I am completing my own 2.6 challenge by running a marathon in our street, this will consist of around 400 laps - each roughly 110 metres. Charities are struggling at the moment due to large events, usually raising huge and vital sums, being cancelled - creating a shortfall of around £4 billion across the 3rd sector collectively. This has resulted in many charities, especially smaller ones, being at risk of becoming another casualty of Covid-19.

I am supporting Sparkle, a Newport based charity, all of Sparkle’s major fundraising activities have been suspended, their income has plummeted. Thus, just when their families need them most, the whole service is under threat. It costs £300,000 to run full services for six months, and just maintaining a core team to provide online and telephone support will require £100,000.

Sparkle provide essential support for families whose child has a disability or developmental delay in Gwent, and these families need them now more than ever. They offer support to parents, who may be overwhelmed or feel lost and isolated coping with their child's additional needs, and the strain this puts on the whole family. No request for help is ever ignored, and they offer a range of support, from providing clubs and leisure activities for up to 350 children a week across Gwent, in addition to overnight trips and workshops for up to 200 parents a year. Many of their children cannot access any such activities in the community, either because their physical needs are too complex, or because their behaviour causes difficulties for them, and issues for their parents in a public setting. Parents and young people experience no stigma attending activities with Sparkle, they are warmly welcomed by their highly skilled staff.

Without your support at this time, Sparkle will not survive, and hundreds of families will be left without the support and social contact they so desperately need.

DONATE TODAY AND HELP A CHILD SPARKLE.