A SWINDON electrical engineering firm is foregoing the usual tradition of giving Christmas cards and handing the money saved to a children’s leukaemia charity.

Fundamentals Ltd, an indepedent firm based off Mead Way, is collecting the money normally spent on paper cards to go towards Cancer & Leukaemia Movement, known as CALM, a charity run by parents who have experienced what it is like to have a child diagnosed with cancer.

The company is hoping to persuade others to follow suit and donate their Christmas card cash to the charity.

Fundamentals’ managing director Dr Jonathan Hiscock said: “CALM is such a wonderful charity. It’s a purely voluntary charity with no paid employees or alternate funding and therefore we want to do all we can to help them.

“Even if we can raise enough money to help one family and child, we will be making a difference. We would love for others to donate to this cause - even a small amount can make a huge difference.”

It will still be spreading the Christmas cheer and helping the environment, by sending festive emails out in an email instead.

CALM chairman Richard Crowley added: “We’re so grateful for the help we receive from local companies such as Fundamentals. We couldn’t continue to run without their support and the help of all our volunteers. Having a child with cancer is truly heartbreaking and can put a lot of strain on a family, especially around Christmas time.

“The difference I’ve seen our charity make to these families is simply heartwarming, and this time of year is more important than ever.”

CALM receives no funding from the NHS and relies on donations from fundraisers and volunteers.

To give your Christmas Card fund to CALM or just to donate to the cause, go to justgiving.com/fundraising-edit/FundamentalsXmas