Hemel woman creates postbox topper to raise money for charity that supports disadvantaged children

A member of Yarnbomb Hemel Hempstead has created a postbox topper to raise money for Charlie's Gift.

Jacqui Boggis, who learnt to crochet by watching tutorial videos during the first lockdown, made a postbox topper to replicate the logo of Charlie's Gift.

Jacqui's friend, Nicole Fidler, is the founder of the charity, and it is one that is close to Jacqui's heart, the topper she created is raising awareness and money for Charlie's Gift.

The grant making charity based in Hemel Hempstead, supports local disadvantaged children across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The grants have funded numerous pieces of mobility and therapeutic equipment, sensory play toys, special needs educational equipment, counselling, respite breaks and days out, as well as clothing essentials and beds and bedding for children living in financial hardship.

Jacqui, 48, from Hemel Hempstead, said: "The charity is run by my friend who lost her son when he was eight-years-old.

"It is a charity that is not only close to my heart, but is a well known, and much loved charity by many people in the area.

"The charity's logo is a baseball boot with wings and I tried to work out how I could incorporate that into a topper.

"I made two toppers and it took about two to three weeks, there is one on Astley Road, and one in Boxmoor Village.

"There is a label on the postbox that tells you about the charity and there is a QR code that you can scan to donate, you can also go to the charity's website and donate on there."

Nicole said: "It was so lovely of Jacqui to think of our charity for her topper.

"It's a wonderful idea and we are really grateful, she produced an amazing Charlie's Gift boot.

"It's great that there is information about the charity on the topper too, it will help raise awareness and hopefully some money.

"We are a Hemel Hempstead charity, supporting children across Herts, Beds and Bucks.

"We help children affected either by disability and special need, serious illness, bereavement, poverty or mental health struggles.

"People can apply for grants from us, it's usually for equipment like a special needs buggy, but more recently we have been helping families with grants for school uniforms.

"The money donated to the charity really does go a long way and we are really grateful for any support we receive.

"If anyone wants to get in touch with us for help and support or to fundraise for us, they can get in touch via the website - www.charliesgift.co.uk - or Facebook."