Natural Baby Shower 2020 Charity Update
Well, what a year 2020 has been! It’s certainly not gone the way any of us could have predicted and has been a challenging one for many.
As 2020 comes to a close, we wanted to take the time to highlight our amazing charity partners that we have supported over the past year through some of their toughest times as they faced unprecedented challenges. As well as taking a look at how our support has helped these charities help those in need and how it has supported those hit hardest by COVID-19.
Why we wanted to help
Through these testing times, certain groups of people or communities are being affected as they try to navigate these unique circumstances that are effecting everyone in different ways
Now more than ever, charities are facing unprecedented challenges and threats to their own future as they continue to support those who find themselves in unique circumstances because of the pandemic, lockdowns and Tier restrictions.
Back in March, we listened to some of these unique stories and situations, and learnt more about the negative and sometimes dangerous effect the lockdown and COVID-19 situation is having on people’s lives and knew we had to get involved.
In particular, 3 very special charities stories stood out to us and we joined forces with them to help make a difference.
Our charity partners
The 3 charities that we have supported this year are –
Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid work to end domestic abuse against women and children. They have been at the forefront of this mission for over 45 years. When lockdown was announced, Women’s Aid faced unprecedented challenges as they fought to protect those who are in lockdown with their abusers in a home that is not a safe place. They are currently aiming to raise £200,000 to keep their online services going - services that are now more crucial than ever!
Stripey Stork
Stripey Stork are committed to supporting children and family from all sorts of backgrounds who are experiencing hardship. They collect new and pre-loved family items and then distribute them back into the community to families that need them. The demand for their services has increased since the outbreak of COVID-19 as families face financial hardships. As a result, they are now relying on financial and item donations more than ever in order to help supply families with the basic essentials they need for the health and safety of their little ones.
Shooting Star Children’s Hospice
Shooting Star Children's Hospices is a leading children's hospice charity caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families. They support families from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of emotional and medical care. They are dependent on the support and generosity of the community to keep their services running, with 90% of their income generated through fundraising. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have had to cancel their annual fundraising events meaning they face real and immediate danger of not being able to carry on their amazing work due to lack of funding.
How we helped
We knew we had to help! Throughout the last year we have made it our goal to give back more than ever and offer our continued support to these 3 brilliant charities so they can continue to do their amazing work for those in need. Now more than ever, it is so important to us to support those effected by COVID-19.
So we put our heads together and came up lots of different ways we can support through donations, contributions and by helping to shine a light on these amazing charities and all the work they do. Through a number of special events such as Giving Tuesday, #StripesforStripey, or sales from our Rainbow Collection and charity days where we donated a % of sales, we have kept our promise to offer continued support and donations to these 3 charities.
We are so proud to announce that with our customers support, we have donated an amazing £12,000 to charity this year alone.
The difference we have made
Our donations have gone a little way in helping all 3 charities to continue supporting those in need by providing those all-important funds they need as they try to navigate the impact of COVID-19.
We also hope that by shining a light on their brilliant work and the challenges they are facing, that some of our customers have been inspired to reach out and support them too.
A message from Shooting Star Children's Hospices
‘Thank you so much to everyone at Natural Baby Shower, and to all their customers for supporting their charity campaigns this year and helping to raise much needed funds for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.
Its been a really difficult year for everyone, and the Covid 19 pandemic has had an undeniable impact on Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, in terms of the care that we can provide and our ability to fundraise, with the cancellation of so many fundraising activities and events. It costs £8.8million a year to maintain our current level of care and just 8% of that income comes from central government funding so we’re more reliant on the generosity of individuals and companies like Natural Baby Shower to keep our services running.
Despite the difficulties this year has brought, we have continued to provide support both in house at our hospice and in the community with care and support when they need it. With many of the children we support immunocompromised, we have had to adapt our services and the way we operate to keep children, families and our staff safe and secure.
Although Christmas is a little different this year, thanks to some wonderful supporters, we’re still working hard to make magical moments for the children and their families. Santa hasn’t been able to visit, but he’s made a Zoom call from Lapland to the hospice and some of the children have been able to visit some of his reindeers.
Your support means so much to us this year. On behalf of everyone at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, a huge thank you, and wishing you a happy, peaceful and healthy Christmas and new year.’ Anne Carey, Head of Corporate Engagement
A message from Women’s Aid
"Natural Baby Shower have been amazing this year in raising vital funds for Women's Aid. We are so grateful for all your support which really will make a difference to our work supporting women and children experiencing abuse, and we cannot thank you enough! For thousands of women and children right now, home is anything but safe. But thanks to your help - we can continue to work towards a society where domestic abuse is no longer tolerated. Thank you!" Cordelia Lodge, Fundraising Partnerships Support Officer
How you can help
The year may be coming to an end, but COVID-19 shows no signs of slowing down and all of these charities essential work continues. We will continue to support all 3 charities into 2021 and beyond. But we also wanted to shine a light on how you too can help and offer your support to all 3 charities this Christmas.
Women’s Aid
Help Women's Aid help more women and children to escape abuse. You can donate in multiple ways to Women’s Aid, a monthly donation or a one off donation if that is what you would prefer. You can find all of the information you need to donate here.
They also recently launched their winter campaign, “Give the Gift of Hope this Winter”. Whilst many are excited at being able to spend the holidays with friends and family, for survivors experiencing domestic abuse the prospect of prolonged time with their abuser is terrifying. Learn how you can support their winter campaign here.
Shooting Star Children’s Hospice
Shooting Star Children’s Hospice are always so thankful for the support they receive. If you want to help them continue their brilliant work you can find all the information here. There are so many ways you can get involved; volunteer your time, hold a fundraiser, donate money, give a gift and so much more! Set up a donation here.
Stripey Stork
Stripey Stork continue to see a sharp increase on demand for their services, and do not expect to see this slow down any time soon as we see the continued financial effects COVID-19 is having on the country and families facing hardship. There is always a long list of everyday essentials they need for their family referrals so if you have any unwanted items do have a look at how you can donate them here. Or you can donate your time or money too. Find all the information you need here.
Let’s be honest, 2020 has been a horrible year. But we believe one positive that has come out of this is the sense of togetherness and community we are all showing. Looking out for each other, caring for our neighbours, and coming together to bring everyone’s hopes up. Let’s not loose this spirit and let's continue to look out for each other as we head into the new year.
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