#MotoNovoCharityDrive – the chosen charities Part 1
Have you spotted our virtual car making its way round Facebook? We're donating £40,000 to different charities around the UK in the #MotoNovoCharityDrive, to say thank you for their valuable work supporting those in need during the outbreak.
From trustees to volunteers, we’ve loved hearing each and every story about the charities you’ve nominated. We’ve had an incredible response to the campaign, and each day we’re giving two eligible charities a £2,000 donation to support their cause.
So, to get to know them a little better, meet some of #MotoNovoCharityDrive’s chosen charities…
Cerebral Palsy Cymru
Cerebral Palsy Cymru is Wales’ leading charity for babies and children with cerebral palsy. Providing specialist therapy and support, their mission is to improve the quality of life for children. Their therapy centre closed in March due to the pandemic, but they've continued delivering essential services virtually to families like Lindsey and her daughter Verity, who has cerebral palsy. You can read their full story here.
“On behalf of everyone at Cerebral Palsy Cymru I would like to say a HUGE thank you for generously donating £2,000 of your cash giveaway to us. This donation will allow us to continue the work we to do provide therapy and support to children and families across Wales living with cerebral palsy. We focus on the ability, not the disability.”
Greenacres Rescue
Greenacres Rescue, formed in 2008, is the only all animal rescue in Pembrokeshire. From hamsters to horses, the rescue take in any domestic animals that need help. As a result of lockdown, Greenacres Rescue had to close their charity shops and their fundraising efforts halted. Meet Sian, the loveable German Shepherd…
“An elderly gentleman was unable to care for his animals due to ill health - working with the health care professionals, local dog warden and abiding by Covid-19 restrictions, we worked out a plan. Sian is one of the dogs that came into our care, and working with our German Shepherd rescue contacts, she'll be moving into their care. Team work is key in times of hardship and yesterday proved that many organisations, professionals and agencies working together can achieve great things.”
Cwtch Baby Bank
In 2016, Cwtch Baby Bank was the first of its kind redistributing baby clothes and equipment to vulnerable families in need in South Wales. Through referrals from health professionals, social care and support agencies, the charity have helped nearly 2500 families.
“During the lockdown, we have managed to carry on helping families. However we, like many charities, found that changes had to be made. We could no longer take donations, instead having to buy in clothes and equipment, and relying on gifts from our Amazon Wish List and Just Giving donations as fundraising events were cancelled and of course babies were still arriving. We have found even more demand for our services during the outbreak.”
Medway Asthma Self Help
Medway Asthma Self-Help (MASH) is a small charity based in Gillingham, Kent. Their main aim is to improve awareness and understanding of asthma, its triggers and treatment, and to empower people with asthma to self-manage their condition. They hope to reduce the likelihood of asthma attacks, asthma related hospital admissions and deaths in the area.
“Covid-19 has impacted the charity in many ways, including cancelling our fundraising events and activities and our community outreach. We've continued to run our one-to-one specialist asthma nurse-led advice sessions via phone consultations and social media outreach. With large numbers of our asthma community required to shield during this pandemic, ensuring they have access to support is more important than ever. MotoNovo's kind donation will help us continue to be there for our community throughout the pandemic and beyond. Thank you so much for your support of our work.”
Nourish
Based in Kirkcaldy, Nourish provide support to families who have additional support needs through weekly support groups. The majority of their groups cater for families who have children with additional support needs, but of course, children eventually grow up which is where Nourish continue to support them through adult support groups.
“This donation will help us in our aim to provide support to families with additional support needs. Throughout the crisis, we've been providing food parcels 4 days a week for families that are also struggling financially. We have been running online family quiz time, family disco and online support every week as well as activities for children. Our services have continued to run during the covid-19 crisis and we are supporting some extremely vulnerable families. Your donation will make a huge difference.”
Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice
Forget Me Not support children living with life-shortening conditions and their families across West Yorkshire. By providing nursing care, hydrotherapy, music therapy, memory making, end of life care, bereavement support and counselling, they help families make the most of every moment they have together.
“During the pandemic, many families we support have been in isolation as their children are vulnerable - so we have adapted to do whatever it takes to support them. We've been delivering support packages to families’ doorsteps, we have a 24/7 information and advice line and we've started to deliver bereavement and sibling support virtually. We also offer short respite care in the hospice for parents, many of whom have been carers to children with complex conditions during lockdown. Thank you for your support - it will make such a huge difference to our children and families.”
Follow Your Dreams
Follow Your Dreams is a national charity that inspires children and young adults with learning disabilities to follow their dreams and be supported through life. Their main vision is for children and young adults with learning disabilities to achieve their full potential and enhance their well-being throughout life.
“Since lockdown we have been providing activity and craft packs to families of children with learning disabilities. We also provide weekly online activities ranging from Bingo to learning sessions with lots social interaction. We have provided much needed equipment to those struggling to access our online sessions and are operating with volunteers and one member of staff. Together we've been able to support each other’s health and wellbeing. We're grateful to MotoNovo Finance for their incredible donation to help us continue our vital work."
Ty-Nant Cat Sanctuary
Run by volunteers, Ty-Nant Cat Sanctuary is an independent charity, rehoming cats all over South Wales. From elderly cats, kittens and FIV positive cats, Ty-Nant pride themselves on giving cats and kittens the best opportunity of loving a forever home. During kitten season, the sanctuary has taken in 40+ kittens and their mums, including a disabled kitten needing surgery.
“We’ve been struggling to operate due to the Coronavirus restrictions. We're running on a skeleton team as a lot of our volunteers are in the at risk category. We’ve taken in a lot of cats as the larger cat charities had to close temporarily. We’ve also had events cancelled, which will take its toll on our finances. We treat, neuter, vaccinate, microchip and health check all our cats before we rehome them. The £2,000 donation is going to help us continue to help cats and kittens who need us; we really cannot thank you enough.”
AP Cymru
AP Cymru is an autism charity that provides direct, bespoke support to autistic individuals and their families during all stages of their journey. They provide exclusive activities for the whole family, autism champion training, workshops and face2face support services.
“In these unprecedented times, our charity has become even more of a life line to children/adults following diagnosis and their families due to the increase pressures and anxieties this has brought. Our team have been working extremely hard to make sure that no-one is left feeling alone and everyone has been given the chance to talk and be listen to by our understanding team with lived in, first hand experience. Your support means we can deliver our outreach service on a wider scale, enabling us to deliver a programme of online events for our families.”
Velindre Cancer Centre Fundraising
Velindre is Wales’ premier cancer centre providing care, support and treatment to cancer patients and their families. Their aim is to provide the best care when they are needed the most and lead in the delivery and development of compassionate and effective cancer care.
“Thank you so much for choosing to support Velindre Cancer Centre with your Charity Drive. It is deeply appreciated by everyone at the Hospital.”
For some more charity stories, click here!
Thank you to everyone who got involved by liking, sharing and commenting on our giveaway post - we’re incredibly proud to be donating to such worthy causes.
