For those who joined us at this year’s VFN Charity Christmas Party on December 7th, we hope you had an amazing time. It was truly a magical day filled with festive cheer, exciting activities, and the joy of meeting the members of the VFN community and spending time with friends and family.
For those not there in person, but in spirit via the online raffle – thank you for your generous support and we hope you enjoy your prizes!
Setting New Records Together
This year’s event was an incredible success, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks to your participation and generosity, we raised an outstanding €6,473.65 for Sonneninsel, setting a new fundraising record!
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR JUNIOR VOLUNTEERS, DAY VOLUNTEERS (special shout out to the heavy lifters and transport crew for set up and clean up – you know who you are and you rock!), DAY ASSISTANTS AND CORE VOLUNTEER TEAM – YOU ARE ALL AWESOME!
THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL ENTERTAINMENT and ACTIVITY SPONSORS!
- Lenka, Oana and Cristina (Welcome desk/tickets and Reindeer)
- Tempera Learning Lab, Andrea, Mia and Andi (Gingerbread station)
- Bojana, Eva, Ioana, Catherine, Hasim and Sophie (Reindeer/Spin the Wheel and Raffle)
- Sherry, Netta and Adriana (additional support, social media, visuals and photography and website)
- Dorota and Max (VFN Science Lab)
- Florin (3D Printing Workshop)
- Eva (additional grotto crafts)
- Vesna (Face Painting and Tattoo station)
- Bernadette and Claudia (VFN Craft Stations)
- Özlem of commonroom (Ceramics)
- Alexandra (Book Sale)
- Luna, Mia, Tina and Louise (Bake Sale)
- Marija of FunFox Partyraum (Photo spot decorations)
- Alison of Vienna Toy Library (Play Area)
- Katy of English Dance Academy (general party coordination, sponsor of entertainment area, EDA dance session, bingo and karaoke) with special thanks to Sofia, Mara, Theo for their bingo help and Mia and Marie for their set up support) and Maxi-Saurus the dinosaur!
- Huei of Music in the Flow and KinderMitmachKonzert
- Oliver of Vienna Break Kids
- Sophie of Sophie’s Music and Movement
and of course, a very special mention and thanks must go to Santa and his head Elf and the Santa’s Grotto team of happy helpers including Grace, Marie, Theo, Lorenz, Nora and Mia headed up by Andi and Miki and to Andi and Mia for the decorations.
Congratulations to the winners and a huge thank you to the sponsors of the 2025 Charity Online Raffle!
Last but definitely not least, we want to express our deepest thanks to the remarkable Ratcliffe family (pictured below right), who have supported our Christmas Party and provided our Santa gifts since 2017 (even supporting us with virtual Santa visits during lockdown!).
Despite losing Graham shortly before last year’s event, Jennie still sourced and personally wrapped more than 300 gifts, promising to keep going for as long as she could. Heartbreakingly, Jennie passed away on 3rd December after a short illness – but not before making sure this year’s donation reached us.
Their kindness in the midst of their own grief is something we will never forget. Their daughters, Kathryn and Lisa, have now pledged to continue their parents’ tradition of supporting the children and families of the VFN as we raise money for those in need, honouring both Graham and Jennie’s generous spirit.
Jennie loved seeing the photos and hearing the stories of the joy their gifts brought. Graham and Jennie will be deeply missed, but their Christmas legacy will continue to shine.
