Variety at Work in September 2019
During September we received the usual requests for food, uniforms, shoes and baby items, These included a cot bed and mattress, a car seat and two high chairs. At the request of a Headteacher we paid towards a school trip for a child to join the rest of the class. This is so worthwhile and for many children it is the only opportunity for them to experience travel during their childhood. At the request of the Social Workers we paid towards holiday care for five children where there are social problems.
The totals for the month are 30 families with 54 children amounting to £4,933. 51. Included in this amount is £1,292. 01 for Sensory Equipment for the Happy Hatchlings Nursery which was paid out of the Ladies fundraising.
Variety Grand Draw 2019 Winners are Announced
The winners of the Variety Grand Draw 2019 are…
1st - £10,000 - Ticket No 3487
2nd - £3,000 - Ticket No 2293
3rd - £2,000 - Ticket No 3149
All the winners have been notified. A big thank you to all who bought tickets, the money raised will be used to support children who are disadvantaged or have special needs.
500 Club Draw Results for September 2019
Variety at Work in August 2019
As we expected July and August have been particularly busy months, with referrals for help with uniform and shoes being the highest ever, as far as I am aware. Seeing the request forms it is very sad to see so many families who struggle financially to meet the basic day to day needs. This month we have spent £8,946. 27 on uniforms and shoes for school.
Over and above this we have provided food, nappies baby milk and wipes. We have bought a cot bed with mattress and 3 beds with bedding for young boys. We have also bought two buggies and five car seats all for low income families, in some cases where there are health problems or the children have special needs. We also bought a fridge and a cooker for a family who were being re-homed from furnished accommodation to an unfurnished home. We also paid for 3 individual week’s holiday care for three children due to illness of the caring parent.
The totals for the month are 72 families with 171 children amounting to £11,080. 27.
Included in this month’s figures is the cost of providing a light lunch for 150 children at the Battle of Flowers Funfair.
Barker Jeanette Pinel
Variety at Work
Variety at Work in July 2019
During July, the majority of requests were for school uniforms and shoes along with some requests for food. We also supplied some baby items including 2 car seats and a baby buggy. Over and above this, at the request of Social Workers and The Bridge, we sanctioned Holiday Clubs, Theatre School and Rock Acadamy for 4 children. In each case the children were enduring various illnesses and this holiday time will be beneficial to them.
We bought bus passes for a single parent Mum with 3 children, one of which has health problems, to enable Mum to take the children out during the summer holidays. We also paid for flights to Southampton to enable a young boy, who has been very poorly, and his Mum to go over to see his favourite football team play.
The totals for the month were 44 families with 66 children amounting to £5,707. 19.
Children’s Summer Party
This was held on Sunday 7th July at the Hotel Ambassadeur. The party was a huge success, all the children had a wonderful time and all the families were very grateful.
Battle of Flowers Funfair
With many thanks to James Cole, Manager of the Funfair, on the 31st July 150 children enjoyed exclusive use of all the rides. After which we provided the usual lunch of hotdog and hamburger with chips and a drink. Katrina O’Connor who manages Mont a l’Abbe holiday club tells me that for the children this is the highlight of their holiday treats which they really look forward to. Likewise Fiona from Brighter Futures tells me for their children this is a luxury treat that they would never be able to do.