Everyone wants to enjoy themselves while celebrating Christmas, right? Getting together with friends and family, sharing some delicious foods and drinks, chatting, laughing, and listening to nice music. But when all this organically blends with a genuinely significant cause, the evening transforms into a remarkable motivational celebration of love, compassion, and inspiration.
My husband and I travelled to Milton Keynes on Saturday, December 17, to attend a charity event—but not just any charity event—the Sports Traider Business Charity Christmas Party.
At this point, you might be wondering what makes this charity unique from others.
This was our invitation ticket ⬇️
Sports Traider Charity, which currently aids disabled and underprivileged young people throughout England and Whales, began as a local organisation, giving those young people who are in a difficult situation hope, and the potential to improve their own future.
In fact, a few of those young people attended the Charity Christmas Party as special guests and shared their stories of meeting Lance for the first time, how it changed their lives, and how their lives have transformed because of Lance's compassion.
The founder of Sport Traider Charity Lance Haggith OBE Public Figure BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY of the YEAR WINNER 2010 (Unsung Hero) BSC (honours) #Jump4Health is a remarkably special individual for the sporting community.
Since we've met a few times and have spoken about charities in general, we already knew some of Lance's major accomplishments, but he never ceases to amaze us with his dedication and commitment to assisting young and underprivileged people.
He first became aware of all these issues when he started coaching local youth with challenging backgrounds roughly 15 years ago. When they arrived, he noticed that they weren't properly equipped for sports, were wearing their regular school shoes, and that some of them were sharing pairs of shoes among their brothers. He felt the need to assist them, so he gave them shoes to use for training.
Did you know that there are a lot of kids in the UK who aren't able to participate in sports because many of them come from families with single parents or low incomes, or they live too far away and don't have access to a local sports facility?
Sport is, in fact, a strong instrument that improves people's moods, boosts kids' academic performance, teaches them more about themselves, and helps everyone feel more confident and better overall.
Lance Haggith believed that every child should have the chance to participate in sports and have a fun and comfortable experience with the right equipment. This will enable children to get off to the greatest possible start and minimise the harmful effects of all their disadvantaged backgrounds. Like when you run in the proper footwear, it feels better and gives you a lot more confidence.
Young people receive assistance in a variety of ways, including by getting them involved in sports and providing them with everything from a pair of shoes to a wheelchair that has been modified to allow them to do so, or by assisting them in their training to become sports coaches.
Through this journey throughout the years, he received some support from a few clubs and businesses. However, this is insufficient given that some well-known firms would prefer to bury their unsold merchandise rather than donate it to a charity, adding to the environment's garbage.
I had no idea that some well-known brands of football boots, which cost around $200, were dumped underground if not sold, harming the environment. Recycling, on the other hand, will increase the useful life of any unwanted item and might even assist less privileged individuals.
Due to the increase in people requesting his assistance during the lockdown because they were stressed out by being unable to visit their friends or family, he started the "Jump at House" initiative, in which those who couldn't buy a skip rope were given one for free by the charity.
In the same time frame, he also launched #Jump4Health, a campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues, where Lance started a 20-second skip challenge on social media platforms worldwide to aid those whose mental health had been affected by the pandemic.
In fact, Sports Traider Charity organises activities throughout the year to raise awareness of mental health.
Since I would like to finish writing this blog by today and continue my proper job schedule, I won't be able to mention all the wonderful things The Sports Traider Charity has been doing over all these years.
The fact that so many people could open their hearts and encourage others to do the same made me very pleased, and if I wrote too much here, I hope it wasn't boring; on the contrary, I wanted you guys to have a better and larger understanding of the wonderful cause that was the driving force behind this party.
Photo Credit to George Lameiras ⬇️
I can now reveal a few details to you about the actual Christmas Party:
First, the location was excellent, quite roomy and well-arranged, and the staff members were really welcoming and helpful.
I found it rather remarkable that the event organiser established a list of all the attendees' names to see which table was set up for each of us and that some Christmas presents were waiting for each of us at each table.
They also provided live music for us, and one of the singers was a talented testimonial guest for the charity.
There were also funny plays for us to enjoy, an auction with valuable objects and a very luxurious vacation, a discussion with a group of inspiring ladies who all spread kindness and awareness around the world—some of whom had travelled from the US specifically for this event—and a raffle prize.
However, we were unable to stay until the end because we offered to drive a family of friends back to their home as they lived close by and were unable to take the train at that time.
Photo Credit to Dovile Mehta ⬇️
But, based on the mood and expressions, it appears like we all had a great time at the Sports Traider Charity Party, and I think you all can agree with that.
I'm writing about it here in the hopes that more people will eventually do a small act of kindness, whenever and wherever they can, by helping those who are in need.
It's important to keep in mind that not all disabilities are noticeable, and often even healthy and strong individuals struggle with challenges that are more than what they could handle on their own.
Therefore, remember to check on friends, family, and anyone else who may be in need.
We all occasionally take things for granted, but we should all remember to be thankful for what we have. Giving assistance, even a little bit, is a kind and appreciative gesture.
Photo Credit to George Lameiras ⬇️
It was a joy to be present for this splendid celebration event with such lovely, exceptional, and caring people who travelled from all over the UK and the US to honour this worthy cause: to make playing sport more accessible and promote youth wellbeing, mental health, and life skills.
Photo Credit to George Lameiras ⬇️
I'm hoping this message will one day touch more people's hearts.
Peace and love everyone! 😍