When life’s short there’s no time to waste:
Welcome news for Julia’s House children’s hospices, as a brand new partnership launches between supermarket giant, Morrisons and children’s hospice charity, Together for Short Lives that will benefit families caring for a seriously ill child in Dorset and Wiltshire.
Together for Short Lives and Morrisons are set to raise vital funds for children’s hospices across the UK, including Julia’s House, as part of a flagship three-year-partnership.
Julia’s House Corporate Fundraiser, Caroline Attreed, has been out and about in Dorset meeting the Morrisons Charity Champions, including Jenny Cook from the Morrisons Verwood store. Caroline is looking forward to supporting the store with its fundraising throughout its charity partnership with Together For Short Lives.
Caroline says, “On behalf of Julia’s House I’d like to say a huge thank you to Jenny and her team for their wonderful fundraising efforts and to all the Morrisons customers for buying tickets at raffles and tombolas in the store. It will make such a difference to local families facing unimaginable challenges and worry. The Julia’s House fundraising team can’t wait to meet and work with all the other stores across Dorset and Wiltshire who will be supporting us.”
The funding from the Morrisons partnership will help Julia’s House be there for parents like Tammy, whose ten-year-old daughter Tehya has a rare genetic condition which affects her growth, her breathing and muscles. As a baby she developed retinal cancer and had to have an eye removed and a prosthetic eye fitted. When a tumour was then discovered in her other eye doctors were able to save the eye, but unfortunately not her sight, meaning Tehya is now completely blind.
Tammy says, “At first, when Julia’s House was mentioned, I didn’t want any help as I felt no-one could look after Tehya like I could. I wanted to do everything myself. One of the nurses came to talk to me and it was just so helpful. They really understood. And I thought ‘this is the place for Tehya.’
“They’ve been in our lives since 2014 and it’s just like they’re our extended family. I know Tehya is with someone familiar, I know she is safe. My teenage daughter Talee gets support too, from their sibling service, and that has made the world of difference to her confidence and resilience. I couldn’t imagine our lives without Julia’s House. It’s just a total support network.”
Together for Short Lives CEO, Andy Fletcher says, “Hearing the news that your child is seriously ill is devastating – families can be left feeling scared and alone. I can’t tell you what a difference this amazing new partnership will make for these families. Knowing that Morrisons colleagues up and down the country are on their side, means the absolute world.
“The money raised through our partnership will give families access to vital care from local children’s hospices and help them to spend less time worrying and more time making memories together. It will also enable us to reach thousands more families caring for a seriously ill child who needs support.”
Morrisons CEO, David Potts says, “Together for Short Lives is an amazing charity which supports families through immensely difficult times, and hearing the very important stories from families who have received their support was incredibly moving for everyone at Morrisons. I'm really looking forward to our partnership with Together for Short Lives and helping to raise vital funds to support families with seriously ill children and the wonderful hospices that care for them."
