Words by Smiley Team
A children’s charity smashed their £15,000 fundraising target after hundreds of supporters joined them for a month-long sit-ups challenge.
The Sick Children’s Trust, who provide free accommodation for families whose children are seriously ill in hospital, faced a shortfall in vital income as many of their fundraising events and activities had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.
To tackle this they launched a virtual challenge, Sit Up for The Sick Children’s Trust, and recruited supporters, who committed to doing anywhere from 300-3,000 sit-ups during April, and donated £30 to take part.
And by the halfway point, the charity had reached its overall target of raising £15,000, thanks not only to the participants’ £30 donations, but also from fundraising pages set up by participants to encourage further donations from friends and family.
Mum Georgie Monigatti decided to take part in the challenge to thank The Sick Children’s Trust for giving her a place to stay at its ‘Home from Home’ Acorn House, Cambridge when her son, Carter, was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with breathing difficulties. By taking on the 900 sit-ups she raised £290.
Georgie said: “When Carter arrived at Addenbrooke’s Hospital I knew we would be there for a while. I wasn’t prepared to leave Carter and I realised I would have to try to stay awake in that chair until he got better. Fortunately, I didn't have to as I was handed the keys to a room at Acorn House.
“I was only ever a short walk away from Carter and it meant the absolute world to me to have a home to go to after long, tough hours on the ward, and also to have quality time with my daughter and family in a homely setting.
“This challenge has been harder than I thought, but Carter has jumped in to join me every day and my daughter Elsie always gives me some motivational words, which got me through!”
Charlotte Webster, corporate partnerships manager at The Sick Children’s Trust added: “2020 was a really challenging year for us and we have been looking for ways all of our supporters can get involved to help keep families together with their seriously ill child.
“We’d like to thank all of our amazing champions for taking part, we’ve had families like Georgie’s sign up, corporate partners, trustees, staff and plenty more. It has been fantastic to see people come together to help us continue to keep our Homes from Home open. Thank you.”
To find out more about The Sick Children’s Trust, please visit their website or follow them on Twitter.
