It is coming up to a year since we started Three Little Pandas. A lot has happened in that time - we've learnt lots of lessons and still have so much to learn. But in reflecting over the past year, I look at our children - the reason why we started this journey in the first place and I'm reminded of my mother when I was their age.
From as long as I can remember, my mother - Adelia Gwiazda (with the quiet but ever valuable support of her husband, my dad, Vincent), has always given back to her roots, never turned her back on where she came from. Whenever we would visit The Philippines, she would give back to her community off her own back in some way, shape or form. But eventually, this wouldn't be enough for her.
Mabuhay Foundation UK
About 10 years ago, she and her two friends Madelyn Richardson and Myrna Obligacion founded Mabuhay Foundation UK - a non-profit voluntary charity organisation with the vision of raising funds for various charities in The Philippines.
With close links to various Filipino community groups in the UK as well as the Filipino Embassy in London, much of the money is raised through organising Dinner & Dance evenings, sponsorships and monetary donations and goods.
The funds they raise are donated to underprivileged families in remote areas of the country, underfunded schools and churches, day care centres, orphanages, care homes as well as providing relief to typhoon victims.
In planning Three Little Pandas' first birthday and inspired by my mother's work, we thought it would be a great opportunity to get involved and host a fundraiser on behalf of Mabuhay Foundation UK to contribute to the great work that they already do.
So!
Doing our part
Three Little Pandas will be hosting a Charity Raffle Fundraiser with some already great prizes but with more being added to the list as more brands get on board to support a great cause!
Please get behind us in this campaign by purchasing tickets for our raffle and support us in helping those in need in The Philippines!
We are still collecting and adding prizes to the list so make sure to check back regularly for updates!
Balls & Company have kindly donated an amazing meal for two including a bottle of wine (worth £75).
Based in the heart of London's Soho, Balls & Company is an intimate meatball restaurant with a honest, charming atmosphere, utilising superb quality meats, the finest vegetables and skilled chefs to craft a beautiful dining experience that you and a friend could enjoy!
Dest Jewellery have kindly donated one of their latest creations, a beautiful "Coral" gold plated necklace pendant (worth £130)!
Created by awesome minds behind Burt & Gurt of Hatton Garden, the couple have launched Dest Jewellery offering travel inspired pieces for you to "Wear a hint of paradise wherever you are".
Kulaydoscope Wellness & Beauty have kindly donated a 1 hour massage for one lucky winner!
Run by the talented Audrey Horca, Kulaydoscope offer a wide range of services from beneficial massage therapies including Mother & Baby to beauty services ranging from bridal to prom make-up.
Edy and Bridge have donated one of their delightfully whimsical "Floral Sweet Heart" Jumpers.
From the beautiful mind of Jenni Redstone, Edy and Bridge offers a gorgeous range of adult and childrenswear that portrays "modern day style with a love for everything vintage".
Elliot Rhodes have very kindly donated a £120 gift voucher to go to one lucky winner!
Arguably one of the best luxury belt makers in the UK, our winner will have the chance to splash out and choose a wide range of belts and buckles in an even wider range of colours, textures and styles, made only from the finest materials.
Bee Minor has very kindly donated a gorgeous baby outfit set consisting of leggings, knotted hat and "Dream Thief" onesie for one lucky winner's Little Panda!
Handmade from organic materials here in the UK by the amazing Keren, the winner of this prize will be literally wrapped in the luxury of super-soft cotton which is gentle on the skin, especially for newborns.
Isaac's Treasures have very kindly donated a set of stackable blocks for one lucky winner!
Hand-made from solid oak here in the UK using marbled & splatter designs with certified toy safe paint, these cute stacking blocks are perfect for aiding in the development of your Little Panda's cognitive development.
Etta Loves have generously donated one of their giant leopard print sensory muslin squares!
Made from 100% cotton, these muslins are ideal for the visual development of Little Pandas aged 5+ months when babies near full colour range and begin to distinguish subtleties between colours. Both the scale of the print and colours have been designed to appeal to the entire age range.
The fabulous Moccis have kindly donated a pair of their signature moccasins in any size for baby or child in their gorgeous Midnight Blues colourway for one lucky winner!.
Moccis® (pronounced Mock-Keys) are the first and only luxury hand sewn Swedish moccasins to bring fashion, function, and fun to indoor footwear worldwide.
MyCosyLondon have very generously donated one of their signature luxury giant chunky knit blankets.
These blankets are hand-crafted in the UK from 100% non-mulesed Merino wool, perfect for keeping your body temperature regulated all year round, perfect for keeping you cosy all year round.
The fantastic Daniel Adams Salons have very generously donated a haircut and blowdry at their Belsize Park branch.
Blending premium service that is second to none, the warmest atmosphere and hair stylists and technicians of the finest skills, Daniel Adams Salons will deliver an unforgettable experience that will have you coming back for more!
Little Leo Prints have very kindly donated one of their fantastic A4 Roald Dahl Quote Prints for one lucky entrant to win!*
Little Leo Prints specialise in bespoke wedding stationary and beautiful prints for the home that will add magic to even the darkest corner of the room.
Josephine's Filipino Restaurant has very kindly donated a three course meal for two* for one lucky ticket holder.
Josephine's Filipino Restaurant is the first restaurant specialising in Filipino cuisine in central London. The family run business has been open for over 20 years now as has been frequented by many celebs and VIPs of Filipino heritage including Manny Pacquiao, Apl De Ap of Black Eyed Peas, Gino D'acampo, Jason Atherton and Ricky Gervais with Stephen Merchant to name a few.
*From the "set two" set course menu, drinks not included.
Ronnie & Ruby have very kindly donated one tee of the raffle winner's choice from their new "#Life" line!
The lovely Kayleigh of Ronnie & Ruby handmakes these tees by pressing onto the softest of cottons so they're gentle to your baby's skin. Available from 0-5 years.
Uki.be have very kindly donated a teether of choice for one lucky winner!
Uki.be specialise in safe, simple and stylish teethers which are perfect for sensory play. These mummy designed teethers are made for the style conscious parent.
Little Magpies have very kindly donated a Black Elephant Teether for one lucky winner's little panda to nibble on.
Little Magpies produce gorgeous, baby-safe teething and nursing jewellery. The Black Elephant Teethers are super tactile and textured on both sides providing a fun sensory experience and pain relief for teething babies. They can be refrigerated to help cool and soothe sore gums. The teethers come in a clear snap close bag for easy storage in your handbag or changing bag so you have them handy when needed.
Baby Dee & Me "Mama & Baby Short Sleeve Tee Twinning Set"
Baby Dee & Me have very kindly donated a Mama & Baby short sleeve tee twinning set for one lucky ticket holder to win!
With unique and fun designs, Baby Dee & Me combine their love of music with a love of fashion, these tees are designed to keep your little ones looking fresh! These tees are heat-press printed by hand on supersoft 100% cotton and are available in Little Panda sizes 3-6m up to 5-6yrs, and Mama Panda 8UK to 16UK - all exclusively designed and made in the UK!
BKD have very kindly donated a signed copy of their gorgeous book 'BAKED' along with a Zesty Lemon Love You Lots Biscuit Pops baking kit for one lucky ticket holder!
BAKED Contemporary anti-kitsch baking book, created by Adelle Smith, baker and founder of the award-winning children's baking company BKD.
Set apart from other children's cookbooks by stunning photography and lifestyle ideas, this book is ideal for creating and styling children's parties with over 20 recipes and easy-to-follow cake and biscuit decorating projects.
Zesty Lemon BKD Love You Lots Biscuit Pops Baking Kit Fuel kids' imaginations. Make baking with your family easy, tasty & super fun! Bake and decorate your very own love inspired biscuit pops!
The Kit comes with everything you will need to create 15 of your very own lemon zesty biscuits. This includes 2 cookie cutters, fondant, icing writers, biscuit mix, googley eyes and much more.
Sian Jordan Designs "Limited Edition Digital 'OK' Giclee Print"
Sian Jordan Designs have very kindly donated this awesome "Limited Edition Digital 'OK' Giclee Print" which is signed by the artist and stamped by the printers for one lucky ticket holder!
Ruey Bear Baby have very kindly donated one of their super-cute "Little Hippu" design crew neck sweatshirts for one lucky ticket holder! (Available from sizes 0 to 3 years. Winner chooses size).
Ruey Baby Bear produce organic and ethical stylish fashion wear for 0 to 3 yr old - all made by Jess in Bristol, UK!
Big Bang Lightbox have very kindly donated a one hour photo session within Central London for one lucky ticket holder and their family!
Based in London but working internationally, Big Bang Lightbox is a photographers’ agency specialized in natural, beautiful portraits for families who want to capture their child’s memories to last a lifetime: a toddler taking those scary first steps, a home full of happiness on a birthday party, a sleepy curled up newborn or a proud mum-to-be celebrating with her friends the arrival of her little one.
Mumoclock have very kindly donated one of their "Slow It Down" boxes for one lucky ticket holder!
Mumoclock create hand picked, custom and curated gift boxes for mothers. The "Slow It Down" box contains the following to help mothers relax: 1 x Home Sweet Home candle from The Charity Candle Company 1 x Twisters cotton socks from Jollie’s socks 1 x Citrus Bar soap from The Soap Co. 1 x The Fourth Trimester Magazine Issue 2 1 x A few minutes for YOU print
I Am Loved have very kindly donated one of their super-cool new "Dream" t-shirts/baby grow for one lucky winner.
I Am Loved is a UK based brand that create childrenswear and interior accessories for your Little Panda. "I am loved is a slogan that we want your little people to wear boldly and always remember that they are so fiercely loved."
Baby grows are available in sizes 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months and 18-24 months.
T-shirts are available in sizes 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years, 4-5 years and 5-6 years.
