The first year will be focused on funding short break care for those families struggling to balance the exhausting 24-hour care needs of their child. Such sessions allow parents and family members the opportunity to recharge and spend time together whilst EACH’s specialist care staff take-over care duties, either during the day or overnight. It is a crucial form of support and needed now more than ever as families reach out for help after a prolonged period of shielding and self-isolation.
Recent research estimates more than one in 10 (11%) parents of children who need short breaks delivered by children’s palliative care providers, like EACH, would experience significantly less stress and improved mental and physical health if they could access them.
In October, EACH joined children’s hospices across the country in calling on the government to create a ringfenced £434 million grant for local councils that could fund short breaks for seriously ill and disabled children.
Tim Jenkins, EACH Norfolk Community Fundraiser, said: “We’re so grateful for the continued support the region’s Rotary clubs have given to us and are especially pleased they’ve decided the first year of their funding will be focused on supporting our short break care service. Families have expressed to us how difficult the pandemic has been for them. Having to shield with their child for the past eight months has had a huge impact on their mental wellbeing and we’re committed to caring for both children and families as best as we can during this time.”
Jonathan King, Rotary in East Anglia District Governor, said: "The 66 Rotary clubs in East Anglia are pleased and proud to accept the challenge to raise £80,000 to provide funding for 310 short break care days for families. Most of our Rotary clubs collect for EACH at Christmas and throughout the year, but with COVID-19 restrictions limiting our street collections, we’ll hold fundraising activities over the next year to achieve this challenge.”
The pandemic caused EACH’s 43 shops to be closed for a significant part of the year and its fundraising events and activities had to be cancelled The charity has never been in more need of support. EACH recently forecasted a loss of £2.2m in funding over the next 12 months, a third of the total it needs to support families across the region.
It says the best Christmas gift supporters could give would be a cash donation. To find out more about supporting EACH this festive season visit www.each.org.uk/christmas-2020 or call 01223 800800.