” The Jam Jar Army is a new way of giving. When I was growing up there was a poor box in our house, and we filled it with coppers. Not policemen. They wouldn’t fit. But coins. Good idea huh? Most of us don’t have a poor box anymore – but we do have a jam jar. So, why not join us –  empty your pockets and fill a jam jar with change

It’s simple.

*Eat the jam (that bit is quite important).

*When the jar is empty and clean (that’s not as important but it’s probably better that way), fill it with all those coins you don’t really want cluttering your pockets and your handbag and your house.

With the support of the Northumberland Gazette we  launched the Jam Jar Army in Northumberland, where the first collection raised £12,868 for Hospice Care North Northumberland.  We are now attempting to raise another £10,000 – this time for the Alnwick Playhouse Youth Theatre which serves the kids across North Northumberland.

If you live outside Northumberland and want to join the Jam Jar Army, we are happy to have you. Please fill your jar and give it to a good cause – any good cause will do –  and please let us know how much you raised and which charity you donated to.

One of the best things about what we are doing is you can fill the jar again. And again. All in your own time – either for the nominated charity or for a charity of your choice.

Join the Jam Jar Army and

*you give money you won’t miss

*you give at a time you can afford

*you get to feel good about yourself for pennies (it’s a well-known fact that the act of giving lights up the brain in exactly the same way as the act of receiving.)

*it’s green too.

Forget the old excuse “I gave at the office”. You can tell them “I gave at home” and mean it. And as those pennies fill that jar, know you’re making a difference.

Together we can make this a habit. A habit of giving.

Let’s get jammy.”

Judith O’Reilly