Good news for families caring for a seriously ill child and children’s hospices like Julia’s House this week – the supermarket giant Morrisons announced it has raised more than £2.6 million in the first year of its partnership with charity partner Together for Short Lives.
Together for Short Lives is the national charity supporting the UK’s children’s hospices, including Julia’s House, and families who are facing the heartbreak that their child will die young.
Shoppers and suppliers across the UK have played their part in supporting the charity partnership through cash donations in Morrisons stores and online, and by purchasing products involved in the supermarket’s ‘Every Pack Gives Back’ initiative.
Julia’s House children’s hospice is being supported by lots of stores across Wiltshire and Dorset. Members of our fundraising team braved the icy conditions to carry out bucket collections last week.
Claudia Hickin, Julia’s House Fundraiser, said, “We’re almost entirely reliant on donations to fund our lifeline of care for local seriously ill children and their families. It’s made a huge difference this year to have the support of Morrisons and their wonderful staff and customers – not only with raising vital funds, but also raising awareness that Julia’s House is here in Wiltshire and Dorset, helping families in the community who depend on us.”
Colleagues at Morrisons stores have also been raising vital funds in many different ways, from in-store fundraisers to sky-dives and treks, with many of the activities being match funded by the Morrisons Foundation, which supports colleagues in raising money for charities.
The money raised so far can help pay for 1,608 families across the UK to have respite care in their local hospice – giving them an essential break from round-the-clock care for their seriously ill child. Around 400 families will also benefit from the Together for Short Lives Cost of Living Support Fund, which will help to ease the burden of families’ rising bills and keep their life-sustaining equipment running throughout winter.
Together for Short Lives CEO, Andy Fletcher, said, “We’re so thankful to Morrisons colleagues, customers and suppliers for their incredible fundraising efforts in the first year of our partnership! Thanks to your fundraising, Together for Short Lives can make a lasting difference to the lives of families cared for by your local children’s hospice, and help families treasure every moment they have together.”
Morrisons CEO, David Potts, said, "We're delighted to have raised over £2.6 million in the first year of our partnership with Together for Short Lives. Our colleagues and customers have gone above and beyond to raise vital funds for local children's hospices so that they can continue to provide vital support to families caring for their seriously ill child.”
