Every Little Helps - Supporting the DEC Ukraine Appeal

Do you fantasise about what you would do if you won the euromillions jackpot? Many of us do. Imagine not having to worry about money ever again. What runs through your mind?

My first move would be to pay off the mortgage and help out my family and friends. Get them somewhere bigger to live, pay off their debts. Provide for their children’s education. One big risk is that this amount of money would warp relationships and turn them sour. I would also worry about the impact this amount of wealth would have on our daughter. After all, we all need to stay motivated, have goals, work towards something. Having a ton of money and never having to work in order to earn it would be the worst thing that can happen to a young person.

Then I would make moves not to fritter it away. What is the best way to keep it safe? I’m a risk-averse squirrel...

Beyond that, my biggest concern would be how to put this money to good use. How could I help preserve and protect the environment and also help other people in need? Would I pick just one cause and really try to make a difference (I would love to set up a research body to find commercially viable solutions to many environmental problems such as plastic in the oceans), or would I try to help everything and everyone? The latter really wouldn’t benefit anyone at all. Can you really solve the problem of homelessness by putting a tenner into the cup of every homeless person you walk past?

I have all these thoughts go through my mind every time I see the week’s jackpot sign at my local corner shop. Every single time. So I know that being extremely wealthy wouldn’t guarantee my future happiness. More recently, I have had an even stronger reaction to the little handwritten sign. It almost made me laugh. Having obscene amounts of money would not give me the power to stop wars, prevent famine, or even prevent me from contracting an incurable disease.

In parallel with these thoughts, watching the news and the predicament of people running for their lives, leaving behind everything they worked for, as well as their husbands, sons and fathers, has made me feel really grateful for having a roof over my head and my nearest and dearest in relative safety.

We can’t defer happiness until that distant day when the mortgage will be paid off and our daughter will graduate from university and be successful in her career and in a happy relationship. There will always be the next hurdle to get over. In the meantime, we just have to do what we can to help others. We know we can’t solve all their problems, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to help. If we all tried to give a little, even if it feels like a paltry amount (of time, money, anything that helps), it would still make a huge difference.

I have started a JustGiving campaign this month in aid of the Ukraine crisis. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the bad news and in turn procrastinate, not knowing how you can make a difference. So I’m throwing everything but the kitchen sink at this campaign to tempt you to donate to such a good cause. I am  offering 2 gold and diamond necklaces, both to go into a prize draw on the 31st of March.

I know that times are tough for many, and the cost of essentials is spiralling out of control. So I have decided to open up the prize draw to all donations. After all, every little helps! Donors up to £10 will be entered into the draw for the pendant with the smaller diamond, and those above £10 will be entered into the one with the larger necklace. Click here for more details.

Why the DEC.  It can be confusing to know which charity you should choose. Some are religious and others might have a particular focus which you might not agree with. In my research I have found that the DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of crisis overseas. In the past I have donated to their Afghanistan and Coronavirus appeals. You can find out more about this charity here.