Demelza Launches Summer Match Funding Appeal

Demelza has launched a summer match funding appeal, meaning supporters can double the impact of their donation and fundraising for the next three months.

Thanks to the generosity of The Freddie Green and Family Charitable Foundation*, every pound donated either online or in the community at events over the summer will go even further.

The summer appeal highlights the incredible difference Demelza makes to 1,100 families across its three areas – Kent, South East London and East Sussex.

The expert clinical care, emotional support and practical help provided to families who know their time together will be short, to children who haven’t had the chance to play, laugh or make friends like others their age and to parents who have become full-time carers to their children, missing out on the joy of simply being mum and dad.

Six-year-old Jack, from Dover, is one of the children who features in the campaign. He has a genetic condition called Nager Syndrome, which affects his physical development, impacting how his face and limbs formed, leading to multiple complex side effects. 

He attended Demelza Dots, a weekly play session for children which the charity organises, and his parents say he became a completely different child after attending.

His mum Hannah said: “Jack didn’t walk, he barely signed and he hated messy play, but weekly sessions at Dots turned him into a hugely confident little boy.

“He quickly started walking as he wanted to get involved in all the activities that were on offer and became surprisingly into messy play, making a beeline for the table whenever he could.

“For us as parents, Dots represented a chance to feel a bit ‘normal’. Every other parent there knows to some degree what you’re going through; rare conditions aren’t that rare at Demelza, they’re often the norm.”

By supporting our summer appeal, you can help families like Jack’s. For the next three months, every gift you make to Demelza, your local children’s hospice, will be matched pound for pound, doubling your impact to families in your area.

Demelza’s Deputy CEO, Hayley Richardson, told SFM News: “It’s a challenging time for charities and more than ever, we are relying on our amazing communities to keep our services running. A massive 84% of our funding comes from our supporters but we know the way people are giving and supporting charities has changed so it’s exciting that this match funding appeal has a real focus on engaging with our local community. 

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“It doesn’t have to be an online donation - if you see us out in the community and pop some money into one of our buckets, if you shop in one of our shops and round up your donation or if you take part in one of our events this summer – every pound you spend will be doubled. You can even organise your own fundraiser and that money will be matched too.

“There’s plenty of fun going on throughout the summer – from a chance to win a giant LEGO man to visiting our marquee at the Kent County Show, there’s something for everyone. We know times are tough for everyone but if you can support us now, the money you donate as part of the appeal will go twice as far - you can help Demelza transform the lives of families in your local area. We’re so grateful to The Freddie Green and Family Charitable Foundation for this incredibly generous match funding opportunity.”

Find out more about how you can support the campaign and read some of Demelza's family stories please click here.

*Thanks to the generosity of the Freddie Green and Family Charitable Foundation, all donations up to £100,000 will be matched until Sunday 13 September.