MP spreads warmth with giving message
Politician’s Tuesday an ‘antidote’ to Black Friday
AFTER Black Friday comes Giving Tuesday – at least if you are Nick Hurd.
The Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner MP was at Mount Vernon Hospital on Tuesday, December 2, to promote the work of its Comforts Fund, a volunteer-run scheme which sells essential items to patients and then uses the money to buy hospital equipment.
He toured the wards, meeting patients, staff and volunteers, as part of his adoption of the Giving Tuesday message, designed as an antidote to the naked consumerism of Black Friday, when shops make heavy pre-Christmas discounts. This year’s events were marred by scenes of shoppers fighting over consumer goods.
He then headed on to Age UK Hillingdon’s offices, in Church Road, Hayes, with a donation of winter coats for the charity’s Winter Warmth campaign, which aims to ensure older people do not suffer because of cold during the winter months.
Mr Hurd has created a ‘community giving hub’ on his website, to mark this year’s Giving Tuesday and to act as a clearing house for charities and volunteers, putting them in touch with each other and letting the community know what the various charities do – and what they require.
Like Black
Friday, Giving Tuesday is an American import, described as ‘a global day to celebrate and encourage generosity’.
For the community giving hub, go to http:// w w w. n i c k h u r d . c o m / volunteering