A Very Personal Plea for Help.

So here’s a little extra blog.

These unprecedented times are having a massive impact on small charities. For the benevolent charities like the Rainy Day Trust - those that give financial help to people in financial hardship - it’s a double whammy. Demand is increasing exponentially, while income has dropped like a stone. People on zero-hours contracts are watching as their salary disappears, or even if they are on PAYE and the government gives them 80% of their salary, if you don’t earn very much then you are now earning 80% of not very much. Companies aren’t making corporate donations because they either have other things to think about, or they are worried about their own bottom line. Individuals may be worried about their jobs or the thought of supporting charity has gone to the proverbial back-burner. So income falls.

For charities like Evie’s Gift where event income is the bedrock of our fundraising, the virus has already had a huge effect on us. While we can resurrect these events later in the year, that doesn’t help our cash-flow right now. Kids are still in hospital and because of the virus, a greater proportion of the parents now need our help.

The loss of income is common to all small charities, including those that helped Evie while she was ill at home, or are still helping Pats and I now. Julia’s House Hospice was absolutely critical in our ability to have Evie at home for those last 6 weeks. Without them she would have died in hospital, and would have died a lot sooner. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. The Compassionate Friends are a lifeline for us now. Being amongst other bereaved parents is a source of support that we so desperately need.

All are fighting a battle for income in a world where people are becoming increasingly selfish. None have swanky London offices to support, all have few staff and are vital. I know that I have asked for donations before, and I make no apologies for that, but the need now is immediate and crucial.

So … I am asking each and every one of you to support the four charities listed below. How many you support and how much you donate is entirely up to you. If you could support more than one, that would be incredible thank you. These 4 charities are very special to me - I wouldn’t work for a charity if I didn’t believe in what it does, so the Rainy Day Trust is as important as the others.

Please share this blog to your friends and family. If enough people give just a few £, it will make a difference. Below are 4 links to donation pages - now it’s up to you.

Thank you.

https://www.justgiving.com/eviesgift

https://www.justgiving.com/rainydaytrust

https://www.justgiving.com/juliashouse

https://www.justgiving.com/compfriends