Holly, mum to Oliver says; “When Oliver was born we very quickly learned that he has several different complex conditions meaning he has considerable healthcare needs. To learn that your child is so seriously ill is incredibly overwhelming and even though he was under the care of 14 incredible consultants and over 20 health professionals it was still difficult to know which way to turn for the support we, as a family, needed. It was a real struggle to keep afloat day to day let alone navigate through the different sources of help available. This new service provided by Kentown Children’s Palliative Care Programme together with Rainbow Trust and Together for Short Lives will transform the lives of families like ours by improving communication between the different types of support on offer. Time is so precious to families in our position so any service to help them to more easily get the support they need is very welcome indeed.”

Charity Registration number: 265498 

After 3 years on hold, Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Buckinghamshire was able to welcome back over 100 disabled children to WheelPower’s National Junior Games this month. The annual event has been taking place since 1980 but unfortunately, the games haven’t been possible in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been proven that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on disabled people (Activity Alliance’s latest research) making the return of events such as the National Junior Games, now more important than ever.

Margaret Ingram CEO of The Kentown Wizard Foundation:

“The National Junior Games is an extraordinary event that enables young disabled people to discover a passion for sport in an inclusive and welcoming environment. After two very difficult years, the return of the National Junior Games has been a cause for celebration and we are proud to have offered our support. The ethos of the Games, to “Achieve Your Personal Best” aligns very closely to our own ethos and we hope that for the young people who took part, the benefits are long-lasting and maybe even life-changing. Above all, we hope they all had a lot of fun!”

One school that certainly did have a lot of fun was Highfurlong, a 2-19 special school in Blackpool that has been coming to the games for over 15 years. Head Teacher, Neil Oldham Said:

“We brought a mixed range of children with us to Stoke Mandeville Stadium this year to experience and try lots of sports, and they absolutely loved it. When I arrived one of the students came up to me and said ‘hi boss I’m having the best life!’ The whole term is planned around coming to the National Junior Games because it takes the buses out and changes the staff ratio. So it’s the first thing that goes in the calendar. Our students get to work with incredible coaches and see other children who are similar to them from all over the UK.

There’s a real social aspect as our children never get to do a residential experience or even a sleepover. They are nervous at first but when they are in there living it they are loving it. From our school, it’s essential that the support is there and for the pupils to be part of something like this is life-changing.”

Matthew, 14, was one of the children from Highfurlong who attended. He said:

“I’ve not been before and it’s going very good so far. I’ve been here all week and I’ve tried ALL the sports! My favourite has been basketball because you get to use a wheelchair which I’d only used once before. Playing sport is quite euphoric and it helps you to learn about teamwork, and I think other children like me should come to the Games as they would find it quite fun.”

The event hosted 115 disabled children all raring to try their best at a number of sports including Basketball, Tennis, Power Chair Football and many more. Over the 4 day period and within the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement itself the children personified the motto of the games, “to achieve your personal best” all while inspiring each other and the family members, teachers and carers who had come to support them.

Martin McElhatton OBE WheelPower Chief Executive:

“After the last few years, it was emotional to see our National Junior Games back at Stoke Mandeville Stadium and I can honestly say that it made me so very proud. Disabled children have been hugely impacted by the pandemic and thanks to the wonderful support we received, we were able to host the Games again after a two-year break.  We are thrilled to be able to provide this life-changing event for young disabled people including individuals and SEND schools like Highfurlong School from Blackpool.

The Games not only improve health and wellbeing but instill confidence and provide a fun, social experience for those taking part in the 20 plus sports and activities aiming to achieve their ‘personal best’.  WheelPower is keen to tackle the inequalities disabled people face in accessing sport and physical activity and the Games will make a real positive impact to address these.”

WheelPower will soon be announcing the date of the 2023 National Junior Games which you will be able to find over on their website www.wheelpower.org.uk

Charity Registration number: 1070532

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity supports families who have a child with a life-threatening illness. These families have to face the very real possibility that they may lose their child to their illness and many struggle to cope on a daily basis. The Family Support Workers of Rainbow Trust provide a much needed lifeline to these families and enable them to make the most of their time together, offering them support, whenever they need it, for as long as is needed.

The charity currently has six care teams across the country providing tailored emotional and practical support. The North West Care Team, based in Manchester, currently offers a limited service to some families receiving treatment at Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool but unfortunately they are not in a position to offer any community based support to the families in that same area. It is very clear that there is a significant need for Rainbow Trust’s tailored community services which is not being met. Rainbow Trust has therefore responded by launching a new Liverpool care team.

There has been a significant rise in the number of children with life limiting conditions across the country in the last 20 years, with data suggesting that there are an estimated 3,300 children with a life limiting condition living in the area that will be covered by this new Liverpool Care Team. (Make Every Child Count Report 2020 By Professor Lorna Fraser et al – University of York) 

A grant of £575,000 from The Kentown Wizard Foundation will ensure funding for up to three years and allow time for Rainbow Trust to embed the new team in Liverpool and expand their services into Wales.

Margaret Ingram, CEO of The Kentown Wizard Foundation: “Rainbow Trust is a charity we know well and hold in high regard. The support they currently offer is a lifeline to many, who without it would be left feeling more isolated than ever. This grant will enable the charity to extend its reach and provide valuable support to many more families in the north-west of England and Wales. It is support like this, offered to families often feeling overwhelmed by their circumstances, that makes a real and significant difference to their lives.”

Zayd & his siblings reading with their Family Support Worker Sabrina. Click here to read their full story over at Rainbowtrust.org.uk

Charity Registration number: 1045077

Earlier this year we were able to support Candlelighters with a grant of £16,000 to fund two family support workers from June to September. The team recently got in touch to update us on the support they have been providing and the impact the family support workers have had during these isolating times.

Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the way in which Candlelighters are able to offer their support. Families have encountered enormous hardships, with many being required to shield at home and hospital restrictions meaning only one parent could be on the ward with their child, remaining there permanently to avoid bringing the virus to the ward.

Although some of these restrictions have eased, the threat and reality of local lockdowns and uncertainty over restrictions, has meant families have entered another daunting phase of the pandemic. Many continue to face extreme psychological and emotional challenges as they make decisions on how to adapt to the frequently changing guidelines, whilst limiting risk and protecting their child.

Melissa enjoying her Candlelighters crafts!

“The effect of this pandemic will be felt by our families for some time, but for as long as that is, we will be here to support them. By continuing to offer our adapted support services, we will ensure our families do not face these uncertain times alone.

The grant from The Kentown Wizard Foundation has been fully spent on the salaries of two family support workers across the last four months. These two roles have continued to deliver a range of virtual services to support the children and families during this time and we have been overwhelmed with the numbers of children and families that have been accessing this support.” Roz Walton – Trusts and Foundations Executive.

The feedback from families has been amazing.

• “All my children love the virtual craft sessions and I love how it brings out the creativity in them. It gives me and Dad an hour to catch up with work or make phone calls without the risk of being interrupted and I really enjoy listening to them talking about what they’ve been doing during the week with such enthusiasm (and being stuck in the house doing nothing but them finding fun things to tell Vicky and Emma (The Family Support Workers) makes my heart smile). Vicky and Emma are always so happy and smiley and really engage with the children, making them laugh and feel special.” 
• “The Candlelighters sessions have been brilliant. She has had so much fun doing crafts with Vicky and Emma. It helps her to feel independent (she usually tells mum and dad to ‘go away’ as she can manage on her own!). She has also been able to teach Vicky and Emma some crafts too, as well as seeing other children who understand what it is like being in lockdown, especially when she went to the Virtual Patients Group. It’s been lovely seeing her smiling, confident and happy and proud of what she’s made”

Charity Registration number: 1108606

The support being offered by the Play Inclusion Project throughout these isolating times is incredible and we are extremely happy to hear that everyone involved had such a wonderful half term!

http://www.playinclusionproject.org.uk/

Charity Registration Number: 1045077

Charity Registration Number: 1045077

As we emerge from lockdown, COVID-19 continues to have a massive impact on the charitable sector. We recently reached out to our friends at Candlelighters to offer our support and to understand a little more, the obstacles they have faced and most definitely have overcome throughout this time. Below is a statement from the Candlelighters team in which they describe the effect COVID-19 has had on their work and the alternative strategies they have developed to continue providing much needed support.

“In such unprecedented times, families across the UK have faced challenges like never before, but for families affected by childhood cancer whose lives have already been turned upside down, COVID-19 has made, and continues to make life more difficult than ever.

Families have been required to ‘shield’, meaning they must stay at home as much as possible and keep visits outside to a minimum. Many families have faced time apart, with hospital restrictions permitting only one parent to be on the ward with their child, and remaining there indefinitely to avoid bringing the virus to the ward. Even now as we strive to build a ‘new normal’ and ease out of lockdown, we’re hearing that for families facing childhood cancer, this will become another scary and daunting phase as decisions around returning to work, school and ‘normality’ put extra pressure on the family unit.

Here at Candlelighters, we have been determined to carry on supporting these families and have adapted to focus on offering virtual support, which has had really high uptake and positive feedback; whether that’s daily/weekly check-ins with one of the team, virtual talking therapies for children and adults, activity sessions for the children, or moving our support groups online.

We have also increased our grant provision to alleviate the heightened financial pressure our families are facing. For families on the ward, we have delivered food hampers, drinks and toiletries, which we hope will help parents and carers, as we know how difficult these restrictions are proving. We also put in place a laundry service so that families staying on the ward could have their clothes collected, washed and dropped off to relieve some of the additional stress from not being allowed to leave the ward.

However like many charities, COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the money we raise to support our families and we are looking to our supporters to help us through this difficult time.

The Kentown Wizard Foundation kindly supported Candlelighters in May with a grant of £16,000, to support the salary costs of the Family Support Team, who deliver many of these vital services to children and their families.”

This support is vital, now more than ever. The Candlelighters team have been overwhelmed with the number of children and families accessing this support and since lockdown began, the determination they have shown while adapting to these difficult times has been inspiring. We are delighted here at the Kentown Wizard Foundation to help such an incredible charity continue to support the families who need them the most. Families just like Leo’s…

“Leo was diagnosed on Friday the 13th September 2019, aged 8, with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The very next day, we were transferred from our local hospital to Ward 31 at the Leeds General Infirmary.

From then on, we have received continued help and support as a family from the amazing Candlelighters team, both on the wards, clinic, at The Square (family support centre) and now during this pandemic, at home via Zoom!

Leo has been thoroughly enjoying these sessions, it gives him something to look forward to each week and for me as his mum it is so lovely to hear him chatting away to the Family Support Team. They are so engaging and fun for him to chat to. Over the weeks he has made so many great pieces, his favourite is the ‘gribbit’ he says!

We have had to shield at home, which has been so hard for us all but even more so Leo, keeping him entertained and upbeat is so important, and he looks forward to his weekly bit of fun with the team.

It is helping him to get his hands moving again and strengthen them with all the cutting out, sticking and gluing he’s been doing, and it’s also making him think! These sessions have definitely made an impact on him in a positive way and he can’t wait to meet the team in the flesh – he was too poorly at the start of his treatment and an inpatient for many weeks, so he didn’t get the chance to visit the Square before the lockdown hit. It will be great for him to finally get over there once it is safe for him to do so.”

www.candlelighters.org.uk

Charity Registration Number: 1060963

Back in December, the Kentown Wizard Foundation funded a 4 day magical winter wonderland experience, hosted by the amazing team at When You Wish Upon A Star. 35 families from Blackpool & the North West, whose children have life threatening illnesses, were invited to Sherwood Forest, Centre Parcs to experience a weekend full of joy and laughter.

Staff, volunteers, patrons and celebrities ensured that each family had a weekend full of magical memories. A visit from Santa, costume characters, dancing and a firework display were but a few of the incredible activities available to the children and their loved ones. The highlight of the trip was a Costume Ball. The children dressed up as princesses and superheroes and were treated to a night of magic, singing, games and lots and lots of laughter.

When You Wish Upon A Star have been dream making for sick children since 1990, fulfilling 17,500 dreams along the way. Head of Fundraising Diane Hummerston said:

“Without the support of the Kentown Wizard Foundation, we would not of been able to give our Wish families such a magical weekend. The families have been able to create lifelong memories in what can be very difficult times for them. We cannot thank Debbie, David and the rest of the Trustees of the Foundation for their most generous gift – they have truly helped in bringing joy into all of our families’ lives”.

Debbie Bamber, Operations Manager of the Kentown Wizard Foundation, who joined the families with Trustee David Bamber said:

“It was amazing to be part of this magical weekend and share in the lives of these families, many of whom haven’t left their homes, except for hospital visits, in years. The children’s excitement was contagious as they told us about their pony rides, pottery painting, zip wire races and fun in the tropical pool. Without the team of doctors and medics that attended the weekend, we know many of these families would never have had this experience”

We are delighted to be able to look back on incredible memories such as these and we look forward to catching up with the When You Wish Upon A Star team very soon!

Charity Registration Number: 1163956

As we reach the end of our Kentown Christmas Carol it seems only right to take a look at our Christmas future.

Here at the Kentown Wizard Foundation we are excited to announce that we will be sponsoring the outstanding When You Wish Upon A Star Winter Wonderland Ball next Christmas!

Each December the North West Wish Team welcome around 45 families to a snow filled Winter Wonderland at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest for a 4 day break. Each day is filled with exciting activities, not forgetting a very special visit from Santa, the highlight of the weekend is the spectacular children’s Ball.

This 4 day break gives the families they support the perfect opportunity to unwind, have fun and make lots of magical memories, to treasure for a lifetime.

In previous years they have hosted spectacular breakfasts with Santa Claus, very tasty sweet stalls and unmissable discos. The children get stuck in decorating gingerbread, badges and Christmas cards and can be seen jumping up and down with excitement as they spy their favourite TV personality!

We are overwhelmed by the opportunity to support such an incredible event and will be counting down the 365 days we have to wait!

“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas”
Charles Dickens

Back

Charity Registration Number: 1163956 

This Christmas at the Kentown Wizard Foundation we are delighted to announce our exciting Christmas grants!

The first grant goes to our wonderful friends over at Rainbow House. The Mawdesley based charity will use their £10,000 grant to continue supporting 90 families per week.

Their specialist service is Conductive Education which is a complex programme using repetitive learning to re-train the brain. They provide bespoke sessions designed to increase mobility, communication and independence whilst rehabilitating, educating and being fun all at the same time! Other services include physiotherapy, rebound and sensory therapy and multidisciplinary.

Margaret Ingram CEO of the Kentown Wizard Foundation says

“We’re delighted to be supporting Rainbow House. Their vision is to run a centre of excellence for children with life limiting disabilities whilst inspiring and empowering them to become more independent and increasing their life skills”

Our second grant is being made out to the amazing Stick n Step charity in Wallasey. Stick ‘n’ Step offers support services to children with cerebral palsy and their families. All conductive education sessions are provided to children free of charge, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live independent lives. 94 children from across the region attend these sessions weekly or twice weekly. The charity will use their £10,000 grant to help cover core costs of running the charity next year.

Debbie Bamber, Operations Manager at The Kentown Wizard Foundation, says, “The aim of our Foundation is to award grants where we think they are most needed and where they will have the greatest impact. As well as observing the determination and commitment of the children and their conductors, we were so impressed with the results that are being achieved by Stick ‘n’ Step. We were very pleased to award a grant to aid their efforts further.”

Both these charities work tirelessly to provide families with the help they deserve and here at the Kentown Wizard Foundation we are extremely proud to be able to support them this Christmas.

Charity Registration Number: 1163956

Play Inclusion Project

Unique Kidz & Co

This time last year, here at the Kentown Wizard Foundation we set out on our very own 12 days of Christmas countdown. 12 incredible charities were chosen to receive a Christmas grant ranging from £1500-£6000. This enabled each charity in their own unique way, to improve the lives of children and young adults living with serious, life-limiting conditions and disabilities.

“It was a privilege for me to visit all 12 recipients and see the dedication and hard work of these smaller charities. They help thousands of children a year and are a life-line to so many families”

This year we would like to take the opportunity to express how proud we are of these charities and all they have achieved, since our visit last year. Each charity has continued spreading happiness across the North West with organised activities and holiday experiences.

Aiming Higher

Wipe Your Tears

A Day Of Sunshine

Blessing In Disguise

We have seen some outstanding sensory rooms, messy craft rooms and even rooms filled with trampolines. We’ve heard of a number of courageous excursions, unforgettable holidays and not to forget, upcoming Christmas pantomimes!

The work of these 12 charities is not only an inspiration to us but is very much a necessity to the families they help.

Sign Hi Say Hi!

Oj’s Care

Charity Registration Number: 1045077

At the beginning of 2017 Candlelighters purchased a cottage just a short walk from the hospital. Once renovated this cottage would provide free accommodation for families facing childhood cancer, enabling them to be closer together and reduce the financial burden of travel costs.

The cottage itself was uninhabitable at the time and needed completely stripping back.

Amongst other things, the property needed a new roof, re-wiring of electrics, a new plumbing and heating system, damp proofing course, full re-plastering and insulating to name but a few.

An extension was to be built in order to expand the communal areas for families, as well as four bedrooms that needed their own ensuite, toilet and wet room shower installed

On top of all this, the entire property would need to be refurnished with everything from beds and chairs through to towels and cutlery.

It was in May 2017 that the Candlelighters Cottage campaign was launched, which raised over £250,000. An amount that the Kentown Wizard Foundation are delighted to have match funded in order for the charity to begin renovations.

After months of incredibly hard work from both the Candlelighters and their supporters the cottage was complete and the grand opening set for September

Margaret Ingram, CEO of the Kentown Wizard Foundation- “We were trilled to attend the Candlelighters Cottage grand opening, it is a fantastic project and the renovations are amazingly impressive! This will be a very comfortable home from home where families can spend precious time together”

Charity Registration Number: SC034364

The Muir Maxwell Trust is a paediatric epilepsy charity that aims to make a difference by providing children and their carers with practical support and by speeding up what can be a frustratingly slow diagnostic process. Though not a dedicated Helpline, they are always on hand to give help and advice to those facing the challenges of caring for children with severe epilepsy.

The Trust began distributing potentially life-saving epilepsy movement sensor bed alarms to families in June 2003, coinciding with its launch. Whilst the Trust has funded and completed many different projects over the years, the distribution of epilepsy alarms remains on-going. To date they have successfully distributed over 3,000 alarms at a cost of over £2 million.

The decision to distribute epilepsy alarms to families was based on the Maxwell’s own experience of an epilepsy alarm and the quality of life it brought to their son Muir and to the rest of the family. The alarm allowed Muir to sleep in his own room and it brought the whole family peace of mind knowing that they would be alerted to a seizure, should Muir have one in the night.

(Established in 1989 as Christian Lewis Trust)
Charity Registration number: 1113821

Kids Cancer Charity aim to improve the quality of life for children and their families affected by cancer by offering emotional and practical support.

With over 27 years’ experience in providing respite care breaks, they understand the importance of families being able to spend time together in peaceful and relaxing surroundings away from their normal environment.

A grant from the Kentown Wizard Foundation has enabled Kids Cancer Charity to purchase a luxury caravan, sited on the beautiful South Wales coast at Lydstep Beach Holiday Village. The £75,000 grant includes wheelchair friendly adaptation of the caravan and 3 years site fees.

www.kidscancercharity.org/

Charity Registration number: 1070532

Rainbow Trust offer bespoke support to families who have a child with a life-threatening illness. A dedicated team of family support workers and committed volunteers offer families a lifeline at home, in hospital or in the community. This can be anything from meals cooked, siblings looked after, transport to and from hospital to respite.

A grant totalling £200,000 from The Kentown Wizard Foundation has enabled them to strengthen their North West team and expand their support to even more families needing emotional and practical assistance and help relieve the day to day pressures of living with a very sick child.

www.rainbowtrust.org.uk