2018 / 19

Monetary donations:  Received and earmarked for grants: – £7,300 raised during the 2018 Charity Ball and Auction, including £400 earmarked for Social enterprise Visi Var (Everyone Can) as launched by Ceribu Sparni (Wings of Hope) and £560 earmarked for pre and post natal depression charity Debesmanna  –  £600 raised (fundraising was initiated in early 2018) in cooperation with the Embassy of Latvia in the UK with donations earmarked for women’s rights organisation Marta –  £138 raised by Will from France who run spontaneous half-marathon in Riga as part of running100+ series of 60 runs across 60 European culture capitals over 120 days  – £270 raised by our supporter during a charity BBQ, with donations earmarked for a charity from Rezekne, where the supporter’s roots are from – £435 raised by our pioneer “birthday donor on Facebook” –  over £1,000 raised (fundraising continues) in cooperation with Bērzes Strazdi – Labdarība with donations earmarked for robotics classes in several social services schools across Latvia – £3,500 were raised during Centenary Charity Networking Drinks in Nov 2018 – £435 raised during the 1st charity simultaneous chess exhibition with Grandmaster at the London Latvian House – £10,000 raised during Spring Charity Networking Drinks in Mar 2019 (sums coming in over Mar and April 2019)

Donations in kind:  – 850kg of donations in kind received from Londonas Latviešu Skola, distributed in Latvia with support of Latvijas Bērnu Fonds Other: – 800 surplus children’s coat donation received from Hands on London and delivered to Latvia Distance translators have assisted: – ziedot.lv

Usage of funds / grants: 

– £400 earmarked for Social enterprise Visi Var (Everyone Can) as launched by Ceribu Sparni (Wings of Hope)
– £560 earmarked for Debesmanna
– £600 earmarked for Marta
– £1,000 earmarked for robotics in social services schools project of Bērzes Strazdi – Labdarība 
– Grant competition was launched in summer 2018. Payments towards the winning projects will be processed during late 2018. Full list of beneficiaries to be available in summer 2019. Our financial year ends in April. Full financial reports are prepared in August of the same year. 

10 grants for projects developed by children’s charities in Latvia have been paid in full during Sep – Nov 2018. Here is what your donations have helped to buy:

€966 – Platones Kristiešu Centrs/ PKC, Platone Christian Center, Jelgava district – building materials to convert a garage into a youth club
€947 – Andzeļu BJC “OrhidejasS”, Dagda district – laptop and scanner/printer and symbolic remuneration for teacher of English language club for a year
€505 – Dobele region special needs kids club “Laumiņa” – air hockey and shelves
€502 – Brīnummāja, Cesis – sensory equipment for special needs kids club
€500 – Foundation Zante Family Support Centre – 3 used leather sofas
€500 – Līdzvērtība, Tukums – sowing machine for special needs people 
€500 – MARTA, Riga/Liepaja – appliances for a secret appartment set up for women who have suffered from violence
€499 – Nepaliec Viens, Riga – adjustable hight tables for special needs people
€486 – Pusas biedriba Novus, Rezekne district – trip to adventure park and zoo for disadvantaged children
€445 – Speciālais sporta centrs, Kuldiga – full set of team uniforms, sports equipment

9 grants for projects developed by children’s charities in Latvia have been paid in full during Dec 2018 – Apr 2019. Here is what your donations have helped to buy:

€1,482 – Crisis centre in Daugavpils – therapy equipment and furniture for newly launched crisis and support centre
€913 – Autisma atbalsta punkts Rēzeknē – computer and video and designing software for lessons
€500 – Rasas pērles – Latgales Reģionālais atbalsta centrs Balvi – ball pit, pillows and table football
€498 – Latvijas Kristiga Alianse Bareniem, Liepaja unit – Montessori and other educational materials
€493 – Children’s crisis centre in Sigulda – boxing and other sports equipment for kids to release negative energy
€493 – Palidzesim.lv, Riga – ball pit for special needs kids and public donation boxes
€476 – Dienas aprupes centrs Saules stars, Aluksne – toys for special needs kids
€475 – Association Ventas Krasti, Skrunda – sowing machine and DYI set
€472 – Biedrība “Mēs saviem bērniem”, Madona – ergonomic chair for special needs people, musical instruments

Donations raised during Centenary Charity Drinks and by our many birthday donors (Facebook fundraisers) and online shoping supporters (https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1161932-0) have helped to bring to life 7 more projects developed by children’s charities in Latvia. Grants have been paid in full during Nov 2018 – Apr 2019:

€900 – Biedrība “Aizputes Samarietis” wood pellets for the two buildings where charity operates its support clubs and soup kitchen
GBP690 – Debesmanna.com to organize free support groups for parents suffering from pre- and post natal depression
GBP457 – POGA therapy equipment for sensory room for special needs kids rehabilitation
€491 – Biedrība “Oranžais stars” aqua park tickets for special needs kids (accompanied by a family member)
€486 – Balta maja, Livani – looms and DYI kit
€465 – SOS bērnu ciemati Latvijā arts & crafts for kids, while their new foster parents attend trainings
GBP395 – POGA – G-EO System walking robot sessions for special needs kids

Sincere thanks from our team of volunteers: 

We are extremely grateful to all and everyone, who supported the 2018 Charity Ball and Auction:

Embassy of Latvia in the UK / Latvijas vēstniecība Lielbritānijā and Ambassador Baiba Braže, masters of the ceremony Lauma Skruzmane andAleksis Razmuss , musicians Martins Smaukstelis, Kristina Bistriha and Veronika Rinkule, and the wonderful guests.

Thanks to the donors of auction prizes Latvijas Hokeja federācija, Roberts Bukarts, Jeļena Ostapenko, Instrumenti, Soulstones by Agnese Zeltina, Izklaides parks “Avārijas brigāde” , Laimas šokolādes muzejs, Mayra, Hotel & Restaurant Neiburgs, Hotel Radi un draugi Riga Old Town, Restorāns “Niklāvs”, The Grange Holborn Hotel, Elina Briede Jewelry, Ieva Cipruse, Ieva Ādamsone, SilkForPassion, Juris Gavars, ManDala, Emmi Designdeco, Ieva Ekmane, Ieva Bondare, grupa Dzeguzīte un Raimonds Pauls, Henna Guru Inese Dāvidsone, TRU:DE, Linda Ķuze, 6minutes365days, Sanda Krasta, Gundega Bičevska, Zane Zaharova, Brain Games LV, Rozes Bode, AnitasHandmade, Rūķīšu tēja, Communication ART un Vivita Leismane, Dobeles dzirnavnieks, Balzambārs, Andris Bulis, Guntars Račs, Ilze Tigule, Laura Blumberga, Linda Mūrniece, Aija Andrejeva, Astro’n’out (Official), Irma Kalniņa, City Mountaineering, GR Order, Karogu virtenes.