Julia's House
Julia’s House Corporate Fundraiser Caroline Attreed tells us more about how the charity continues to provide its vital care to local families despite the ever-changing regulations around COVID, and introduces a brand new fundraising event in partnership with Osprey.
Despite the whirlwind 18 months we have had, Julia’s House has continued providing its lifeline of care throughout the pandemic, and just like everyone else, the easing of restrictions means we are finally enjoying getting back to a little bit of normality. Much of the vital care our nurses and carers provide to children with life-limiting conditions is still taking place in families’ homes – in the first 6 months of this year 111 seriously ill children and their families across Dorset and Wiltshire were supported with hands-on, face-to-face respite care. Our hospices have just recently reopened and some of the children are now enjoying one-to-one sessions and getting a much needed change of scene. The nurses and carers are still wearing PPE and taking regular COVID tests to give the families additional reassurance and confidence.
We’re also excited to roll out a new programme of fundraising events for 2021, including Hike for your Hospice, which is sponsored by Osprey. We couldn’t have been more delighted when Osprey came on board, as the company is a valued and long-term supporter of Julia’s House.
Fundraising events are a crucial part of our year. After the first lockdown announcement, we had to take the decision to cancel all of our challenge events which, along with the closure of our high street shops, had a devastating effect on the charity’s finances. So we are really pleased to be back out and about again for 2021 – and the brand new Hike for your Hospice (10-12 September) will be a key event in our calendar. We’d love you to join us for one of our hikes this year. To sign up visit juliashouse.org/hike-hospice
In partnership with Osprey, we’ve cherry-picked nine of the very best hiking routes across Dorset and Wiltshire. Each promises unforgettable views, legendary landmarks and distances and terrain to exhilarate every level of hiker. These guided hikes take place in groups of 30, starting and finishing at a country pub where participants can celebrate their achievements with a delicious meal and a pint or glass of prosecco. Thanks to Osprey we are also giving away nine daypacks – one for each route. Anybody who raises £100 or more by doing Hike for Hospice will be entered into a prize draw to win an 18L or 26l Osprey Hikelite daypack. This is such a wonderful incentive for our fundraisers and we are immensely grateful to Osprey for providing this.
On behalf of all the families we care for I’d like to extend a big thank you to Osprey for its continued support. If you decide to join the Julia’s House family and sign up to one of our hikes we know you’ll have a great time in the knowledge that you’re helping the children and families in our local community who need us the most. We want to continue to be here to provide this crucial support – not just now, but for years to come. We will be feeling the effects of the pandemic for some time, so your support couldn’t be more critical. Thank you.
