First Bus to help with our nook appeal journey
A new bus advertising campaign has been launched to raise awareness and funds for our nook appeal.
A photo of Leigh Smith and her daughter Beatrice, feature in a new advertising campaign in 106 buses across the Norwich network operated by First Bus. Leigh, husband Toby and son Elliott have received support from EACH in caring for Beatrice who was diagnosed with the rare heart condition, restrictive cardiomyopathy, and sadly died holding her parents’ hands at Great Ormond Street Hospital on 24th February 2014 – she was less than three months old.
After Beatrice died, the family travelled to our Quidenham hospice where they received care and support until Beatrice’s funeral. The family continue to receive wellbeing support. Leigh attended the launch of our nook appeal in November 2014 in the presence of EACH Royal Patron HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.
The new adverts are aimed at raising awareness of the our £10 million nook appeal to build and equip a new children’s hospice for Norfolk, which is needed as the current hospice in Quidenham is restricted in its facilities and development. The campaign has been made possible thanks to the generosity of bus company First Eastern Counties.
Ady Culpin, PR Manager First Midlands, South East and Essex, said: “First Eastern Counties are pleased to be supporting EACH and endorse the excellent work they undertake in providing care and support for families and their children who have life-threatening illnesses. As a local community provider, carrying thousands of people on our buses around the area every day, we can provide a platform to spread awareness and encourage our customers and staff to get involved in supporting EACH.
“Today, we will be fitting posters on our buses as a first step in supporting the charity, with additional events and initiatives planned for December and January to raise funds and awareness for EACH.”
Leigh said: “It was very emotional to see the adverts in place for the first time. I’m just so proud of what Beatrice has achieved and how her story and photo is helping to raise awareness and funds to help such an important cause, not only to our family, but to the hundreds of families across the region relying on EACH care and support.
“The support and kindness shown to our family in the most difficult of times was, and is, immeasurable. EACH, and every single person we’ve met throughout Beatrice’s journey was and is truly exceptional and world class. We will forever be grateful to them for everything they have done for our beautiful girl and they will always be a massive part of our lives.
“There is no price that can be placed on this, nor anything than can mend our heartache and bring our little girl back, but giving, and telling how these very special organisations have helped us allows us to say thank you in a small way.”
Gary Cook, EACH nook appeal Corporate Fundraiser, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with First to raise both vital awareness and funds for our nook appeal and would like to thank them for their very generous support.
“To be able to advertise completely free of charge in 106 buses across the Norwich network, means we’re be able to reach a wide audience, whom we hope to inspire to donate to our cause. The beautiful picture of Leigh and her daughter Beatrice is an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the importance of the care and support services offered to local families.
“We’d like to thank Leigh’s friend Rob Dodsworth, ofRob Dodsworth Photography,who took the beautiful photo of Leigh and Beatrice and has allowed EACH to use the image to raise vital awareness and funds.
“In our new advertising campaign we’re asking people to text NOOK10 followed by either £3, £5 or £10 to 70070. It really is that simple and will make a real difference to the local life-threatened children, young people and their families we support across Norfolk.”