Photo of Mum Helen Sadler and Daughter Erin A major fundraiser inspired by Morrisons to support charities like East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) has already hit £1 million. The supermarket giant is working with national charity Together for Short Lives, which supports the UK’s children’s hospices, including EACH, which cares for children and young people across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. It is part of a flagship three-year-partnership launched in February. The aim is to raise vital funds for children’s hospices across the country, including EACH’s services at The Nook, near Norwich, The Treehouse, in Ipswich, and at Milton, near Cambridge. The hope is to raise £10 million over the course of three years – and in just over four months the figure already proudly stands at over £1m. EACH Director of Fundraising Kevin Clements said: “We said from the beginning that this would be transformational and what an amazing start to Morrisons’ fundraising partnership, hitting £1m already. “It’s incredibly exciting to think of the difference this money will make, in terms of the care and support we offer children, young people and families across East Anglia. “It’s amazing news and we’re so very grateful to Morrisons. “Both staff and customers should be extremely proud of all they are doing, making a tangible difference to help so many.” The partnership is benefitting children like eight-year-old Erin Sadler, who has a number of complex, life-threatening health issues, including some that affect her heart, kidneys and liver. It means she requires care 24 hours a day, seven days a week and both Erin and mum Helen receive care and support from EACH. Helen said: “Hitting this milestone so quickly really is a fantastic achievement. “The care and support we receive makes such a difference to myself and Erin, just as it does so many other families across East Anglia. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed and played some part in this fundraising partnership. Keep up the amazing work!” EACH prides itself on its family-centred approach, caring not only for children and young people but also their parents, carers, brothers, sisters, grandparents and sometimes friends. They benefit from specialist nursing care, symptom management nursing, short breaks, wellbeing activities, therapies, care at end of life, bereavement support, counselling and volunteer services in the family home. Together for Short Lives CEO Andy Fletcher said: “The creativity and enthusiasm shown by Morrisons colleagues up and down the country during the first four months of our partnership has been amazing! “A huge thank you from Together for Short Lives to everyone who has worked so hard to reach the £1m milestone – it will make such a difference to families caring for a seriously ill child.” The partnership began with a ‘Butterfly Bonanza’, when staff and customers were encouraged to get involved and Together for Short Lives’ famous butterfly flew up and down the country in support of seriously ill children. Morrisons CEO David Potts added: “We’re pleased to have reached the £1m milestone for Together for Short Lives. “Our colleagues and customers are passionate about raising vital funds for local children’s hospices so they can provide seriously ill children and their families with opportunities to spend very highly valued time together.”
