Chuff W
hen Nicky Cunliffe’s husband left for Afghanistan, Nicky wanted to create a
personal and thoughtful gift for him. Little did she know that six months later what she and their three children made at the kitchen table would become the catalyst to launch an exciting new business.
IMAGINE an advent calendar counting down to the best present of all… the safe return of a loved one from operations.
That was the thought of RAF wife Nicky Cunliffe, both as a way of helping husband Stuart mark off the days of an Afghanistan tour and a reminder of happy times the family has shared.
Nicky created a personalised chuff chart for her husband at the kitchen table, full of photos, messages and images for him to open out in Afghanistan.
And this homespun inspiration has now transformed into a budding business, Chuff Chuff Designs, creating personalised countdown calendars online that can be posted either to family homes or directly out to personnel in theatre.
Nicky said: “When Stuart goes away, we all start counting down the days until we are back together again. The children and I are used to making chuff charts as a way of ticking off the days. This year I decided to make Stuart an extra- special chuff chart – it was like a personalised advent calendar for him to open out in theatre.
“There is a lot of support for personnel and their families in the run-up to, and during deployment, but I realised there is nothing else on the market like my countdown calendar. With the support of a few very lovely people, we have been able to get the idea from my kitchen table into a viable business – Chuff Chuff Designs.
“We have tried to keep the website simple, user-friendly and fun – we hope that all
www.raf-ff.org.uk
the family can enjoy using it and creating their own calendar. I really hope people like the concept, have fun with all, and mostly importantly, share it with someone they love.”
Stuart has now returned from his six month tour to his wife, three children and a budding new business. Stuart said:
“I am extremely proud of Nicky. It was a great gift and it’s a remarkable business. The fact that she has been able to do all of this whilst raising our three children in my absence is fantastic.”
Mother of three, Nicky has been a military wife for 15 years. The family lives at RAF Boulmer. Nicky continued:
“It can be a real challenge for partners to find and keep employment alongside a serving military husband or wife. I have tried to meet this challenge by creating a business concept that compliments and supports the work of the services. Because it is an online business, Chuff Chuff Designs will be able to move around the country with me and the family.”
COMMUNITY Counting Down the Days Chuff Chuff!
For those serving in the military, a chuff chart, counting down the days is a familiar concept but here Nicky pulls them into the 21st Century using a website
where you can upload your own photos, drawings and messages to create a bespoke countdown
calendar printed and delivered to your loved ones within the UK and out in theatre. If you are counting down to an exciting event or homecoming, a Chuff Chuff Designs Calendar is the perfect way to make it personal.
Contact Nicky at: nicola@chuffchuffdesigns. com,
www.chuffchuffdesigns.com
Chuff!
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