Frome-based counselling charity We Hear You (WHY) has raised more than £13,000 during the last month.
The money raised will fund around 300 counselling sessions for people in Somerset, B&NES and Wiltshire who are affected by cancer or a life-threatening condition.
The month began with a Guinness world record attempt, which saw 678 people aged 16 to 73 row 500m each on a single rowing machine over 24 hours. Organiser of the event, Rachel Clark says, “We were blown away by the community spirit and support we had for this challenge – and we smashed the world record. We also made over £7,700 for WHY, which is phenomenal. Thanks again to everyone who helped make it happen.”
The charity also held two events aimed at pre-schoolers, raising over £800 in total. Hummingbirds Music leader Claire Schneider entertained more than 40 children at a ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ event on 31st May. The children joined in a music session and bear hunt in the park and took home a furry friend donated by Build-a-Bear.
On 19th June this was followed by a ‘toddle waddle’ arranged to coincide with Small Charities Week. Children and their grown-ups took part in a sponsored toddle around Victoria Park and enjoyed a bouncy castle, face painting and a book and cake sale.
On 24th June Frome Netball Club ran a junior netball tournament and family fun day at Oakfield Academy. Overall the event raised just under £1,000, half of which will come to We Hear You.
Redrow homes, a long-standing corporate sponsor of We Hear You, topped off a fantastic month with a £3,000 donation to the charity raised through a variety of fundraising activities by its staff.
Gemma Wilkes, fundraising and communications manager at We Hear You said, ‘Community events like these are such an important part of what we do – not just to raise vital funds but also to ensure the people who need our help know who we are and how to get help. WHY receives no central government funding and referrals have more than doubled since 2012, so the support of the communities we work in is vital to help us meet that need.
“If you could run an event or take on a challenge for us, from a coffee morning to a skydive to a massive event like the rowathon, please get in touch at fundraising@we hearyou.org.uk. We can help you plan and run your event, promote your event or fundraising page on social media and support you to make it a success.”
To access WHY’s free professional counselling service for anyone affected or bereaved by cancer or a life-threatening condition, please telephone 01373 455255 or email info@we hearyou.org.uk.
