December 2024
Hello and welcome to the last monthly newsletter of this year. We hope you have enjoyed reading our newsletters and learning a bit more about how your support enables us to do what we do. Hope you have had the best month possible. Sending our love and best wishes to those struggling during what can be a difficult time of the year.
Smiles
10 Smiles were sent to both ME sufferers and carers of all ages this month. All chosen and personalised to fit each person’s likes and interests. Some of the items sent this month included Jellycats, squishmallows, mini cuddly toys, hot water bottle, blanket, fluffy socks, socks, pamper gift sets, bath bombs, candles, craft sets, crystal art, crystals, book, fidget toys, bracelet, ornaments, biscuits, chocolates and sweets. 
Special touch
In our Smiles we include a token item donated by someone affected by ME as a special touch from our community. Included in the Smiles sent this month was a handmade card by Laura with a handwritten note by Elaine. Thank you Laura and Elaine for your kind support. 
“Oh my gosh, what a wonderful surprise!!! This morning I received a Smile for ME package,, I honestly never thought I would ever have the privilege of one in my life but my mum secretly nominated me back in august. Thank you mummy! They honestly couldn’t have picked me better gifts if I’d brought them myself, every single one is absolutely perfect., of course I shed tears of joy. Funnily enough the small crystal canvas is just like the ones I brought from the gem show so now I’ll have one in every room! The little crystal dish will hold my rings, and the crystal heart will join them. The book, @foxunderthemoon_art is one that I’ve wanted for a while and have followed the author for years. And of course you always need a good pair of cute socks!! The heart felt message on the hand made card was absolutely lovely, pure kindness. This has definitely made me smile today! I’ve had a very difficult year with my health, feeling incredibly lonely and isolated and my mum has had to watch that. She knows that small acts of kindness bring me pure joy, so this was perfect. Thank you so so much to mum and all the team at Smile For ME”
“Hi I just wanted to say a huge thank you from Ailsa for her gifts. She is absolutely delighted with them x”
“So after a really long and exhausting few weeks (hence the bags under the eyes) I came home to a mystery box addressed to me. I’d not ordered anything and my birthday isn’t until 27th… so I was confused and intrigued to say the least.When I opened it there was a card from a lady called Elaine, a perfect stranger who has M.E. and her husband cares for her. It turns out my wonderful wife and fellow M.E. suffer had nominated me for a Smile For ME award and I won a box full of yummy goodies!It’s such a touching thing to do and really thoughtful. It’s basically to say how much i’m appreciated for all I do. I don’t really know what it is I do? I just be me but it’s such a nice surprise and i’m very grateful. Thank you Claire”
“My mum received her package today. She was soooo surprised and didn’t stop crying for hours, she’s so thankful it’s been such a hard time for her as much as it has me. Here’s some pics of her opening her gift mid work from home! Thank you so much for the gift and cards and for all that you do.”
you so much from her and also from me, the person who nominated her. Your charity is making a big difference to people who often feel forgotten. Xx”
“hello and a wonderful big thank you for my daughter Ellans smile gifts.. she was very puzzled by the parcel as she hadnt a clue about her surprise but you can see by her smiles how happy the lovely presents made her. .she had been having a stressful week due to the car needing to yet again go back to the garage and the smiles arriving just made her day here she is with beaming smiles..the gifts were absolutely perfect for her..well done and a great big thank you xx love and best wishes Caren x”
2024 Smiles
Throughout 2024 we have sent 180 Smiles to both ME sufferers and their carers. These included our regular monthly Smiles to sufferers and carers, Smiles to Severe ME sufferers in memory of Merryn Crofts as part of our Merryn’s Smile Day and our Carers Week Smiles.
Every Smile we send is special to us as we personally customise each one. We do our best to thoughtfully choose presents for the recipients, ensuring that they are appropriate from the information we receive from the nominator. They are then wrapped and posted with love hoping to brighten a day and remind people they are thought of.
Thank you to all the Smile recipients this year who have kindly sent messages or pictures after receiving your Smiles and given us permission to share. Not only does it touch us to hear or see your Smiles have reached you safely and made you smile but we also love being able to share them to show people supporting where their money goes. There is never any pressure from us to share about your Smile, we completely understand the people who prefer to be private and we are just as grateful for the private messages. (Please note if you do have a private social media account, even if we are tagged, we are unable to see your post due to your privacy settings. Please send it to us directly instead if you wish to share with us, thank you)
Making 180 people smile this year wouldn’t have been possible without your generous support so we can’t thank you enough. Thank you to everyone who has donated, fundraised, supported on social media and nominated someone affected by ME for a Smile. Thank you for helping us to share a smile and remind people they are not alone. 
Smile of the year
What’s made you smile this year?
Thank you’s
A special thank you to everyone who has supported us this year with donations, fundraisers and support on social media. We would not be able to send Smiles to ME sufferers and their carers without the kindness and generosity you show us so your support really does mean a lot. Thank you. We love sending Smiles and are looking forward to sending more next year.
