57,279 young people in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife were helped by Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids in 2017, breaking new records. The charity has revealed it received more donations and helped more young people than ever before last year, with generous individual and corporate donors digging deep to help with rising demand.
A total of £1,718,602 in donations was received, enabling Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids to provide a vast range of support – from essential clothing for disadvantaged young people to funding for grassroots organisations, and specialist equipment for children with disabilities.
Hearts & Minds Clowndoctors was among the many groups that received support last year. The organisation provides music and dance-based therapy for children undergoing long-term treatment at hospitals, hospices, respite units and special education schools.
Organiser Pip Quinn, commented: “It costs us over £100,000 to run our programme in Edinburgh and the Lothians alone. This funding has enabled us to deliver much needed interactions to children and families requiring support because of their child’s illness or disability.
“We offer access to the arts and play for those who would otherwise struggle to access this kind of therapy. Our Clowndoctors visits have increased motor skills, communication, empowerment, and decreased anxiety, depression and isolation.
“Some of the children we visit are in so much pain physically and mentally that their parents sometimes go weeks without seeing a smile. Most of the children we see are isolated by their illness and don’t get to play with other children. The fundraisers and supporters enable us to open up each child’s imagination and take them out of their world of pain, increase confidence, help them to laugh and feel enjoyment and wonder. Seeing these kids laugh and connect is a humbling experience.”
Campaigns including 1000 Faces, which encouraged people throughout the region to raise at least £100 through mini-fundraising drives, helped to dramatically boost support, but there was also a rise in corporate donations.
Commercial property firm GSS Developments donated £5,000. Director, Paul Stephenson, commented: “We were delighted once again to support the fantastic Cash for Kids appeal. The assistance the charity provides to help disadvantaged and disabled children across the east of Scotland is not only hugely impressive, but invaluable in making the recipient’s lives more comfortable and happier.”
The charity is now looking forward to 2018 with successful initiatives, including 1000 Faces and events, including the Tour de Forth cycling race back for another year. The first round of funding support has already been allocated, with £147,893 invested in local children and grassroots groups.
Emma Kemp, Charity Manager at Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids, said: “2017 was undoubtedly the busiest and most successful year ever for our charity, and it’s made such a difference for so many young people.
“From the smallest of gestures through to the substantial corporate donations we received, we’ve been able to provide much needed, and in many cases life-changing help to young people when they need it most. We may only be three months into 2018, but we’re already looking to smash last year’s goal and help over more children and community groups throughout Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife.”
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