Charity Support 

Run For Home
Our Run For Home event has now raised well over £1 million enabling the First Steps Appeal to help many good causes in our area.  Our trustees meet every year to consider applications and award grants to worthy causes. 

Recently, the First Steps Appeal has given funds to small groups to help with the childcare facilities they offer.  The grants have ranged from £250 to £1,000 to purchase various indoor and outdoor play equipment, beds and cots.   Among those that have received funds are Long Itchington Pre-School, Little Stars, Lichfield & District Childminding Association, Village Community Nursery, Pool Hayes Pre-School and Sunbeams Pre-School. 

In 2008, Run for Home will be taking a break, and we are currently working on new fundraising ideas to continue raising money for the charity in its absence.

Donations to local hospitals range from £1,500 to almost £12,000 with more grants in the pipeline.  We were able to provide funds for Russell Hall Hospital to purchase specialised equipment and electrical wiring for the sensory room;  Birmingham Children’s Hospital were able to obtain equipment for the neonatal cardiac unit;  The League of Friends of Alexandra Hospital were able to refurbish the baby changing room and obtain new furniture and educational toys; the George Eliot Hospital was able to purchase specialised equipment for their maternity wing.

Many other projects within the West Midlands and Warwickshire received a total of over £30,000.

Acorns Children’s received funds enabling them to install a Scanbeta cot and lowzone mattresss.

Birmingham Foundation Tornado Appeal were able to purchase household goods, furniture, clothes and toys for children affected by the tornado that hit the city helping them to recover from the trauma and disruption suffered.

The Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy was able to purchase toy packs, Snug seats and accessories, whilst Promise Dreams were able to purchase a 3-seater buggy. 

The Heart Failure Foundation purchased a much-needed paediatric blood pump and accessories.

Homestart in Walsall were able to embark on a project to extend the outside play area and the Pathway Project was able to install a safe surface in their play area, along with the purchase of new outdoor play equipment.