Dear supporter,
We hope you are well as this communication reaches you during these challenging times we are all facing. Our number one priority is our beneficiaries; the children and families who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling and are accessing our vital support services which enable them to navigate through their grief, in their own way, in their own time.
As we are unable to provide our usual facilitated support, we are implementing ways to provide support virtually so that our families do not feel any more isolated at a time where they already feel lonely, isolated and worried. The corona virus pandemic is exacerbating an already difficult time for our beneficiaries and we recognise that the effects are likely to be long term. We have already personally spoken with 80% of our beneficiary profile to ascertain their needs and provide various solutions to reduce isolation which we are due to be putting in place over the coming week. This will be a completely new project, created as a direct result of the pandemic and includes online support groups, regular contact by buddying and access to trained mentors.
We also want to assure you that we are still working and able to accept new registrations. The way in which we handle them has just changed and our responses may take longer than usual. But our telephone line is still open, and we are responding to emails. In terms of fundraising, we are predominantly reliant upon community and corporate generosity as well as our events, to sustain the costs of the services we provide as well as our running costs and therefore appreciate each and every one of you who still plan to support us in the difficult months that lie ahead. We have postponed our flagship annual event Jessica’s Rainbow Colour Run until the 15th August and hope that by then our supporters can join us outside for some much needed outdoor family activity. You can sign up here to register your children or to help as a volunteer sign up here.
We also know that many of you were looking forward to the Milton Keynes Marathon of events where we have been chosen by marathon partners Rightmove to benefit from the fundraising efforts of their On the Move running team and so are pleased that the event will now go ahead on 5th and 6th September. We appreciate those of you who are still training. Please keep us posted as to how your training is going and we would love to share your photos and efforts on our social media pages and website so please email them to emma@harrysrainbow.co.uk.
It goes without saying that the balance of income against provision of the support services we are planning to roll out through these difficult months is modest so if you are able to continue to support us it would mean a great deal. Any donations are welcomed at this time and if you are able to commit on a continual basis why not set up a small monthly direct debit payment? This can be done online through the justgiving platform or as a standing order straight into our bank accounts. Further details can be found here
Thank you for your continued support. We wish you all a very safe and healthy few weeks and look forward to connecting with you once the crisis has ebbed.
With very best wishes
Odette
