSF to help keep maternity services available, accessible, safe and well resourced.
Our aims are to ensure that prospective parents have all the information needed to make informed decisions.
We act as a resource for others to obtain information and support and we support and promote, in partnership with other organisations, further research into stillbirth and neonatal death.
Cards available online only
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Visit the National Maternity Support Foundation web site

National Autistic Society

What is Autism?
It is a “modern” condition — not true.
The first detailed description of a person with Autism dates back to the late 18th century. Autism is only found in children — not true. It is a lifelong disability, which affects the way a person sees the world and relates to it. People with Autism have at least one exceptional talent — not true.
Forget “Rainman”; such skills exist in very rare cases. Autism is often an “invisible” disability, making it difficult to create awareness and understanding in the non-Autistic population.
Present estimates are that 535,000 people in the U.K. have an Autistic spectrum disorder. People across the whole range of intelligence and ability may be affected. It can be associated with learning disability, but is also found in highly intelligent, high-functioning individuals.
This is a complex developmental disability whose common traits are difficulties in social relationships, difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communications, and limitations in imaginative play. Repetitive behaviour and resistance to change are also very common. There is no cure for Autism but there are many ways through support and education, that people can be helped, whatever their age. For example, a successful social skills group for young people in years 6/7/8, plus a chess club at The King's School, Chester has been set up. This will soon extend to the 14+ age group, and plans are afoot to develop similar groups in East Cheshire.
Cards available at Macclesfield

National Deaf Children's Society

The East Cheshire Deaf Children's Society (ECDCS) is affiliated to the National Deaf Children's Society and represents the Society at local level by assisting children with any level of hearing loss along with their families.
Our Society gives financial support in purchasing various things such as personal hearing associated equipment consisting of FM systems or radio aids to help children at school who have hearing difficu1ties. Another item is a sound field system when a teacher wears a microphone and speakers are placed in the classroom so as to assist children who have a hearing loss. We have also bought digital cameras to help with development at school. By photographing movement and various actions and then showing the print on a lap top deaf children are helped to match words with the actions they see. Toys are also supplied to local audiology clinics (Macclesfield and Crewe), and social events and information days arranged to enable families of children with hearing disabilities to meet in a more informal environment.

Due to the new early screening of newborn babies there has been a rise in the early diagnosis of children with hearing impairments. The Society has funded a fortnightly parents and toddler group over the last 2 years enabling families to meet and exchange views and experiences with professionals who come regularly to give ta1ks on relevant issues. One group meets in Macclesfield and the other in Crewe with teachers of the deaf attending on a voluntary basis. Whilst being funded by Cheshire County Council, the ECDCS pays the professional visitors and also for the hire of the hall. This has proved a most valuable way of helping families in stressful times, and we are committed to maintaining the funding for these sessions.
The Society has to raise a1l its funding independent1y from the NDCS. For many years the main source of income has been through the sale of cards at the Combined Charities Christmas Shops, for which we are most grateful.
Cards available at Wilmslow

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children. Our vision is of a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. Such a challenging aspiration requires a major shift in society. While recognising the need to provide vision and leadership, the NSPCC cannot end cruelty to children on its own and we seek to work in partnership with other agencies and individuals. We seek to achieve cultural, social and political change - influencing legislation, policy, practice, attitudes and behaviours for the benefit of children and young people. This is achieved through a combination of service provision, lobbying, campaigning and public education.
Cards available at Wilmslow, Macclesfield, Altrincham, Hale, Knutsford and online
Order cards
Visit the NSPCC web site

New Start

The New Start charity has raised over £6M to build a dedicated Transplant Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital - the first fully integrated heart/lung unit in Europe. Transplants since 1987 now total 600.
In May 2004 cardiologists at Wythenshawe Hospital asked if we could raise sufficient funds to purchase a dedicated Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Scanner - which costs £1M. The CMR Scanner can detect 85% of heart problems without the need for invasive methods. This would be of particular benefit to young people born with suspected heart defects and those with a family history of heart disease. There are only a few of these machines in the country, and none in the north-west. Since May 2004 we have already raised £0.5M. We desperately need to raise the other £0.5M as soon as possible, because the need is so great.

We have taken on a massive task but because it has so many benefits we are determined to raise the money as soon as possible. We are, as always, reliant on your continuing support to give new hope and a new start to so many people.
Cards available at Wilmslow, Altrincham and Hale

Nightingale House Hospice

In 2011 it will cost £2.46 million to run the Hospice - this equates to £6,700 per day.  Only 19% of this comes from the Local Health Board, which is only enough funding to support the Hospice for 71 days, we therefore greatly rely on the generosity of the communities we serve to raise the additional funding for the remaining 294 days of the year.

We have taken on a massive task but because it has so many benefits we are determined to raise the money as soon as possible. We are, as always, reliant on your continuing support to give new hope and a new start to so many people.
Cards available online only
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Visit the Nightingale House Hospice web site

North West Air Ambulance

The North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) is a unique medical air emergency service covering Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria. Established in 1999, the NWAA is a registered charity receiving no mainstream funding, yet it offers a vital service 7 days a week, 365 days a year across 5,500 square miles serving a residential population of 7 million. It relies totally on the generosity of the people and businesses throughout the region to raise the £1.9 million a year needed to keep it airborne.

Covering all major motorway incidents, and areas that have poor restricted road access, the NWAA is called out on average 4 times a day, rising to up to 10 in the summer. Whilst the incidents vary greatly, there are two overriding factors for the NWAA’s presence – either because time is extremely crucial or where road access is limited. The NWAA has a maximum flying time of eight minutes to the nearest appropriate hospital anywhere in the region and in the event of serious incidents it is this speed with which medical care can be delivered that is crucial. It is recognised that by receiving treatment at the scene and arriving at the hospital within the ‘Golden Hour’, the patient’s chances of survival and speed of recovery are dramatically improved.

The NWAA ensures a very high standard of care is met, whilst overcoming the problem of distance and congestion, accessing most areas of the North West promptly, in turn bringing highly qualified paramedics and sophisticated equipment to the patient. For the patient the NWAA is the fastest emergency service. Expert pilots and paramedics work 365 days a year to watch over the people of the North West.
Cards available online only
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Visit the North West Air Ambulance web site

Orchid - Fighting Male Cancer

Orchid exists to save men's lives from testicular, prostate and penile cancers through pioneering research and promoting awareness. Male-specific cancers are increasing in incidence and have a huge affect on men, their families and friends, yet still too little is known about them.

Testicular cancer is the highest risk cancer for men between the ages of 15 and 45; it can also affect younger and older males. There are around 2000 cases per year. Prostate cancer is the biggest cancer threat to men with over 30,000 new cases diagnosed each year; mostly affecting men over the age of 55, but can strike much earlier.

Our aim is to fund research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these diseases and to promote awareness and improve education about them so that symptoms can be recognised and medical attention sought early enough to save lives and allow best treatment options.
HELP US HELP YOU AND THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT
Cards available online only
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Visit the Orchid web site

Oxfam

Oxfam works with others worldwide to overcome poverty and suffering. It specializes in water and sanitation, food security, nutrition and health promotion, especially following natural disasters or conflicts.
Following the Asian tsunami on Boxing Day 2004, Oxfam was one of the first agencies on the scene, as workers were already in the affected areas. Of the £300M raised nationally for the Disasters Emergency Committee £20M is allocated to OXFAM to continue its work there this year, with more to follow in 2006/7.
Meanwhile, thirty other developing countries are being helped in various ways to improve their health, education and standard of living. Communities are helping themselves by producing goods for sale in the Fairtrade market. Some of these foods now available are cocoa, honey, fruit, nuts, oil as well as tea and coffee.
Also re-starting is OXFAM UNWRAPPED , where donations buy livestock or train farmers and the donor receives a gift card.
Thank you for your support.
Cards available at Macclesfield and Altrincham

Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund

The Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund is a national charity dedicated to promoting and supporting more research into pancreatic cancer, by raising funds itself, and by lobbying the major research funding organisations to give pancreatic cancer the attention it deserves.

While survival rates for many types of cancer have been improving, this is not the case for pancreatic cancer. The five year survival rate is 3% - the lowest survival rate of all the cancers. This figure has barely changed in 40 years. Pancreatic cancer research is also underfunded compared with many other types of cancer.
Cards available online only
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Visit the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund web site

Plan UK

Plan is an international children`s development agency. We work with children, families and communities in 49 of the world`s poorest countries. We aim to overcome poverty and injustice by encouraging children to claim their rights.

Millions of children across the world are locked in a cycle of extreme poverty. Many routinely eat only one meal a day, and when they are sick, they don`t get treatment because the nearest health centre is too far away. Together we can change this. Plan gives long-term practical support to communities so that they can improve the lives of their children and themselves - to achieve childrens rights to an education, decent healthcare, clean drinking water and more.

To find out more about Plan’s work and ways to support simply visit the link below or call 020 7482 9777. Thank you for your support.
Cards available online only
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Visit the Plan International site

Richard House Children's Hospice

In its 10th year, Richard House Children's Hospice now provides vital care to over two hundred and twelve children and families. The children who visit Richard House mainly come from east, southeast, north and central London, whilst others travel from further a field. They suffer from life limiting threatening illnesses and complex healthcare needs, which means that they are not expected to live until adulthood.
Our aim is to improve the quality of life not only of every seriously ill child that uses our service but their family as well. We accomplish this by providing a wide range of services that cater for the child, their parents and siblings like day care, overnight visits, end-of-life care, play and music therapy, bereavement and sibling support.
All services at the hospice are provided free of charge, but we receive just 32% of our funding from statutory bodies. This means that we rely on your generosity to meet the remaining 68% of our £1.8million-per-year running costs. Buying our Christmas cards is one of the ways in which you can help us to make a real difference to the lives of the children and families who visit Richard House.
Please contact Grey on 020 7540 0229 if you would like to know other ways how you can support Richard House or to receive our quarterly newsletter.
Our cards are available on this web site, our Richard House web site and in our seven shops scattered around East London (Barking, Dagenham, Elm Park, Hornchurch, Romford and Upminster).
Cards available online only
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Visit the Richard House site

Romanian Youth Support Trust

The Romanian Youth Support Trust was established in 1997, in direct response to the need of young people in Romania, who have to leave the state institutions, with no hope of obtaining the basic support they need. The charity fully supports the running costs of a hostel for girls in Western Transylvania. Whilst living at the hostel, the girls are helped with learning practical skills (such as how to cook, shop or socialise), and assistance in finding training, jobs and more permanent accommodation.
Every year this “half way home” is able to take in up to 9 girls at a time. Since it opened 73 girls coming from state institutions, the streets, and struggling families have been helped to live a more independent life.
Plans for the future include the setting up of a similar hostel for boys and training workshops associated with the hostels. The funding of the Trust's projects is totally reliant on voluntary support so we greatly value the contributions that help the vulnerable young people in Romania.
If you are interested, please phone/fax Mihaiela Grundy on 0161-439-7627
Cards available at Macclesfield and Altrincham

Rossendale Trust

Cards available at Macclesfield

Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Since its foundation in 1824 by Sir William Hilary, the volunteer lifeboat crews have saved over 136,000 lives and have recently extended their rescue activities to providing both beach patrols and lifeguards.
The running costs of some £300,000 per day is raised through donations and legacies, the RNLI does not receive any Government or National Lottery financial assistance.
The active fleet of over three hundred lifeboats now includes hovercraft, one of which is based locally at New Brighton and another played a vital role saving people in the recent Morecambe Bay cockle fishing tragedy.
Today, less than 10% of crew members come from a maritime background thus placing great emphasis on training. To this end The Lifeboat College at Poole was opened by HM The Queen last year and at this College full training is given to both home and overseas crews.
We, the local members of the RNLI support the brave volunteer crews by raising money from events such as this Charity Christmas Card Shop and Lifeboat Day collections, if you can spare an hour or so, please contact the Area office at 0161 787 8779.
It is wonderful to consider that your generosity can turn small change into life savings.
Cards available at Wilmslow, Macclesfield, Altrincham, and Hale
Visit the the Royal National Lifeboat Institution web site

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

RSPCA aims to promote kindness and to prevent or suppress cruelty to animals. As well as the work carried out in the field by the RSPCA Inspectors and Animal Collection Officers, who respond to reports of ill-treatment of animals, neglect, and carry out rescues; RSPCA branches work at a local level to provide direct animal welfare services in a specific geographical area.
There are 47 branches, all separately registered charities, Each year the RSPCA re-homes approximately 21,000 animals, and neuters almost 11,000 animals.
Assistance is also provided towards the cost of veterinary treatment for those owners with limited means, some 40,000 animals. This work would not be possible without the support and commitment of the branch volunteers.
Branches work closely with the Inspectorate, taking in unwanted, abandoned and mistreated animals and care for them until they can be found new homes. Some branches run their own Animal Centres, others use private boarding establishments and foster homes. In 2005 we are launching a joint initiative with the Dog's Trust throughout the North to try and neuter 5000 dogs by the end of the year, and so reduce the number of unwanted litters.
The Altrincham branch were fortunate to receive a legacy last year to be used on capital projects to help cats. A significant part of this went to rebuild the cattery at the RSPCA Warrington Animal Centre, and a further amount was donated to a branch in Rochdale to provide new pens in their new cattery.
Cards available at Altrincham

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

The RSPB is the UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and wildlife, thus helping to create a better world for all of us.
Recent conservation projects locally include “Operation Tree Sparrow”. Their numbers have declined alarmingly, by 95% since 1979. The Wildlife Explorers, the Junior Section of RSPB, were involved in making nest boxes and monitoring the scheme. Other projects include restoration and maintenance of hay meadows and farmland adjacent to the moorland fringe - both important habitats.
The nearest RSPB Reserves are:-
Marshside, near Southport. An important refuge in winter for pink-footed geese, wigeons, black-tailed godwits and golden plovers. In spring it attracts lapwings and redshanks, which are in decline elsewhere.
Gayton Sands, Parkgate Cheshire. Wonderful for large flocks of wading birds.
Coombes Valley, Leek Staffordshire. A beautiful steep-sided wooded valley provides a home for pied-flycatchers, redstarts, wood warblers, butterflies, flowers and other wildlife.
For more information about the Macclesfield branch, contact: Ray Evans 01625-432635 For the Manchester branch, contact: Peter Wolstenholme 0161-428-2175
Cards available at Wilmslow, Macclesfield, Altrincham, Hale and Sale
Visit the RSPB web site

Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is the only charity in the world wholly dedicated to defeating lung cancer - the biggest cancer killer in the UK. We have championed the cause now for nearly 15 years and have developed an approach that helps people with lung cancer, now and in the future.
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Patient Network offers support, information, and advocacy service for people affected by lung cancer. Quit smoking services for adults and our KATS (Kids Against Tobacco Smoke) educational programme that encourages young people never to start.
The National Clean Air Award from the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, a UK wide scheme that rewards employers who implement effective no-smoking policies by giving them a prestigious, nationally recognised award. Fundraising events and our Charity Shops, both of which help to generate much needed voluntary donations (public and corporate) on which we rely.
Cards available at our shops in the Merseyside area, at Frodsham and Cheadle, and online
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Visit the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation web site

Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust

Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust was set up in 1996 and is now the largest dedicated brain tumour charity in the UK. Founding Trustees, Neil and Angela Dickson set up the Charity in memory of their daughter, Samantha, who died just before her 17th birthday having struggled for two and a half years against this dreadful disease.
Since 1996 the Trust has raised over £8million for brain tumour research and patient support. In this time, over 50 world-class projects have been funded, resulting in a number of breakthroughs published in scientific journals, guideline recommendations for the early diagnosis of children with a brain tumour, and clinical trials for brain tumour patients.
The SDBTT Patient Support service has also continued to grow, through a combination of a confidential telephone and email support line, and an expanding network of brain tumour information and support days around the UK. The service is an invaluable resource for patients, carers, parents, friends and family as they cope with this devastating disease.
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Visit the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust web site

Samaritans

Samaritans is a national organisation that celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2004. Macclesfield branch celebrated 40 years at the same time. To commemorate this occasion a tree was planted in West Park Macclesfield by Nicholas Winterton the local MP .Two of the original volunteers are still working in the branch, which is possibly a record within the movement.
Samaritans offers 24-hour support to anyone suffering emotional distress that may lead them to end their own life, Callers can contact us by phone, visit or more recently by e-mail. This latter has enabled more young people, particularly young men, to use our service.
A team of volunteers visit Styal prison every week, who as well as listening to prisoners, have trained and are training, long term prisoners to become “listeners” or Samaritans in prison. They are governed by the strict code of confidentiality that all Samaritans must abide by. The listeners are able to phone the branch if they need support themselves.
Volunteers also give talks to young people in school as part of their GSE course and talk to many adult groups, as there are many vulnerable groups in any age group.
Cards available at Wilmslow, Macclesfield, Altrincham, Sale, and Hale Visit the Samaritan's web site

SANE

One in four British adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any one year. This means over ten million men and women (and over one million children) confronting a difficult illness that can be hard to manage, is often misunderstood, and frequently stigmatised. The World Health Organisation rates mental illness as the most debilitating of all conditions, ahead of heart disease and cancer. Mental illness – stress, anxiety, addiction, obsession, phobias, eating disorders, depression, bi-polar disorder, self-harm, schizophrenia – touches every point in society. SANE responds to this reality on a daily basis.

SANE works to improve the quality of life of anyone affected by mental illness and ensure individual levels of treatment, care and compassion. SANE achieves this by providing:

SERVICES: Providing emotional support, care, advice and information for people with mental health problems, their carers and families, through SANE Services:
SANEline; SANEmail & askTheSite; Discussion Board; Caller Care and Befriending
RESEARCH: Investigating the causes, nature and impact of mental health problems through rigorous neuroscientific, psychological and social research.
CAMPAIGNING: Raising awareness; combatting stigma; educating and working to improve mental health services.
For more information on SANE, please call 0207 422 5544 or visit the SANE website.
Cards available online.  Call 01736 33 33 12 for card enquiries.
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Self Help Africa

Self Help Africa was formed in mid 2008 from a merger between UK charity Harvest Help and Irish charity Self Help Development International, both formed in the early 1980s. We are working with more than 400,000 people a year in 9 African countries: Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Togo, Uganda and Zambia. We fund long term projects that allow participants to improve their lives, building the skills of local people and organisations to continue to work into the future.
Self Help Africa's approach is not highly technical - it is a practical and realistic approach to dealing with poverty that has been developed from more than 20 years of experience
All profits from the sales of our cards will help families feed themselves, earn a living and become self reliant. Thank you.
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Shipwrecked Mariners' Society

The Shipwrecked Mariners' Society is a registered charity whose object is to relieve distress amongst the seafaring community by making grants to merchant seafarers and fishermen, their widows and dependants in cases of need.

The Society was founded in 1839 and originally assistance was given to those shipwrecked and to the widows and orphans of those lost at sea. Today however, while the Society still provides help in the event of shipwreck, its main function is to pay grants to retired seafarers and their widows suffering hardship and loss.

In the past year nearly £1.5M was distributed, which has made a real difference to the lives of over 3,000 seafarers and their families.
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Spinal Research

Our vision is a world where spinal cord injury doesn’t mean a lifetime of paralysis.

Spinal cord injury can happen to anyone regardless of age, sex and background.

Every day three people in the UK and Ireland are told that they will never walk again. Spinal Research is here to give hope to those 50,000 people living with a spinal cord injury across the UK and Ireland.

Since 1980 Spinal Research has been working to challenge the belief that spinal cord injury cannot be repaired. Due to the dedicated work of researchers we fund, projects have achieved spinal repair in laboratory models and as a result we have now entered our next phase of research: the Translational Initiative.

We want to literally `translate` what has been discovered about spinal cord injury repair in the laboratory into therapies that can finally be applied to patients. We are confident that, before too long, we will develop reliable, reproducible therapies that will transform the lives of paralysed people everywhere.

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St Ann's Hospice

St. Ann's Hospice provides care each year for more than 3000 people with life threatening illnesses. All care is provided free of charge.
To continue to offer its wide range of services, which now includes extensive day care facilities, alternative therapies and also support for carers, St. Ann's Hospice needs to raise £5.7m per year through voluntary contributions — that is almost £15,500 per day.
St Ann's patients are drawn from Greater Manchester and North Cheshire and its ethos was recognised earlier this year when it was named the 2nd Best Employer to work for in the whole of the UK. Your support to help others is very much appreciated.
If you would like to help in any way please phone 0161-498-3631
Cards available at Wilmslow, Altrincham, Hale, Sale and online
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St John's Hospice

St John`s Hospice is part of the charitable Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth. We provide free hospice care for nearly 2,000 terminally-ill patients and their families every year. Our patients face a range of conditions, including cancer, respiratory disease, heart failure, MS and HIV.

Working in partnership with local health services, we cover a large geographical area from Hammersmith to the City in the east, from the Thames to beyond Hampstead.

St John`s Hospice needs to raise over £1m each year in order to run our services which includes a 19-bed Inpatient Unit, Day Service, Community care service, Hospice@Home, Lymphodoema service, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Social Work and Bereavement services.
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St Michael's Church Macclesfield

The Church in the Market Place-Open Door Project.

Our church has recently been re-ordered and refurbished in order to keep an historic church open and useful in the 21st century, providing:
*modern surroundings for church members to meet in and use on a day to day basis
*an open and welcoming building located in the centre of the town and serving the people of the town
* facilities to support this whether for a friendly cup of coffee, a self contained meeting in a beautiful and up to date building or a choir and orchestral concert for five hundred people.
The project has been supported by the work and prayers of church members and friends. The finance (£1.4M) has been given by church members by direct giving or by funding raised by hard work. We are grateful for the opportunity we have had for selling Christmas cards on the charity card sales in Macclesfield.
The second phase of our building project is to improve the facilities for young people with a dedicated youth area, the designing of which will begin in the near future.
If you have not yet visited the church be assured there will be a warm welcome for you.
Cards available at Macclesfield

St Oswald's Hospice

St Oswald's provides hospice care for North East adults, young adults and children with life limiting conditions.

We believe in quality time for everyone, no matter how much time that may be. We follow a holistic approach addressing not just the physical symptoms, but the emotional and spiritual needs too.
St Oswald’s provides care for adults with conditions such as Cancer and Motor Neurone Disease. We also offer specialist short breaks to children with progressive, life shortening conditions.

Families from across the region – North Tyneside, Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland and North Durham – can benefit from our services.

As a registered charity, we rely heavily on voluntary giving to ensure our specialist services to local people. Annual running costs now exceed £8.5 million, of which £6.5 million must be raised through charitable giving.

No charge is made for any of the care services ensuring hospice care is available to everyone who needs us.
Thank you for your support. For more information, please visit our website, link below

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Survival International

Survival International helps tribal peoples defend their lives, protect their lands and determine their own futures.
Wherever they are in the world, tribal peoples are deprived of their livelihood and way of life; driven from their land by mining, logging or settlers, or forcibly relocated to make way for cattle ranches and game parks. Survival is working towards a world in which tribal peoples are understood and accepted, oppression of them is not tolerated, and they are free to live on their own land in peace, freedom and security.
Survival is funded solely by our supporters, without whom we would not exist. We have put together this range in order to raise vital funds to support our urgent work. To view our full collection of unique gifts and to benefit from our special offer on Christmas cards, visit www.survival-international.org/shopping
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TB Alert

The World health Organisation (WHO) declared Tuberculosis (TB) a Global Emergency in 1993. TB is one of the world’s top 3 killer diseases, along with Malaria and HIV. One third of the world’s population is infected with TB, and every year 8 million people get ill with the disease and 2 million die. They die not through lack of a cure (which has been available for 50 years) but usually because of poverty, and lack of access to effective treatment. Left untreated a person with active TB can infect between 10 and 15 others every year.

TB Alert’s aims are to: increase awareness of the growing threat of TB in this country to ensure that cases are diagnosed without the delays that lead to unnecessary deaths; and to support projects in the countries most affected to help some of the most disadvantaged people get access to TB treatment and cure. Health services are so desperately lacking resources in poor countries that treatment is just not available everywhere and at a price everyone can afford. Even if TB drugs are free many patients cannot physically get to (or cannot afford to get to) a clinic. TB Alert works through local partner organisations, which themselves operate in close collaboration with government health services. It is extremely important with an infectious, public health threat such as TB to ensure that support complements efforts to achieve good treatment for a whole country.

TB is a curable disease. TB Alert believes that it is wrong that barely a quarter of those with TB in the world today get effective treatment and that someone dies from TB every 15 seconds, and that they die because they are poor. It only costs us £25 in developing countries to cure someone of TB - not only saving their life, but preventing them from spreading the disease to friends and family. TB Alert operates almost entirely on the time and energy of volunteers, with only 2 UK employees, which means costs are kept low and more money goes to our vital work.
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Thrive

Thrive is a small national charity that uses the process of gardening to help disabled people literally transform their lives. Thrive offers help to disabled people who want to garden at home, on an allotment or in a community setting or who alternatively, may want to access structured horticultural therapy programmes.

Ultimately the changes people make can help them overcome everyday obstacles and challenges they may face in their lives. Thrive believes that individual change is like a pebble in a pool and ripples out touching family, friends, acquaintances, community and finally society, of which the person is a part.

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UNICEF

UNICEF - The United Nations Children's Fund is the world's leading organisation working especially for children. Working in 158 countries, it is committed to giving children the best possible start in life by ensuring they have access to health care, clean water and sanitation, food and early education.

UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children - victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation and those with disabilities. UNICEF responds in emergencies to protect the rights of children. More than 2 million children die every year from diseases that immunisation would prevent. Every year UNICEF supplies 40 per cent of the vaccines in the developing world, protecting millions of children, costing on average less than 40 pence per child.

UNICEF aims, through its country programmes, to promote the equal rights of women and girls and to support their full participation in the political, social and economic development of their communities.

All of UNICEF's programmes are entirely dependent on voluntary contributions. UNICEF UK raises funds for these programmes through donations, partnerships with companies and sales of greeting cards and gifts.
UNICEF is funded entirely from voluntary contributions from governments, the public, and the sale of greetings cards.
Cards available at Wilmslow and Altrincham
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Unique

Unique aims to beat the isolation of anyone born sick and disabled with a rare chromosome disorder. Many are born sick and disabled, some unable to walk or talk. Rare chromosome disorders can happen to anyone and yet support, information and advice for those affected and their families are patchy and difficult to access; this is a neglected area of healthcare and disability. Professionals often simply do not have the knowledge of rare chromosome disorders to be able to help. Unique fills this gap.

We produce a comprehensive range of family-friendly, medically-verified information guides on a variety of rare chromosome disorders. Our database details the life-time effects of specific chromosome disorders on affected individuals is a world leader and we have a network of local volunteer contacts who support families in their area and promote awareness of rare chromosome disorders to the general public and professionals worldwide. Families are invited to participate in study weekends, a chance to meet professionals and other families to learn more about their child’s rare chromosome disorder. Our comprehensive website has secure discussion forums for registered members and we run public groups on social networking sites, bringing people together. Our magazine, published three times a year, is full of articles from families, useful resources and contacts.

By providing specialist information and support, not available anywhere else, we aim to help parents and carers to better understand their child’s condition and face the future with confidence and hope. Please help to support our work by buying some Christmas cards today
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Wilmslow Wells for Africa

Cards available at Wilmslow>

Windyway Trust

Animal rescue centre; late entry to shops, and no information provided
Cards available at Macclesfield