Regular donors are making a significant impact on the work of Francis House Children’s Hospice, a charity that provides round-the-clock care for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. With over 625 individuals and businesses currently giving on a regular basis, the charity receives an average of £87,000 (including Gift Aid from UK taxpayers) every year.
Among these generous regular donors is Howells Railway Products Ltd, a third-generation manufacturer of railway signalling products with clients around the world. The company, which employs 42 people from their headquarters in Sharston, Wythenshawe, has been supporting Francis House for over 25 years.
The relationship between Howells and Francis House began when Managing Director Mike Howells was moved by a talk given by Father Thomas Mulheran about the need for a children’s hospice in Manchester. He pledged to support the charity with donations for the long term, and the company has been fulfilling this promise ever since. In addition to raising funds through raffle prizes at their annual Christmas party, Howells Railway Products Ltd also makes a regular monthly donation of £500.
Rebecca Howells, daughter of Mike Howells and a Director of the company, shared that her father’s passion for supporting the hospice has rubbed off on her and her brother, David Howells, as well as colleague Jennifer Dudley who joined the company at the age of 18. She stated that making a regular donation to Francis House is an easy and convenient way to show support, and they are happy to know that their contribution is making a real difference to local children and their families. The company intends to continue supporting Francis House and encourages others to do the same.
To recognize their outstanding support, Mike’s daughter Rebecca and colleague Jennifer Dudley were presented with a special award on his behalf.
Regular donations to Francis House allow the charity to save time and money and have a sustained long-term impact on the lives of the children and families they support. Rachel Nasiri, fundraising officer of Francis House, explained that while donations come in various forms, regular donations are crucial for the charity to plan ahead and keep their essential services running.
The annual running cost of Francis House is £4.8 million, and out of every £1 spent, 89p goes towards charitable work. The hospice offers care for children and young adults with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, as well as support for their families. Services include respite care, home care, day care, sibling support, parental support, end-of-life care, and emotional and bereavement support. Francis House has no upper age limit and continues to care for young adults into their twenties and even thirties.
With rising costs and inflation, charities like Francis House rely on support to cover core running costs. A regular stream of income is crucial for covering staff and building costs. Rachel Nasiri expressed gratitude to all regular donors, acknowledging that their support enables the charity to expand and develop their services to meet the growing need for home care and emotional support. She encouraged anyone considering becoming a regular giver to set up a charity direct debit or standing order and join over 600 others in supporting Francis House.
To donate to Francis House, visit their website at www.francishouse.org.uk/donate-online.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.