Charity
There are so many incredible charities out there that need support and donations. We’re in awe of the work that businesses and individuals do to support those in need. It’s really inspiring to see how much people (and businesses) raise for charity. It may sound a bit deep but it’s in our hearts to try and reach out and help others and we do this in a variety of ways. We think long and hard about the charities that we select and prefer our chosen charities to have a personal meaning or relevance to our wedding business if possible. We often request that funds are directed to geographically relevant branches or charity hubs close by us in Colchester and Essex in the hope that the money we raise or the goods that we donate will reach and touch people directly within (or close to) our local community. A massive thank you to our business friends and brides who have (time and time again) selflessly helped us on our little charity missions. We salute you all! Thank you so much for helping us to help others, we’ll continue to do our small part to help others in ways that we are able.
Here’s a little insight to some of our charity projects.
Gift of a Wedding
Another incredibly special charity. This charity aims to bring joy, love and happiness to those with terminal or a life-shortening illness. We have been able to assist with that by providing a gift of the wedding attire for vow renewals and marriage celebrations. On three occasions we have donated wedding dresses and wedding suits to couples who are faced with horrifically sad circumstances. Again, it has been our privilege to assist - those people touched our lives and will forever remain in our hearts.
Petals Babyloss Counselling Charity
Petals provide specialist counselling for Parents suffering trauma or loss during pregnancy and birth. Abi and Rob gave birth to a baby girl at 22 weeks at Colchester Hospital in the Rosemary Suite. It was an extremely sad and difficult labour and an altogether very difficult time. Following that baby loss and funeral Abi went on to sadly sustain two (relatively early) miscarriages. Petals counselling wasn’t available all those years ago but telephone counselling via SANDS was. Abi says it was an absolute lifeline at a time when support for them was much needed. Abi and Rob’s journey to parenthood wasn’t an easy one but they are now the proud parents of their beautiful Daughter Arabella, age 8. In October 2019 the team is very excited to be hosting their fourth ‘Wear Your Wedding Dress Again’ charity party and this time funds raised will go to Petals who are based out of Colchester and Ipswich Hospital.
Colchester & Tendring Women’s Refuge
At Christmas time in 2017 and 2018 the Abigail’s Collection team, business community and friends carried out a big toy collection for the children of the Women’s refuge. The refuge provides crisis accommodation and support services for women and their children who are suffering or recovering from the trauma of living with domestic violence. They are the only specialist domestic violence organisation in the Colchester and Tendring area providing crisis accommodation and support services. Families come primarily from the Colchester and Tendring areas. We are so proud to support the refuge and hope that our Christmas donations have made a little difference to the children and families at Christmas time.
Help For Heroes - Chavasse VC House Rehabilitation Centre, Colchester
In 2013, 2015 and 2017 Abigails Collection threw the UK’s biggest ‘Wear Your Wedding Dress Again’ charity parties at Prested Hall in Essex, over 100 brides popped their wedding dresses back on and danced the night away, the events were absolutely superb! We decided that we wanted to fund raise for Help for Heroes and were able to direct our money to Chavasse VC House in Colchester. In conjunction with generous business friends, so far, we have managed to raise and donate just over £12,000. The funds contributed to the build of their holistic treatment center and development of the gardens at the center. Raising money for Help for Heroes from our charity parties is simply a chance for Abigails Collection and business friends to give something back; to our Brides, to our community and most importantly to the Military Personnel who need help and support after being wounded in service, these servicemen and women have risked their lives and have suffered life-changing injuries whilst bravely serving our country. It’s our way of helping them and saying ‘thank you’. Click here to watch a documentary style film from the 2015 event.