CHARITY FOCUS
Live Ribble Valley takes a look at the many and varied charity projects that are taking place in towns and villages across the region
GATHERING THE FLOCK
Businesses throughout the North West gathered to celebrate the action-packed launch of Age Concern’s latest campaign which tackles loneliness and isolation in Lancashire. The What the Flock (#wtf) campaign was unveiled at the Preston Marriott Hotel with the support of an award-winning cartoonist, a specially crafted beer and a real flock of sheep. The campaign introduces Lonk the Lonely Sheep who is sad and lonely until a group of socially conscious sheep realise that Lonk needs help and collectively agree they ‘give a flock’! Chief Executive, Suzanne Carr said: “Never-before has Age Concern faced such an unprecedented demand from vulnerable adults across Lancashire. Estimates suggest that 35,000 older people are chronically lonely and isolated. Nobody should face these problems alone. The #wtf campaign is set to make a real difference to lives in Lancashire by raising vital funds to combat loneliness and isolation.”
Award-winning cartoonist Tony Husband, who has worked for many of the world’s leading publications including The Times and Private Eye, created the What the Flock illustrations and Beer Brothers Brewery, Preston’s largest micro-brewery introduced its special IPA brew on the day. The new What the Flock beer is available from www.beerbrothers.co.uk where a donation will be made for each can sold.
A small flock of Lonk sheep also made a special guest appearance. Steve Morris, from Goodshaw Farm, and the Lonk Sheep Breeders’ Association, said: “We were delighted to help Age Concern in any way we could and especially pleased that the inspiration for the campaign is based on the Lonk sheep.”
Age Concern has set up a crowd funding page where anyone can make a donation via: www.ageisjustanumber.org.uk/wtflancs
MILLY’S SMILES
Great Harwood-based charity Milly’s Smiles, was set up in memory of Milly, who was treated for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. The charity has been established since 2016, and provides a bag which is known as a Milly Bag and contains both essential and non-essential items for families whose child has been diagnosed with a cancer related illness, and has been admitted onto Ward 84 at Manchester Children’s Hospital or Ward 3B at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. These hospitals are the main treatment centres that treat children from the North West.
As a charity Milly’s Smiles has helped almost 500 families over the last three years, and is going from strength to strength. Organisers hold regular fundraising events to fund the bags, which cost £140 each, and the aim is to be able to supply all the children’s oncology units with bags for their new admissions. Fundraising events coming up include a sponsored walk on 3rd November. The walk is an annual event, which is held around Milly’s birthday. It’s a five-mile walk starting from the Royal in Great Harwood.
For more details about the walk or to donate via the website, which gives the option of donating via Just Giving or Paypal go to: www.millyssmiles.org
If you have any charity news please contact: jan.woolley@live-magazines.co.uk
