Children’s bereavement project Richmond’s Hope in Niddrie has received £2,000 from the STV Children’s Appeal. STV2 presenter and producer Zara Janjua visited the project to present the cheque and meet some of the staff who will benefit from the funding.
Richmond’s Hope supports children and young people across Edinburgh, Lothians and Glasgow who have suffered bereavement. The project uses therapeutic play and specialist grief activities to help children understand the impact of the death on their lives, support them in remembering the person who died and enable them to address their feelings.
STV2’s Zara Janjua said: “It’s amazing to see the difference this small project has made to the lives of thousands of children in Scotland. Dealing with grief, especially with the loss of a close family member, is devastating, even as an adult. But for children, the long term impact is huge.
“I am delighted that the STV Children’s Appeal has donated funds to help Richmond’s Hope continue to improve lives for children in Scotland.”
Kelley Scoular, Office Manager at Richmond’s Hope, said: “Richmond’s Hope is delighted to have received the award of £2,000 from STV’s Children Appeal. The money will be used to provide the therapeutic activities and materials for the children’s support sessions.
Since we opened in 2003 we have supported more than 3500 children – each year the number of children referred to our services increases. Having the additional funds from STV Children’s Appeal will help us to continue to meet the needs of bereaved children.”
Since launching in 2011, the STV Children’s Appeal has raised £16.3 million, with 964 big and small grants awarded to projects across all 32 local authority areas in Scotland, providing much needed support to over 67,000 children. The money raised is distributed to provide practical help like food and warm clothes, create opportunities for training and employability, and enable social and emotional support for those who need it most.
Baroness Margaret Ford, chair of the board of trustees for STV Children’s Appeal, said: “The STV Children’s Appeal was established to help improve the quality of life of vulnerable children and young people across Scotland.
We are extremely grateful to everyone who has fundraised and donated to this important cause – a special thanks for your ongoing support. All proceeds remain in Scotland which means we can support vital projects such as Richmond’s Hope in our efforts to improve the lives of children across the country.”
Sir Tom Hunter, trustee of the STV Children’s Appeal, added:”Driving positive change is down to individuals, communities and charities who can make the world of difference to those young people most in need.
Sincerely I thank everyone who has raised money for the STV Children’s Appeal and can again confirm to every last one of you that every pound is being invested in charities like Richmond’s Hope to the benefit of Scotland’s young people. You raise a pound, we give a pound; you make a difference, we support that difference.”
Sir Ian Wood, trustee of the STV Children’s Appeal, said: “With over 200,000 children and young people in Scotland now affected by child poverty, it remains deeply troubling that so many lives across our country are impacted and life choices affected.
“Without the continued support of the public the significant work carried out by the STV Children’s Appeal in providing support, help and opportunities for those who most need could not happen. We all must play our part, no matter how large or small, in reducing these shocking statistics and enabling families to take back some control of their situation.”
If you would like to help raise funds for Scotland’s children – as a group or an individual – please get in touch with Natalie Wright at natalie.wright@stv.tv.
Picture shows (L-R): Donna Hastings from Richmond’s Hope, STV2’s Zara Zanjua and Kelley Scholar from Richmond’s Hope.
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