Jane Tomlinson Appeal hands charities a huge cash boost
Charitable projects across Yorkshire have been handed a vital cash boost by the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.
A total of just over £65,000 has been presented to eight Yorkshire-based organisations by the Appeal, part of the legacy of the late Jane Tomlinson CBE, who raised £1.85m for children’s and cancer charities before her death from cancer aged just 43 in 2007.
The charities receiving funds in the latest round of grant-giving were:
Barnsley Hospice – £9,000
Bradford Deaf Community Association – £7,900
Independent Domestic Abuse Services (York) – £9,000
One In a Million (Bradford) – £6,900
Paces School, Sheffield – £9,350
Prince of Wales Hospice (Pontefract) – £10,000
St Michael’s Hospice (Harrogate) – £3,000
Weston Park Cancer Charity (Sheffield) – £10,000
Sarah Hill, chief executive of York-based Independent Domestic Abuse Services, said: “We are totally thrilled to receive an award from the Jane Tomlinson Appeal in support of children living in our refuges.
“These children are highly vulnerable having fled from domestic violence situations. The grant will pay for vital therapeutic play sessions, learning materials and day trips, helping them to recover from trauma, intense anxiety and feelings of separation. It will make such a big difference to so many young lives.”
Paces is a leading specialist school for children with cerebral palsy and other motor disorders.
Paul Walters, Paces fundraising officer, said: “Children with complex health needs - and their families/carers - face an arduous process to obtaining suitable education and healthcare provision upon leaving Paces School.
“A grant from the Jane Tomlinson Appeal will allow Paces to employ a fieldworker who can offer family support, counselling, information, advice and guidance for children aged 14-18 who are facing a transition into adult provision.”
Helen Gentle, senior fundraising manager at Weston Park Cancer Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Jane Tomlinson Appeal for a very generous grant which will enable Weston Park Cancer Charity to provide essential support to older cancer patients in the Sheffield area.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Age UK Sheffield to offer a pioneering support service which aims to improve the quality of life of the increasing number of older people in the city who are struggling with the effects of a cancer diagnosis.
“These funds will go a long way to improve the financial, social and emotional wellbeing of hundreds of older cancer patients each year, giving these older people the chance to enjoy their later years in the comfort that they deserve.”
Janet Lewington, lymphoedema team leader at the Prince of Wales Hospice, said: “The Prince of Wales Hospice offers treatment for patients with cancer related and non-cancer related lymphoedema. We have lymphoedema clinics based at three locations across the region and support over 500 patients each year.
“The generous funding from the Jane Tomlinson fund will support us to maintain our facilities and continue to make a difference to patients who suffer from this life limiting condition.”
One In A Million helps disadvantaged young people through sports, the arts and enterprise. It says it uses formal and informal education to break the cycle of deprivation and let the youngsters know they are “one in a million.”
John Mitchell, of One In A Million, said: ““It is a privilege to be associated with the Jane Tomlinson Appeal and a great encouragement to us that they identify with our work.
“Their financial support is very much appreciated, and will be put towards the delivery of our sports projects with disadvantaged and excluded children and young people across the Bradford district.”
Bradford Deaf Centre has been used by deaf people to meet and socialise for nearly 150 years. The grant will be used to help fund the centre’s new Deaf Mums and Tots Group.
Centre Manager Celia Hickson said: “We are delighted that we have been successful in getting funding from the Jane Tomlinson Appeal and hope to get the next generation involved in our centre so we can help families access the help and support they need.”
Jane Tomlinson made headlines across the world by competing in a series of epic endurance challenges from the London Marathon, ironman and triathlon competitions, to a 4,200 mile cycle ride across the width of the USA – despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer.
The appeal she established has so far raised nearly £8m.
Suzanne Tomlinson, trustee of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, said: “We are thrilled to be able to support the excellent work carried out by these charities. We know the donations will be put to great use to benefit the many adults, children and families they help.
“Thank you again to everyone who has supported the Appeal throughout 2016 to allow us to be able to make these grants possible.”
In total, in this round of grant giving, the Appeal gave out £108,000 to 14 charities across the North and Midlands. Other charities to benefit included: Pendleside Hospice, Dyneley Riding for the Disabled, Anna’s Hope in Peterborough, St Andrew’s Hospice in Grimsby, Bury FC Community Trust and the national charity YoungMinds.