Christmas cards are a nice way to send out a little Christmas cheer in December, but that buzz doesn't last so long and within a few weeks the cards are heading to be recycled. Charity Christmas cards help add something more worthwhile to the act of card giving but the amount that goes to charity depends on the cost of producing the cards themselves.

At Bronco, as in previous years, we’ve not bothered with the cards and instead just given all the money to charity. We know some people might be disappointed to not receive a card but it just doesn’t compare to the life changing benefits of a hearty donation.

And as with previous years we’ve donated to a charity we’ve supported for a number of years; FOP Action. This charities main goal is simple; to research a cure for a disease that turns people into living statues. The disease affects the normal tissue and muscle in the human body and transforms it to bone, locking many of a person’s usually free moving joints.

This year the charity has a big goal to reach in order to guarantee continued research into a cure. By the end of January 2013 they need to raise a total of £120,000 and with almost £40,000 still to go every little bit helps.

The need to raise funds to find help find a cure for FOP is closer to home for us than for most, as Dave and Becky have a sufferer of FOP in their family and can see at first hand the effect of the disease. We urge you to give what you can to such a good cause as every little bit makes a difference and with such as small group of fundraisers compared to other larger charities it would be great to get your support. You can donate your Christmas Card money here http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/kellysanderson at Virgin Giving or donate through the FOP Action website. All the funds will go to the University of Oxford Research team to carry on working on a cure.