Mar 293 min read

A sad farewell to our charity director as she moves on to new adventures

Hi Sunshine News Readers,

It’s a very emotional week here at Sunshine HQ as we bid farewell to our wonderful charity director, Siobhan Sargeant. Before I pass this week’s column over to her, it would be remiss not to include a mention from the team about how grateful we are to have worked with her.

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye, but I speak on behalf of all at Team Sunshine when I say that she has been such an inspirational leader, an asset to the charity and from the bottom of our hearts, it’s safe to say that The Sunshine Fund wouldn’t be what it is today without her. We wish her every success in her new chapter, and can’t wait to hear more about her future ventures!

Beyond being an amazing person to work with and inspiring our passionate team, Siobhan has also played such a fundamental role to our loyal volunteers and supporters, and we have her to thank for creating such powerful corporate relationships and building a network of faithful advocates, who have helped grow our fantastic charity as we approach our centenary. In the six years that Siobhan has led The Sunshine Fund, she has played a huge role in overcoming challenges that could have been detrimental to the charity sector, but through difficult times such as a global pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis, continued strained on resources, and the growing demand in equipment, it has been her hard work and leadership to our team that has allowed the charity to strive, and she doesn’t take as much credit as she deserves.

We are so proud to have continued to be able to provide life-changing pieces of equipment, such as trikes, indoor and outdoor sensory equipment, eye gaze technology, wheelchairs, specialist seating and adapted beds to children in our region living with disabilities, additional needs and terminal illnesses. Every baby, child and young adult deserves the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential, and despite Siobhan’s absence, our charity lives on and her legacy will continue, and we can’t wait to continue to break barriers and provide our children with these opportunities.

And with that, I pass over the column to Siobhan to share her last words before she leaves. From all at Team Sunshine, we want to thank her for everything she has done in the last 6 years – we’re sure we’ll see her again repping her yellow t-shirt as a volunteer at our future events!

LOOKING BACK: A montage of Sunshine Fund events

Over to Siobhan:

It’s been an honour to lead The Chronicle Sunshine Fund for almost 6 years. As a small charity originally set up 95 years ago, who’s primary purpose was to provide equipment for children and young people with disability to providing family services, inclusive events and experiences and parent/carer support sessions, we’ve grown so much and I couldn’t be more proud of what we have achieved together. Even during the pandemic, when we saw income drop considerably and applications flood in from desperate families across the region, we never missed an equipment deadline and we always ensured we were here to support our families when they needed us the most.

Over the last six years I have made sandcastles on the beach with children who were exploring our coastline for the very first time, danced with Santa on Northumberland Street, walked the catwalk with Miss World and braved the not so friendly spirits in Chillingham Castle. I’ve walked on fire and been frozen to the bone while bucket collecting.

I’ve laughed with supporters and cried with parents. And I wouldn’t change a single moment. My role in the charity has been varied to say the least but I have enjoyed every minute of leading and developing this phenomenal cause, and that’s due to the wonderful, talented teams I have had the privilege of working with throughout the years.

Our staff and volunteers passion and drive to ensure the success of our services, projects and events have meant that we have reached hundreds of families across the region each year enabling children who would have otherwise sat on the side-lines, the ability to take part and live their dreams, reaching their own individual potential. When I look back at my time at the charity, these are the stories I will remember.