At the end of a difficult year, it has been quite heartening to see how much our local community has drawn together and been looking out for each other.  Today I saw an article posted on Exeter City Council’s website outlining a scheme where local businesses and individuals have donated to arrange for tablets and laptops to be purchased for children who are not yet set up for home learning.

I have also been in touch with some of our former clients, The Mortgage Quarter. Every year they ask for donations for the children who will be on the Bramble Ward at R,D&E over the Christmas period.  Donations of new toys can be dropped off at The Exeter Business Hub reception where we will arrange for them to be passed over to The Mortgage Quarter.

Here at The Exeter Business Hub, our clients, Marquee Tech, would like to ask for signatures for a petition.  I am sure everyone appreciates how hard it has been for those businesses in the wedding and events industry lately.  The petition asks for outdoor weddings to be legalised (as they are in Wales and Scotland) in England.  Sign the petition here. 

I have also seen many initiatives to shop local this Christmas and support our smaller retailers.  We have a wealth to choose from in Exeter with some fantastic gift ideas.  More information on this year’s (virtual) Christmas market here.

Another fantastic and unusual charity fundraiser is via Figgy’s Christmas Puddings, one of our virtual clients who are extremely busy at this time of year.  One of Figgy’s younger members, ten-year-old Jack, is climbing the tallest summit in the solar system – Olympus Mons on Mars – to raise money for Hospicecare.  This will involve climbing the stairs repeatedly until the 25,000m has been conquered! He’s currently 60% of the way to the top. Donate to this worthy cause here.