When a little means a lot

Making change in your community makes people’s lives better, helps more people than you expect and taking action also develops us as individuals.

There is no doubt about it, these times are unsettling.

I am usually someone who reviews a situation, acknowledges how bad it might be then just works out what to do next but at the moment it sometimes feels impossible to know what to do for the best.

One thing I know is true… there is always something that can be done. No matter how bad the situation, there is always a way forward, there is always hope.

Have a think about Captain Tom Moore. Like many, I have been totally captivated by a man walking in his garden, constantly checking the justgiving page to check his sky rocketing total (£16.4 million at the time of writing but rising fast). He was an individual who just thought he’d do a little something that now means a lot more; not only to the NHS Charities that will benefit but now it means something to the whole nation. What his garden walks and his life experiences symbolise has brought people together, across the world as donations and messages of support are coming in from everywhere.

The number of donations that have made up that huge total mean that the average donation is £20. Not much when we’re considering millions but every one of those smaller efforts has made up an incredible whole. His actions are inspiring others too … take a look at 90 year old Margaret Payne climbing the equivalent of Suilven on her stairs and at the time of writing had raised £234,392 for the NHS on her fundraising page

After Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, I wanted to do something to make a difference. Advised by a friend who was working for one of the charities going to the area, the Cubs of 27th Lincoln wrote letters to be opened by children affected by the typhoon. I was sceptical. Such a small gesture couldn’t possibly have the impact I was hoping for. It did. In a much bigger way than we ever expected. Not only did we all receive letters back but we realised that we had made personal connections that lifted all of us far higher than we could ever imagine. I have kept in touch with many of the parents and we now send each other mutual messages of support as we face yet another difficulty, but this time together.

Explorer Charlie in Horncastle also knows the benefit a letter can make and has recently been recognised by Lincolnshire County Council for the letters he is writing to veterans and serving personnel via the Lincoln Bomber Command Centre. Bravo, Charlie.