Small, hard-working charities who need your support this Christmas

Got someone hard to buy for this Christmas? Obviously they’ve got too much stuff, so instead, why not give to an organisation that hasn’t got nearly enough stuff to do the important work they do. You can even make the donation in their name.

There’s plenty of obvious charities – they’re the ones with big media budgets to advertise their fundraising appeals, but what about the smaller organisations run by passionate volunteers, quietly, humbly, doing work in the background of equal importance. Contributing to their fundraising efforts could really make a big difference.

Here’s our Top 5 list of lesser-known charities, doing amazing work in healthcare, that could do with your financial support this Christmas:

Bio Balance Health

Non-government-funded organisation that works to educate doctors on the importance of nutrition in mental health. The charity also helps facilitate original research at respected institutions to bring to light the biochemical mechanisms underlying various mental health conditions and develop verifiable pathology testing.

Here’s where to donate to Bio Balance Health: https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=31950

National Institute of Integrative Medicine (NIIM)

A not-for-profit organisation, run by respected medical doctors that conducts research in Integrative Medicine. They work to educate healthcare professionals and the general public in integrative medicine and conduct research into integrative medical treatments and technologies.

Here’s where to donate to NIIM: https://www.niim.com.au/community/donate-to-niim

ME/CFS/FM Support Association

Grass roots organisation for sufferers (diagnosed or suspected) of ME/CFS/FM (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Fibromyalgia), their families and friends. They provide support and information to sufferers and their families; they educate medical professionals on the latest treatments; and they lobby government to provide more funds for research into better ME/CFS/FM treatments.

Here’s where to donate to ME/CFS/FM Support Association: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/218730/chairs-christmas-challenge-for-mecfs-ii?fbclid=IwAR2XHsrf1xU8ZqiOnuiJNWECUikL1sQYkbK22-oSrj387WEAAra9y8rrs70

Australian Thyroid Foundation (ATF)

The Australian Thyroid Foundation is 100% community funded. They rely on donations from the community to provide  information, education and support to sufferers of thyroid disease and their families. They also work to raise much needed awareness throughout Australia about the consequences of thyroid disease and iodine deficiency and the benefits of achieving good thyroid health.

Here’s where to donate to ATF: https://thyroidfoundation.org.au/Donate

Eczema Association of Australasia (EAA)

A non-profit organisation dedicated to eczema sufferers in Australia. They reach out to every Australian who lives with this debilitating disease every day and let them know that they can get help, support, education and relief.

Here’s where to donate to EAA: https://www.eczema.org.au/product/donate/

The Gut Foundation

At some stage in our lives we are all touched by someone with bowel cancer, Crohn’s Disease, colitis, irritable bowel or even heartburn, diarrhoea or an ulcer. As some of these conditions increase, the role of The Gut Foundation in the community is even more important.

Here’s where to donate: http://www.gutfoundation.com.au/support