Donate to a great cause and WIN a shoot!!

FOUR COUNTRIES . FOUR BLOGGERS . ONE GREAT CAUSE

This is a post I'm very excited about and for a cause that's very close to my heart. At this time of year when we're all crazy busy with Christmas functions and figuring out what to buy Aunt Daisy, it's important to take time to stop and think about all those who are unable to celebrate in the same nature that we take for granted.

I'm thankful to be a part of the fabulous wedding blogging community and this Christmas at the initiative of the fabulous Gaby from SouthBound Bride, and together with  b.loved, and At First Blush & Co., Magnolia Rouge has joined together with them to raise money for Starfish Greathearts Foundation. As bloggers, we spend every day finding the prettiest and most inspiring ideas, but there's nothing more inspiring to all of us than the fantastic work done by Starfish amongst AIDS orphans in South Africa. They bring hope and support to so many children who desperately need it, and at this time of year more than ever, it's time to give back and help to turn the tide. Hopefully we can make a tiny difference in the lives of some of these children. In 2011 statistics show that there were an estimated 5.6 million people in South Africa living with HIV/AIDS. When parents die they leave orphans who desperately need help.

We hope you’ll give generously, and to celebrate this appeal, we're giving away four styled couple shoots (one each in the US, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK). Each will be photographed by a top photographer and styled by ourselves and our associates. They are perfect for an engagement, an anniversary, or just to honour your relationship! And I'm beyond thrilled to announce the photographer doing the New Zealand one is only one of the TOP in the country... the lovely, the super talented, Danelle Bohane!! I'm so excited to work together with Danelle on this.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN A SHOOT FROM DANELLE BOHANE!

 

Here’s how it works: 

 

1. We’ve set up a JustGiving page (which means donations go straight to the charity) and we’d ask you to head over there and make your donation. We have no specific amount, but we of course ask that you give generously! The goal is to raise £500 but I'm certain together with your help we can raise more!!

2. When you’re done, if you would like to enter the couple shoot giveaway, go to our dedicated Facebook page and leave us a comment saying in which of the countries you are based, and telling us your love story. 

3. At the end of the month when we close the appeal, we’ll announce three finalists for each location and readers will be able to vote for a winner on our Facebook page. And of course, you’ll get to see the results of the shoots on our blogs.

Remember anyone can enter. You don’t have to be engaged or married; you just need to be a couple. Make sure to spread the word. We appreciate any Tweets, Facebook mentions, or shout outs on your own blog. We’ve all heard the saying it takes a village to raise a child? In this case we are the village and the orphaned children of South Africa need us.

I can't wait to read your stories!!!

Starfish Greathearts Foundation is an international development charity, aiming to bring life, hope and opportunity to children in South Africa, who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. Starfish is the response of a global community of people on a passionate quest to change perspectives, beliefs and ultimately outcomes for the growing number of orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa. Starfish seeks to inspire individuals around the world to take positive action against the tragedy of children orphaned or made vulnerable by this crisis. In the last seven years, thousands of people across the globe have embraced the Starfish vision, contributing to the community based care that we're now providing for thousands upon thousands of children in South Africa year on year. 

Please note that the New Zealand shoot will take place in Auckland so if you're from out of town, you will need to provide your own transport. The shoot will take place at an agreed time on a week day in February. High resolution images will be provided, but no prints.