March 2019
Smiles
We have now sent out 700 Smiles. Reaching milestones like that is a big achievement for us and knowing we have hopefully made 700 people smile makes us smile too. Thank you so much for all your support which has made this possible.
Thank you to those who have sent us lovely pictures of you receiving your smile presents. Don’t worry if you are camera shy, your kind messages are much appreciated too. You can check out more smile pictures on our smiles page.
Updates
We have changed the online donation platform we use due to the upcoming closure of MyDonate on the 30th June 2019. We are now registered with Virgin Money Giving. Virgin Money Giving works the same way, you can donate, set up monthly donations and create fundraising pages. We would be grateful if those of you who set up monthly donations or fundraising pages could please transfer over to Virgin Money Giving. Thank you.
We have new Facebook and Instagram usernames. No longer the ‘xx’ kisses on the end just @SmileForME.
Fundraising
March marked the start of an exciting fundraiser thanks to Samsung UK. Throughout 2019 Samsungs IM Channel Operator team are aiming to raise £5000 for us by taking on the challenge of completing the 5,517 miles from Samsung Chertsey HQ in UK to Samsung Seoul HQ in Korea. Thank you Samsung for choosing to support us we really appreciate your generosity!
On 28th March the fundraising kicked off with a cycling challenge. 4 static bikes were set up in the atrium of Samsung UK and 31 amazing people cycled for a total of 11 hours clocking up over 600 miles and raising an incredible £1022.45! A big thank you to my brother and everyone involved. So touched by the kindness and generosity of all, can’t thank you enough.
Smile of the month
My personal smile of the month was having puppy cuddles thanks to my friend who brought her very cute puppy round.
Thank you’s
We are always full of gratitude to all those who support us. Thank you to every single person who donated to the Samsung fundraiser and all the amazing people who continually donate to us. Smile For ME is my passion and it really means a lot to have others supporting and helping to continue sending smiles. Thank you!
Coming up
The beautiful girl pictured is Merryn Crofts. Merryn sadly passed away from severe ME in 2017 just days after her 21st birthday. I was lucky enough to know Merryn and thanks to her family’s blessing we have created ‘Merryn’s Smile Day’. Smile For ME want to honour Merryn by sending a smile in her name to those suffering with severe ME. 
Merryn’s Smile Day is going to take place on the 13th May, her birthday. Those with severe ME who are nominated will receive a present to make them smile on that day. Merryn loved sending little gifts and also loved it when happy post arrived for her, so we are glad to be able to do this in her memory.
You can nominate a severe ME sufferer for a smile by completing the nomination form. Nominations close on the 30th April to ensure enough time to send a smile. We will consider as many nominations as possible.
ME affects around 250,000 people in the UK, of whom around 25% are severely affected being bed bound and unable to look after themselves. Merryn sadly suffered from very severe ME which ended up taking her life but it never took her heart.