Twice as nice! Two crucial York children’s charities can double your money this Christmas
Two York based children’s charities can double your money if you donate this Christmas – putting a huge smile on lots of youngsters’ faces.
The Wilberforce Trust and Jessie’s Fund, are both taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, a matched giving initiative which doubles the value of your donation.
The challenge runs from 1 December to 8. All donations must be given online and will be matched so a £10 gift is worth £20 to either charity.
The Wilberforce Trust
The Wilberforce Trust works tirelessly to support families with children with a visual impairment, sight loss, hearing loss and other disabilities across York and the surrounding areas.
Children like four-year-old Teddy, who due to his visual impairment, feels unable to take part in activities with other children.
His parents struggled to find activities that Teddy can do with his siblings as a family. Club Wilber, run by the charity, has changed all this. They offer a place where the family can enjoy stress free outings and activities which are not too costly, and Teddy and his brother can do together.
The club also supports parents so they can talk with other parents who understand what life is like bringing up a visually impaired child.
Teddy’s mother Rachael described Club Wilber as “perfect for him and us as a family”.
Big Give Christmas Challenge: Donate to the Wilberforce Trust from 1-8 December here.
Jessie’s Fund
Jessie’s Fund helps children with additional and complex needs or serious illness to communicate by using music.
Music can provide a powerful and profound way in which children can express themselves and connect with the world around them.
Through the Big Give Christmas Campaign, Jessie’s Fund is piloting a programme of music therapy for babies and their parents/carers on neonatal wards.
Music therapy will support the psychological and physiological development of these infants and provide parents/carers with support to develop the parent-child bond.
Big Give Christmas Challenge: Donate to Jessie’s Fund from 1-8 December here.
Making a difference
Jane Carter, head of development at the Wilberforce Trust said: “Looking after children with a disability can be a struggle for families, especially when there are able bodied children as well. Club Wilber is making such a difference to local families and we hope the City of York of will get behind this appeal.”
Lesley Schatzberger, director of Jessie’s Fund, says: “The mother of an infant whose life hung in the balance told us that the music therapist gave her hope through song. This campaign, where each donation will make double the impact, will help us to give vulnerable, tiny babies the best start in life.”