Morning all! Last Friday I was invited to present an award at the BBC Radio Bristol Make A Difference Awards. I was humbled at the incredible selflessness of the nominees and their dedication in the face of such adversity and often personal grief to strive to make the world a better, kinder place for others. The admin team decided that it m right be nice to offer 3 gifts of £200 each to enable these 3 amazing groups to continue their exceptional work. Their sacrifices truly restore one’s faith in human kindness and it was a truly a special night to celebrate their achievements and hear their stories. Here they are in full:
Hayley Jennings set up Helping Homeless Believe after she helped someone very close to her overcome a lifetime of addiction and was homeless. She has dedicated her life to supporting people and trying to break the stigma often attached to homelessness and to generate more understanding. She’s been running it since October 2017 saying “After volunteering within different services for ten years, I wanted to do more to help. Having experienced homelessness myself along with family members battling addiction this has always been something close to my heart”
Helping Homeless Believe provide emergency response to anyone spotted rough sleeping within Bristol & South Gloucestershire. We will offer them a survival pack of basic essentials to keep them alive along with signposting to services that may be of help. https://www.helpinghomelessbelieve.co.uk/about/
Ben Saunders Foundation is run by Ben’s family who were given a break in a holiday home when Ben was battling cancer. After losing Ben they continue to offer respite to families in a similar situation. They explain that the aim of the Foundation is to help young people (between the ages of 16-25) and their families through what will be one of the most difficult times in their lives. Through their grant funding The Foundation will offer individuals the chance to have a little time away from the draining effects of hospital visits, treatment schedules and try and make up some of the time spent away from family.At time of writing they have helped 270 families make some valuable memories together. An amazing family. https://www.bensaundersfoundation.org/
A CHARITY cafe in Speedwell give the gift of independence to loads children with disabilities.
The volunteer-run Barton Hill Rugby Club Charity Cafe hand over new electric wheelchairs to deserving youngsters, after raising thousands of pounds to buy them.
The cafe, which is staffed and managed entirely by volunteers, provides a friendly place for people to meet, with cheap food and drink and bargain donated goods, every Monday and Wednesday from noon until 3pm. So as well as helping young people get electric wheelchairs they provide sanctuary and entertainment for local people who may not see another human being all week and any spare money raised goes to the mental health charity, MIND.