This month, Morrisons employees get an opportunity to make good things happen for families caring for a seriously ill child, by voting for Together for Short Lives in their new charity partner.
Together for Short Lives – the only charity supporting the UK’s 54 children’s hospices – has an amazing chance to win a charity partnership with Morrisons, but they need support from Morrisons staff to win.
Out of more than 100 charities to apply, a relatively small charity with a big heart, Together for Short Lives, has made it into the final two charities to be the supermarket giant, Morrisons, charity partner. The result will be decided by a 10-day Morrisons staff vote and the winning charity will enter a three-year partnership aiming to raise around £10 million.
A partnership with Morrisons, and the money raised, would be transformational for families caring for a seriously ill child. It provides a lifeline support to families facing up to the heartbreak of their child dying young.
This week a special film has been released, sharing Emily’s story – who was told her baby Amelia had a life-limiting condition, with no cure and no knowing how long they would have together as a family. You can see the film here
Sadly, too many families are suffering through their child’s short life, and they’re suffering alone. The film, produced by Together for Short Lives, highlights the fantastic work of hospices, who provide vital support and help families feel less alone – so they can make the most of every moment they have together, whether that’s years, months or just hours.
Andy Fletcher Chief Executive at Together for Short Lives highlights the difference this partnership would make.
“Families of seriously ill children are pushed to their limits every day. Their local children’s hospice provides them with the time and space they need to make precious memories that last a lifetime – the chance to be parents, not carers. At the same time, children’s hospices are struggling to meet demand, as the number of seriously ill children in the UK is growing, meaning more families are having to cope alone. A partnership with Morrisons will make good things happen – enabling hospices to provide lifeline support to even more families who need them right in the heart of our community”.
A vote for Together for Short Lives is a vote for your local children’s hospice, so families – like Emily and Amelia – can treasure every moment they have together.
If you work for Morrisons or know someone who does, please choose Together for Short Lives as your next charity partner in the staff vote – which takes place between the 18th and the 27th October.
About Together for Short Lives
When a child’s life is expected to be short, there’s no time to waste. Together for Short Lives is here to make sure the 99,000 seriously ill children and their families across the UK can make the most of every moment they have together, whether that’s for years, months or only hours. We stand alongside families, supporting them to make sure they get the vital care and help that they need.
We support and empower families caring for seriously ill children by listening to their needs and helping them find the right care. We provide easily digestible information about available support so families can spend less time searching for help and have more time together. We connect families with support services and other families who understand what they are going through, so they don’t feel as alone.
99,000 babies, children and young people are living in the UK with health conditions that are life-limiting or life-threatening—and the number is rising. Many of these children have complex conditions and need specialist care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The impact is enormous; affected parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, and the wider family make up an estimated 790,000 people who are actively involved in care. For those who love these children, accessing help and the right care can be emotionally stressful. For those of us who haven’t faced it, it’s unimaginable.
Getting the right support can make a lifetime of difference. And that’s what we are here for.
W: togetherforshortlives.org.uk
T: @Tog4ShortLives
F: /togetherforshortlives
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