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Hi Sunshine News Readers,
We hope you’re as happy as we are to finally be seeing some warmer weather! It’s getting us in the summer spirit as we plan our seasonal events – both for our families as well as fundraising opportunities. We have lots planned and we can’t wait to announce some fun activities in the coming weeks!
This week also saw the close of our equipment round; we have four rounds per year where parents, carers, organisations and community groups can apply for a piece of equipment that can change the life, improve the wellbeing and provide enrichment to their child or children. Once the round closes, the applications are taken to panel where they’re approved, and we have up to 12 months to fund each item.
Our May round has proven what we already knew; the demand in equipment is growing rapidly. This round is roughly 45% higher than our average equipment round. Unfortunately, this is inevitable when the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is affecting all of our lives, not least those who are already struggling.
We’ve funded beach-friendly wheelchairs and buggies for children like Penny, who benefit from the equipment for years’
Families with disabled children face on average additional costs of £260 per month; but this can be as high as £1000. Consider the situation for families whose children rely on essential medical equipment to run 24 hours a day to keep them alive and those families with more than one disabled child. The additional costs can be astronomical.
As a small charity, we receive zero statutory funding from the Local Authority or government, which means we rely solely on donations to continue our hard work, so we can continue to provide equipment to babies, children and young people in our region. Children who are living with disabilities, additional needs and terminal illness, who deserve the same opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential.
The type of equipment we fund can be divided into four categories; living aids (car seats, adapted beds, specialist seating, wheelchair accessories or mobile hoists), IT and communication (eye gaze technology or iPads and laptops with specialised features), mobility (wheelchairs, buggies or walkers), and sensory & play (trikes, scooters, sensory bundles or indoor/outdoor play for kids who find public spaces overstimulating).
'We build relationships with families and fund equipment as the children grow. Families can apply for 1 piece of equipment per child every 12 months. Watch our video of brother-and-sister, Poppy & Jack at www.youtube.com/watch?v=t85uj0O0FuY’]
These are just a few examples of the equipment we fund, and the prices can vary drastically. Items can cost under £100, to pieces in their thousands. However, the impact these items, big or small, can have on the lives of children, and their families and friends, is absolutely priceless.
As a charity, we’ve overcome multiple challenges in the last few years, including a global pandemic, which is why we strive to fight through the current challenges faced by the charity sector. It’s our mission to unite these pieces of equipment to the children who are waiting patiently but desperately for them, as quickly as we can, and meet the growing demand within our region.
However, we can’t do it alone. We need donor support now more than ever, which we understand is difficult when the cost-of-living crisis is impacting us all, and we appreciate that everybody is feeling the pinch. This is why we offer low-level methods of support, and are trying to make our events accessible to the everyday budget.
‘Last year we funded a specialist cushion for 2-year-old Freya who has cerebral palsy, so she can join her family and continue that special bond with her twin brother’
So, how can you support us? If you can, you can make a one-off donation through our website at www.thesunshinefund.org/donate. You can donate from the comfort of your phone by texting SUNSHINE 5 to 70085 to make a one-off donation of £5, or EQUIPMENT 5 to 70085 to make a monthly gift of £5. You can change the amount you donate from 2 to 20 to donate less or more.
You can help us generate regular, sustainable funding from as little as £1 per week, and also have the opportunity to win something back by entering our weekly lottery! Each week, players have the chance to win the national prize of £25,000, as well as the local prize pot which is won regularly, plus a monthly bonus prize. They can keep the winnings or donate them back to the charity, and we receive 50p from all ticket sales. This month, lottery players can win a Summer getaway, or take £1000 in cash. Sign up now at https://bit.ly/3WYQkbm.
Fancy a challenge whilst enjoying some fun in the sun? Our Sunshine Run 5K takes place on Wednesday, June 19 from 6pm down by Newcastle Quayside and it’s set to be a fantastic event! We’ll be celebrating 21 years of the run which will be sponsored by our friends at Stagecoach for the fourth year running, and all proceeds are made from entries to the race.
Sunshine Run
Standard entry costs £22, or £20 if you’re part of an affiliated running club – please visit https://entry.eventsupnorth.co.uk/races/gfctkto register your place. Don’t miss out, online registration closes on June 5. We don’t ask for additional fundraising though it is welcomed and encouraged. Don’t fancy running but would like to support the event? Contact Sophie.Revell@thesunshinefund.org if you’d like to volunteer with us.
Don’t have any cash to spare? We understand! You can support us for free by following our social media, engaging with our posts, and sharing them so we can reach a wider audience. Spreading the word about our charity, espeically our events, helps us more than you can ever know. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn at @sunshinefund.
Thanks for reading,
Sophie X
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