Following 26 weeks of fundraising, NSPCC Jersey’s Fundraising Committee has raised £6,833 for the charity, helping to keep children safe during these challenging times. The group decided to take on the virtual challenge after COVID-19 curtailed many fundraising plans, which saw events such as the Jersey Ball cancelled.
While these events were called-off, it soon became clear to the committee that the NSPCC’s services were still required and even more vital during the pandemic. Because of this, the group began work on how they could continue to support the Gower Centre, through fundraising but in a very different way.
Starting in March, the group have organised online quizzes, virtual tea parties including special guests, NSPCC Jersey patrons His Excellency and Lady Dalton, who met with service staff to find out how they were doing, photography competitions launched with royal photographer Matt Porteous, and virtual dog shows, while members completed the virtual London Marathon and created homemade face coverings – now continuing with a Christmas theme.
Reflecting on the year so far, Chair of the NSPCC Fundraising Group, Nicola Santos-Costa said: “For me the highlights were how we all pulled together, and were able come up with a plan to help the service centre.
“We are delighted with the success of the challenge, we all enjoyed these events - and so did our supporters - and now that we’ve done them once, I think they may become annual events which is great.”
With their fundraising reaching just short of £7,000, those funds could cover the cost of the NSPCC Helpline for 14 hours, or provide almost 300 sets of toys for children to use during intensive therapeutic sessions to explain how they feel.
While the challenge has come to an end, donations have continued to come in, taking the current total to over £7,000. Should the group meet their £10,000 target, that would cover the cost of 400 in-depth counselling sessions, estimated to take place with a trained Childline counsellor, across Jersey this year.
Head of Development & Partnerships, Sara Clews said:“Not swayed by the challenges of lockdown the committee embraced the new virtual world, leading the way for other volunteers across the organisation. “Their passion for the NSPCC and the inspiration of Chair, Nicola Santos-Costa meant the committee were able to keep raising awareness, along with vital fundraising to help NSPCC still be here for children.”
To find out more about the fundraising committee’s 26 Week Challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nspcc-jersey26weekchallenge or support their Christmas fundraising by getting your presents wrapped in De Gruchy department store from Saturday 12 to Wednesday 23 December, found by the entrance to the shoes or towards the barber shop.