Meeting Our Patrons As The Sun Shines On Fund
SO summer has finally arrived in the office this week, time for a lunchtime ice cream, especially while the boss is away!
Earlier this month we had over 70 guests join us at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead to meet our four amazing patrons, Pam Royle, Stephen Miller and, of course, the Geordie duo Ant and Dec.
It was great that our patrons got the chance to meet some of the families the Sunshine Fund has been able to help.
We had a very inspiring talk by Catherine Senior who was celebrating her 18th birthday. Catherine’s sister Jennifer was helped by the Sunshine Fund in providing a specialised adapted wheel chair to help her live independently.
Catherine’s moving speech explained how she had to grow up much quicker than your average teenager, how she had to miss many nights out to help care for Jennifer, but that she wouldn’t have it any other way as she loves her sister.
Her story was very inspiring and it was great to hear how the support of the Sunshine Fund has made a great difference to their lives.
Ant and Dec were fabulous throughout the night, posing for many pictures and autographs; it was great that our supporters were able to meet our patrons. A huge thanks goes to the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, Close House, Speedflex, Barclays and Eldon Square for supporting our event, and to everyone that was able to attend and made a donation on the evening.
This week the Sunshine Fund has launched their Trek China event, which will take place on between September 4 and 13. This trek will include the amazing sights of the Great Wall of China and the breath taking views of Beijing; this really is a once in a lifetime opportunity! I will, of course be taking on the challenge with Caroll, so I’m sure you will hear lots more about the trip. If you would like to join us, please contact me on 0191 201 6068 or email [email protected]
I would also like to thank everyone that has supported the Sunshine Fund over the last couple of months, we do have a waiting list of over £10,000, so there are still children out there without the equipment they really need. If you can help in any way, either putting on an event for us or making a donation, every little can really make a huge difference.
~ written by Clare Savory