Two leading children’s charities have issued a desperate plea for donations in the wake of coronavirus – which in the third week of lockdown, has put a huge strain on fundraising activities.
Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice and Variety, The Children’s Charity are in urgent need of donations to enable them to continue their valuable work.
Both provide crucial support to thousands of families and children each year and are largely funded through major events, including social gatherings such as balls and sporting activities.
But with the UK on lockdown to battle the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, these charities have been left with little income – putting their invaluable services at risk.
Zoe’s Place provides the ultimate in palliative, respite and end-of-life care to terminally ill babies and children under the age of six. While Variety helps support disabled or disadvantaged children, providing tangible help and support towards specialist medical equipment and assisting families, children and schools with bespoke needs.
Chair of the Business Group for both charities Peter Jarvis said their work is more important now than ever before, but the challenges of the lockdown could mean families miss out.
“We desperately need to continue the work of both charities which prove crucial to so many families on a daily basis,” said Peter. “We understand that with the ongoing coronavirus crisis, people are understandably in challenging situations themselves, but we would ask individuals and businesses to continue with the generous support they have shown us over the past few years.
“Zoe’s Place needs £1.5 million a year in order to care for our children and their families. Eighty per cent of this money comes directly from the public purse through fundraising events and donations. As a result of the coronavirus crisis, our finances have taken a huge hit.
“Whilst we always try to be prepared for challenges+ to our income, the effects of COVID-19 are unprecedented and as a result we face the toughest of times in the months ahead. We are determined to keep our services running, but we need the public’s help to do this.”
Currently, over 100 families are desperately waiting for vital equipment provided by Variety, necessary to care for their children’s very special needs. This number will only increase over the coming months as families face new challenges brought about by restrictions keeping them at home and even more isolated.
A study has shown that it costs a family approximately £600 more a month to care for a disabled child opposed to a family whose child is not disabled. Through job uncertainty and pay cuts due to furlough or job losses, the financial impact on these families will be detrimental without support.
Charlotte Walker, Regional Director of Variety Midlands, said: “As a charity we have never seen a crisis like this, which could do so much harm to the most vulnerable and it’s our intention to not let this happen as much as we possibly can.
“Variety, the Children’s Charity is entirely reliant on voluntary income. Our fundraising events have been cancelled and or postponed, and many of our supporters are unable to help in the way they would usually do.
“We are currently doing everything we can to mitigate against this unfolding crisis, but with so much still unknown about how long it will last, and the longer term impacts it will have, we expect our core services will suffer greatly. With schools closing this will also leave parents of disabled children even more vulnerable than ever before.”
To make a donation to the charities visit the website at Variety.org.uk or zoes-place.org.uk.
