We’re thrilled to unveil our brand new Platform for Life Christmas cards!
Their creation has been a project that’s been really close to our hearts. Not only are the cards helping us raise much-needed funds for our charity but they’ve also all been designed by our clients. And we think you’ll agree they’ve done a fantastic job.
Over the past year we’ve been running wellbeing groups alongside our one-to-one counselling and therapy support. The groups have provided clients with an opportunity to meet other people and develop new friendships and support networks. Through our family support worker, we’ve also strengthened our links with other charities, such as local foodbanks and a local dance theatre. These links and our work with children all helped to inspire us with the idea of creating our very own Christmas cards. These beautifully designed cards are a testament to our clients’ creativity and talent.
Special thanks to our sponsor Mitchell Group
We are incredibly grateful to the team at Mitchell Group in Chester for their generosity and support. Their sponsorship has covered the production cost of the cards, which means that all proceeds from the sale of the cards will go directly to supporting Platform for Life. This very kind gesture ensures that every card sold will help us with providing vital services to individuals facing mental health challenges. Mitchell Group’s sponsorship is a wonderful example of how local businesses can make a tangible difference in their communities.
Some of our favourite Christmas card facts...
Here are just a few facts about Christmas cards in the UK:
- Handmade paper greetings cards started being exchanged in Europe as far back as the early 1400s.
- The first published Christmas card is attributed to Sir Henry Cole back in 1843. He asked his friend, the artist John Callcott Horsley, to create a painting that could be printed so he could give them to his friends. Two batches, which totalled 2050 cards, were produced. In 2001 one of the cards sold for £22,500.
- Early Christmas cards often featured scenes of Victorian life, rather than the religious or wintry themes we see today.
- Christmas cards are hugely popular in the UK. Estimates suggest we send around one billion Christmas cards annually.
And finally… the UK has a strong tradition of using Christmas cards for charity fundraising…
How to buy our Christmas cards
Our Christmas cards are now available to purchase through our online shop. Each pack contains four cards, one of each design, all created by our talented clients. They’re a lovely way to send your Christmas greetings to friends and family while also supporting a very important cause.
Your support makes a real difference
The ongoing cost of living crisis is heaping further pressure on families, intensifying difficulties for those who are already living in low-income households and who are struggling with poor mental health. When you buy our cards, you are helping us to help them.
If you’d like to support us in other ways, you can also buy raffle tickets for our 181 appeal or make a direct donation to help us reach our ambitious target. Thank you for your support.
