Advent of Change
1081. Kristina Salceanu
Kristina Salceanu, from Stratford-upon-Avon, is a social entrepreneur who has created an innovative charity advent calendar that invites people to give, rather than receive, over the festive season.
Kristina developed the idea to use the countdown to Christmas to create a positive impact and provide an easy way for people to donate, with each of the 24 calendar doors representing a £1 donation to a different charity and 85 percent of overall sales going towards charity. Despite launching only this year, ‘Advent of Change’ has received endorsements from leading corporate partners such as The Telegraph, Evening Standard, Sir Richard Branson, and John Lewis and Partners, who have stocked the calendar online and in all their stores for no profit. Sales of the calendars are currently reaching £100,000.
In a personal letter to Kristina, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Through ‘Advent of Change’, you have reimagined the advent calendar and are setting a new tradition of giving, rather than receiving. You should be really proud of your work, and I wish you the very best with your continued endeavours.”
Kristina said:
“I am completely honoured to accept this award on behalf of all those who have helped ‘Advent of Change’ become a reality, everyone who has joined the ‘Advent of Change’ movement and of course the wonderful charities we support, who will be using the funds raised to make such a big difference to the lives of so many. I’m thrilled to have seen ‘Advent of Change’ receive such overwhelming support in its first year and look forward to creating more innovative charitable products in 2019 and beyond, all with the purpose of making positive changes in the world… please do watch this space!”