Ditch Secret Santa

1. Dementia Australia Research Foundation

This is the charity I support and $2 of my books goes towards finding a cure because my beautiful grandmother was taken from us far too early with this disease.

Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia.

There are an estimated 421 000 Australians living with dementia, and nearly 1.6 million Australians are involved in caring for someone living with dementia.

2. OzHarvest

$25 = Delivers 50 meals

3. St Vincent De Paul

Again, one of the charities close to my heart and instead of providing gifts to clients and sending cards, I provide a financial donations, as well as toys and food under our church's Christmas tree to help out local community.

$20 = presents and/or non-perishable food under the Christmas Tree

4. Salvation Army

$20 = food package and present

5. Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal

$20 = up to 4 or more gifts to put under the tree

6. Oxfam Australia

$30 = fish (from $10), chickens (from $14), safe refuge for women (from $28), water for a family (from $22)

7. The Smith Family

$25 provides a book pack to 1 child in need

$58/month funds education support for a primary school child so join some Secret Santa gifts together.

8. Mummy's Wish

$35 provides a special book to help explain Mum's illness to kids

$75 provides a a recordable comfort bear for a mum to record a message for her children to listen to when she can't be with them so join some Secret Santa gifts together.

9. National Breast Cancer Foundation

$20 to fund research

10. McGrath Foundation

$100 can ensure peace of mind for someone newly diagnosed with cancer with the expertise and care of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.

11. RSPCA

$30 = help provide care for all creatures, great and small.

This could include providing an orphaned cat or dog with a bath, treats and an enrichment toy this Christmas.  It can also help to microchip and desex animals to prepare for their forever homes.

12. Love Your Sister

$25 = helps funds Australia's brightest and most innovative medical researchers and clinicians in their efforts to provide all cancer patients with Precision Medicine and to help create access to new techniques and integrated comprehensive data for medical researchers and physicians.

13. Share The Dignity

$49 = sponsors a bag of essential items of period products and personal hygiene items to help women and girls experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence or doing it tough.  They provide dignity in a bag because when someone is doing it tough, the last thing on their mind shouldn't be stressing about how to deal with their period.

And don't forget about the animals who help people remain strong in tough times so please include some cans of cat/dog food and dry biscuits in your non-perishable food donations..

Charities will also be most grateful if you could include some rolls of wrapping paper and tape.