Charity appeal helping vulnerable children through life after lockdown

Children’s charity Cash for Kids have announced that 100% of the funds raised from their upcoming campaign Cash for Kids Day will support beneficiaries with food provisions and also provide support for educational and mental health projects as local communities prepare to come out of lockdown this summer.

Cash for Kids continue to help the most vulnerable in our community after setting up an emergency appeal in just five days in March 2020 in response to the worldwide pandemic, which received support from Ant & Dec and went on to provide over £80,000 worth of food and basic essentials for children during the first lockdown who were shielding or unable to attend school in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.

The charity, which also provided presents for over 19,000 children in December, has seen an unprecedented demand for mental health support as children across our region have struggled with the lockdown restrictions and there are concerns about digitally excluded children falling behind in school. The funds raised will help these causes along with support for families living in poverty dealing with redundancies and reduced incomes from furlough leaving many unable to provide basic essentials for their children.

The two-week campaign will feature on radio stations Hallam FM and Greatest Hits Radio launching on May 3^rd , with fundraising happening throughout the month. Hallam FM host John Harrison, star of Big John @ Breakfast is inviting radio listeners to join in an online Bingo night with an array of prizes and Simon Mayo is hosting a request show on Greatest Hits Radio to help raise funds.

14-year-old Alice Middleton is also raising funds for the cause by shaving off her hair. Local businesses fundraising including estate agent Reeds Rains, who have branches in Doncaster, Rotherham, Chesterfield and Sheffield, are taking part in various activities to raise funds including two staff members doing a bungee jump.

Chesterfield based iDeal Flooring and IMH Recruitment in Rotherham are also fundraising and businesses are encouraged to join in and pledge support by fundraising or donating.

Westfield Health, XPO Logistics, Anderson & Co Financial Services and Sheffield Mutual have also helped the campaign with donations and creative agency OOHYes are helping to spread the word across the region thanks to a donated advertising campaign on the huge digital billboard on Sheffield Parkway.

John Harrison, who has hosted Big John @ Breakfast for 21 years on Hallam FM, said: “After such a tough year for so many people we must help those that can’t yet see the light at the end of the tunnel. I cannot wait to host a night of online bingo to have loads of fun and give away prizes to help raise loads of money for Cash for Kids!”

Cash for Kids Charity Manager Allan Ogle, who is heading up the campaign, added: “Foodbanks are distributing at record levels and our community needs your help now more than ever. I’m so grateful to those who have pledged donations and fundraising support so far this really showcases the community spirit we have across the Sheffield City Region.

“Despite these tough times every penny raised will be spent on those who need it most and we’d love to have your support to help as many children as possible improve their mental health and not have poverty as a barrier to their chances of fulfilling their potential.”

Fundraising materials and donation links can be found on the Hallam FM and Greatest Hits Radio websites or you can contact Cash for Kids directly by emailing [email protected] you can also share fundraising stories directly with Big John on Twitter and Instagram via @bigjohnhallamfm. Tickets to Bingo at Big John’s Bar can be found at hallamfm.co.uk and on Facebook.