Connexion calendars raise €1,000 for charity

Thank you to all readers who bought our 2017 glossy wall calendar – the sales raised €1,000 to be split equally between the charities Cancer Support France and Jardins Ouverts/Open Gardens.

The calendar, which was the first we have published, featured 12 images of France as well as information about some of the country’s most attractive places, quirky French facts and puzzles, plus monthly highlights from festivals and important anniversaries to unmissable regional events.

€2 from every purchase went directly to the two charities.

Penelope Parkinson (pictured), National President of Cancer Support France (CSF), said her association was pleased to receive the donation from Connexion readers. CSF has trained volunteers who give practical help, information and emotional support adapted to the individual needs of English-speaking cancer patients, their carers, families and those closest to them.

Mrs Parkinson said the money would be used to train volunteer listeners. “Thanks everyone! €500 will cover the average costs of four trainees or enable us to send a trainer to an association for a two-day Initial Training Course.”

The Jardins Ouverts/Open Gardens raises money for charity by encouraging residents to open up their gardens, for occasional days. Last year the association raised a record €23,000, much of which was given to children’s charities.

Mick Moat, President of Jardins Ouverts/Open Gardens is delighted with the “wonderful donation of €500 towards our efforts.” The money will be used to purchase banners to decorate the association’s stands when it attends plant fairs and shows to help attract new members. “These are essential venues for our development, particularly throughout the east of the country where we currently have virtually no gardens at all,” he said.

The new Connexion charity calendar for 2018, which makes an ideal Christmas gift for any Francophile, is now available to pre-order (for those who like to get ahead with their Christmas shopping!). It has 12 beautiful new images of France and this time, a third charity will also benefit – The British Charitable Fund, which helps Britons in France in need of financial support. It fears that Brexit will increase the number of people they need to help.

The calendar costs €12.90 for pre-orders placed before October 31, 2017. From November 1, 2017 it will cost €15.

To pre-order and to send a calendar as a gift in time for Christmas, click here. Orders will be sent out from mid-November.