Rainbow Trust, a children's care charity, hosted a special family fun day at Bradshaw Hall Primary School in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, this week. The event marked the charity's 40th anniversary of supporting families who have a child with life-threatening or terminal illnesses.
Celebrating 40 years of support
The charity has been established nationally for 40 years, and for 22 years has had its own Manchester Care team supporting local families. Joining the celebration was inspirational fundraiser Dr Michael Josephson MBE, who has raised £500,000 for the Rainbow Trust at his charity events in recent years.
The event was an opportunity for those families supported by Rainbow Trust to come together and enjoy some much needed family fun during the school holidays. Children played alongside their siblings and families, and got to enjoy face painting, a treasure hunt, games, arts and crafts.
Families share their experiences
Among those at the event were Evie and her family, who have been helped by the Rainbow Trust. Evie's mum Vicky said: "As parents we are caring for Evie 24/7 and having support from Rainbow Trust brings Evie so much joy. Evie was born at 29 weeks and has been very poorly having had multiple operations. Without Rainbow Trust and Family Support Worker Emma's support, life would be a lot more difficult."
Charity campaigner Michael was able to see first-hand the impact of his support, having donated £500,000 from his annual charity ball held in Manchester. He said: "It was so special to go and see the wonderful work Rainbow Trust is doing with families and terminally ill and sick children, changing their lives and helping the families on a day-to-day basis. This is what it's all about. Thank you so much to everyone who consistently supports me, enabling days like this and allowing my work to continue for the charities I support and donate to from the MJ Ball."
No government funding
Chief Executive of the Rainbow Trust, Zillah Bingley, reflected on the event saying: "For four decades, Rainbow Trust has supported families caring for a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness offering practical help, emotional support and a constant presence through the hardest moments. We provide this vital service without any central government funding, and I am forever grateful to Michael, one of our biggest supporters, for his crucial support in helping us to support these families in Manchester."
Rainbow Trust has nine care teams of Family Support Workers across England including: Essex, Southampton, the South West, London & the South East, Greater Manchester, the Kentown Support Team in Lancaster, the North East, Thames Valley and Merseyside & Cheshire team. They support the whole family including parents, carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents.
