Let’s Get Snapping for M.E! 2014 Christmas Cards Photo Competition

It may be the height of summer, but we're already looking ahead to Christmas as we launch our very popular and successful 'Let's Get Snapping for M.E!' Competition. For those not familiar with the event, this is a fantastic opportunity to share your hidden talent and get your photo or artwork printed on this year's charity Christmas cards. In doing so, you'll also be helping a great cause since all cards are sold to raise money for Invest in ME's Biomedical Research Fund. But that's not all; winners will also receive a pack featuring their winning image, either as a mixed pack or one solely of their own. There's never been a better time to dust down those cameras, search out those paintbrushes and start getting creative for ME!

The competition has had something of a makeover for this year and undergone some improvements. Firstly, we’ve decided to accept artwork as well as photos. This means even more of you can take part. Hooray!! Secondly, to enter you now have to submit images by filling in an online Entry Form. Thirdly, we’ve dispensed with the ‘Let’s do it for ME’ Team vote. This means now all approved photos will go into the online vote so they’ll be lots more to choose from – exciting! And finally, there will now be a proper Voting Gallery. Not everything has changed though; Invest in ME will still judge the final stage, and we’ve still kept the image guidelines very open, in that you can send in images of anything you like but it just has to have a Christmassy feel. To give you some idea of what we mean, take a look at last year’s blog post featuring the shortlisted photos.

Now we’ve explained a little about the changes with our ‘new look’ competition, let’s get down to the important matter of how to enter. To enter, Facebook users should click here and non Facebook users can go to our Competition webpage. Just fill it in, upload your image and click Enter. Once you’ve clicked Enter you will then see a confirmation page with an entry ticket number, this can take a little while whilst the image uploads into our database.  We will also email you to confirm we've received your entry.  As in previous years, you can enter up to five images. Images need to be in a digital format and either a JPEG, PNG or GIF file. The maximum file size you can upload is 50MB. For artwork, simply scan the image and upload the file. The entry deadline is 31 August 2014. (Please note, the Entry Form only allows you to upload one image so you if you are entering more than one simply submit a form for each image.)

The online vote, where you get to vote for your favourites, runs from 1 – 7 September. The vote will
take place in our online Gallery and you’ll be able to access this through the same links as those for
entering. As in previous years, you can vote for as many images as you like but can only vote for an
image once. However, there are changes to the way in which you cast your votes. You will need to vote using the Vote button instead of Liking the image, and we will no longer be accepting email votes. Once the online vote is over, Invest in ME will judge the final stage with the winners being announced on 19 September. We aim to print ten images and have the cards available to purchase from late September onwards.

We have a Competition Webpage with a Help Section should you experience difficulties.  Although, the whole process is very simple so you’re unlikely to need it. You can also email us should you need further assistance.

With your help and our ‘new look’ competition, we aim to make this year even bigger and better.
Although last year’s will take some beating given our Christmas card, featuring winner Julie-Ann
Gylaitis’ photo, pipped No 1 slot in The Independent newspaper’s IndyBest 10 Best Charity Christmas Cards. You can read all about it in our special blog post. So let’s get snapping for ME, because who knows where this year will take us or you?

Good luck!

For competition rules click here. For tips on how to create your own home studio see last year’s Competition blog post and scroll down to the bottom of the article.

Good Things Come in 3s - We're 3 Today!

Good things come in threes! It's been three years since three house/bed-bound ME sufferers launched Let's do it for ME to highlight and support the work of Invest in ME, crowdfund vital research into the disease and help the charity progress its plans to establish the first centre of excellence for ME in the UK.

Lots of good things have happened in the last three years thanks to your support. If you have ever donated, shared or helped us in any way, please take this time to congratulate yourself for the part you have played in the following achievements:

• Building of team work and a great community spirit, not least our planning group as people, inspired by the aims of the cause, got together to make it a success.

• Increased awareness through all sorts of creative fundraising events, poems, books, music, crafts and audio plays - ldifme.org, facebook.com/ldifme

• New researchers bringing their expertise to the field of ME research, including Professor Simon Carding, leader of the Gut Health and Food Safety Programme at the Institute of Food Research, UEA, and Professor Jonathan Edwards, Emeritus Professor of Connective Tissue Medicine, UCL, who pioneered the use of B cell depletion therapy (rituximab) to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

• Funding of the foundation gut research project and a PhD studentship at UEA as well as the initiation of this work - recently featured in the Institute for Food Research Newsletter.

• Funding and initiation of preliminary B-cell study for a UK rituximab clinical trial at University College London.

• The three most successful IiME international biomedical research conferences and pre-conference research meetings yet, fuelling collaboration between researchers and educating health professionals. This year, as well as a CPD accredited conference DVD (not yet released), IiME have produced a Booklet to educate GPs and other healthcare professionals about the current state of research into ME that includes a summary of the research meeting and conference by Professor Jonathan Edwards.

Also in progress:

• The initial target for the UCL/IiME rituximab clinical trial is 98.9% funded, so close! - ukrituximabtrial.org

• A second PhD studentship to learn about and research ME and gut microbiota.

• Invest in ME and Let's do it for ME are also working toward further research projects that will complement the existing ones, and our initial plan of a centre of excellence is still the main target of our work.

Our ability to initiate research projects and progress plans for a centre of excellence is due in no small part to the many people who have taken the time and effort to get involved so thank you..  and Happy Birthday!

from all at LDIFME and IiME

ldifme.org  investinme.org

Invest in ME Wins Direct Debit BIG Break!

You did it - Invest in ME won! We did it for Invest in ME last year - now we have done it again.   Thanks to another round of incredible efforts by patients, families and friends to vote and spread the word, supporters once again secured over 3500 votes achieving 1st place for Invest in ME in The Big Break for the second year running, winning a donation of £2,000 from Direct Debit for much-needed biomedical research into ME.  Direct Debit tweeted confirmation yesterday: 

"Big congratulations to @Invest_in_ME after winning our March Big Break for Charity vote and scooping £2k #DDBigBreak4Charity"  

Invest in ME replied:

"Thanks so much to Direct Debit for doing this for charities & helping raise funds for much needed biomedical research for ME/CFS and thanks again to everyone who voted for us – many devoting great effort and resources to raising awareness of ME/CFS". 

They also wrote on Facebook: 

"It is thanks to unpaid and passionate patients, and their families and friends who have made a difference. Thanks again to all those who took part in promoting this despite difficult personal circumstances."

Sambat Trust were very worthy winners of 2nd place and exchanged congratulations and kind messages of support with Invest in ME. 

Direct Debit shared our Thank You graphic on Facebook, posting:

"Well done to Invest in ME after winning our March Big Break for Charity vote and landing £2k. We like this pic that's been created to celebrate, very good!"

Let´s do it for ME was also complimented by Penny Alexander, who tweeted us: 

"@Letsdoit4ME so well done, I am writing a post as DD'S blogger ambassador on how to gain votes, any tips for next month's charities?"

We think our top tip is summed up in this comment by Invest in ME - have the best supporters in the world! IiME had posted on 1st April:

"There is not doubt we have the best supporters in the world. Thank You!
We'll update the web site asap and our newsletter which is being prepared for April will recognise the wonderful, positive spirit of the supporters we have.

Patients, carers and friends are making a difference.

Let's Do Research! Let's Do It For ME."

Last year, Direct Direct raised a huge £150,000 for charity as part of the Big Break Campaign.  Thanks to over 3500 votes in the month in which they nominated, Invest in ME won the top prize of £2000 and also raised much-needed and most welcome awareness.  In a press release, Mike Hutchinson, head of marketing at Bacs, had said: 

“The work that Invest in ME carries out is not only crucial for the development of better treatments for the illness, it’s also carried out for free by volunteers so it’s great to be able to support the charity and announce it as the second winner in our Big Break initiative to help 100 good causes.” 

Kathleen McCall, Chairman at Invest in ME, added:

“We’re absolutely delighted to have won the £2,000 from the Big Break campaign. On behalf of all the volunteers at Invest in ME, I would like to thank everyone who voted for us.”

Each month from March until June Direct Debit will donate £5,000 to the causes that are decided to be the most deserving. The cause that receives the highest number of votes each month will receive £2,000; the cause with the second highest number of votes will receive £1,000; and the remaining £2,000 will be divided amongst the runners up.

All involved with Invest in ME give their time for free, and all donations go towards  raising awareness of ME, improving education about ME or facilitating and funding biomedical research into ME. Invest in ME have no salaries - all work is voluntary.  Your votes for the charity in this contest have helped them continue to progress research into this disease and bring hope to all who are affected by it.    A big THANK YOU to all involved in helping Invest in ME to help us from the team at Let´s do it for ME! 

We did it for Invest in ME!

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*Let's do it for ME! is a campaign to help raise awareness of the work of independent UK charity Invest in ME (Research) and funds for the biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis that the charity is organising and/or funding. Invest in ME is run entirely by unpaid volunteers who either have ME or are parents and carers of ME patients. They are driving the agenda of scientific biomedical research into diagnostic tests and treatments for myalgic encephomyelitis in UK in collaboration with international researchers of world renown - 2014 will be an exciting year for progress in M.E. research - you can help*

Let's do it for ME!

ldifme.org

Invest in ME (Research)

investinme.org

Invest in ME International Biomedical Research Conference (IIMEC)

investinme.eu

IiME/UCL/UK rituximab trial 

ukrituximabtrial.org

The Big Sleep for ME is back!

The Big Sleep for ME is back for its third successive year.  With your help, and that of its business sponsor Vintage Wedding and Home, it’s going to be even bigger and better.  This fun and inclusive awareness and fundraising event for biomedical research, includes a mass sleepathon that runs throughout ME Awareness Week 11 – 17 May, as well as an opportunity to hold your own ‘sleep inspired’ event, such as PJ parties, PJ Pride Days, Sleepwalks, Sleep-cycles and more.

The Sleepathon is extremely easy and flexible to take part in and means that anyone, even those with severe ME, can do their bit.  All you need to do is lie back, make yourself comfortable, and, if you really want to, sleep!  Do it at home or anywhere that takes your fancy, either on your own or as a group.  And if you feel like it, dress up for the occasion.  If fundraising, just get people to sponsor you, and for awareness, just let others know you’re taking part.  The same applies if you’re holding your own ‘sleep inspired’ event.

The Big Sleep for ME likes to celebrate ME Awareness month in style, and will be getting in the party mood by running competitions and even having a Facebook disco.  Anyone is welcome to join in the competitions and disco, so keep an eye out for updates on Facebook and Twitter.  You can now also buy all sorts of fab Big Sleep merchandise in their online shop, from tops and sleepwear to their very popular Snugzie bear.  All purchases help to raise even more money for biomedical research as all shop profits are donated. There are also rumours that badges and balloons will be available shortly to make your Big Sleep really go with a swing!  It’s all happening at The Big Sleep for ME.

 It’s great to have such an inclusive event that means everyone, from sufferers to healthy supporters, can unite together to do something positive for ME.  The event is already shaping up nicely and participants have been coming up with lots of fun ways they’ll be taking part, such as a PJ coffee morning and The Princess and ME, a group of ME sufferers who will be dressing as princesses and turning into real-life Sleeping Beauties to coincide with ME Awareness Day.  So, why not join in the fun and do something for ME?  
 
The Big Sleep for ME was set up to fill the need for a completely inclusive ME event that anyone, including those with severe ME, could take part in.  Given the limitations severe ME imposes, a great deal of thought went into what kind of event could take place. In the end, the solution was so obvious.  Since, many with ME have to spend a lot of time lying down either on a sofa or in bed and some sufferers are completely bedbound, why not turn this into something positive and have a mass Sleepathon.  The Big Sleep for ME was born!  Whilst the event now encompasses all manner of ‘sleep inspired’ events and is about having fun, it also has a serious side which is to not only raise much needed awareness and fundraising for biomedical ME research, but also to increase awareness of ME generally.

Find out more about the event on their website.  The event also has its own Facebook page and is on Twitter, you can email them too.  To make things easier, the team has set up a group JustGiving page which you can join and there’s a downloadable Fundraising and Awareness pack and School Leaflet, should you wish to get a school involved, in their online toolkit.  You need to register to take part, but as thank you you’ll be entered into a Free Prize Draw. This helps them to keep track of everyone and plan for future years.

If you can’t take part, but would like to support the event you can always sponsor someone you know, or make a donation to The Big Sleep for ME fundraising group on JustGiving.

With special thanks to Julia Cottam from our ‘Let’s do it for ME’ team for thinking this up this event, and for all the hard work she puts into this inclusive and positive venture, as well as to everyone taking part.

We can all make a difference to ME!
 

Mark Webster's Bath Half Marathon

Mark with mum Isabel Webster

Mark's story: On the first Sunday in March I will be taking part in the Bath Half Marathon as a way of showing my support to two special people who I love dearly and many more like them who also suffer with ME. Mum has shown  great courage in learning to manage a condition that leaves her house-bound most of the time these days. Her good friend Nadine also suffers from ME and has become a close friend to me and my wife. I'm sure she will not mind me saying that she is as mad as a box of frogs and she has the most wicked sense of humour.

Both of them have a generosity of spirit that is not bounded at all by the challenges they face on a daily basis. If ever there were two reasons to put hard earned cash into biomedical research into the causes of ME, these two should stand up... But they would be the first to speak out for their many friends and thousands more who they have never met who have to struggle with the varied and cruel effects of this neurological condition as well as dealing with the ignorance and antipathy often shown by some health professionals and members of the public.

Nadine and Issy at Mark & Beccy's Wedding in 2010

They deal with both these problems with a level of patience, resilience, dignity and dare I say humour, than I and many of their loved ones could ever hope to. ME frustrates us and makes us angry but they inspire us and help us to treasure the sense of well being that they still do have whilst also teaching us not to take our own health for granted. So if you would like to show your support for Mum and Nadine as well as their many friends and countless others who all deserve our support then please donate whatever you can, however little, it would be really appreciated.  To donate - click here

As for the run itself, if you are in Bath on the first Sunday in March you'll probably see me at the back running behind the bloke carrying a fridge and just in front of the lady running on her hands. I'm not the fittest person in the world and I'm carrying enough spare tyres to keep Kwik Fit in business so it will be a challenge to complete but what ever place I finish in, 'll be proudly wearing an 'Invest in ME' tshirt and thinking about my Mum, Nadine and the many others who run their own half marathon each day without even leaving the house.
Thanks for reading,
Mark x
Mark's Bath Half Marathon 2014 Fundraising Page on JustGiving

"Daddy is running for my Gran and Invest in M.E."

Mark's biggest supporter, his son Finn 

Mark's Bath Half Marathon 2014

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Let's do it for ME! is a community campaign in support of the work of independent UK charity Invest in ME (Research) and raises funds for the biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis that the charity is organising and/or funding. Invest in ME is run entirely by unpaid volunteers who either have ME or are parents and carers of people with ME. They are driving the agenda of scientific biomedical research into diagnostic tests and treatments for myalgic encephomyelitis in collaboration with international researchers of world renown - 2014 promises be an exciting year for progress in M.E. research and we can all help.

Click here for current and planned research projects.  Thank-you for your support.

Let's do it for ME!
ldifme.org

Invest in ME (Research)
investinme.org
Invest in ME International Biomedical Research Conference (IIMEC)
investinme.eu

Shop and Tell

Updates on ways to raise funds for FREE, easy competitions, great tell-a-friend offers and more on Give As You Live, TopCashBack, Easyfundraising, eBay, and a direct link to Amazon .. 

.. all so simple even adults can do it!

** There is no insertion/listing fee on eBay auction listings every day until 5 January, so it could be a good time to list items and Invest in ME to benefit. There are various auction listing lengths: 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days and 10 days, so it is possible to list the items using the shorter lengths and relist for free again before the 5th January.  T&C apply - read about this promotion here:
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/promos/1259/

Invest in ME charity page on eBay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/egw/ebay-for-charity/charity-profile/Invest-in-ME/20218

** It´s very quick and easy to register with easyfundraising and they will also donate £5 for everyone who signs up via a tell-a-friend link once they have raised £10. You can also raise 50p for IiME if you install the Find & Remind toolbar until the end of December.

**  TopCashBack's Tell-A-Friend bonus increase has been that popular - and because they are in the festive spirit - they have decided to extend the deadline - you now have until 2nd January to help your friends save money on their online shopping and grab yourself a £20 bonus for each of them!

If you're signing up to TopCashBack for the first time, please do so via Paul Kayes' Tell-A-Friend link - http://www.topcashback.co.uk - for that extra £20 donation to Invest in ME at no cost to you.

Once signed up, you can spread the love by telling all your friends - Let's do it for ME! 

**  Now there's a direct link to shop at Amazon and support IiME at no extra cost to you - just click on the banner below when shopping at Amazon and raise much needed funds for biomedical research!

Or click on the link via IiME's website - both work.

Please add the Amazon link to your favourites and tell your friends and family.

When you shop at Amazon via these links or banner you earn up to 10% of all purchases made during your shopping session.   The percentages vary depending on products being bought - Full details

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Raise Funds for Free

Shop for Biomedical ME Research

Our stunning landscapes 2014 Calendar 

Thank you and happy shopping!

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Day 25: Advent Calendar for ME

 ‘Star of wonder'(1)

On the final day of our Advent calendar, we finish decorating the Christmas tree by adding a star. The star symbolises the Star of Bethlehem which alerted the Three Wise Men, also known as The Three Kings, to the birth of Jesus and inspired their journey to see him. Thanks to Lesley Innes’ photo from the ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition, the final one to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar.

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match those uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here.

Here, the choir of Kings College, Cambridge sing the carol ‘We Three Kings of Orient are’:

With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year from Invest in ME and Let’s do it for ME!

1) ‘We Three Kings of Orient are’ Christmas carol

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Click here to order our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your January sales shopping.

Day 24: Advent Calendar for ME

 ‘Santa’s midnight feast’

At the stroke of midnight tonight, Santa will ride out on his sleigh to deliver all those eagerly awaited presents. But he, and the reindeers, will need some sustenance on the way with all that rushing about! These scrumptious strawberry and cream mini Santas should do the trick. Thanks to Lisa Taylor’s photo from the ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition, the twenty-fourth to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar.

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match those uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here.

Here is Walt Disney’s ‘Santa’s Workshop’ 1932, showing all the preparations being made for tonight:

Come back tomorrow for more festive fun and see what Day 25, our final calendar scene, has in store!

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Click here to order our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your January sales shopping.

Day 23: Advent Calendar for ME

 ‘Bear hug’

Today, we add a cuddly bear under the tree, just waiting for lots of hugs on Christmas morning. Thanks to Richard Ion’s photo from the ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition, the twenty-third photo to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar.

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match those uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here.

Come back tomorrow for more festive fun and see what Day 24 has in store!

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Click here to order our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your last minute Christmas shopping.

Day 22: Advent Calendar for ME

‘Nativity with a twist’

We couldn’t resist having it back! Sarah Hill’s pom-pom sheep nativity scene takes pride of place on the mantle-piece, from her photo entered in the ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition. Sarah’s is the twenty-second photo to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar.

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match those uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here.

Come back tomorrow for more festive fun and see what Day 23 has in store!

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Click here to order our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your last minute Christmas shopping.

Day 21: Advent Calendar for ME

‘Hello Dolly!’

It’s time to place some more presents under our tree. Today, we add an angel doll. Someone’s going to be very pleased on Christmas morning with such a lovely gift! Thanks to Janie Hiles’ photo from the ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition. Janie’s is the twenty- first photo to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar.

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match those uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here.

Here we have toys come to life in a clip from Jim Henson's 'The Christmas Toy' 1986:

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Click here to order our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your last minute Christmas shopping.

Day 20: Advent Calendar for ME

‘Advent Wreath’

Today, we add a ring of burning candles to our calendar scene to signify the Christian tradition of the Advent wreath. The Advent wreath is usually an evergreen wreath with four or five candles. On each Sunday during Advent a candle is lit to mark its passage, with the final one being lit on Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Thanks to Claire Waterfield’s photo from the ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition. Claire’s is the twentieth photo to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar.

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match
those uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here.

Come back tomorrow for more festive fun and see what Day 21 has in store!

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Click here to order our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your last minute Christmas shopping.

Day 19: Advent Calendar for ME

 ‘Puss in boots’(1) 

Minus his boots, a cat joins our Christmas scene. Rather sensibly, on a winter’s day, he’s come in from the cold to warm himself by the fire. Thanks to Kelsey Palmer’s photo from the ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition. Kelsey’s is the nineteenth photo to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar.

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match those uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here. 

Clip from Dreamworks adaption of ‘Puss in Boots’ 2011:

Come back tomorrow for more festive fun and see what Day 20 has in store!

1) Puss in Boots, Fairy tale written in 1697

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Click here to order our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your last minute Christmas shopping.

Day 18: Advent Calendar for ME

‘What a load of baubles!’

Today, we add another rather appropriate decoration to our tree. A lovely bauble, thanks to Debbie Deboo’s photo from the ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition. Debbie’s is the eighteenth photo to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar.

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match those uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here. 

Come back tomorrow for more festive fun and see what Day 19 has in store!

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Click here to order our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your last minute Christmas shopping.

 

Day 17: Advent Calendar for ME

'Cone alone'
 

Our Christmas scene wouldn’t be complete without a festive pine cone. Now, thanks to Louise Cairns' photo from the ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition, we can add one to our tree. Louise’s is the seventeenth photo to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar.

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match those uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here.

Come back tomorrow for more festive fun and see what Day 18 has in store!

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Click here to order our fabulous Christmas cards, featuring winners from the 'Let's Get Snapping for ME' competition, and our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your Christmas shopping.

Day 16: Advent Calendar for ME

‘Branching out!’

Not content with just one Christmas tree, we add a firry display to our mantle-piece. Thanks to Diana Hamilton’s photo from the ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition, the sixteenth photo to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar. Diana, when not taking photos, makes felted birdy creations in aid of our campaign. Currently, she has a selection of hanging owl decorations up for sale in her Folksy shop and says that she also has a wider range of stock in her Etsy Shop this year. You can find out more about Diana and her felting here.

 

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match those uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here.

Come back tomorrow for more festive fun and see what Day 17 has in store!

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Click here to order our fabulous Christmas cards, featuring winners from the 'Let's Get Snapping for ME' competition, and our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your Christmas shopping.

Day 15: Advent Calendar for ME

‘It’s a wrap!’ 

With Christmas drawing nearer, it’s time to start wrapping up some of those presents and place them round the tree. Thanks to Julie-Ann Gylaitis’ photo from ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition, the fifteenth photo to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar. Julie-Ann, as some of you may have seen from an earlier blog post, was a competition winner and had her photo printed on one of our Christmas cards. This card was chosen as No. 1 in The Independent’s 2013 Best Charity Christmas Cards. You can read all about it here!

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match those uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here.

Come back tomorrow for more festive fun and see what Day 16 has in store!

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Click here to order our fabulous Christmas cards, featuring winners from the 'Let's Get Snapping for ME' competition, and our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your Christmas shopping.

Day 14: Advent Calendar for ME

‘Creature Comforts’ 

Dogs love the warmth, and there’s nothing they like doing more than on a cold winter’s day settling down by the fire. Since it’s nearly Christmas we’ve even put on a lovely festive tinsel collar, just like in Becca Ham’s photo from the ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition.  Becca's is the fourteenth photo to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar.  Recently, Becca kindly organised a Secret Santa and matched donations to Ali Head's JustGiving Page raising £216.25 towards the charity's rituximab trial fund.

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match those
uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here.

Here is Creature Comforts’ version of the 12 days of Christmas:

Come back tomorrow for more festive fun and see what Day 15 has in store!

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Click here to order our fabulous Christmas cards, featuring winners from the 'Let's Get Snapping for ME' competition, and our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your Christmas shopping.

Day 13: Advent Calendar for ME

‘Spice it up!’

Today, we spice up the tree by adding a delicious gingerbread man, made with cinnamon, ginger and many more scrummy ingredients.  Just like the one in Julia Cottam’s photo from the ‘Let’s Get Snapping for ME’ competition, the thirteenth photo to be magically transformed into our Advent Calendar.  But given he’s so tasty, how long will it be before he gets eaten?

 

You can download today’s advent image for your computer or mobile device wallpaper by clicking here. We have uploaded a number of versions in different sizes to suit various screen sizes. Each is labelled with an aspect ratio. (To find out the aspect ratio of your device divide the screen resolution width by height. We’ve made all images the biggest size possible to cater for the maximum number of devices. If the image is too large it can be easily shrunk to size. If your device’s aspect ratio doesn’t match those uploaded choose the nearest one.) If you’d rather print off today’s picture you can download it by clicking here.

Come back tomorrow for more festive fun and see what Day 14 has in store!

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Click here to order our fabulous Christmas cards, featuring winners from the 'Let's Get Snapping for ME' competition, and our beautiful 2014 calendar.

Click here to find out how you can raise funds for free for the charity whilst doing your Christmas shopping.