Since 2006, Chelmsford Star Co-operative has supported a different local charity each year to be the focus for staff fund raising. Over this time through a variety of initiatives and events, we have raised over £120,000 which has benefited the Essex Air Ambulance, Helen Rollason Heal Cancer, Little Havens Children’s Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support. This year we are working with Families InFocus (Essex).
Families InFocus (Essex)
Supporting families of children with disabilities and special needs
We are an independent local charity offering free specialist advice, information and support to parents/carers of children with disabilities or special needs anywhere in Essex. We provide an outreach service (one to one support, home visits, attending meetings) whenever parents/carers require support throughout their child’s development. This may include emotional support, assistance with education issues to ensure the child receives appropriate support or additional resources in the classroom and help with obtaining disability related benefits for the child to help with extra costs. For many we are the real lifeline, summed up by one parent who said;
“Families InFocus made me feel I was no longer alone. They gave me hope.”
We also hold regular fun events which families eagerly look forward to; drop–in’s across the country where parents/carers can meet, relax and enjoy some pampering time and much more
“Having the chance for family time together where everyone can relax and not have to worry about what others think – invaluable.”
During the past two years, in addition to over 3000 existing families, we have reached out to 747 new families, who come from all parts of Essex including the local authorities of Braintree, Chelmsford and Southend-on-sea. As demand continues to grow we have to keep doing that little bit more to keep the fund raising on target. Working with Chelmsford Star Co-operative as their Charity of the Year will make a big difference to us.
For more information please view our website on www.familiesinfocusessex.org.uk
How can you support?
• Donating to collecting tins at our many till points
• Donating 1p or more from your change at till points in our food stores
• Buying raffle tickets for prize draws offered in our stores throughout the year
• Buying tickets for events held in out department stores (see events)
• Gifting
How to become a Charity of the Year
If you are interested in applying to be our Charity of the Year partner please read the information below to ensure that you meet the criteria.
Criteria
• You must be a bona fide charity with Essex coverage
• We raise around £30,000 for our charity partner and you should provide information on a specific project we can help fund.
• We have over 45 branches from Braintree to Southend-on-Sea. You should be able to supply not only 150 collecting tins, but fund raising
ideas and opportunities. You will be required to make contact with our individual stores and assist in local initiatives as and when required.
The selection process
• Applications must be received by teh Society by the end of January.
• 6 charities will be selected from the applications and invited to present in February.
• 3 charities will be short-listed and will go forward to the staff vote in March.
• The wining charity will be notified and introduced at the Annual General Meeting in early May.