Morrisons store workers have been hosting trolley raffles, bucket collections and getting into fancy dress to help raise an incredible £1 million for children’s hospice charities like Julia’s House.
The supermarket giant hopes to raise £10 million in total during its three-year charity partnership with the national charity Together for Short Lives, to help local children’s hospices in the UK provide a lifeline of care for the most seriously ill children and their families.
Across Wiltshire and Dorset, several Morrisons stores have been raising money specifically for Julia’s House. During children’s hospice week last month, staff and customers at the Devizes, Chippenham and Warminster stores raised £400 in bucket collection donations alone.
Geraldene Hunt, Community Champion for Morrisons in Devizes, says, “Raising money for Julia's House means a lot to me. I know it will help so many children who need care and it will offer support for the families during such a heart-wrenching time.”
Amongst regular fundraising activities, the local Devizes store has been selling magnetic butterflies – a symbol often associated with children’s hospices and the Together for Short Lives charity. They have proved so popular with customers that they’ve now become a permanent fixture at the checkouts.
“There has also been an upgrade for our lovely library located at the end of the store and every month we have a free trolley raffle, which is very popular,” says Geraldene.
Dorset Morrisons stores in Blandford, Verwood, Bridport and Weymouth, and just over the border in New Milton, Hampshire, have also been taking part in an array of fundraising activities.
Julia’s House Corporate Fundraiser, Caroline Attreed joined staff at New Milton and Verwood to help their promotions go with a swing. “It’s fantastic to have opportunities like these to raise awareness of Julia’s House and talk directly with local customers of Morrisons. The stores’ Charity Champions are all very passionate about making a difference in their local communities and they are doing such great work getting their colleagues and customers involved,” says Caroline.
The fundraising efforts of the Morrisons staff and the generosity of local customers will help to provide specialist care support and respite breaks for families of seriously ill children like Isla-Rae Tities, from Melksham. The two-year-old, who is looked after by Julia’s House children’s hospice, was born with severe brain damage and needs constant care for her complex condition.
Alice Chalmer, Corporate Fundraiser for Julia’s House, says, “We rely almost entirely on donations to fund our life-changing support for families, who are providing round-the-clock care for their very seriously ill child. We’re so grateful to Geraldene and all of the Morrisons teams, and every single customer who has made a donation. Thank you for supporting the vital work of Julia’s House and the growing number of families who depend on our care!”
Together for Short Lives CEO, Andy Fletcher says, “The creativity and enthusiasm shown by Morrisons colleagues up and down the country during the first four months of our partnership has been just amazing! A huge thank you from Together for Short Lives to everyone who has worked so hard to reach the £1 million milestone - it will make such a difference to families caring for a seriously ill child.”>
Morrisons CEO, David Potts says, “We’re pleased to have reached the £1 million milestone for Together for Short Lives. Our colleagues and customers are passionate about raising vital funds for local children’s hospices so that they can provide seriously ill children and their families with opportunities to spend very highly valued time together.”
The next opportunity to support Julia’s House at your local Morrisons store comes will be from 15 – 21 August, when you can join in the fun of Superheroes week.
