Manchester Children’s Hospice Receives Generous Support from New Charity Partnership
Manchester children’s hospice Francis House has received welcome news today with the launch of a new charity partnership between HR and employment law specialists Peninsula Group and children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives.
The partnership, which will run for the next three years until March 2027, aims to raise £1 million to support the UK’s 54 children’s hospices that provide care for seriously ill children and their families.
Together for Short Lives will work together with Peninsula Group’s two other chosen charity partners, DEBRA UK and Air Ambulances UK, to raise funds and awareness for Francis House and the families it supports from across Greater Manchester.
Francis House offers essential care and support for children and young adults with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, as well as their families. Services include respite care, homecare, day care, sibling support, parental support, end of life care, emotional and bereavement support. The hospice has no upper-age limit and continues to care for young adults into their twenties and thirties.
However, children’s hospices are increasingly reliant on fundraising to continue providing vital care to families. With the cost of living crisis increasing the costs of delivering care, the support from Peninsula Group will help ensure that hospices remain an essential lifeline for families.
Colleagues from across the business will show their support through a range of fundraising activities, including marathons and quiz nights.
The partnership will also focus on celebrating the crucial work of children’s hospices during Children’s Hospice Week 2024, taking place from 17 – 23 June. This dedicated campaign week raises funds for, and awareness of, the UK’s lifeline children’s hospices.
Additionally, colleagues from Peninsula Group’s local office in Manchester will visit Francis House to witness the positive impact they are making to families in need of palliative and end of life care.
Julie Williams, Senior Fundraising Officer at Francis House Children’s Hospice, expressed her gratitude for the support, stating, “Each year, Francis House touches the lives of more than 600 families from across Greater Manchester who have been given the heartbreaking diagnosis that their child has a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. We are here for these families through their good days, their tough days, and their last days. This simply wouldn’t be possible without the support of a caring community. We are delighted to be supported by Peninsula Group and look forward to working with the team from the Manchester office.”
Andy Fletcher, Chief Executive at Together for Short Lives, added, “Children’s hospices depend on donations to provide the essential care and support that they offer to families across the UK. From respite care, specialist therapies, and sibling support, to complex medical treatment like symptom management and end of life care, they support families every step of the way through diagnosis, care, bereavement and beyond. That’s why the support from Peninsula Group is so vital. We are so grateful to be one of their three chosen charities, and their support will help us make sure seriously ill children and their families get the best care and support they need today, tomorrow and into the future, so they can make the most of every precious moment they have together.”
Peter Done, CEO and Founder at Peninsula Group, also expressed his enthusiasm for the new charity partnerships, saying, “We are absolutely delighted to announce our new charity partnerships and have chosen three wonderful charities to support. Peninsula Group will raise £1m for each charity over the next three years, for a total minimum commitment of £3m. To reach this ambitious target, our employees will take part in multiple fundraising activities throughout the partnership, starting with the London Marathon in April. The company will also be enabling employees to sign up for payroll giving. All fundraising activities and payroll deductions will be matched pound for pound in corporate donations, ensuring that the £3m minimum target is achieved. There is so much that we can do to help, and we’re excited about the difference we can make to each of our chosen charities over the next three years.”
Peninsula Group joins Hobbycraft, Center Parcs, Disney and Morrisons as one of Together for Short Lives’ national corporate partners.
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