#MotoNovoCharityDrive – the chosen charities Part 2
The past few months have been challenging for everyone, but especially for charities as their way of working has drastically changed. With most suffering reduced incomes and resources, we wanted to give back and say a massive thank you to all the amazing charities continuing to support those most in need.
Over the first 10 days of June, we ran a social media charity giveaway with the #MotoNovoCharityDrive. Our car took a virtual drive around the web and stopped off at 20 incredible charities to donate a total of £40,000. We introduced you to the first 10 charities over on part one of the blog and here’s a little bit about the final charities chosen to receive a £2,000 donation.
Boomerang Cardiff
Boomerang Cardiff focus on four key areas; homelessness, poverty, isolation and education. Supporting the positive move on of homeless families/individuals, the charity provides a free furniture starter pack including a bed, sofa, wardrobe and kitchen utensils. To encourage people to stay connected, Boomerang Cardiff also offer support through coffee mornings, activity days and local groups. The charity has developed within the community whose volunteers are driven by previous lived experience of homelessness, poverty and isolation.
“Your very generous donation will have a significant impact on helping us to ensure to that every child has a bed to sleep in at night, or that a previously homeless family/individual can move into a safe, warm and welcoming environment.”
Young Leicestershire
With over 60 years’ experience, Young Leicestershire is the biggest provider of open-access clubs for young people in its area with over 27,639 members. They support and help raise funds for everything from sports clubs and young carers’ groups to accredited volunteer training and new youth centres.
“Covid19 has had a significant impact on our country and the way we are able to work with young people. We are continuing where we can. Along with a group of volunteers, we put together 1000 bags to gift to young people around Leicestershire. Our Bags of Fun will mean that those young people, who are most at need, will feel connected, and have some equipment to help them join in our activities or just have fun at home with their families, where they can stay safe.”
Washington Mind
Washington Mind is a mental health charity that offers independent, not-stigmatising services based in the local community that are accessible for all. As 1 in 4 people in the UK will at some point experience mental health problems, the charity aims to help people regain their full potential in life and work. Take a look at their life support project here.
“Our staff has been working from home, supporting our service users by telephone and through online support. This has been really well received and the feedback has been extremely positive. We are also delivering virtual craft groups, choir, exercise classes, quizzes, film and book clubs. We have established a new live chat service and are delivering virtual mental health training.”
Worcester Community Trust
Worcester Community Trust manages 6 centres in areas of need/deprivation and run 10 projects that offer support to vulnerable or disadvantaged people. Through their diverse programme, they support local people to make a difference to the lives of children, youths and adults through a range of services including Women’s services, job coaching, construction skills and projects for older people to reduce loneliness.
“When lockdown came in to effect, we had to shut the doors to our community centres which effectively took away a lifeline for many of the people we work with. We have been supplying care packages which include non-perishable food items and wellbeing activities, to households across Worcester City. We have also been preparing and distributing freshly made home cooked meals to the most vulnerable and providing weekly wellbeing phone calls to make sure everything is OK.”
Ty-Hafan Children’s Hospice
Tŷ Hafan is the leading children’s hospice charity in South, West and Mid Wales. Their mission is to make a short life a full family life, dedicated to supporting families as they face the toughest challenge of their lives. Throughout their vibrant hospice and diverse community programmes, they currently support over 300 families, providing; short break respite care, play and therapies, family counselling, end of life crisis care and bereavement support.
“In response to Covid-19, our community team is working tirelessly to ensure that families are still getting the crucial wrap-around support they need. As well as our usual 24hr helpline, we are utilising phones/email/skype plus social media to run our ‘Virtual Community Hospice’, providing one-to-one emotional support, ensuring that families can cope.”
Helping Yorkshire Poundies
Based in South Yorkshire, Helping Yorkshire Poundies save dogs from pounds and take in dogs from owners who can no longer care for them and make sure no dog gets left behind! Although they operate with a small team, they rehome around 135 dogs per year and find spaces for countless more.
“The last few months have been difficult, the beginning of lockdown meant we were unable to rehome for several weeks. Financially, we took a blow due to the reduction in adoption fees, and the reduced ability to fundraise at events. The vast majority of our funds go towards our vet bills, as we help a lot of sick dogs, including Dora. Unfortunately her owner was unable to afford vet fees and didn't know where to turn. We took her straight to the emergency vets and she's now well on the way to recovery. We are so glad we could be there for Dora when she needed us the most.”
Inspire Suffolk
Inspire Suffolk is dedicated to supporting young people onto a positive future. They help young people in Suffolk to overcome challenges and take positive steps into employment and further training. They offer life changing personal development programmes, motivational education courses and engaging sport activities that local young people need and may not have access to.
“We are extremely grateful. Your donation will help us provide support to many more young people throughout Suffolk. During the pandemic, many of our services were impacted as we could no longer meet young people face-to-face. However, we’ve used technology to bridge the divide and developed a brand-new wellbeing helpline to help those who may be struggling with their mental health. Our work is more vital than ever and your support will help us change lives.”
Magpas Air Ambulance
Magpas Air Ambulance is a charity that saves lives 24/7 across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and the surrounding counties by taking emergency care to seriously ill and injured patients. Their Doctor and Paramedic team provide treatments that would usually only be available in hospital, and can reach patients quickly via helicopter, saving vital time and helping people return to a good quality of life.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic our operations have had to change considerably, including the wearing of PPE, whilst a lot of the fundraising activity has stopped. But our medical teams have remained on the front line every day; treating patients with serious complications from the virus as well as people who have suffered traumatic injuries or a cardiac arrest. It’s only thanks to donations like MotoNovo’s that we can continue to provide the care they do. Any donation, no matter how big or small, could help save a life.”
Sparkle
The guiding principle for Sparkle is to ensure that children and young people with disabilities and/or developmental difficulties and their families are fully supported and able to participate in valued childhood experiences, with access to the same range of opportunities, life experiences, activities and community services as any other child and their family.
“During this crisis, we are still here for parents, offering telephone support, and online resources to help them through. We are also working with the Health Board to support families with children and young people who are having particular difficulties at this time during Lockdown.”
