The Mayor of Richmond, Councillor Lisa Blakemore, for her mayoral year 2017/2018 is raising money for three charities close to her heart: Off the Record, Twickenham, Me Too & Co and Cavernoma Alliance UK

Each charity is looking to raise £5,000 for a specific need to support more people every year and you can help. For more information please email: mayors.office@richmond.gov.uk or visit www.richmond.gov.uk/mayors_charities

Cavernoma Alliance UK (CAUK) supports those affected by Cavernoma – a lesion, predominantly found in the brain or spine, that is made up of abnormal blood vessels which can bleed and cause strokes, seizures, or even death. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for all those affected and create greater awareness of the condition.

£5,000 would help fund CAUK’s Annual Forum, which will be in Manchester this year, and bring together members and families for a day of learning about recent advances in treatment, workshops, and considerable networking time, so each member doesn’t have to feel alone. This year CAUK is also helping to launch an appeal for a specialist Neurovascular Nurse at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, which will benefit children with cavernoma.

https://www.cavernoma.org.uk/

Me too & Co supports 900 families locally who have children with additional needs. We offer 360 support for families from activities and therapies for children to legal support and advice for parents and carers. We provide courses, information, a listening ear and a sanctuary for the whole family. Families come to us at many points during their journey; pre diagnosis, support after diagnosis or when there is no diagnosis at all. There are no attendance rules or limits at Me too & Co, we’re here for everyone at any time.

£5,000 would provide 5 children a week with 1-1 sessions of developmental yoga with their parents for a year. This experience improves physical and overall well-being and supports family bonding.

https://www.metooandco.org.uk/

Off The Record (OTR), Twickenham provides the only free and confidential drop in counselling , sexual health and information service for young people aged 11-24 in the borough of Richmond upon Thames . OTR directly helps over 1,500 young people every year dramatically improving outcomes for young people and their families in the borough.

£5,000 would provide 9 young people with 12 sessions of counselling with a trained and experienced counsellor. The waiting list for counselling has doubled in recent months and the issues are becoming increasingly complex and serious with concerns such as family break up, bereavement, self-harm and exam anxiety. Off The Record’s services are needed now more than ever.

http://otrtwickenham.com/